Newspapers / The Era (Raleigh, N.C.) / Nov. 30, 1871, edition 1 / Page 2
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"Standard" building, East aide of Fayetterille Street. LEWIS ILVNKS, J THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1871. Those who art? so loud in their blame of Gov. Caldwell because he gave thoni no information, in his message, con cerning the State's interest in works of internal improvement should remem ber that duty devolves on the Superin tendant of Public works, under the present Constitution. An active 'Worker. IL W. Shore, the Pot Master at Salem, has pent the names of over fifty subscribers to The Weeki.v Era, all accompanied by the -cnsli, within a few weeks. Let othem imitate the commendable example of Mr. Shore, and the circulation of The Era will soon reach five thousand. - -4 lite Sentinel says The Era succeeded Tlie Standard and is printed on the same type and press. This is untrue. The Kua is printed on new type, and a new press. Tlie fXtrolinian, a Demo cratic paper, is printed on the old Standard tye and press. Hut -what doesall this signify? What sin have the tyis and press committed ? ;- The Goldsiioko Mexek It is not for any want of respect for Tlie Mes senger that we have made no reply, to its articles in review of our review of the Democratic Address, but for want of time and space, i We tike pleasure in acknowledging the candor, fairness and courtesy of that paper toward ris, both now and in former days, and as sure it of our kindly regards and ap preciation. ; . ; . j. A call has been issued for a" meeting of the National Republican Committee Washlngton.onthellth of next Jan uary, and attliat meeting the time and and place of holding the next Repub lican National Convention will be de cided on. Tlie correspondent of the Tribune says that the choice of places lies between New York and Cincinnati, with the chances iri favor of the former city. : . Don't fall to read the letter of " Tim othy Tarbucket to his Betsy," on our third page, describing Senator Robbiris, introducing Jiis bill to amend the Con stitution. 44 Timothy " paid a visit to the House on the .next day, and has written another letter to " his UetsyJ" still more 44 rich, rare and racy," de scribing the member from Buncombe introducing his fourteen bills for the same purpose. We may be able to find Macc for it hereafter. CiovEitxon Caldwkli- TheappnV 1 .at ion with which j the administration of (Jov. Caldwell is meeting is a source of much gratification to his friends. In a number of counties his administra tion has been endorsed by Republican meetings, while in'scveral he has been nominated for re-election. We "note this fact with pleasure. The State nev had a more upright, faithful and hon est Executive than at present. In proof of this almost every act of his ad ministration may 'confidently Ik? ap7 pealed to. U. S. Circuit Court. This tribunal began its session in, Metropolitan Hall, in this City, on Saturday. Judge Bond is not in attendance. The term will be presided over by the upright, fearless nnd independent Judcre Brooks. The grand Jury will be empannelled to day. Nothing has yet been done ex cept the continuance of a number of the Ku Klux eases. His Honor has inti mated that they may all In continued if the parties desire it, until the next term, the defendants to renew their bonds for appearance, before the Clerk, in the same sums in which they were bound to the present term. Any motion to reduce the amount of bail must be made before His Honor. RKruuMUAX Victory. R. T. Ing, Republican, has been elected to the Senate, from the district composed of Moore and Richmond, vice Senator Ijedbctter, resigned, by 2oS majority. At the last election Ixxlbetter, Conserv ative, was elected by 3:1 majority. "All things considered this is a glorious Re publican victorj-, and will inspire the Republicans of the State with fresh hope and energy. . Nothing but wise and judicious management, and the nomination of able, upright and honest men for office, is wanting to give us the State by an overwhelming majority in 1S72. Of this there can be no doubt, if all our friends will do their duty. Mistaken. The Sentinel says the re port of the Judiciary Committee shows tliat Gov. 'Caldwell was mistaken in saying 44 the present Constitution is not responsible for the continuation of the present salaries of State officials." It is 77ie Sentinel that is mistaken. What Gov. (Aildwell did say was that " the Constitution was not to blame for the high salaries and lees iaid to various State nnd County officers." He said not a word about the continuation of them. The report of the Judiciary Committee fully sustains the Governor. .The Committee do not lay the blame of the high talarie on the Constitution any more than the Governor did they lay it upon the' Legislature of 1GS-'G9. The Committee only say that under the Constitution said feet cannot beklimin ished during the continuance of the term of the present iucumbencs. The terms of innnt of them will soon expire. OSce, In the The Governor's Message. A large portion of our space is taken up with the excellent, able ami practi cal message of his Excellency Gov. Caldwelu Tlie tone and teihier of It are admirable, and it is well jvritten, comprehensive and statesmanlike. Many portions of it cannot fail(to meet the hearty approval of every true friend of the State, of whatever political party. That part of it which relates to the pub lic debt the most important rjuestion by far with the present General! Assem bly will have to deal, will attractgen eral attention, and its sentiments meet with general approbation. Th(j Gover nor has evidently bestowed, much thought uion the question of the State's financial embarrassments, as he has shown himself solicitous for her honor and her welfare. His suggesti this subject will, we lclieve, le ons on rccciv- cd and acted uion by the Legislature in the same frank and patriotic spirit in which they are offered. Believin this, we look forward to the; Inaugura tion of measures by that body that will relieve the State of the incubus! which is now weighing her down, - and which will ultimately restore her cre it and revive her prosperity. His Excellency's recommendations and suggestions on several other sub jects, it is believed, will also meet with general favor from all good citizens. Among these'are his suggestions on the subject of education, the condition of society and suffrage. The manijcr sug gested for submitting constitutional amendments to the people is unques tionably correct in principle, andjshould be adopted. In fact there arc fevv points in the message that admit of any great diversity of opinion. Themessagc does great credit to the chief Executive of the State, and will be read witli pride and pleasure by the patriotic people of North Carolina generally. We have no room' for further com ments now. Gov. Caldwell and the Le: sc of the N. C. Railroad On Thursday last Senator G.-aham, of Orange, criticised with some severity the message of Gov. Caldwell, in res ponse to a resolution of inquiry in reference to the lease of the N. C. Rail road. To this no objection is mat o the objection is to the injustice 'done the Governor. The Senator display e I won derful apparent ignorance of the subject of inquiry. He assumed, that us the Directors appointed by the presiding officers of the two Houses, under an unconstitutional act of the last sj-ssion, had leen enjoined from acting, the Board apiointed by the Govcnur had leased the road. Consequently, he as sumed, the Governor must have known all about the lease, of which he inform ed the Senate he had no official infor mation. He further assumed tliat the State proxy must have been appointed with the understanding that h( vas to confirm the lease. Therefore, he aid, the people of North Carolina wi believe in the sincerity of the nor in the statements contained message. I not ovcr- sn ins Every intelligent man, acquainted with the character of Gov. Cakjwell, knows that he is one ot the most f and candid of mankind. Every! rank such man knows that he is incapable ofsend- ing in sucn a message asme nenaior charged What are the facts in the facts in the case . lneiacts are, aim renaior ura . ..- ...... ham must have known them, tnat-tne Board of Directors appointed by the Governor were also believed to have been enjoined from acting. They, at all events, have not organized and entered upon the discharge of their duties to this day. The proxy appointed by the Governor has no more confirmed the lease than the Senator from Orange himself. The charges of the Senator are all irratuitous, and witnoui inc without slightest foundation It was simply imnossible that the Governor could have had any information froiji him Board of Directors or his proxy, as the Senator alleges. The lease, as every body, except the Senator from Orange knows was made by the old Board of Directors, appointed by Gov. Caldwell's predecessor. The Senator says he is not opposed to the lease. Why, then, this attack upon the Governor? No intelligent man can fail to see. It was a speech for I Buncombe. Political capital was sought to le made, and was made witfc a ven gcancc. The Senator has the satisfac tion of knowing that he failed jf his object, and subjected himself to tne se verest animadversion. For it will' not do for him. to say that he '"was nit in- formed as to the facts in the caseU In w hose sincerity, then will the people of North Carolina believe? j Surely there is infinitely more ground to Ques tion the sincerity of the Senator than the Governor. We are not disposed to deal severely or unjustly with him. The most charitable construction that can be placed upon his conduct is, that in the heat of his partizan zeal he, for the moment, forgot the facts in the i-ase, or what was due to justice and thq Kx ecutiveof the State. It is hopedjthat no further efforts will be made, by either party, to manufacture