The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-03

said he would not be arrested. Turner
was apprised OF the time the force would
come, but small force was sent. as Hol-
den thought they would be more apt to
kill some of them.
Turner had Deen political follower of
Governor Graham, living in the same
town. He went TO Governor Graham and
told him he would resist. Governor Ora
ham told him, III you do you will do ex-
actly what he wishes He has failed to
have collision with the people and Sc
lected you as last resort. If you wish
to thwart him submit. The end is almost
at hand Captain Turner reluctantly
agreed to do this. He was afraid his per-
sonal courage would be impugned after
what he had said in his paper. He con-
cluded to go TO the station and meet the
vagabonds, as he could hardly have re-
strained the boys had they come into
town. Here he met them, a negro being
of the party-perhaps added to make a
difficulty certain. He submitted to arrest
and was carried to Alamance jail and af-
forwards to that of Caswell and placed
with the other gentlemen who had been
arrested The Supreme Court having hui
inflated itself and the State. application
was made to the United States District
Court-Judge Brooks-who readily grant
ed the writ When the prisoners were
produced there was no evidence against
them and they were discharged How ap-
propriate it would be to have in the State
Library portraits of Josiah Turner and
Judge Brooks side by side, with placards
telling their connection in North Carolina
history. The Democrats had carried the
Legislature by two-thirds vote. ma
jority in the Senate sufficed to punish the
Governor for his outrage. Shall it be
done? was the question Some thought it
a fine time 10 trade to party and per-
Nonal advantage as Holden's endorsement,
as in 1866, procured the position sought.
Turner denounced all such action and
in the name of the people and their des
cendants demanded Impeachment I'm
parchment was voted by the House, pro-
nounced by the Senate and the first Gov
ernor of a State since the formation of
the United States was removed.
Had Josiah Turner died at this period
no son of the State has ever received the
honors that would have been paid him.
Here l would close my sketch, as vari-
ance with men of his party began shortly
after this. and reconstruction was never
mite in the capital and blown that beau
tiful building to atoms it could not de-
stroy the debt that civilization and good
government in this State owe him.
In 1874 he earnestly advocated the call
of a convention to amend the Carpet-bag
Constitution, which his party had de-
nounced from its making. Others were,
as in 1865 and 1870, for trade for political
and personal advancement, in fear of the
Federal government. The convention was
called and the government of the State
restored to its white citizens.
The impeachment of Holden in 1871, the
call of convention in 1874 and the Cor
stitutional amendment in 1898 are the
three crises through which we have passed
since the war. In searching for our great
men let us find their position at these
times when the people were to be guided
by leaders; rather than the days of peace
and ouetude.
| have thus endeavored to aequaint
your readers with some items in the his
tory of man the State should never
cease to honor. I append his application
for pardon in 1863 | think when the his
torians of the future shall be acquainted
with the careers of W w Holden, An
drew Johnson and Josiah Turner, that
when he discovers the petition of Josiah
Turner for pardon for engaging in seees-
sion to Holden and Johnson, he will ex-
claim, This is sight for God and man.
w. A. GRAHAM.
Ma~hneIsh n C. ADriI 20 1901