Year: 1864

may 1o0, says


"In Gov. Vance's speech in this place to-day, he
said be could prove by two or three as respectable
members as there are in the Legislature, that you
had made propositions to them to introduce resolu-
tions calling for Convention for the purpose of
seeding from the Oonfederacy; and that if you
had any friends present which he knew you had,
they were at liberty to communicate his statement
to you Please let me hear from you on this par
ticuar point-not that believe the statement but
to meet it when used against you.n


The above is from gentleman whose word may
be implicitly relied on. ..


This charge against US appeared in the Gonfed-
crate Of Tuesday last which was printed Monday
night the day on which the Governor spoke at
Smithfeld.


We now say to our correspondent and to the
public that there is no shadow of foundation for
Gov. Vance's statement We have never supposed
nor stated that a Convection would be called for
the purpose Of seeding from the Confederate gov
ernment. We have made no propositions to men,
bers of the Legislature to introduce resolutions or
bills calling for Convention for any such purpose
nor have We any recollection of having suggested
to any member the propriety Of such bill or reso
luton for any purpose. We have thought, and
still think that it would be we'll for this State and
all the Confederate States to have Conventions in
being, if.not in session during the war-not to se-
cede from or embarrass the common government
but to aid that government in obtaining an honora-
BILE peace, as recommended by the Legislature of
Georgia; and at the same time to see to that the
administrators of that government do not subyert
change its character or trench fatally on the reser
we'd rights of the States and the liberties of the
people. We are not qfraid to trust the people, as
Goo. Vance Is. No one supposes that the present
Legislature will submit the question of Convention
to the people; but with our views Of the subject
and looking to the condition of the country, We
would support no man for the next Legislature
who would not pledge himself if the emer-
gency required it to consult the people at the bal
lot box as to whether they would have Conven-
ton. If it be true that the people can be trusted
at all times with the management of their own af-
fairs, thena Convention could do no harm, and it
might do much good and even ifi should do harm,
which we do not believe, the pc ople themselves,
who would have 10 bear it, would be to blame
for it


| In the Standard of February "a, 1864 wcpublish-
ed letter from Robert P Dick Esq. in relation to
the Greensborough meeting, which letter met as it
StHl meets our warm approval. Among other
things Mr.. Dick said:


81 am opposed to the secession of North Carolina
| from the government Of the Confederate States
Secession will always bring war and war produces
oloodShed, deSolation and sorrow. Civil war always
engenders sectional strife and unrelenting hate and
it is the prolific csource of want corruption and crime
\ dire necessity made North Carolina Secede from
the old Union and she has reaped an abundant har-
vest of bitter fruits. She could not remain neutral
She was compelled to assume her present position,
! and nobly has she maintained her honor and her
| lame. Secession now would be utter folly and mad
ness and such an act could only be justified in a
" life and death struggle for her liberty desire
convention to prevent any necessity secession.
The State in her full sovereignty might check any
usurpations and abuses of the common government
by firm and determined remonStranoe.


Conventions in all the States would greatly
strengthen the Confederate government 10y granting
it needful powers in every emergency, which if as
su:ned without their consent would be the usurpa-
ton of unwarranted authority.


| further desire State Convention to inapgurate
negotiations for peace. do not propose that this
State shall treat with the Lincoln government An
| honorable peace can never be Obtained from that
source. | scorn any proposition which Lincoln has
made and feel assured that the fanatcs hatred of
his friends will never allow any honorable terms
of adjustment


desire that this State in Convention shall invite
conference, through commissioners with her Sis
ter States of the South to if some plan cannot
be devised to stop the war by negotiation. l am
opposed to any separate State action and if the 9th
er States will not heeG the voice OF NorehC Carolina
for peace then she will have done her duty to God
and her people and be free from any Of the re-
sponsioilities of the future.


While our heroic soldiers are fighting and falling
in the deadly breach" and defending every inch
of their native land. want to see grand council
of sovereign States, in spirit worthy o the cVill-
Zaton and Christianity Of the age, receiving, pro-
posing and calmly considering propositions for an
honorable peace.


strong peace party at the South, sustained by
the action of sovereign States, would greatly iu.
the power OF the peace men at the North and
| enable them to overturn the hateful Black Repub
lican dynasty at Washington. | feel sure that we
could successfully treat with the conservative men
at The North, If they were in power, and obtain
such terms as would be honorable and acceptable
to the whole country.


Negotiations for peace would greatly encourage
our people at home, and make them use every en-
ergy to sustain our cause; and they would cheer
and strengthen our gallant army ip the field; tor
then they might have some hope that the sword
would not deVour forever feRl that it is higher
evidence of patriotism to SAGE the life Of citizeE
than to destroy q thousand enemies"
Time again have We announced similar views in
the Standard, from the moment the Convention
, question was first discussed up to the present The
charge of Gov. Vance falls to the ground. There
IS no truth in it


Since the above was written we have received the
Conservative of Wednesday, containing communi
cation from which we make the following extract:
"But the important fact stated by Gov. Vance
was that Mr.. Holden had declared to two or three
members of the Legislature that he advocated {
Convention of the State for the purpose of carrying
the State out of the Southern Conlederacy. And
stated further that if Mr.. Holden denied he woulG
prove it on him by certificates from those gentle