party, cap ital, but that all will go to work inj ear nest to do the business of legislation. Ex-United States Attorney-General Stanbury, of Ohio, and the Hon. Itev .'erdy Johnson, of Baltimore, have been engaged to defend the men to be ried under the Ku-klux act of Congress at the approaching session of the United States Court to Ik? held in Columbia S. C. A sum of money is to be raised to carry out the project, and each ' county In the State will make a contribution. The object is said to be two-fold that ample justice may be secured the priso ners, and that the constitutionality of the Ku-klux law mav 1 tested. ou? Ill to be Donci I The compromise of bur public debt and the re-establishment of the credit tof the State, upon something like the footing it once had, arc the most ini portaiit subjects for thecoasideration of the Legislature. ': ; No amount of tinkering with the Con stitution, by any mode of amendment, is necessary for the accomplishment of the first of these very desirable results, and no amount of censure of those who are to blame for directly or indirectly destroying the credit of the State can aid, now, in restoring it. The State owes a lawful honest debt wfiich she ought to pay, but which is more than she is, at present, aide, to pay. The State is charged with an un lawful and fraudulent debt which she is not l)ound, and ought not, to pay. These ar"e admitted facts. . ' What then U legally and morally the full extent of the State's obligations? If the case of North Carolina were the case of any private business man or cor poration, the solution of this question would precede every other inquiry and all other action ; for, until it is settled, nothing can be satisfactorily, fairly or honestly settled about the future man agement and payment of the public debt.. Ascertain, therefore, at once, what weJ ought to pay, and the public senti ment of the people of North Carolina will agree to pay it, and her people irill it without a murmur. This disposition of the public mind, following such action, will soon be Renown ! abroad, and, as soon as it is Renown, confidence will be restored ; for it is not so much considered by our creditors whether wo have material re sources, in this great State, capable of bearing taxes enough to pay our debts, as it is, have we a disjwsitian and an intention to pay our honest debts. . No extraordinary statesmanship, it seems, is required to conduct such a preliminary inquiry, as we have sug gested, and to bring it to an intelligible and satisfactory solution. The Legisla ture is full of young, active, alert, in dustrious men competent to get through With just such business. Let them go I at it, at once, without delay, and when they shall have ascertained how mucli we.'honestly and lawfully owe, and shall have separated that from what we i are i dishonestly and unlawfully charged' with owing, the most indis pensable as well as the most trouble some part of their work, on this sub ject, will be over, and the way to a reasonable compromise of our liabilities will then lie fairly and openly before them. f Important Disclosure. Read the communication of 44 Citizen of Fprsythe," published in another col timu. It discloses the fact that Hon. J. M. Leach, a trusted and distinguish ed leader of the Conservative party, and 'now a member of Congress, is, or has been, a member of the White Broth erhood or Invisible Empire, otherwise known as the Ku Klux Klan. After this who can doubt that the leaders of the party generally, in manny locali ties, are members. But the principle thing we desire to ! call attention to now,is the oath he was required to take upon becoming a mem ber. That oaih shows conclusively the character of the organization. Its po litical character is shown in that part of the oath which obligates members to 44 oppose all radicals and negroes in their political designs." Its insurrec tionary character is shown by that part of the oath which obligates its mem- bers to 44 assist in punishing, any manner the camp may direct," "any radial or negro who may impose upon, injure or abuse a member of the broth erhood." Here you have the thing in a nut shelL Its character can not be changed by showing that several recrear t Repub licans became members of i t . In join ingit they necessarily foresw ore ' their republicanism. They were, or had been, Republicans who were never members of the League or the H. O. A., ami there were no obstructions to their becoming J members of this secret political and in surrectionary party, organized in the interest of Democracy. Read the oath and you will sec that it is only 44 radicals and negroes " that the camp punishes for certain oilenses. That violence was in contemplation is shown by the first sentence of the oath, wherein the members swear that they " willj never turn State's evidence against any brother o any act or deed done by him." Ti i observations for temperature &c. , published in another place, were taken at 7 AL M., 2 P. M., and 9 IV M. An examination of the table will develope the following particulars: For August, excepting Weldon for which observa tions were only taken the first 19 days, Edenton has the highest average tem perature, though Fayetteville and Charlotte reach a higher maximum by 1 degriee. The other points differ but little except Bakersville, Mitchell coun ty, w hose mean temperature for August is 11.7;deg., below Weldon. The: difference shows the amount of . Hi' variableness of the tem perature. Thus for August, the differ ence -between the highest and lowest temperatures observed for Bakersville is 31 deg., for Tarboro only 19 deg. For August, it may also be observed, that the, variableness increases as you go West;; but in September and October this is!bot the case, the extremes dif fering about 40 deg., for all the points except Greensboro, whose maximum and ihinimum differ only 15, thus in dicating the most equable climate of any of the points observed. For September, Greensboro and Char- What Ictte have the higiifest mean tempera tiiffc, and for October Greensboro' Is 5 deg., higher than any other point. The No. of cloudy days may be compared as to their effects upon temperature, as also the wind. It is seen that for August Southernly winds prevail, while for September and October they are mostly from the Northern quarter, though the usual S. W. current is apparent in all the months. Don. J. M. Leach. No one can charge us with being the partizan of this gentleman, either per sonally or politically. But whatever he may or may not be, he is, like every other human being, entitled to justice. And he shall receive from us the 'jus tice to which he is entitled. We never intend to edit a paper on any other principles, as we never have. We be lieve that honesty is not only the cor rect principle, but the best policy, in lolitics, as in everythingelse. Unexplained the article in Saturday's Era, 44 Important Disclosure" taken in connection with the communication of 44 Citizen 6f Forsythe," may do Gen. Leach injustice. We therefore publish below the testimony of Gen. Leach in the caso-Qf the United States vs. J. T. Hambrick and others; also the re marks of District Attorney Starbuck at its close. It is but just to state that there is no conflict between the testi mony of Gen. Leach and the other wit nesses who testified in the case : " Hon. Jamds SI. Leach, being called by the defence, was sworn, and deposed as fol lows : In May, 1870, 1 went to Thomasville on professional business. While there Mr. John W. Thomas approached me and asked me to" go with him into a new institution. I said I expected it was some Ku Klux devilment, and refused to join any secret political society. Thomas approached me a second and a third time, and said he wanted me to give him my opinion, as a lawyer and a friend, of a new organization which; com bined tine good qualities of all the others. He said he had a mule to ride himself, but would get a horse for mo. I told him that upon these conditions I would go and give my opinion, but that I was opposed to all secret political combinations. As we went along, Ave arrived at a certain point on the road, near Thomasville, when a man ap proached and commenced repeating some thing which I supposed was intended to be an obligation. I discovered it was Mr. Mc Crary. I stopped him in the midst of his utterance, objected, and said I would take no obligation. I then turned, and indig nantly said to Thomas, "You have tricked and deceived me," ami Thomas replied, "I do not ask you to join it if you are not will ing; I only want your opinion as a lawyer and a friend." After some conversation, I advised them to disband at once and never assemble again, as the organization was not only wrong in itself, but in violation of law. In a few days thereafter I wjote a letter to Thomas, asking, if they had followed my advice and had disbanded ; and if they had not to disband immediately. Thomas subse quently told me the letter was "unnecessary, as tlfey had disbanded in pursuance of my adWee given the night I was there. Moore wis present on that nightbut Hambrick wai not. Thomas said this was an indepen dent organization, combining the good ele ments of the Union League and Ku Klux, and was intended to get good, honest men, of both parties, into office. (Jen. Leach was not cross-examined by District Attorney Starbuck, who arose and said that he was glad that Gen. Leach had been vindicated by the.proofs, and that all good citizens -owed him their thanks for breaking up -he organization in Davidson count y." No argument was made by the coun sel on either side. The Commissioner dismissed the warrants and discharged the defendants on the ground that the offense was committed before the act of Congress was passed in relation to such crimes. Gen. Ieach was not one of the defendants, but only a witness. Hon. S. F. Phillips. This distinguished gentleman was not in his scat, in the House of Repre sentatives, on Monday, , Tuesday and Wednesday. Some few days ago lie was called away to the bedside of his sick and, it was feared, dying brother, Rev. Dr. Charles Phillips, of Davidson Col lege. And while there it might have been expected that he would have been allowed to remain undisturbed. It might have been expected, that until after he had emerged from the chamber of affliction and sorrow, his enemies would have refrained from making personal attacks upon bim through the newspapers. But those who may have expected anything of the kind have no conception of the malignant enmity that rankles in the breast of The Senti nel. The chamber of sickness and of death can afford him no protection. The portals of the tomb itself, could hardly shield him. These remarks have been suggested by a characteristic article on Mr. Phil lips in Tuesday's Sentinel. "That paper has had its" bile stirred up by the com munication of" Conservative," publish ed in this paper, deprecating the per sonal abuse which has been heaped upon Mr. Phillips, and other distin guished gentlemen, by a portion of the press of the State. Forthwith it pro ceeds, in the polite and elegant language of which it is a master, to denounce Mr. Phillips as the betrayer of "his friends and his country "as an " enemy of good government, social order and civil liberty." And it further ventures to declare that ".Conservative is no bet ter than Mr. Phillips himself." Now, as " Conservative" has frequently had the endorsement of The Sentinel, as "a statesman and a patriot," it is'believed that his equanimity will not be seri ously disturbed by the present declara tion of that paper, that he "is no better than Mr. Phillips," even after its severe denunciations of the latter gentleman. Perhaps nothihg better was to have been expected from a paper that once before charged Mr. Phillips with utter ing a wilful falsehood in open Court when he was merely expressing an opinion in the discharge of his duties as an attorney. History often Repeats Itself I The present condition of political af fairs forcibly reminds us of the aphor? ism, History often repeats itself." A brief survey of the course of events which preceded the late civil war will show a striking similarity to the pres ent condition of the country. I In the Democratic National Conven tion of 184S there were only three men who boldly avowed themselves in fa vor of secession, and they had but few followers even among the Democracy. The serious questions regarding slave ry in the territories which, were agita ted during the administration of Mr. Filmore, were happily settled by the Compromise Measures which were ef fected by the joint action of patriotic men in both political parties. These Measures were hailed with joy by the great mass of the American people as a settlement of the perplex ing questions which had long disturb ed the peace of the country, and threat ened the perpetuity of the Union. In 1852 the Democracy as a Union and National party carried the elec tions by overwhelming majorities. Since that time the Southern secession Democracy began to manifest its dicta torial spirit and power. It demanded a repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and after a long and bitter contest ef fected its purpose. In the National Convention of 1856 the secession Democrats made other aggressive demands upon the slavery question, and obtained a further recog nition of some of their principles. At Charleston, in I860, they boldly avow ed not only the right but the duty of the South to secede, and thus they for ever disrupted the Natienal Democracy. By degrees they had excited and fo mented bitter sectional feelings between- the North and South, which at last culminated in a civil war, which terminated In subjugation and terrible disaster to the South. The fear of confiscation and punish ment for treason for a time suppressed the spirit of secession and rebellion. The lenity of the government freed the leaders from apprehensions, and soon the fell spirit of ruin again manifested itself, and in 1868 a Democratic candi date for the Vice Presidency was nom inated, after he had declared himself in favor of overturning the Reconstruction measures of Congress at the point of the bayonet. . The" Democracy were again defeated but not conquered. Their motto has ever been to " rule or ruin." " A New Departure" was determined on, and the Invisible Empire was established for; the purpose of obtaining control of the State governments ; at the South, and thus again sectionalize the country. Slander, falsehood and ridicule in the public press, the ostracism of social lif, and the prejudices of caste were their weapons of open warfare ; while in ecret and at midnight, the scourge, the torch and the assassins knife and halter did terrible work on the ignor ant, humble, poor and defenseless friends of the Union. The government determined at last to protect its hum ble and innocent citizens, and at once thd Ku Klux ,howl goes forth, "the Constitution is violated and the liberty of the citizen is outraged." The Em pire of England does not touch with vi olence the person of the poorest and humblest American citizen, and yet the Invisible Empire claims the right to scourge and assassinate hundreds of the friends of the government, and de nounce President Grant because he seeks to enforce the laws, and punish crimes which are outrages upon civil liberty and christian civilization. Many of the leaders in secession are! now the leaders of the Conservative Democracy, and their great effort is to again produce a bitter sectional feeling between the North and South, and they have in some degree accomplished their rmrnose. The recent elections show the tendency of things. The North is overwhelmingly Republican, and t he Democracy have shown increased strength in some of the Southern States. In the next Presidential election the Northern States will go overwhelming ly Republican, and a large majority of the white population of the South will vote the Democratic ticket. This sec tional feeling has been caused by South ern! Democratic leaders, and the influ ence of the Ku Klux Brotherhood, and is injurious to the best interests of the South, and does no harm to the North. The Northern people are rich and pros perous, and will have control of the power and patronage of the general government. They are increasing ev ery j day in intelligence, wealth and population, while the Democracy of the South are mourning over the dead past, contending for the principles of the " lost cause;" and cursing and turning up their noses at the intruding Yan kees!. The South is a genial country, but the Democracy Will continue to act " the dog in the manger." They can not develop our rich resources, and will not allow the Yankees to do so. Their prime object seems to be to ob tain office and power, and their policy and ; conduct has a direct tendency to prevent the introduction of intelligent labor and capital from the North. Democratic sectionalism has produc ed all the disorders of the past, and will surely cause new misfortunes. Demo cratic policy has led the people of the South to ruin, and if they continue to follow, the same old paths they will reap' the bitter fruits of such folly. Supplement. Owing to the. great length of the' Governor's message, and the press of other matter, we are com pelled to issue a supplement to give our weekly subscribers the benefit of the i Ecgislative proceedings, i i Tlie Late Election in New Jersey; The Jew York Day liool', a rabid Democratic journal, does not claim a Democratic! victory inj the j election of Gov. Parker in New Jersey. It says the best thing the Democracy can claim in that State is a drawn battle. ! And this result, it says, Avasjdue not so much to the principles and policy oi the Democratic campaign in that State, as to the unpopularity of tlie Republi can nominee. He is an .Englishman, and there were, it supposes, at least seven thousand members of the Society of United American Mechanics, who, although Republicans, were prevented from voting for the noriiinee of their party on account of his foreign "birth. To this fact alpne, it says, must le at tributed the Republican majority on the Legislature, and the Democratic majority on the Governor. This is doubtless the true solution of the matter, and shows that New Jersey may be counted on by the Republicans, in the Presidential " contest in 1872, with as much confidence as any other State. The Republican: majority on the Legislative .vote in the State was about two thousand greater than the Demo cratic majority on the Gubernatorial vote. . It would be difficult, if not im possible, at this time to point to a sin gle Northern State that can be relied to vote for fhe Democratic nominee in 1872. It is no wonder, then, that that party has already dispaired, and that its leaders are opposed to running any candidate of their own against the Re publican nominee. But they calculate without their host when they suppose that a division of the Republican party will be possible 'til after 1876, if then. None of the gentlemen proposed by them as an independent candidate for the Presidency can possibly effect an enterence into the Republican ranks, even if they can be induced to run. Upon the whale iit would be difficult to conceive a party more utterly pros trated and demoralized than the Dem ocratic party now is. The probability is that it will not enter j the next can i- paign,,and if it does not it will, in all probability, never enter another. Constitutional Amendments. The Salisbury Watchman, - Con servative, copies our article on constitu tional amendments---recommending that they be divided into classes am. submitted seperately and adds: Heartily more concerned for Securing tlie best interests of the State; that tho promo tion of party, ye like the: snggestions here made, and commend them to the dire atten tion of the members of the Legislature. The people, have