The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-18

Ladies ana Itltlclil'h.
First at Bethel; last at Appomat-
toXt" is an epiGram which embodleS
the spirit Of all the serious acts Of
North Carolina.
1t will be useful to consider it's APP
plication to the circumstance which
brings us together today, and to re
call some of the historical facts that
relate to the latter.
The rapidity with which our race
has subdued the wilderness and &C
quired the arts of civilization is apt
10 lead one of our generations to
forget the state OF mind OF It's pre-
decessor. We a a case in point
here. | doubt if more than a small
portion of this great audience is
aware of the uphill fight which
North Carolina waged in the struggle
for recognition OF her merits Judge
Castor had that in mind. in our State
hymn. when he resented the efforts
Of Writings who defame her
Notwithstanding her achievements
in peace and war, North Carolina,
before the great war, was called "a
strip of land between two States"
That WAS a gibe which 10 doubt was
suggested by our commercial inferior
ity and want OF large cities; but it
created an incorrect impression Of
our place among the original States.
Responsive to the conservative dis
position which led her to withhold
her accession to the Union Gas
Washington termed it, longer thar
any Of her sisters except Rhode Is
land, North Carolina was with ex-
Ception Of her daughter, Tennessee.
the last to Secede from it. Her SLOW
ness in this respect. as her. critics
described it, supplied them with re-
newed occasion for expressions Of
d~isfavor, and many were the scornful
suggestions Of the ignominy Of her
Submission"
The GiSt Letters
Upon the election of Mr.. Lincoln,
Governor Gist, of South Carolina,
wrote a letter to ach of the Cover
nors Of the Southern States, includ-
ing the border States, asking their
views on the subject Of secession,
which he favored. He received replies
from the Governors OF North Carolina,
Georgia. Florida, Alabama, Missis-
sippi and Louisiana All but the Gov
ernor of North Carolina gave assur-
ance of cooperation in secession.
While Governor Ellis, in common
with most of the people Of North
Carolina, believed in the right Of Sc
cession CAS- taught at West Point and
elsewhere), he correctly represented
their views as to its inexpediency at
the time he wrote. AS it turned out,
also, his own views of the mOnStrous
doctrine Of coercion were those Of
the people he represented.
His admirable letter was as fol
lows:
Political differences and party
strife have run so high in this State
for some years past, and particularly
during the past nine months. thai
anything like unanimity upon any
question of a public nature coult
scarcely be expected: and such is the
case with the one under cOnsidera-
ton. Our people are very far from
being agreed as to what action the
State should take in the event O.
Lincoln'S election to the presidency
Some favor submission, some resist
ance, and others still would avail
the course of events that might fol
low. Many argue that he would b,
powerless for evil with a minority
party in the Senate, and perhaps il
the House Of Representatives also
while others say, and doubtless witt
entire sincerity, that the placing o
the power of the Federal Govern
ment into his hands would prove
fatal blow to the institution of negr,
slavery in this country.
None of our public speakers.
believe, have taken the ground be
fore the people that the election o
Lincoln would, of itself, be a cause O
secession. Many have said it woul
not. while others have spoken equivo
Callv.
Upon the whole, I am decided
Of the opinion hat a majority of on
people would not consider the occur
renee or the event referred to as sui
lcient ground for dissolving the Irnio
OF the States For which reason
do not suppose that our Legislature,
which will met on the 10th prox.. wi
TAX any steps in that direction
such, for instance. as the calling c
a convention.
Has Given Facts.
Thus. sir, l have given you what
conceive to be the sentiment Of OF
people upon the subject of your lie
ter, and I give it as IN existing fac
without comment as to whether tt
majority be in error or not.
My own opinions as an individual