Newspapers / Semi-Weekly Standard (Raleigh, N.C.) / July 8, 1857, edition 1 / Page 2
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4 t 1 If 'I 1 if I if rprom the Warrenton News. STATE EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION. On Tuesday morning the train from Rsjeigh brought a large number of delegates, W. W. Holden, IS prof Chas. Ph.ll.ps of Chapel Hill, E. W. Og; burn, Esq', and C. C. Cole, Esq., of the Gsboro Timet &C were mon8 the number' ..P6 committee of arrangements had carriages awaiting, which conveyed them to Warrenton. where suitable accommodation, in Hotels and private residences, was in readiness. Mr. Holden was the guest of J. B Batchelor, Esq. The number was considerably increased by the evening train, and great regret was expressed when it was announced that illness would positively prevent the attendance of Mr. Wiley, the Superintendent of Common Schools. The absence of Dr. Hawks was also much regretted. According to previous arrangements, at 8 o'clock, P. M., the members assembled in the Court House, and E. W. Ogburn, Esq., Vice President, called the meeting to order. Mr. Ogburn said in consequence of the absence of Professor Wheat the duty devolved upon upon him to open the proceedings. He stated that the objects of this convention was, in the first place, the adoption of a constitution, which was necessary to enable the Association to attain a permanent organization. He alluded to Mr. Wiley's absence as depriving them of much valuable aid. At the late Convention in Salisbury, a committee bad been appointed to prepare Essays on the subject of gen eral education, of which Mr. Wiley was chairman. The essays had not been received, but several dis tinguished gentlemen would address the Convention on the same important topic. Mr. Ogburn, after some brief and pertinent remarks on the important effects their efforts would have on all classes of the State, announced the meeting ready to proceed to business. On motion of Messrs. Graves and Holden, Messrs. W. H. Bass, of Ridgeway, and J. H. Horner, of Oxford, were appointed Secretaries. Mr. Holden suggested that the delegates come forward and register their names with the Secretaries, and that an invitation be extended to all teachers and others present, interested in the cause of education, to en roll themselves as members of the Association. After some remarks from Dr. Pritchard and Mr. Batchelor, it was resolved to callover the counties alphabetically. Delegates appeared from the following counties : Alamance, Craven, Cumberland, Cabarrus, Chatham, Columbus, Davidson, Duplin, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Guilford, Halifax, Hyde, Harnett. Meck lenburg, New Hanover, Nash, Northampton, Orange, Rockingham, Rowan, Sampson, Wake, Warren and Wayne. The delegation from Sampson mustered strong, and was received with much cheering when they gathered around the Secretary's desk ; Wake was next strongest, and was similarly received. Warren exhibits the longest roll, for all present seemed anxious to have the honor of registering their names as members of the Convention. On motion of W. S. Ransom, Esq., a committee, consisting of Professor Phillips and the Rev. Messrs. Graves and Campbell, was appointed to prepare a programme of proceedings, to be submitted to the Convention. During the absence of the committee, a discussion arose respecting further proceedings ; after a desultory debate, relative to the reading. of the Constitution, the meeting adjourned at half-past 10 o'clock, to meet at 9 Wednesday morning. The committee previously submitted a report, recom mending that Mr. Holden be requested to address the Convention at 11 o'clock next day. WEDNESDAY MORNING. At 9 o'clock Mr. Ogburn took the chair. Proceedings were opened by an appropriate and impressive prayer by the Rev. Alexander Wilson. On motion, the Rev. Mr. Wells of Connecticut and Mr. Merrill of Mississippi were requested to par ticipate in the proceedings of the Convention. Dr. Pritchard wished every friend to education present, from any section of the Union to have per mission to take their seat This proposition gave rise to some debate, which was participated in by the Rev. Mr. Wiley, Wm. Robinson, Esq., (of the Tribune,) Rev. Mr. Solomon, and others, when the question was passed over informally. Secretary Bass read the Constitution and Bye laws, which after some discussion upon points X)f form, was on motion of Mr. Batchelor, committed for revision to a Committee consisting of Rev. Messrs. Wilson, Graves, L. K. Wiley, the Hon. W. N. Ed wards and W. Eaton, Jr. Esq., who having retired. On motion Messrs. Bachelor, Graves and Wiley were appointed a committee to procure speakers, to address the Convention. At 11 o'clock the Convention adjourned to the Methodist Church, to bear.W. W .Holden, Esq., ad dress. The Methodist Church, which is the most capacious edfice in Warrenton,was filled to its utmost capacity. There was a large proportion of ladies present, who seemed to take great interest in the proceedings. After the Rev. Mr. Christian had implored a bless ing upon the great cause which all were assembled to promote, the President introduced Sir. Holden to the meeting. He commenced by alluding to the early history of North Carolina, quoting Hawks and Bancroft to show the peculiar character of the early settlers and the reasons which prevented that attention to the cause of general education, which distinguished the puritans of New England. He gave a lucid sketch of the early history of our State, and narrated the different attempts made from lCGOto 1789, to provide schools for the people. The early efforts of Gov. Johnston were alluded to, and an eloquent tribute paid to the memories of Murphy, Bar tlett Yancy and Caldwell for their exertions in favor of a system of Common Schools. The Speaker gracefully alluded to his early experience, and a graphic picture of the " old field" school, and its " stern master," dref forth repeated cheers from the audience. We have not space or ability to follow Mr. H. through with even a connected synopsis. He mingled the dry statements of statistics with eloquent allusions to the pioneers in the great work of education ; and bis just and appropriateate observations upon the merits of the President and Faculty of our Univer sity and the high character of its students were enthusiastically responded to by the entire meet ing. He was peculiarly happy in his eloquent and vivid description of the duties and responsibili ties of the teacher, and quoted Milton. Locke, and Miles Coverdale the early reformer, to describe what education ought to be. The system of English and Scottish parochial schools were traced from their origin and their influence on the early settlers of America noticed. Mr. Holden then gave a con densed statement of the resources of the Common School systems of the different States of the Union, drawing, as he proceeded, a comparison between each of them and North Carolina; and proving that his native State yielded to none in the Union in liberality or zeal for the cause of general education. We have merely mentioned the heads of this most eloquent and effective address. It occupied nearly two hours in the delivery, and though containing valuable sta tistical information, that in other hands would have wearied a mixed audience ; the speaker succeeded in retaining the unflagging attention of the crowd ed assembly. Mr. H. was frequently in terruped by the applause of his hearers, and more than once we noticed a subdued murmur of approba tion evidently suppressed through fear of losing the closing sentences of some brilliant and effective pa triotic allusions. Afternoon Session. When the convention reassembled, a letter was read from Super. Wiley, relative to the establishment of a monthly Journal, as the Organ of the Associa tion. It stated if the Association would secure 500 subscribers at $2, the success of the Journal would be certain, and entered into the details of the mea sure at some length. The printed prospectus being a'so read, on motion of Mr. W. S. Ransom, the proposition was referred to the following select com mittee Messrs. Ransom, N. Z. Graves, C. C. Cole. Brooks and Holden. ' The Rev. N. Z. Graves moved the thanks of the Association be returned to W. W. Holden, Esq. for his able and instructive address, and also expressed fo?nv.h that thC address niight be Printed in pamphlet On motion of Major Drake, seconded by Rev Thos. wmP h re8olution adopted requesting Mr. address. Assocition witn C0Py of his After some discussion whether the address should be published in pamphlet form or inserted in the new cri!!- Association, Messrs. Drake, Burton, and vhmtian were appointed to wait on Mr. Holden. : On motion of Mr. Whitfield of Edgecombe, leave was given to Mr. Merrill of Mississippi, to address the j meeting on the subject of School books. - Mr. Merrill said he was agent for Appleton & Co., I of New York, and he wished to draw attention to the superiority of their school books, particularly, in the department of Geography, and entered into a detailed account of the advantages of Cornell's Ge ography over that of Mitchell. Wm. Robinson (Editor of the Tribune) thought it necessary to make some observations on the state ments just made. If there was one evil greater than another it was this multiplication of School books. Teachers had little enough to do already, and he con sidered publishing books to save them trouble, was a work of supererogation. Every Teacher had his own system and would persevere in it. Mr. R. com mented on the assumed superiority of Messrs. Ap pleton's publications, and asserted that what was claimed as improvements, were already known and practiced by Southern Teachers. Mr. R. concluded a clever and sarcastic speech, which was evidently higlhy relished by the meeting, by declaring he wanted Southern books, by Southern authors, and protested against the introduction of Northern books. There was considerable applause when Mr. Rob inson resumed his seat. Professor Phillips presented the report of the Committee, appointed to revise the draft of the Con stitution. After some discussion, respecting the ap pointment of Treasurer, between Messrs. Solomon, Edwards and Eaton, the articles were severally read and adopted. There was a difference of opinion, relative to the time of holding the annual meeting, some being in favor of the last Wednesday in June, but after some debate, it was left as submitted by the Committee the first Wednesday in July. The roll of delegates was then called, and all an swering to their names were enrolled members tf the Association. Mr. Batchelor, from the Committee appointed to procure Speakers to address the Association, report ed that they had succeeded, and mentioned the names of Professor Phillips, Rev. Doctor Wilson, Hon. W. N. Edwards, and the Rev. Mr. Christian. Mr. Edwards appealed to the Association to excuse him his health was weak. He declared he came there to assist and encourage the important cause of education. lie expressed his zeal for the success of the Association, and concluded a neat and impres sive speech by declaring his health deprived him of the pleasure of addressing them. The President, after some highly complimentary remarks relative to Mr. Edwards, requested W. Eat on, Jr. Esq., to supply the deficiency. Major Drake, from the Committee appointed to wait on Mr. Holden, reported that Mr. Holden had expressed his profound acknowledgments for the no tice taken of his efforts, to forward the great cause of Education. On motion of Rev. Mr. Burton, Messrs. Wilson, Walters and N. Z. Grives, were appointed a com mittee, to devise means more effectually to interest the ladies of the State in the -cause of primary schools. The Convention then adjourned to meet in the Methodist Church at 8 P. M. Evening Session. At half-past eight P. M. the Association assembled in the Methodist Church, and were entertained by addresses from Professor Phillips, Rev. Al xander Wilson, William Eaton, Jr. Esq., and Rev. Mr. Chris tian. They were of a practical character, and in tended for the instruction of the many youthful teachers present. Prof. Webster of Va., being call ed On, made a very excellent discourse, quite appro priate to the occasion, and which afforded much gratification to all present After which the meet ing separated. THURSDAY MORNING. After prayer and the reading of the previous day's minutes, an invitation was extended to Professor Webster, of Norfolk, to participate in the proceed ings of the Association. On motion of Mr. Jenkins, the President appoint ed Messrs. Jenkins, Holden, Solomon, Eaton and Frost, to recommend suitable persons for officers of the Association. G. W. Brooks, Esq., from the Committee on Mr. Wiley's communication relative to establishing an Educational Journal, reported that, while convinced of its necessity, they had some doubts of its success, arising from various causes, want of population, &c, and recommended that Messrs. Holden, of Raleigh, and C. C. Cole, of Greensboro', be appointed to con fer with Mr. Wiley on the subject, and adopt some suitable means to establish a monthly or quarterly Journal, as they may deem advisable. W. S. Ransom strongly advocated the establish ment of a Common School Journal. Rev. Mr. Wiley expressed his confidence in their ultimate success, and wished the Association to take steps to establish an organ. Wm. Robinson, Esq., had no fear of the result. Massachusetts had an Educational Journal, which he had ever read with advantage. He had an ardent desire to see one established, and thought if the Superintendent and members of the School Com mittee would subscribe, a sufficient number of sub scribers would be obtained. The cooperation of the political press would be easily obtained. The Jour nal need not be a literary one, but solely devoted to the improvement of Teachers. Mr. R. alluded to the inadequate pay of Teachers, and hoped a brigh ter day was approaching. Merit should and would have preference, and the people would be willing to pay liberally if a proper value was put on Teachers services. He said a proper Teacher could revolu tionize a neighborhood, and with proper exertions the proposed paper would succeed. At some length Mr. R. pointed out various sources from which sup port could be derived, and gave it as his opinion that the Chairman of a School Committee was unfit for his office, if he did not often visit the schools of his district. He considered there would be no difficul ty in procuring support for an Educational Journal. A desultory debate easued between Messrs. Bach elor, Blake, Ransom and Brooks, in which various suggestions were offered, all which were informally laid aside, to allow Mr. Jenkins to present a report from the Committee on officers. The report was read and adopted, and the following gentlemen un animously elected : President, Rev. Alex. Wilson, of Alamance. 1st Vice President, E. W. Ogburn of Guilford. 2nd Professor C. Phillips of Orange. 3rd Wm. Robinson of Wayne. 4th W. H. Blake of Fayetteville. 5th Professor W. T. Walters of Wake. 6th Professor M. D. Johnston of Chariot le. Corresponding Secretary, G. W. Brooks, of Ral eigh. Recording Secretary, W. H. Bass of Warren. The chair having been vacated by Mr. Ogburn, Messrs. Eaton and Graves conducted Mr. Wilson to it, and he took his seat amidst the cheers of the Asso ciation. He returned thanks for the honor confer red on him. He said he felt unequal to the duties of President, but as his life was spent in the education of youth, he would do his best in their service. He came to this country at an early age.and was wrfrwi ly received; he felt grateful for the past, and was de termined to devote the remainder of his life to the cause of Education and Religion. On motion of Mr. Batchelor, the thanks of the association were unanimously tendered to E. W. Ogburn, Esq., for his able and efficient services as Presiding Officer. Mr. Ogburn responded to the resolution.in a very neat and appropriate manner. He exmeasMl hia Hp. votion to the cause of Education, and felt gratified at the manner in which his efforts were seconded by the members of the Association. Mr. Robinson, in allusion to some remarks of Mr. Ogburn, claimed for Goldsboro' the honor of hold ing the first meeting of the Convention. Mr. Brooks would not allow the claim of Golds boro', as the meeting there was a failure, and called on Mr. R., to prove if it was not so. Mr. Robinson begged to be excused from proving a negative. Mr. Holden offered a resolution highly compli mentary to Mr. J. G. Elliott of Wayne, for his efforts in the cause of Education and for his prompt atten dance at this meeting, with a number of his pupils who were nobly struggling for an education. Mr .H. accompanied the resolution with some felicitous re marks, upon the benevolent and untiring efforts of Mr. Elliott, and stated that one of his pupils, a Com mon School teacher, had travelled 120 miles on foot to attend the meeting. A delegate from Wayne having mde some allu sion to their reception in Warrenton, Mr. Robinson as a delegate from that County, felt it necessary-to state, that the circumstances aluded to, arose from a misunderstanding, and expressed his deep sense of the hospitallity and kindness ex tended to all, by the citizens of Warrenton. If any error occured, it arose from the difficulties, which always occur in such matters, and he trusted the mat ter would rest there. Dr. W. M. Johnston on the part of the Committee of reception made a satisfactory explanation, and the resolution'was adopted by acclamation. - Mr. Elliott came forward much affected by the warmth of his reception. He returned bis sincere thanks for their reception, and gave a feeling account of the early difficulties which surround the poor man, when seeking an education. If he had com mitted any error, it was one of judgment or head, not of heart Mr. E., at considerable length, enter ed into his experience of teaching, and his system of mental arithmetic. His remarks were interesting, and listened to with much attention by the meet ing. On motion of Mr. Frost, the thanks of the meet ing were tendered to the citizens of Warrenton for their kindness, &a On motion of Mr. Brooks, the subject of an Edu cational Journal was resumed. He advocated it at length, and thought it could be sustained. Mr. Batchelor thought the means of the Association inadequate to sustain a Journal in any of the ways recommended by the Committee, and suggested an amendment Mr. Ramson thought the resolution embodied the idea suggested by Mr. Batchelor. Mr. Bass was ready to receive subscriptions on the part of Mr. Wiley. Mr. Johnston, of Sampsom, said the teachers of Sampson would sustain the Journal liberally. They received $2 per day in Sampson, and more if they were worthy of the calling. Mr. Graves, of Granville, considered the discus sion useless unless the Association could guarantee a corps of editors and 400 subscribers, and ques tioned the propriety of assuming so great a respon sibility. The resolution was adopted, and then re considered. Rev. Mr. McKay advocated the measure, and was willing to become responsible for 5 or 10 copies ; and complimented the citize'us of Warrenton for their hospitality. The President though the gist of the difficulty lay in the possibility of obtaining editors, and re commended the adoption of a neutral paper as the organ of the Society. Mr. Ransom agreed with the President On motion of Mr. Graves, of Warrenton, the sub ject was laid on the table. Mr. G., spoke of the ex penses incurred for printing, &c, when the money was instantly subscribed. Mr. Graves moved the Executive Committee be allowed to select the next place of meeting. The Convention then adjourned until three o'clock. We have only room to state the Convention ad journed tine die about 11 o'clock last night. Pro ceedings in our next EscArE of Cuipman. Early on Sabbath morning last, much excitement was raised in our town by the report that Chipman had made his escape during the night from our jail. It will be remembered that during May term of our Superior Court he was tried and convicted of the murder of a young woman in this county, commuted last Fall. He was sentenced by the Judge, but appealed to the Supreme Court, which is now in session, for a new trial. In simply stating the facts of this case, we do not wish to be understood as criminating any one in authority, though it is self-evident that his escape was effected through some means of assistance. We presume no jail in the State has confined more criminals for murder than ours, and the impression was made on all the surrounding counties that it was one of 'the most secure. It has so happened, however, within the last twelve or eighteen months, that no less than three or four breaks have been made. Whether this has resulted from the ineffi ciency of the prison or from loose management we do not pretend to know. The facts we have gathered in relation to Chip man, are these. And it will be seen that he has been allowed the full benefit of the law, if there is any law on the subject During the week of his trial the public endured the mortification of allow ing him all the privileges of any other hotel boarder, with this exception; the sheriff was his constant companion during the day and his nights were spent within the jail. The Judge and the Prisoner alike were guests of the dining table. Since his conviction, we understand no restriction has been placed upon his parents or friends ; they being allowed to visit him at any time and spending the day without an officer. We do not wish to say anything that can be construed against the jailer, but simply to show how it was possible for the pris oner to make his escape by preconcerted assistance from his friends. By examination on the morning of his escape, it was found that he had by means of a small saw, constructed of an Apothecary's knife, made an aper ture through the window, which being double cased, required the sawing of eighteen bars of iron. The length of time required for this cannot be ascertain ed, though the Jury made an examination of the cell only the Thursday previous. The aperture be ing made, the cord was taken from the bed allowed the prisoner, and he lowered himself to the ground. We understand the Sheriff has issued a reward of ONE HUNDRED dollars for his apprehension. He is a small man and perhaps can be easily taken ; though his case being desperate, he may fight to the death. But we hope a sense of public justice, inde pendent of the reward, will be a sufficient incentive to bring the prisoner back to pay the merited pallia tion of his crime. The criminal, J. R. S. Chipman, is a small man of youthful appearance ; light or sandy hair ; a brazen countenance ; small, dark, restless eyes ; very heavy eyebrows; small head, and generally wears short hair; speaks and steps quick, and is slightly round shouldered. He is well educated and dresses neatly. Greensborough Timet. . An Exciting Contest. The political contest in Tennessee, between the candidates for Governor, is becoming very excited. At Fayetteville, a few days ago, Gen. Harris, the Democratic candidate, and Colonel Hatton, the American candidate, came into personal collision during a debate on the political topics of the day. The Nashville Union in refer ring to the difficulty, states that " Mr. Hatton, near the close of Irs speech, said : "If one State has the inherent power claimed, then each State in the Union has. In the exercise of this power, they could confer the right of suffrage on free negroes and aliens. In this way, persons breathing the spirit of tyrannical governments might control our institutions. ' This doctrine,' said Mr. Hatton, ' I pronounce infamous.' " At this moment General Harris arose, in a man ner calm and collected, and said: "Mr. Hatton, do you intend to apply the word infamous to met Hatton, under considerable excitement, replied : General Harris, do you wish, by arising in this manner, to intimidate me?' Certainly not,' said Goneral Harris, ' I do not wish to intimidate you or any other gentleman ; but I think I am entitled to an explanation of the language which you have used.' I suppose, then, it is an explanation of the language that you want,' said Mr. Hatton, in a man ner highly excited. I say again, that the doctrine is infamous ; that it is rank, and smells to Heaven, and that its advocates are' Here General Harris struck Mr. Hatton, and knocked him off the plat form amongst the audience in front of it following him as he fell. A scuffle ensued, and the parties were separated without injury. Two men named Drayton and Sears tried slave abduction on a large scale in 1848, by getting some seventy on board the Schooner Pearl at Washington City, and making for the North. A Steamer was chartered and the Pearl overhauled and taken just as she had cleared the mouth of the Potomac. Dray ton and Seares were trird, convicted and sentenced to a long term of imprisonment, but pardoned out in 1852, by Mr. Fillmore.' Since then Drayton has wandered about through the anti-Slavery States sel ling his personal narrative and other anti-Slavery works. On Thursday last, he committed suicide at New Bedford, Massachusets.. We don't know what has become of Sears. We presume he, too, availed himself of the liberty given him by Mr. Fillmore to wander about preening lawlessness. .. SLANDERS REFUTED. We have not heretofore thought worthy of notice the ridiculous caricatures of low life, such as "Porte Crayon " of Harper's Magazine, fell in with in .North-Carolina, (whether of choice or necessity we know not ;) but when in the July No. of that work there appears an outrageous slander on the Revolu tionary men of North-Carolina, with a corresponding exaltation of his everlasting