claims on their servants which every honest member must feel bound to respect. Let them all labor, there fore, first and foremost, to accomplish ever necessary amendment to! the constitution and enact all needful reforms with single ness of purpose ; and show, by an honest zeal for the common good, that patriotism and not party s the basis of their actions. The conservative members have proven their inability to accomplish tho needed amendments 'independently of the other partjr. Let them now 44 accept the situa tion" and do the best they can for the people who are fairly groaning for deliverance. A prominent Democratic lawyer in Western North Carolina, writes to us on the same subject as follows: i Nov. 24th, 171. Hex. Lewis Hasks, Raleigh, N. C. Dear Sir: I hve just read in The Caroli na Watchman of the 24th, the article "Con stitutional Amendments"- copied into that paper from Tiik X. C. Era, and, T presume, written by you. ; j I heartily endorse your sentiments ex pressed in said article. Of all the evils and curses that can befall a people, a .partizan tampering with the organic law is ten fold tho worst. I hope sincerely hope for the good of the ! whole people j that moderation and wise counsels prevail and characterize the legislation in this particular. I will be in Raleigh soon, and will be glad to meet you, as I formed a very pleasant acquaintance with you whilst there in Sep tember. I am not one of those who can't see any thing good in a political opponent. : j Very respectlly, ypurs, truly. The Right of Petition. The sacred right of petition has been disregarded by both Houses of the Leg islature. They have refused to receive petitions, adopted by public meetings, asking an investigation into certain charges preferred against several of their members. The reasons given for the rejection of the petitions is,that they contain charges against members of the body that are false and scandalous, andr that it is the duty of each House to protect its members from insult. Thia is no reason at all, even if the House, be satisfied that the charges-are untrue. A large number of the citizens of the State. have expressed the opinion that they are true, and that the guilty par ties should be expelled. The people have as clear a right to petition the Legislature for the expulsion of urr worthy members, as they have to peti tion that body for anything else. ! The course which the Houses should have pursued-Land should now pursue is plain. The petitions should have been received and referred to a Com mittee for consideration and investiga tion. If; the charges turned out to be false the report of the Committee would have been a complete vindication and protection of the accused members far more complete than the rejection of the petitions. If they had proved to be true who will say the guilty parties, ought not to have been expelled ? Can any intelligent man fail to see that, while denying; the right of petition to thousands of citizens of the State, the Houses have placed t e accused mem bers themselves sin a questionable posi tion? ' ; v t-j ;' These views are presented for the consideration of all concerned. We shall recur to the-matter again soon. When the biaek Cfiternill.irs ramn down on a Tennessee district, the far- mers turn in tne turkeys, who hold a j ier or w orms, DENCE. Iir cori fiHii'l( nl . Communications on all, ui iji-ct Hfl' Kdticil, ., which will given to the aders r.f The Et:. sentiment i ,. as containing the views urn writers For tl e ( arohnn I .j .i. Mkssiis. ;. Em aria niTons: I ive you ti in i f sketch of til that" took place at t',i" Court House in Winst on, bo fore .1. p Vest, r. s. Commissioner, in 'the pi t ence of some five hundred people vi: Triitpd Kt.ttps vs. J. T. Hainrick aii'l others for conspiracy. . Tho defendants were released ni tli crround that the offence was conmutt before the act of Congflcss was pasi in relation to such crimics. Durinsr tlie trial several witn CS"rs were examined, and they 'iihplicnt d a. number ofpe:S)ns. One witness stated th iht he wa HII; 11 .). : the said tenant in the order, anc he swore M. Lkacu as a following oath memlcr, and tha was taken by Leach : i Vaii nlonmlvswear 1 efore Almight God that ypu will nevej- turn states evi dence against any? brother for any act or deed done by him, m any t ourt r Courts whatever, that yon will belnje totheprinciplesofthisbrothcrho(Hl:iii.l to its members, that you will never reveal" any of its secrets edicts or orders, that vou will never inake known any one not a knoivn member of the brotherhood that you are yourself a. member or who are mi'inbers. I h:it you will never assist in initiating or al low to be iniated it ymican possnuy prevent it, any one Ik onging to tin- Union I,earue or II. O holding Radical view ! or opinion-. That should any member of this broth erhood or his family be) in danger you will inform him or thern of such dan ger, and if necessary gb to his r lief. That you will oppose all radicals and negroes in their political designs. That should any radical or negro impo.