Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-09-14
GOVERNOR vAMcE's LIFE.

TWO INTERESTING INCIDENTS
CALLED TO MIND.
(Mr. Battle at the unwilling of the
Vance statue, at Raleigh, on the ed
of August.)
The following is an instance of Gov
ernor Vance's prompt and resclute
manner in dealing with heterogeneous
on the rights OF the State. In the fall
of 1863 the Raleigh Standard. edited by
w. w. Holden, subsequently Governor
of the State during the period of re-
construction. was thought to be hostile
in spirit to the Confederate cause, and
to be looking toward peace by separate
state action. On the night of Septem-
Der 9th Il Georgia regiment. of General
3ennlnS's brigade, passed through RAJ
leigh, stopped long enough to lead a
mob and destroy the Standard office of
the state Journal n paper of strongly
opposite views. Governor Vance at
once telegraphed the facts to President
Davis and in letter to him next day
used the following vigorous language:
AS 1t is my intention to enforce the
laws rigidly against all citizens who
participated in the second mob. so |
feel 1t my duty to demand punishment
may inflicted on the officers who as
sisted or countenanCed the first. Should
this not be done. shall feel il my duty
TO demand the persons of these officers.
Of the state of Georgia. to answer the
demands of justice. l feel very sad at
these outrages. The distance is quite
short to either anarchy or despotism
when armed soldiers, led by their Off
GERS can with impunity outrage the
laws of State. A few more such ex-
hibitions will bring the North. Caro-
ma troops home to the defence of her
own state and her institutions. ] pray
YOU TO see that it does not occur again.
should any newspaper in the State
commit treason would have its editor
arrested and tried by the laws. which
many of us yet respect thank Won
FOR your prompt orders by telegraph 10
Major fierce concerning the passage of
troops through the city They are now
being enforced, and peace can be IRE
served II they are rightly obeyed.''
inns threat of separate State action.
mace TO emphasize his determination
TO nave the law of the State respect
ed. Is offset by an incident over twelve
months later, when stout hearts bepon
TO quail at what they feared to be tho
approaching downfall of our cause.
hau some knowledge of ii at the time;
put years after Governor Vance gave
1t TO me In its details A gentleman
OF the highest character and stand
ing, and whom Governor Vance great
~ respected for his wisdom and pa
triotiSm, was here from Richmond
lie called at the executive Office and
informed the Governor that he was
commissioned tn-deliNer- -i..a.ae..ta.,4
message to him, and wished an au
dience with him alone. Others having
retired from the room, the gentleman
informed Governor Vance that certain
members of Congress from this and
other States had recently held a con-
ference, and in view of what appeared
to them the utter hopelessness of the
cause resolved that steps should be
taken to prevent further effusion of
blood and loss of property; and that
North Carolina was by it's location in
respect TO invading armies in a posi-
ton to bring about the result: and
their message conveyed q request that
he should issue an order recurring the
North Carolina troops in the field to
return home. and to end the war. Gov
ernor Vance rose from his seat in
great excitement, and standing with
his back TO the fire, asked his com
panion courteously whether that was
his advice. and receiving as a reply,
mo, only deliver the message I was
wrath "a great oath. mo! / would see
the last one of them in perdition be-
fore I would do 1t. Were I to do that
the last of 1t would not be heard for
generations to come. 1t would be
charged that the Confederacy might
have succeeded but for the treachery
of North Carolina. So far as the
honor of the state is in my keeping. 1t
shall be untarnished. She must stand
or fall with her sisters" His friend
replied. II am not sure but you are
right and. on his return to Richmond.
reported to those who sent the mes
sage, that they need not expect any
thing by separate actions from North
Garollna: