Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Jan. 27, 1907, edition 1 / Page 19
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... v k . . . i . 1,1.! ' t . . InU to i i r- : . 1 ).v 1 i i If. t t- i I i V . CIIAPTKU XIV. ' The Toli. ii U JMlverr.l. The logs burnt low upon the hearth, and only a feublo light was In the tower. Anton saw ICUery drink the wine and then cast him self down not far from GrlgoHle; but it was too dim for him to nee wheth er all his companions were asleep. Some certainly were, .for they snor- ed, and others were restless, , for they shifted their positions at inter vals and sighed heavily. Where El 1 Jerey and Grigosle -, were there . was . deep shadow, growing deeper as the ' fire died down. One sleeper there . was restless for a . little while, and 'JLthen hia breathing proclaimed that ' iy'.ls sleep was heavy.. Once t, Anton ' thought there .was a darker, shadow v ' within' the shadow, ' which moved , , . ' silently, but be did not speak; ha only listened very eagerly and rais ' ed himself : on ; his , elbow a : JUtle Presently Anton" slept' too. V;,V' ' ' ' :-. El lerey awoke with a start. : 8ome ! ;'; shock in a, dream seemed to wake , him. and as . he raised : himself, his ', hand went to his breast, as- it con- :' stantly did on waking. The .token lay there safely. , , Then he leaned ' t Lu' over toward .Grigosle and stretcheM j out. his arm. The . lad's place , was ; empty.-iHo was startled for a ' mo-1 ; -" ment, as men; may be on awaking . r v, suddenly ( from dream, but. he 1 . quickly recovered himself, remem v bering that the lad was sentry part ', ; of the night-; : ".,:'.' .' ',.;' .. He lay down again, being heavy eyed, hut could J not sleep. The . air k was oppressive,-and a dull pain was in his head as though a steel, band . ' 4 were clasped tightly round hia fore ' head. ' The dream was still surging ' ' ; ' unpleasantly through his brain, and ' at laat hia restlessness prompted him - to gq out on to the 'plateau, x J - . The' stars were ' still bright, but , the crescent moon had gone. At the - edge of the plateau, resting upon his gun, stood 'the motionless figure of the sentry, Ellerey did not wish to startler, him, so he coughed slightly . to Jet him know of his presence. The boy did not turn. , "Orlgosle." "Is that you, Captain? I was just . , coming to call you. Watch the ' mountain opposite, and tell mo if my eyes are deceiving me. There Is nothing for . the moment, : but wait, and look steadily.". ' ! Tha top of the apposite side of the pass stood out clearly against the sky, but below was darkness. Grlg . osie pointed to that part which lay rather below the level of the plateau on which they were standing. They must be good eyes to see anything there," said Ellerey. , "Walt," .whispered the boy. , Even as he spoke there shone for a moment a wisp of light like a firefly in the darkness, and then an other, moving a little below It. Sev eral times this was repeated dlf & ferent places in the darkness, the point of light gleaming for a mo ment only and then suddenly going out "They have followed us, Captain, and by morning will have climbed high enough to command this posi tion." "When did you first see the lights, Grigosle?" "Not ten minutes ago." "J3et to the gate at the top of the zig-zag pass quickly! I will call the others." The boy ran to his post at once, and In a few moments the whole of the little company was upon the plateau watching the points of light , which came and went on the moun tain opposite. There was no more sleep that night, only a waiting for dawn; and as daylight crept slowly down them, the mountains looked In nocent enough. The sunlight burst ing suddenly over the eastern ridges glinted upon no point of steel be traying hidden men In the hollows of the hills. Ellerey and Stefan stood together looking for such a sign, or the thin curl of smoke from . a camp-nre. j "There's no army from Stuartz- . berg yonder. Captain," said the sol dier. "Whoever climbed there last night showed lights only to guide ' their fellows, either not expecting us to see them, or not knowing that we are here." M "The brigands, perhaps," said El- lerey. "The same thought was in, my mind," Stefan answered. Sharp, eyes watched from the pla teau during the early hours of the morning. Weapons were looked to, . and the horses saddled ready for any emergency; but no attempt was made to conceal their presence there. A Sharp eyes doubtless had watched their movements from the mountains oposlte, for three men presently ap peared In the pass below. By what path they came there the watchers on the plateau could not tell. No sign of them had they perceived un til they suddenly stood In full view. "To travel In such fashion - those must be born mountalners." said Stefan. "Shall I signal t them, Cap-'- tain?". "Yes. Let them come up the path; we will meet them at the top. Orlgosle, you stand on the rising ground there, and If there be any sign of treachery see you repeat the marksmanship you boast of." ' Tha three men came up the zlg ' sag path'' fearlessly. They did not s ' pause when they ay the soldiers wating for them at the ruined gate ' way, but came on until they halted some five paces in front of them. "We are sent to know your mission in tha hills," said one, stepping slightly In advance of his compan ions. "From whom do you come?" In quired Ellerey. . "From , a friend, if we make no mistake, one whom you. are sent to seek near' tha Drekner pass. Are yon from Queen Elena?". "I am the bearer of a message to vv- VaalUcL" " "You are welcome, then. ,Wa will i brlnr you to him." - ' mm "Is he far from here? he man turned, and pointed up pass: "An hours lour ned." ' AVs will 'come. The message I Samr will need prompt action, for across the plain ' there are troops watching me road to sturataberg." ' There are mora waya than one to the capital, and many men in those troops perchance who will welcome " ' 'the sight of ua" - - v. , -' ; ,4 "I do not doubt It,",: Ellerey sn ; ewered. fls the way 'passable for horses? 'We shall 'not want to " re turn here." . , . -, r: Jr- "Yes, to the entrance of the cnlefe resting-place. How many are you?" '.vyi. Ten In-afl X-'?i-r v ' 1 "Tour numbers 'guarantee a ,. friendly message,",, was the .'smiling ; answer. "We will s wait .you at the i foot of the path.". 3. -4. rf.4.r , ' . - Ae the men departed Qrlgosle low ' ered - the rifle - which' he ' had . held ; - ready for , use, ; his v finger resting f, lightly on the triggers but he did not move from hie post, until .Ellerey . . called him. u'; ,. ' .' "Heady, lad; we march at once." V V; .fTou ar,aatiaflcd with' the em V.;' beiwy?" - . - . " - ..' , "Quite. In an . hour time the firsi.etsge of our mission will be ec i"-. 1' compllshed." .. , . w M.-i - "And then?" '',' j '5 MrXT' ' The result lies on the knea of the gods," said illsrey, , ' ; .r ,w 1 v.! i.'.l t.o?" U;. '., 1 t'. i . ,-J. "i.-s." "An t Ii ava nono to Keep . tS.Li r. r- "What houH we want with a refuse?' We have come too far for that. If 8UCC0H8 does nt lie in the road before us, the only refuse we can hope for Is In death." " "I have a strange liking' for life, Captain, Just now." The men led their horses down the zig-zag path, Ellerey and Stefan bringing up ' -the rear. , Grigosle turned to look back at the : ruined walls, and the tower standing gaunt against the mountain-side. He , had enthusiastically called it his, and In the desertion of it there may have beau some regfet. From j th castle the lad's eyes followed the shape and direction of the ridges which lay about it as" though to Impress the picture on his mind, but he spoke no w6rd, and studiously avoided Anton's eyes, which questioned htm. He was in no mood to reduce the thoughts which surged through his brain .to any order. , They raged i and . beat against the unknown shores of the future a a wind-swept ' ocean' will against a r rocky ;: 'coast,, x carrying with' them his hopes and ambitions, which were driven to and fro like brave craft struggling against;" ship wreck. , There waa some reason why he should - regret -the comparatively quiet .haven of that castle j-ln ' the hlllSw-i : ' y;,; rt'X'fr.. In alienee , he" mounted with the others at the ffoot of the path,' arid the little band of horsemen proceeu ed at walking pace, so that the envoys from Vasflici, : who r were on foot, might keep up with ; them. Ellerey and Stefan rode' side -by side, and at a sign from; the former fell a few paces farther in the rear, i "It is evident that we shall present ly have to leave the' horses, -Stefan; you and Anton than stay: with them while the rest .of us go forward to deliver the , token. While you wait keep a keen lookout on me hillsides and On""- ' "On Anton."' Stefan suggested. VI need no. bidding. Captain. I do not trust him. I should trust him still less had I not taken a liking to his companion, Orlgosle." - ' "The boy Is stanch, I think; bui it Is perhaps as well .to have them separated," said Ellerey; "that is why I leave Anton, to you." "He'll be in strict ''company, Cap tarn, have no fear." - "I see no reason to doubt success." said Ellerey, after a pause, almost as if he had misgivings and -wanted to be laughed out of them. 'There are many who have lookod upon success, and yet have not hal arm long enough to grasp it," said Stefan. "It's as well not to smack the Hps until the liquor is running in the throat" . v- , Their way lay up the pass toward the narrow defile which nature had clos ed long ago. There was an upwa-d Incline, but it was quite easy for the horses. The pass gradually narrowed as they went and the mountain-sides grew more precipitous, shutting them in like great walls on either sld?.' Little foothold was there, ror a lurk ing enemy and there were no deep gorges where an ambuscade might hide. To defend this part of the pas In the old days must hare meant t hand-to-hand struggle In the narrow way. Ellerey noted this as he went, his llfeJn Sturatzberg had made him observant. Presently the- leading horseman stopped. "It Is difficult work for horses fro;u here," said one of the- brigands. "They can be fetched afterward to the place the chief directs." "You, Stefan and Anton, will st.nv with them," said Ellerey. "I will send Grigosle back with orcers pres ently. Take orders from none hut Grigosle." Stefan saluted and gathered tho bridles together, smiling 10 see that Anton was not pleased at being left behind." He looked at his youthful comrade, who took no notice of him, and obeyed with an 111 grace. ' "Why should he leave us; he ask ed, when the others had gone, climb ing the slope in front of them. "Why not?" asked Stefan lacon ically. "It is the business of servants and lackeys to mind horses." "But we have neither." "At least we are given no honor ablo service." For my part, I do as 1 am told." said Stefan, "and you'll be wise to do the same. That young comrade of yours Is capable, of looking after himself." Anton looked at the soldier curious ly for a moment, but Stefan's thoughts were always difficult to read. His face never showed a sign of any meaning beyond the words he ut tered. Following the three brigands. th others climbed up the slope of the landslip which had Ailed up (he pass. It was uneven ground, ana they were soon hidden from their companion with the horses. 'Descending present ly Into a ravine, the brlganas stopped. "As a careful captain, you will ap preciate the caution of our chief," said the spokesman, turning to El lerey. "We were ordered to brln you no farther than this. He will come to you here." "We are only eight; let him come with no larger following,". Ellerey an swered. "There eMail be precaution on both sides." "I will give your message, but " "Unless he fulfills my terms I de part the way I have come, and' make my terms In the shadow of the castle yonder." . . , . , "I will tell him so," said the man, and the brigands went quickly up the ravine and disappeared. . . 'This Is their vantage ground," said Ellereyv "Stand apart, all of you. near enough to ' help each oth er, but not In each other's way should a rush come. Orlgosle, stand therf, carelessly, as It were, but with ready fingers. We have no knolwedge ; of the honor of these men." They, had not. long to wait. Frctn, the 1 bend in the ravine came . three men. the central figure a man of great stature. He walked ' proudly, with long, swaggering . strides . and winging arms. 'His long-black hair, 1 11 ,'','.. i 'y, ' .i,-; ,' 1 -;:-' - .','.".,'!'-' " T'""''y' i"''i''r' '''' !.?'! ' 1 ( '.'n, fin I I 1 ' c; ' f"-t u;l ! r hi-. ivy cyf brim m. i : . a f rm lly to 1,1.1 a j iH'.ii unco wMi-.li . .. ri y rilil riNt iiul attniiaive. lia l ,'. t like a rmn in whom, the barbarian was .sll active, whose laws of right and wr.ing and. honor were likely to be of his own fashioning one in whom It would be dangerous to truHt too Im plicitly. Yet he was a Binning ami a handsome figure, and his dress gsv him distinction. . A scarlet feather was In his hat and he wore a scarlet cloak which the weather ha4 sialnei. A heavy knife was stuck In his oelu and It was obvious that his compan ions treated htm with marked re spect , . "Is this bravado, or does, he know that a hundred pairs of . , eyes ara watching us?" said Ellerey. T , Grlgoste did not take his eyes from the three, men. He stood tn a care less attitude, one hand resting on, his hip, the other thrust -into his breast, and his fingers were upon a revolver. No gesture of the men escaped him, and long before they came to a stand stilt in front of Ellerey; he had learn ed their features thoroughly. Siv-'j,"'.;; . The-big man gave a ' short ' salute rather as acknowledging an inferior than answering an equal, -i.w H"You have a message for me, Cap tain.";'rv.;'T..'-':v.' 'i can answer that question when I know who you are", said Ellerey, , ; rThe big man laughed, with a glancu at his companions, who laughed too, pleased to humor him.' ' ' .v - 1 1 . " You are a stranger in these hills, or you would know me. am .Vas ilicl." ' -I'v-MW-Z : He did not call himself great but his manner easily filled the .omission. He glanced at Ellerey, and at the sol diers to see the effect of his words. '"Then I have a message, for. you from Queen Elena." i i. ); v:. "It has been so long in coming that I have almost grown tired of waiting," Vasclllcl answered. "I presume she would have done without my help If she could." ' . K , .- .; "I am only the bearer of, one mes sage." Ellerey said shortly. The fel low's Insolent manner came near to raising Ellerey's temper. This was a dangerous ally the Queen had chosen. "Do you know the nature of the mes sage I bring?" "Aye, as I know the price to be paid for my help. . The Queen lua not dared question my terms, has she?" "I know nothing of the price. 