-ul up on, injure or abuse a Member ot tins brotherhood you will assist in punish ing him in any manner the camp 'jnay direct. That you will obey all callauil summons from the Clnpi oi your camp so far as it is in your Judging from this y That you will never gi distress unless you are need of assistance, and ower to do s. ur oDinraiion. ... . . . ye the word of n the greatest that should yoiu hear it given by a member cm trkbi nssistnnco andlhat von will hat should any fo . member reveal or maKc Known Ua ennrnta rrt5 ftr ( 1 Owl 1 S Of Ol'd anv 1 r o! the brotherhood you wjjll assist in pu:- tch nrr mm; in sinv iMMmu'i mi- t.uu may direct or j approve -,o help y oil God. Another witness sta hp lnt, rnst and crot to t :ed that win i in camp one of the members was reading over; ine above oath to J. M. Lijach but he, the witness, did not hear tlie first part of the oath but Leach took it. ' , One witness stated that about ha f the members in that den jveie T?nriihlienns. On CTOKS examiliatiob bnino nsdcod one at a time as to IhM politics answered that all of them ven Conservatives but two pr three, j Citizen- of forsythe c r vi v . J-Yirsythe co., Nov. 121 1871. -For th Carol hii Kiu, ITnv. Lewis IIaneh: 1 read villi great interest the letter ofConservativi 18th Inst., I aii( in your paper of the !l heartily endorse many otfits sentiment He speaks kindly, an pects fairly!, of the Hon I in many re- L S. .F. Phillips His defense seems to have been promp ted in a great degree by) personal kmdr nessto Mr, Phillips. Ij wish he! had placed his vindication entirely upon ih higher ground of justice and truth to a much wronged political opponent. Von know. Mr., Hanles. that I have always been a warm Republican,' .but not a bitter partizan. been ready and willing I have always to meet Such hightoned and patriotic Conservative, and with gentlemen, a- them fairly and candidly consider what course, 'of. pub lic policy was best calculated to restore peace and prosperity to the State. I know that both in . public and private action ant (conversation you have always manifested suchi a disposition. I also believe that in ) things Mr. Phillips has been prompted by a high spirit of patriotism, and: has bi'cn ready; at all times to do full justice to a politi cal opponents. He dot's not possess' that earnestness of partisan zeal which is requisite to make hijm rtn efficient leader in times of high political excite ment, and in this respec alone he in not a statesman. His intellect and acquire ments, his moral worth, patriotism and calm philosophic nature make him a safe counsellor, and When the bitter ness, prejudice and madness of party hatred have passed away he will ix fully appreciated and honored by the people of the State. J I know that there are many good Land honorable men in the i Democratic party, and I will under ho circumstan ces do them injustice 1 1 jwill never wish you or any of my'pafty friends to abuse or wrong them, but meet thcin with fair argument and Just critic.sni. I advocate the liberty of the press, but I have no sympathy with its licentious-., ness. The conduct" of jmany of our public journals has disgraced the State, and done infinite harm tb the best in-; terests of our people. . I hope you will ' conduct tlie; organ of tne Jtepuhlican party in a spirit of justice and liberali ty, and make it an able and dignified public journal. Carry out in truth and spirit your old Whig motto. The" Con stitution, the Union and the Enforce-, ment of the Laws ;" warmly advocate; ; the Republican doctrinejof "Political Equality, Justice and Protectioato all men;" and let the olid Jackionian doctrine (now a Republican doctrine; be' ever prominent. "The Union' must and shall be "preserved." Denounce at all times and under all (Circumstances, fraud, corruption and lawlessness, for silence in such cases, or extenuation of such offenses, will make you as a pub lic journalists in some degree responsi ble for their countenance and results. I hope that Conservative will advise his political friends in the Legislature not to make " Constitutional Amend ments" a party question and if they follow his advice, he will see that Mr. Phillips and other liberal Republicans, will assist in making all needful and proper amendments, and; the work of Constitutional reform can be effected . without any great popular excitement. I recognize Conservative; although I do not know his name,) as an able, honest and high-toned gentleman ; and I cordially join in his desire for thc r?ace and prosperity of the State; and bid him "good bye" with feelings of high regard, ami with regret that', we do not.coincide in political opinion. i KF.rVRUCAX. CORRES PON - I. , i j : ; . :. The Editors must notlwun ins the sentiments of tin
The Era (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 30, 1871, edition 1
2
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