Virginia, we urged a friend, who was nothing loth, to use the materials in his possession to expose the pretences of this scion of the F. F. Vs. The result will be found below. If Sledman, and Capt Dugald Stewart and Col. Tarleton, and Brown's History of the Highland clans, and tradition in Guilford county, are to be relied on, the stories of Virginia writers on the one hand, and of South Carolina writers on the other, are gross slanders, and should be scouted out of history, however they may find place in that re ccptable of novels Harper's Magazine. Fayetteville Observer. NORTH-CAROLINA ILLUSTRATED, By Porte Crayon, of Harper't Magazine, or the Battle-fields of North-Carolina desecrated; North Carolina viWficd, and Virginia valor magnified, by Porte Crayon, a Virginian. Messrs. E. J. Hale & Son, Gentlemen: So long as Porte Crayon, of Harper's Magazine, confin ed his genius to a caricature of the State in general, and a delineation of low life such as be specially met with, his efforts merited and received silence and contempt Nor would we have felt at liberty to notice his attempted sneers at Canova's Statue of Washington, and praise of Houdon's Statue of the same great Chief, or his picture from Turner's Al manac of the Capitol of the State, or the pictures copied from Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution, illustrative of North-Carolina and yet not one of them presents a North-Carolina face, except that of a caricatured North-Carolina woman. These things we could and would have laughed at. But when he visits the North-Carolina Battlefield of Guilford Court House the first battlefield at the South on which Cornwallis met with even nominal defeat a battle from which dates a reaction in favor of Amer ican Liberty, that resulted in the defeat of Rawdon at the South, and Clinton at the North, and in six months after it was fought led to the surrender of Cornwallis at York town and the establishment of peace between the Colonies and Britain when such an one visits such a battlefield, and charges North Carolina Militia with rank unmitigated cowardice, and magnifies the valor of Virginia's raw recruits, at the experse of truth, justice to the dead demands that- the slander should not pass unrefuted in "Harper's North-Carolina Illnstrated," "compiled from the best authorities." Porte Crayon says, " Greene's force was posted on a wooded hill, drawn up in three lines, the two first composed of militia, and the third of his Continentals, consisting of four regiments from Virginia and Maryland. "No sooner had the British column deployed and commenced marching to the attack than the militia forming the left of the front line were seized with a panic, and fled, before a man of them had been either killed or wounded. Many of them did not even discharge their guns, but left them loaded, sticking between the rails of the fence behind which they were posted. In vain did their officers attempt to rally this terror-stricken herd ; in vain did Lee threaten to fall upon them with his dragoons, and cut them to pieces. The panic was complete and final. The gap thus ignominiously left was imme diately seized by the enemy, giving him a powerful advantage at the commencement of the onset, and throwing the flanking legion out of combination with the rest of the army. But this auspicious be ginning did not give the enemy the speedy triumph it seemed to promise. The Virginia militia fought with extraordinary courage and obstinacy, and did every thing that raw troops could do against the highly-disciplined and indomitable valor of their adversaries. " The hills are again crowned with armed batta lions. The rolling of drums, the startling bugle call, the voice of command, break the silence of the budding forest. There, swarming in the thicket, near the edge of the woods and behind the protect ing fences, are the unskillful militia, valiant in pot houses but unreliable in the field, hearkening, with fainting hearts, to the mingled threats and encour agement of their leaders, ready to fire and run away at the first burst of battle. " Manoeuvring on either flank are the snorting squadrons of Washington ami Lee, whose flashing sabres have already tasted blood. In the distance are seen the serried lines of the grim Continentals, men of reliable mettle, who can hear the battle go ing on around them and bide their time; who, un moved and scornful, see the panic-stricken herds of friends ily past them, and then rush gallantly to meet the bayonets of their enemies. "Hark! the rolling of the English drums ! Like an electric shock it shakes the thousands that stand expectant upon the embattled hill 1 Now the coward's cheek blanches, as with impotent and trembling haste he fumbles his musket lock. Now the warm blood rushes to the brow of the brave, and with fiercer eagerness he grasps his sword hilt. The head of the advancing column is already in sight The sun's rays glance upon their burnished arms. " The American lines arc broken, and the tide of war rolls on until intrepid assailants meet, in the Continental line, foes more worthy of 'heir steel : " Tin' war which fur a space did faill Now, trebly tlmuclei injf, swelled the gale." "Then, then Virginia, it was a joy, that even de feat and disaster can not blight to see that haughty battalion of Guards flying in wild disorder from the wood while thy fiery horsemen, with hoof and sabre, trampled them in the dust 1" The author has not had the manliness to state what is well known that it was the North Caroli na militia that was stationed in the front line. He simply calls them militia, and doubtless hopes to es cape censure by pleading his delicate forbearance to call them by name. Be that as it may, and let his motives be what they were, we proceed to vindicate the truth of history, and enter a denial to the charge that the North Carolina militia acted cowardly iu the battle of Guilford Court House. The British forces consisted of the " German Reg iment," " 7lst or Frazer's Highlanders," " 33d Reg iment," 2d Battallion of Guards, German Yagers, and Cavalry. In all about 2500 men regiments that had been mustered into service by the gallant Wolfe, and on every battle field in the American Revolution had acquired distinction and fame. Greene's army consisted of Huger's brigade of Virginia Continentals, 778, Virginia Militia, 1693, North Carolina Militia 1060, Maryland and Dela ware Brigade 630, Lee's Legion 82, Lee's Dragoons 75, Washington's