1 might find It too high if I did," "Nor were you sent to argue, Cap tain, but to deliver the; token," sail Vasilici, holding out his hand. . Ellerey swallowed his rages as best he could, with a determination to take the pride out of this boaster somo day; and drawing out the sealed bo containing the bracelet of medallion, handed It to the brigand.' "At last the great day dawns for me and for Wallarla!" Vaslllcl ex claimed. "The kingdom of the hills comes to power and honor." "Did they tell you that an army llus In wait between here and- Sturatz berg?" asked Ellerey. "Fifty armies will not stop me and those I lead when I elect to strike" cried the brigand, snapping hi fingers. "The puppets In sturatzbe-g will either bow to me or squeal at their punishment when I enter tne city." "You'll find the gates shut aad some good men to guard them," El lerey answered. "I am in a position to know that." "We may use you. Captain, and for good service there is something mor6 than thanks." Ellerey laughed loudly; it was the only way he could prevent hlmscif from curstag this Insolent scoundrel. He almost tlespised himself for being even in the same cause with this swaggerer. For a moment Grljoxla glanced at him, understanding some thing of what was In his mind, but the next instant he had turned again to .watch Vaslllcl. The man was a swaggerer through and through, al though If the tales told of him were true he did not lack courage. He had for a long time impressed his follow ers with his bluster and attitudes, playing va carefully studied part bo fore them, appealing to that vein of romance which life in the mountains had fostered in them; and he playea the part now for the benefit of Ellerey and his comrades. Falling into a pose, he turned the box this way and that, as though the opening of It were a supreme thing which a little delay would materially add to. Then wlta a flourish he drew the knife from his belt and broke the seals, pausing again to carefully replace the knife. "Freedom to this wretched land a last," he Bald, "and so I open the Queen's token." The box fell to the ground with the pocking It had contained, and thn with an oath Vaslllcl drew himself to his full height, one hand upon the haft of his knife in a moment. "Is this how her Majesry attempts to fool me?" he cried. Ellerey took a step forward to look, and an oath burst from his lips, too. It was not the iron bracelet of medal lions which Vaslllcl held up, but a cross of gold, curious In shape and workmanship, upon which the sun glinted as It swung by Its little chain tn the brigand's hand. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Negro View of Tillman Tirade, star of Zlon. Whatever may be the feeling of negroes in regard to the summary dis missal of. the one hundred and sev enty soldiers of the Twenty-fifth In fantry, we think we speak advisedly, when we say that no thoughtful man of the race Indorses the harangue and tirade of Senator Tillman against the President in his deliverance of last Saturday. It Is not that he either loves or wishes to see the negro troops have a square deal, but tie regards the consideration of the Brownsville epi sode as furnishing hrm a good oppor tunity to pour his long pent-up rival of personal wrath upon the President because the President has not failed to make him feel that he does not approve of hit bad manners and gen eral rashness. -.,..''. Liiat SO, Dup ci War, in .." Noitli Carolina. l!cirotIucc4 by Permission of Mrs. Cornelia Phillips Spencer CIIAPTEH IX. State of PartleeThe, Feeling of the People The Peace Party Impor tant Letter From Governor Vance In January, 1864 Ills Ite-Election The War Party The Peace Par. ty The M ml watfe -Governor Gra ham's Letter of March, Evacuation : of Richmond, , He who would write, a : history of public events passing In hia own day will find, among the many obstacles In, the way of a clear and correct de lineation .that he is continually met with doubts and hesitations In his own mind as to lh impartiality of his views and decisions. The prejudices of .party feeling must inevitably con fuse and blind to some extent even the cleanest judgment; and while a consciousness of this renders the faithful historian doubly anxious to exercise ' strict Impartiality he will find himself embarrassed by the decis ions and, the subdivisions of opinion, bewildered by conflicting representa tives, and in danger of becoming In volved in contradictions and inconsis tencies. In the first' chapter of these sketches it was remarked with ref erence to the North and South, that there was too .much to be forgotten and too much to be forgiven between them, to hope at present for a fair and unprejudiced history of war on either side. vIn relation to the parties that existed among ourselves during the war, , it is equally true that the time has notO'et arrived for a fair statement or comparison of their re spective merits and demerits. While Caere is mudh. that may be written and much that has been written, which may with propriety be given to the public, there is much more that at present must be suppressed or receive : only a passing notice. More especial- ly Is this true n regard to the seces sion party and its adherents. Yet in presenting even these slight sketches of the state of thing during the war In North Carolina, It would be Impossi ble to Ignore them and unfair to rep resent them as without Influence among us. For. a while It Is incontes tably true that the great mass of our people engaged. reluctantly In the war and hailed the. prospect of peace and an honorable reunion, yet there was at the same time hardly a town in the State or an educated and refined com munity which did. not furnish their quota of those who, without having been original secessionists, yet had thrown themselves with extreme ar dor on the side of the Southern States' rights , and were ready to go all lengths In support of the war, and who are even now, though helpless and powerless, unwilling to admit they were either in.thij wrong or In the minority. With many of them It was the triumph of heroic sentiment and generous feeling over tho calmer suggestions of reason for they were chietly among our most refined and highly cultivated citizens. As a party is not numerous, they were well or ganized and ' compact; they were so cially and politically conspicuous and did the most of the writing and talk ing. They differed, from the great body of their fellow-cltlzens, chiefly In the intensity of their loyalty toward President Davis and his government being resolved to support him at all hazards and in the implacable tem per they manifested toward the com mon enemy. One who mingled free ly wih both parties, and by turns sympathized with both, will find It Impossible to adjust their conflicting representatives and at the same time observe the prudence reticence which our present circumstances Impera tlvxely demand. Two of the most prominent and Influential leaders of the war party, Governors Ellis and Wlnslow, have passed beyond thf reach of earthly tribunals and of the living actors it Is obvious that no mention can now be made. Very dif ferent but no it'sn cogent reasons im pose a similar reticence In relation to the most humorous, but not more re spectable or Influential organization known as the "Peace Partv" of the last eighteen months Of the war, ana ars "Union men of the stralghtent sect"' at this day. Of this party, Gov ernor Holden is the admitted founder and the prexent head, and Senator Pool his most prominent exponent. A representation of their principles and their history should be made by thmeselvcs. They possess all the ma terials and all the ability requisite for the work, and they owe It to them selves and tn the public to place It on record for the Judgment of their con temporaries and of posterity. They, and they along are competent to the performance of this duty in the best manner. The precise date Is given In the following letter from Gov ernor Vance, which is Inserted here, not only as affording a clear view of the principles which guided his course of action, but us enabling' the reader to comprehend Governor Graham"s policy exhibited In the ; further ex tracts from (his correspondence. This letter whs addressed by Oo ernor Vance to the same friend who received the letter given in my first number, and Is marked by the same clearness and energy of thought, the same generosity of feeling and th same unaffected erdor of .patriotism which charscterlze all of Governor Vance's letters tnat I might have beerf privileged to see. , Raleigh, Jan. 2, 1814. My Dear Sir: The flna,l plunge which I have been dreading and avoiding that la to sep arate m'e from a large number of my political friends. Is about to be made. It is now a fixed policy, of Mr. Holden and others to call a conven tion in May to take North Carolina back to the United States, and the ac tions advocating this course were pre pared a few days ago la The Standard office, and sent to Johnston, county to be passed at a publlo meeting next week; and a series of meetings are to be held all over the State. , For any cause now existing, or like ly4 to exist, I can never consent to this course. ;w". ',...-' ..: , v..';, Never. But should It be inevita ble, and I be unable to prevent it, aa I have no fight to suppose, I should, believing that it would 1 be ruinous alike to the State, and the Confeder acy, producing war and? devastation at home, and that it would steep the name- of North Carolina in Infamy, and make her memory a reproach among the nations, it Is my determi nation quietly to; retire to the army and find a death which will enable my children to say that their father was not consenting to their degradation. This may sound a little wild and ro mantic to use no stronger expres sion but It Is for, your eye only. I feel, sir, In many respects as a eon toward you; and when the many. acts of kindness I have received at your hands are remembered and the pa rental Interest you have always man ifested for my welfare, the feeling is not unnatural. I therefore approach you frankly tn this matter. J ' will , not present the arguments against V the proposed proceedings. There Is something to be said on both sides. We are sadly pushed to the wall by the enemy on every side, it is true. ' That can be answeredNby military men, and a reference to his tory Many people have been wore off. Infinitely, and yet triumphed. Our finance and other material re sources are not - a worse condltlgn than were those of our fathers in 1780-81, though repudiation Is In evitable. . Almost every argument against the chances of our success can be answered but one; that Is the cries of women and little children for bread. Of all o-hers, that is the hard est for a man of humane sentiments to meet, especially whent the differ ences join your appeals to their fiatrlotism,"You Governor, have plen y; your children (have never felt want." Still, no great political or political or moral blessing ever has been or can be attained without