Year: 1862

the people have signally vndicated us in the late
elections, and put the brand of condemnation on
them. We are satisfied with our own antecedents,
with our present position and views, and with the
verdict Of the people. That verdict is in our favor
and can, therefore, afford to bear great deal at
the hands of our unscrupulous assailants; but if
they should continue their assaults, as we have no
doubt they will, we shall find time and space, now
and then, to hold them up in their true colors be.
fore the people.


1t has been charged by our opponents, from the
very beginning of our present troubles that we are
not true to the South. "Holden is sympathizer
with Lincoln -" Holden is a traitor "-"Holden
is opposed to the South, these are specimens of
the charges which, since February 1861, have been
made against us by our enemies. We have uni
formly relied acts, and on the discriminating
judgment Of the people, to vindcate US against these
charges; and the result has shown that we hare
been vndicated in the most triumphant manner
Now what are the facts ?-what are our acts, to
which We have referred, during tina. period? We
declared in February 1861, that if Mr. Lincoln at
tempted to coerce the South We would resist him;
and in April, 1861 as soon as his proclamation ap-
peared We said:


"The saveholding States can bring into the field
one million of fighting men, as brave as ever charged
bayonet or drew sword. These men can be sup
ported by those who remain at home, and by the
labor of our slaves. The South can support and
live within ITSELF 1t can furnish itself with every
article necessary for subsistence, and it wants no
luxures at a time like this. In addition to this,
our people will fight for Constitutional liberty
against arbitrary power-for their homes and hearth
stones, and, it may be, for existence. Such peo
pile cannot be conquered. They may be overrun-
their country may be laid waste, and their blood
may flow like water, but they can no more be SUBJ
jugated than the winds or the sea-"


This was penned and published before single
volunteer regiment had been raised. Is there any
treason or any reconstruction of the Union in the
above language?


Again, in the Standard of October 10, 1861, we
said:


"Our independence is only matter of time, for
it is fixed as fate at some period in the future
Its achievement may require more hard fighting
than was done at Bull Run and Manassas and thou
sands more of our bravest and best men may be
slain in battle; but rest assured that leaders in
this great struggle will accomplish the result in the
best way for our armies and for the country"
! Was there any treason in that?


Again, in the Standard of November 81, 1861 We
| said:


"The old Union men are just as true to the South
as the most ultra secessionsts can be. They will
never submit to Lincoln, and they will never con-
sent to reunite their destinies with the Northern
government


Was there any treason in that ?-any evidence
| that the Standard for reconstruction Of the
| Union? We might fill column after column with
similar extracts, all going to show our attachment
to the Confederate cause and opposition to the


first dawning of any attempt to reconstruct the
| old government Our motto has uniformly been


The Democratic prinoiple-that Is, the right Of
the people to rule.


A firm and unwarering attachment to the Con-
Tolerate government, as the surest means Of trans
mitting free institutions to posterity.


d oigorous prosecution Of the aoar, and perpetual
separation from the United States


The best men for office, Dithout regard to party.


an honest and economical administration Of
both State and Confederate affairs.


These principles have been vndicated and ap-
proved by the people of this State in the late cleo
tions, by more than thirty thousand majority Col.
| Vance, the Governor elect stands upon them and


majority of at least thirty members Of the Legis-
lature on joint ballot, occupy the same platform.
| This charge of treason against us has been pre-.
ferred, IN many instances, by intelligent persons
who knew they were slandering us when they made
the charge We have nothing for such persons but
scorn, defiance, and contempt. We leave them to
tester in their own inherent depravity and mean
ness. But there are hundreds of honest well-mean-
ing, but unlnformed persons who have repeated the
charge, and who, mised by their more intelligent
spokesmen and organs, no doubt believe it. While
We pity such for their ignorance and prejudces, we
hope that they will yet perceive and know for them.
selves that they have been deceived by corrupt and
designing men, and admit that we are at least as
true to the South as our assailants


We did all we could to prevent war; but when
nothing else would do we advised war. We are
still for the war, and expect to DE, until peace can
be secured on honorable terms. We believe in
Quick and rapid fighting the surest means to end
the war. We rejoiced when our brave soldiers re-
pulsed the enemy from Richmond and made them
selves, the spots on which they fought and the
cause they fought in, still more glorious in our an
nails. We rejoice at the disasters which are over
taking the Northern forces on the Rappahannock,
and we trust the day is not distant when Washing
ton City itself will be occupied by our forces. w
believe that peace is not for ahead 1t is our de-
liberate opinion that the first of next year will, in
all probability witness the termination of hostilites
on large scale; and that, by the first of April OF
May, 1863, our ports will be open. We have ou'
reasons for this opinion, the chief one Of which is
that in less than four weeks we shall again defeat
the Northern forces in a great pitched battle, ano
that the Northern government will not be able te
prosecute the war thereafter with any thing like
energy or vigor. Let those who despond, take
courage; let those who have suffered in the cause
and who are still suffering be Of good cheer, fol
assuredy peace is not far distant.


But "Holden is traitor" The people have
branded that lie at the polls. If We are traitor
then are twothirds of our fighting and voting pop