Dragoons 86, Cavalry 161, and Continental Regulars 1490. In all 4243 men. Or, stated thus, Virginians 2875 more than one half. North Carolinians 1060 less than one fourth. Maryland and Delaware 630 about one seventh. U. S. Continentals 1490 more than one fourth. The Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and Continen tals, the Legion, Dragoons, and Cavalry, had all more or less seen service, and were officered by vet eran commanders commanders whose reputation hnd been earned on many a well-contested battle field, and whose command their men were accus tomed to hear vnd obey. Of the 1060 men of the North Carolina Militia, it is not known that one had ever been in battle, and none ever had ranked higher than Oaptain. The fighting heroes of the Old North State were freely shedding their blood North and South, and by their intrepidity and valor were acquiring honor and fame for adjacent States. The North Carolina Militia were mustered into service on an emergency, and on the morning of the battle one of its Captains, Forbis, was appoint ed Colonel. In this untrained and untried condi tion they were placed in the front of the fight, on the Western brow of' the hill, where for a mile they had a commanding view of the advancing enemy. Three hundred yards in their rear and beyond the point of immediate danger, the Virginia troops were stationed ; and still further in the rear, towards the descending hill near the Court House, Greene had planted his other troops. The order to the North Carolina Militia was to stand till the enemy advanced within- hearing dis tance, then to fire once or twice, and fall back or retreat Did they stand, fire, and retreat f Or did they, through panic, cowardice or fear, leave their guns unflred, in the cracks of the fence, and in terror flee ? Stedman, the British historian of the campaign, says: - - . , i -vjv; . "At the distance of 140 yards they the British received the enemy's first Are. When arrived at a nearer and more convenient distance, they delivered their own fire and rapidly charged with the bayonet. And Tarleton, in his campaign, says, " The order and coolness of that part of Webster's brigade which advanced across the open ground ex posed to the enemy's fire, cannot be sufficiently ex- toiiea. l he miutta allowed the front line to approach within 150 yards before they gave their fire. The front line continued to move on ; the Americans sent back their cannon, and part of them repeated their fire. The King's troops threw in their fire and charged rapidly with their bayonets. The shock was ! not waited for by toe militia, who retreated behind their second line." Stedman ana Tarleton were eye-witnesses of the event'of which they write. They agree in admitting a first fire from the North Carolina milita, and that part of them repeated the lire ; and both say that the British charged with the bayonet. Both admit re ceiving the fire in the open field. None but the North Carolina militia was so stationed at to pive that fire, the other troops being 800 and 600 yards in the rear, in the thicket towards the old Court House, in the second and third lines. Behind the second one of which Tarleton says the North-Carolina militia retreated. This view of the case is strengthened by a letter from Capt. Dugald Stewart of the 71st regiment, dated Ballachelish, Argyleshire, Scotland, Oct 25th, 1825, where he says, " In the advance we received a very deadly fire from their marksmen lying m the ground behind a kail fence 1 One lialf of the Highlanders dropped on that spot. There ought to be a pretty large tum ulus where our men (71st) were buried." Again, Brown, in his "History of the Highland Clans," speaking in reference to the 71st regiment at Guilford says, " The Americans, covered by the fence in their front reserted their fire till the British were within thirty or forty paces, at which distance they opened a most destructive fire, which annihilated nearly one tiiiud of Col. Webster's brigade." " It is also known that a great many of the British were buried in that field, and near the place where their front line was when the first fire was given. Of this there is no doubt 'or it is well attested by peo ple in the neighborhood, who were on the ground the next day after the battle, and saw them burying their dead11 See Carutueks' Life of Caldwell, page 226. From these various historical sources, the fact is established beyond controversy, that the North Caro lina militia obeyed 'orders, stood, fired, a most de structive fire, and then retreated strictly in con formity to orders. The traditional history of North Carolina is to the same effect, and the State owes a debt of gratitnde to Dr. Caruthers for embodying the evidence of the fact in his interesting work, "The Old North State in 1776, second series." That book must have been within the reach of Porte Crayon, while in Greens borough. Does he consult that as among the au thors who constitute the "bent authorities .'" No, indeed ; for there he would have read, that William Montgomery, one of four of Capt. Forbis's Compa ny who stood by him on the battle-field to the last, had said, that after the North Carolina militia fired, "the part of the British lines at which they aimed looked like the scattering stalks in a wheatfield wlien the harvest man lias passed, over it with his cradle." In the same book too he could have read the testi mony of two Guilford men, who on the day after the battle passed over the ground where the British were tired on by the North Carolina militia, and who say, it appeared they could have walked fifty yards on dead and wounded men without touching the ground. There too he might have read, that Capt Forbis (Colonel of the day in the front line,) was outflank ed by the British, and that he and his company fought like heroes until wounded and overpower ed. There too he might have read the testimony of two others, who state that the British buried their dead west of Mr. Hoskin's house the very spot at which they were fired on by the North Carolina militia, and where British historians say they sus tained the grratest loss. There too he would have read that Capt. Forbis's company fired twice, and did not give way until the British were upon them. There also he would have read that Nathaniel Slade fired once, and in attemp ting to reload broke his ram rod and borrowed an other, but before he was ready to fire he beheld the Britsh bayonets at hand. In that same