suf fering. Such Is our moral constitu tion that liberty and Independence can only be gathered of blood and mis ery, sustained and fostered by devot ed patriotism and heroic manhood. This requires a deep hold on the pop ular heart; and whether eur people are willing to pay the price for Southern independence, I am some what inclined to doubt. But, sir, In tracing the sad story of them backing down, t'ne self Imposed degradation of a great people, th historian shall not bay it was due to the weakness of their Governor, and that Saul was con senting unto their death. Neither do I desire f r the sake of a sentiment, to Involve others In ruin which they might avoid by following more Igno ble counsels. As God llveth there Is nothing which I would not do or dare for the people who so far beyond my deserts have honored me. But In re sisting this attempt to lead them back humbled and degraded, to the arms of their enemies, who have slaugh tered their sons, outraged their daugh ters, and wasted their fields with fire, and lay them bound at the feet of a master who promises them only life, provided they will swear to uphold his administration, and surrender to the hangmen thone who they themselves placed In the position which consti tutes their crime. In resisting this, I say, I feel that I am serving them tru ly, worthily. In approaching this, the crisis of North Carollna"s fate, certainly of my own career,' I could think of no one to whom I could more, appro priately go for advice , than to your self for the reasons before "stated. If you can see any thing to throw light on my path, or enable m n avoid the rocks before me, I shall be thank ful. My great anxiety now, as I can certainly hope to avert the contem plated action of the State, Is to pre vent civil war and to preserve life and property as far as may be possible. With due consideration on the part of public men, which I fear Is not to bs locked for, this might be avoided. It shall be my aim,, under God at all dvents. All tho circumstances considered, do you think I ought again to be a candidate? It Is a Ion time to the election, it Is true, but the Issue will be upon the country by spring. My In clination Is to take the stump early, and spend all my time and strength In trying to warm and harmonize the people. I Believe me, my dear sir, yours sin cerely. Z.B. VANCE. Governor Vance, It Is well-known took the field against this new party, and In the overwhelming majority , with which ho was re-elected the foi ! lowing summer, convincing proof was i given that much as North Carolina 1 desired peace, they were not willing ' to tuke Irregular or revolutlonay j measures to obtain it, und that they 1 preferred even a hopeless war to a I dishonorable reunion, j Besides the Moderates, who constl I tuted the bulk of the people, and the i war party, and the ': peace party" there were many besides of a class which can never be Influential, but j may well be counted among the Im ! pediments of all great movements, Wno. unableUo answer the arguments of either side could give no coun I set to either, though they were always prepared to blame any unsuccessful 'movement made In any direction. These overwhelmed by doubts and fears In the1 moment of peril could on ly wring their hands In hopeless In efficiency. Surrounded with such con flicting elements, those who fain would have lead the people "by right If way"' found the obstacles inter posed by the party spirit almost Insur mountable. In presenting Governor Graham, therefore as a representa tive of North Carolina, It must be iiiiiiriK) In 1.,: I t ... t tin-re v.id k. among U truly patriotic, but e nr. dently devoted to tho cau.io 'if the Confederacy an to remain to tho l.i t Implacable toward any attempt at ne gotiation, who looked at all suirges tlons tending that way as dastardly and traitorous to the Honth, and who, backed by he whole civil and milita ry Confederate authorities are ready to brand and arrest as traitors the authors of any such move. With these reflections I resume the extracts from Governor Graham"a correspondence, assured that his inac tion In the momentous criticism dep recated as It was at the time, by one party as evincing too little energy in behalf of peace, It not a disposition to continue the war; and reviled by the other as Indicative of a disposi tion toward Inglorious surrender and reconstruction was In effect masterly, that, masterly inactivity , with which he who surveys the tumult of con flict from an eminence, may foresee and calmly await the approaching and Inevitable end. y- ,1 " . Richmond, March 12, 1S68 My Dear Sir: ;' W The passing week will develop. Im portant events. The President has requested Congress to prolong Its ses sion to receive communication which he desires to make. Three days have elapsed, but nothing but routine mes sages have thus tar been received. ! am not at liberty to anticipate what la coming or probably to reveal It when received; but doubtless the whole 'horizon of tne situation wll be surveyed and an occasion presented for determinate action as to the fu ture. In my opinion he Is powerless and can neither make peace for our security nor war