June 22, 1862
We hear that Lincoln has recalled Stanley from the Governorship of N Carolina. How true it is that it is hard to serve two masters! In both attempts he has signally failed. The shallow artifice by which he attempted to throw dust in to our eyes by professing to govern us by the Statute Laws of N C displeased his Northern masters, whilst his being here at all is such an infringement of our rights that no plausibility could even gild the pill. I have written some lines which I would greatly like to fall into his hands, but as I see no possibility of that I will ‘een confide them to my journal, that it is at least may see how I loathe the Traitor!
LINES
Richard Dobbs Speight, Gov of N C, was killed in a duel by Edward Stanley’s father many years ago. His grave was violated by the Yankees when they had possession of New Berne, and his skull stuck upon a pole was one of the first objects which met Stanley’s eyes when he landed in New berne as Lincoln’s Governor, appointed to subjugate his native State.
Room for the Traitor! room! Lo thy father’s sins rise from the grave to greet thee!
Look on me thou false Stanley! look on me and shuddering hear thy welcome!
By thy father’s hand—ultimately nipped my days were ended—my budding fame cut down
And to my dust my name was given! Yet revenge like this I had not dared to picture!
Thanks! To the impious hand which rudely burst
My coffined cerements and brought me forth
To greet thee! thanks! tho unwilling all! for that base act of sacrilegious violence
Has filled my cup of Vengeance!
I see that name—that name of Stanley which they father bore—proudly and purely!
(‘Een tho’ I hated him—yet this he forced me to accord him)
I see that once revered name I say—discrowned! Dishonoured a by word! and a hissing!
Babes shall lisp it out with scorn! Woman shall forget her gentleness and learn
To curse it!—And Stanley the Statesman! Stanley the patriot shall be by men—Forgot—in Stanley—the Traitor!
Thy foul presence doth eclipse his greatness! doth blot out his nobleness!
And with the noisome stench of Treason! thou has drowned the perfume of his memory!
Welcome thou traitor! welcome here to infamy! hug thou the chains of Life
Until thou loathes them—and then thou false one—doubly dyed in Treason!
Welcome to the feast where Arnold’s self awaits thee!
** Stanley/Stanly was appointed military governor of eastern NC by Lincoln in May 1862. He resigned his position in 1863 over disagreement with Lincoln on the Emancipation Proclamation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Stanly
Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html