book of Caruthers, he might have found, that the war is carried into Africa an exam ple which Porte Crayon cannot induce me to imi tate, beyond saying, that the fact is established that Col. Forbis, commander of one of the North Caroli na brigades, lay 48 hours upon the field of battle, wounded ; consequently could make no return of his men to Adjutant Williams: that this fact accounts for the Adjutant having reported them as missing and gone home. And then, when this fact is borne in mind, and the actual number of the North Caro linians killed and wounded is compared with the Virginians, the mortality was greater in the troops of the Old North State, despite Porte Crayon's shout' over the valor or the V n ginians. The mass of testimony we have adduced estab lishes, beyond question, that the North Cajolina mil itia in the first tire killed and wounded more than one-half of the 71st, and more than one-third of Webster's brigade, I did not commence this letter to assail Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, or Gen. Greene, but to defend North Carolina from the unjust aspersions of Har per. The material, thanks to Dr. Caruthers, exists to carry the war into Africa, but it is not congenial to the feelings of the right thinking and proper min ded. But we must be indulged in asking Porte Cray on one or two questions : If the Virginians were as valiant as you represent thein.and stationed 300 yards in the rear of the North Carolinians, and number ing as they did more than one-ha'f of the American force, and numbering as many men as the British, why did not the Virgiuians whip the British ? or why retreat and fall back on the third lines? and why did the second and third lines retreat through the thicket, down the hill some 7 or 800 yards to wards Martinsville? There were no North Carolin ians in the second and third lines, yet they both re treated numbering over 3000 men. The first line did the same, numbering 1000 men. Now if it was criminal cowardice in the first line, it was trebly cri minal cowardice in the second and third lines. This is meeting Porte Crayon on his own ground which we do merely for the purpose, of showing his injus tice. . , The positions is not ours we disown it ; and as sert our opinion that the Battle of Guilford Court House, was an American triumph, a victory of which North Carolina and the Union should be proud. A victory achieved over the best troops Eng land ever planted on a battle-field. The elite, the experienced, and the accomplished soldiers, to an extraordinary degree.fought at Guilford Court House under the eye of Cornwallis himself. The brother of the distinguished statesman Charles James Fox, inspired his men to deeds of noble daring. Tarleton and Webster from the onset to the close fought as if their watchford was do or die. While in the rem nant of the 7lst Regiment alone, five of its officers lived to attain the rank of Lieut General in the- Bri tish army, one that of General, two Colonels, three Lieut. Colonels, and others the rank of Major. In all which offices and commands, they signalized themselves in many a well contested battle 4n the Peninsular war. Facts which of themselves demon strated, that at the Bittle of Guilford Court House Greene met foemen worthy of his steel foemen who were fighting for an outlet to what they vainly im agined was a friendly portion of the State the Scotch Settlement of North Carolina. Thence to Wilmington, thence to York Town, where their cap ture was complete. " In this article I have used freely facts stated In a Communication in the Observer dated Greensbor ough, Nov. 5, 1855 facts which have since been embodied in Caruthers's History, which I hope may circulate until the people of the State resolve to cel ebrate the victory of Guilford Court House and rank it with Moore's Creek and King's Mountain. June 37 , 1857. ' " The Diameter or Fashion. Eight feet at the bottom, and. tapering to six inches at the top, where the waste (of silk) begins. ' - Extract lrom the Address of H. W. Miller, Esq Delivered at the commencement of the Uuiver.iu, North Carolina on the Bd June, 1857. V Speaking of the assaults made on the rights orth South by Northern fanaticism, he said : 6 " There is gentlemen, a point of endurance bevon which forbearance becomes cowardice, and ru n sion crime t With milnni o ;t : . "oniig. ... 13 , SOCW "Her. v,vuioc, . DUUUIIS.MUII u wrong, not onlv suits in dishonor to the oppressed, but imparts i!0n nE tn th Rnirit nf tv ,onA : l. ' ls "01(1. a people have forfeited their self-respect their I or they become fit subjects to gratify the W r"p domination in others. The fact of being united der the same government, for fieneroipurp08eg J1"' not alter this great rule of social organization cir preservation should be the first law of civil cov ment as it is of our social nature. Aggressions , wh"!" would be just cause of war between independent 7 tions, cannot be expected to result in less than r enations and distrust under a system like ours A we expected to submit with blind pusilanimitv ! i the assaults which are incessantly made on our cial peace and civil .rights ? Is not the cup 0r t? bearance already brim full ? Can we be true to mh" ers to the government under which we live ,y are false to ourselves In view of the dangers thr ? ened, in the face of the wrongs in store li ,t ? the sacred obligations ot duty to ourselves and posterity, demand at our hands T Union, the ui"W of her whole people, for the full development f"!n her resources, moral, intellectual and jhyMail ' alone save the South from the dangers which ur'e "" pending! However conflicting our opinions mil" be on questions of mere expediency or oolipo those which involve her rights her honor -hw s fety her very existence as a people there l,uM be no difference no conflict no wranlin wavering Union in hand and heart Union hi 'iJi and desire Union in purpose and action is ti only bulwark of her strength the only citalli-l "f her safety ! To waste her energies in iill.. a,i ' I gT discussion with her adversaries on those g,eai issues, n uum uo piaymg a part more Iboiish that, did the monkeys in Sinbad who dashed the cocoi nuts at their enemies. "Divide and conquer " lw" been the stern maxim of the spirit of Northern gressiveness from the days of Alaric and Atilla to the present period. The destruction of Carth'i..e was not more inflexibly resolved on by Roman cu. pidity and ambition, than is our social and