with success. But nous verrons. The bill to arm slaves has become a law. It professes to take them on ly with the consent of their masters; and In the event of failure tn this, to call upon the State authorities to fur nish. I trust no master in North Car olina will volunteer or consent to be gin this process of abolition as I feel very confident the General Assembly will do. We hear the enemy are near Fay ettevllle, notwithstanding the check to Kllpatrlck by Hampton. I think our officers of State, except the Governor, should not leave Raleigh, but should claim protection for the State prop erty from fire or other destruction, If the enemy come there. A raid of Sher idan's force has been above this city some days, destroying the James riv er canal and other property; and last night, at one a. m. the alarm bell was rung, calling out the local force for the -defence of the city, It being re ported that the enemy was within sev en miles. It Is said to-day that the part has Joined Grant below ' Rich mond. Commander Holllns and sev eral citizens are said to have been killed by them. You' may conceive that the path of those intrusted with the great inter ests of the people Is beset with diffi culties, but it must be trodden with what serenity and wisdom we may command. Yours very truly, W. A. GRAHAM. Hlllsboro, March. 26, 1865. My Dear Sir: I am much Indebted for yojir note to Dr. H . I arrived at home on this day week, and the next day went to Raleigh to have an Interview with the uovernor on the subject of tho Council of State to assemble to morrow. The Legislature of Virginia has taken a recess until the twenty ninth Instant and I think It very im portant that that of North Carolina shall be in session as early thereafter as possible. The war Is now nearly reduced to a contest between these two States and the United States. The miliary situation is by no means gov ernable and I perceive no solution of our difficulties except through the ac tion of the State. Public men in the service of he Confederacy are so tram meled by the parts they have borne In past events, and their apprehen sion as to a consistent record, that the government does, not answer' the present necessities of the country. I wlsn if possible to see you within the course of this week for a full confer ence tn these Important topics. Th Governor, Is, I think reasonable, but was much surprised by some of the facts 1 communicated to htm. I do not know the disposition of the coun cil. If the Leglslaure shall be con vened, I will attend their session, and If desired will address them in private meeting. Much pertaining to the con dition of affairs cannot with propriety be communicated to the public. I received lust night a telSgram from my son James, Informing me that his brqthcrs, John and Robert were both wounded the former tn both legs, the latter tn the left; In an attack by General Iee on the left of Grant's lino yesterday morning. 1 am expecting another message to night from General Ransom, which may occasion me to go to Petersburg to attend to them. Lee was success ful In surprising the enemy and driv ing him from three lines c "trench ment and taking five hundred pris oners; but by u concentrated Are of the artillery of the foe, was compelled to retire. James suys he was unhurt. I am ulso under a great necessity to go to Cutuwbu, but with a large force of reserve artillery all around us, und some apprehensions of the ad vance of Sherman, I know not which way to turn. I hud a conversation with Governor Morehfttd at Greensboro and I believe he realises the situation. Very sincerely yours, W. A. GRAHAM. If the Legislature of Virginia con vened at Richmond on the twenty ninth of March, 1865, small time was allowed for theft deliberation; and It would have been of very little practi cal utility If the General Assembly of North Carolina had been summoned to correspond with It at that date. On the second' of April, Richmond was evacuated. Our President and his cabinet were fugitives in the clear starlight of that woeful night; our eapltol waa delivered over to a mob and In flames. But we did not even dream of It. It waa more than a week before the certain intelligence -Vl I 1 I I ! I 1 mui i ' . 1 i,, '4 , t ' . I'rl. ! ..u tit t 1 ' . f i wero w l.i , 1 i- l, I -..t. v. 1 ( c .1;. every hour by IIiok.i im-,i w . . , father to tho thought U,,it th. : hope yet, that all wjim not If. 1. were indeed on the very turn'i ,? r and fatal crisis of tho great Soui.Sn : ! States rights Btrucsle; but we t. u realized through whot an era of 1 -tory we were living. In tho quiet and secluded village in which I now write, the uninterrupted order of our dally life afforded a strong confirmation of the great English historian's sayings, that In Ji wars, after ull, but a com paratively small portion of the nation waa actively engaged, or affected. Tae children plan their little fishing par ties, the plow boy whistles In the field, the wedding supper Is provided, and the dally course of external do mestic life in general flows as smooth ly as ever except immediately in the track of the armies. It is not indif ference or insensibility, t It Is the wise