political degredation desired and sought by the law less spirit of Northern fanaticism! We should be false to our selves, false to the cause of free government and human civilization, recreant to the memory of our fathers, aye, traitors to our own houehold were we to neglect to prepare for that struggle which is foreshadowed by events that are passing around us' Were we to act thus, well might the humblest of oiir people exclaim in the language of the Thane of Scot land, as the tyranny of Macbeth rose to his view " Alas, poor country ! Almost afraid to knout itxelf! It cannot Be called nut motier, but our grave !" Let me not be misunderstood. I urge the union of the people of the South not for the purpose of aggression and wrong to others but for safety and protection to themselves not to engender sectional prejudice and encourage fraternal strife, but to en sure peace and harmony ; not to weaken the bonds of our national union, but to strengthen them by staying the march of fanaticism not in the Fpirit of empty bravado, hut under the influence of that calm resolution and unconquerable courage, which in all ages, have ever been able to set at defiance and drive back the power of wrong and injustice ! And what stronger inducements, gentlemen, could opt rate on the human heart than those which appeal to every citizen of the South ? No country on earth possesses in a higher degree.all the elements of wealth, power and greatness. With a soil of inexhauslible fertility, yielding every variety of production inter sected at all points by navigable streams with im mense water power, with some of the best harbors in the world, with mineral resources unsurpassed, with territory adequate to a population of more than two hundred millions of souls ; ble.-sed in fine, with everything that a bounteous nature can bestow, nothing is needed to make her pre-eminently, a pros perous, happy, powerful people, but union, 'industry, energy, enterprise, and that high, indomitable, self sustaining patriotism, which will press her forward to a full developement of all those resources! With a population of ten millions only, on an area of nearly a million of square miles, what a vast space exists between what she is and what she is capable of becoming I With half the industry which has covered, "as with a velvet carpet, the slopes of the Alps," with one tithe the energy which bridled the stormy waters of the German Ocean, and rescued from the waves one ol the most fertile countries of the globe, and studded it with cities the imagina tion staggers under the assurance of what she would become as a people. A distinguished European statesman remarks: "If we imagine an universal confederacy of nations, we shall no longer find sufficient motive for exertion to promote the prosperity, independence and power of each." Here lies the danger to the individual States of this confederacy. The glory of each, in its appropriate sphere, lost sight of, eclipsed.obscur ed, under more dazzling brightness of the glory of the whole I The consequence follows, the progress of the nation is impaired by the want of devotion to the interests and honor of the State in which we live. The smallest planet "wheeling unshaken through the void immense," is no less a part'of the great sys tem of the Universe because the gorgeous king of day sends forth his rays in all their splendour. It is the beauty and fitness of each revolving in its ap pointed orbit, as well as the harmony ot the whole which proclaim not only the wisdsm of the design, but the power of hr great Architect ! It is by cul tivating the social affections, by observing, repecting and strengthening the ties of kindred and friendship, that we learn with clearness and fulfil with alacrity our duties to the State I Devotion to the former is not more consistent with the prosperity of the Infer, than neglect of our duties and obligations to our State, is incompatible with the saftety and glory of the Union. Forgetting then, and casting to the winds in view of the momentous issues presented, all minor diff erences of opinion, let us, I entreat you, unite as countrymen, in improving the vast advantages with which we have been blessed, in educating our youth, in cultivating a pure and high-toned literature; in encouraging the arts and sciences; in nurturing the precepts of Christian love; in infusing into the hearts of our people an elevated patriotism bold spirit of independence and self reliance in building up and sustaining institutions of learning and bene volence ; in developing our agricultural, commercial and manufacturing resources; and then, indeed, whilst true to ourselves, whilst erecting around our rights, as it were a wall stronger than adamant against the inroads of fanaticism ; we shall become the advance guard of safety, the right arm of strength to the union of the States, and to the great cause of free, constitutional, representative government" Hinton R Helper, we learn, has written an ab olition book! His "Crisis" is a sermon to slaw owners, exhorting them to give up their sla 'es. Hinton had owned any himself, would he not nave sought, in some other way, to make a raise of the dimett His " Crisis " is a capital idea, bfym doubt for the purpose intended to pick a fortune from the pockets of the fanatics but, what be comes of the man's self-respect! We said in our last, that Mr. Helper had dipped into a very deep subject, and that if he succeejieo in it, he might succeed in any. We did not tlien know that he had waded into the muddy 'er8.? abolitionism.- He kept that a secret from his Soutn em friends as long as he could He kept it from j wrongfully, having requested us nearly two montu go, to give him an editorial notice in advance his new work That was a shabby trick, Hinton ;- a very rascally attempt to commit us in a false u ter. Your failure to do so, does not alter the case, nor at all excuse the offence. Throw yourself"" the arms of Fred Douglass, Hinton, and miiigim mix up with that dark, infidel and traitorous crew upon whose purses all your highest hopes now pend. . Salisbury Watchman. "March Squalls." Under the head of " Mrch Squalls," an exchange tells us that a lady Pul's d county, Va., has regularly presented her husn with an heir during the month of March for sixtei successive years. ft 'i
Semi-Weekly Standard (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
July 8, 1857, edition 1
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