and' beneflcient order - of providence that It should be wirti the body pollt Jo as with our physical frame. One part; may : suffer i mutilation,' ; and V ' though a sympathetic thrill of an- . gulsh pervade every nerve of the whole body, yet the natural functions ,:y are not suspended In any other mem-. V. . ber. Men must He down and sleep-. . and eat, and go through the ordinary : routine of daily life in circumstances ;; of the most tragic Interest; It is only . n the stage that they tear heir hair , and He prosrate on the ground. . So we stlU exchanged our Confederate money with each other the bright :f I new clean twenties and tens which we tried to believe were worth some V, . : . thing, for there aa still a ralnt magi-,;', ' cat aroma of value hovering around .- these promises to pay "'six monthe v: after a treaty f peace with the Unit- ' . ed States;" $25 a yard for country -Jeans, $80 a yard for calico, $10 for a V';'; pair of cotton socks, $20 for a wheat, straw hat, $26 for a bushel of meal,v; $; and $10 to have a tooth pulled, and ;! -very cheap at that If we had only; . known all. Mothers were still pre.' -paring boxes for their boys in tha '. army! the farmer got his old batter- v ed tools In readiness for hia spring's ' work; the merchant went dally to preside over the scanty store or, ' ; thread, needles and buttons, rem-.."-nants of calico, and plies of home v ,' spun, which now constituted his stock ;.r;;v' in trade; and our little girls still held y I their regular meetings for knittingr . soldiers" socks, all unconscious of , , the final crash so near, while the 'i im peach trees were all abloom and , spring was putting on all her braveryJ.Jw'? (TO BE CONTINUED.)' . . gtftfi EiigllHh Jews Keep Clirlstauw. "Marquise de Fontenoy" In Washing--ton Post. While here in America, there has ? lately been a clnsiderable amount of y feeling expressed among the Jewish population against the practice or cel ebrating Christmas in the publlo schools and analogous institutions ; where the Hebrew element is exten- -slvely represented, in England, farji from belny any such feeling, the Jews especially those who are well to do, . have adapted themselves to the wayr;' and life of their Gentile fellow-cltlf;; sens, to the extent of keeping Christ mas not, of course, as a reigious fes tival, but yet as a season of special gayety and festivity. They exchange ,i; presents, send cards of good wishes, give dinner parties, children dances, ' balls for grown-ups, and Christmas largesses to servants and tradespso pie. They do all this without In any way abandoning their (reHgior r"t '. their orthodoxy, and undoubtedly uc- ' ceed thereby in diminishing race prej udice, and in identifying themselves with their Christian, fellow-cltlzen. - vi Lord Rothschild, for Instance, has , for thirty years past, made a practice of giving every omnibus conductor: and omnibus driver in London a brace v of pheasants for his Christmas dla, ner. Pheasants are a rich man's lux ury, and aside from the Intrinsic value : of the gift. It constitutes an Implied -, compliment which the recipients are quick to appreciate. The employes in ' the Rothschilds' bank. In St. Swlthln's lane, and all the members of the re- spectlve households of Lord Roths- -. child and his brothers also receive! presents from their employers at'; Christmas. v The Demijohn's Fate. Atlanta Constitution. ."A Amusing evidence regarding the ' working of an Irish light ralnway was given yesterday before Itne Roya V.v Commission inquiring Into the mtn ;' W agement of Irish railways by Mra'-.''.'-''; ,' Amy Griffin, a member of the Kllkeej"" , (County Clare) Urban Council.;" Speaking of the West and South Clara V T Railway, she said It served Kflkee, sometimes called the Brighton of Ire land, a favorlt watering place lot i ' English, Scotch and Americana, but ' they complained of the delay tn get ting to It. This railway had been made the subject of a comic song, ' ' , which, she thought, every one knew, ' V "Are you right there, Michael?" l , which the lines occurred: i "You must get to Kllkee before night You may noj, or you might." . , The chairman Is thlh a chronio state of things, or Is it exceptional? The witness said It wu chronic She .told the commission of an Inci dent which Illustrated what she com- V : . pllaned of In the matter of . speed, r : A lady passenger had a canary which f -' escaped from Us cage, and the train ... stopped while she tried to capture the bird. -, - Beats "Veni, VkU, VlcM All Holloi-iv-; Danvile. Va., Bee. ; ? A Salisbury, North Carolina, has en- V, Joyed the Incumbency of Mayor Arch ibald Henderson Boyden. This gen-: tleman announces his eandldacv for a new term in Salisbury's evening; dally.- , The Post, In these , comprehensive . terms: "To the Public: I ara a candl- date for mayor, A. H. Boyden.' Mr." -Boyden. we believe. Is a son of V". member . of . Congress;. and ', grandson : of another, but there are no frills on him and "no files." j He Is short " and sweet anyhow, aa a candidate fl:yr
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 27, 1907, edition 1
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