Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

Languages Used:

• English

LC Subject Headings:

• Warren, Edward Jenner, 1826-1876.
• Campaign literature -- North Carolina.
• Beaufort County (N.C.) -- History -- 19th century.
• North Carolina -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865.
• North Carolina -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.

Revision History:

• 2001-02-06,
  Celine Noel and Wanda Gunther
  revised TEIHeader and created catalog record for the electronic edition.
  
  
• 2000-11-20,
  Natalia Smith, project manager,
  finished TEI-conformant encoding and final proofing.
  
  
• 2000-11-13,
  Ellen Decker
  finished TEI/SGML encoding
  
  
• 2000-10-27,
  Bryan Sinche
  finished scanning (OCR) and proofing.
  
  

TO THE CITIZENS OF
BEAUFORT COUNTY.

        The Legislature now in session has passed an act calling a Convention to assemble in Raleigh on the 20th, and providing for the election of Delegates on the 13th of the present month.

        The short time intervening between this and the day of election not admitting of the holding of a County Convention to make nominations, I have, at the solicitation of many friends in town and country, consented to declare myself a candidate.

        It will be impossible for me to canvass the County. Nor do I conceive it necessary. My position now is the legitimate and necessary consequence of the position I occupied when a candidate in February last. The Peace Congress was then in session. Crittenden's propositions were before the Senate and the country. I advocated the experiment of a peaceable and honorable adjustment of our difficulties upon the basis of constitutional guarantees acceptable to the South. I favored compromise and peace. I did it in view of our prosperity as a people and our national fame and power. I did it also in view of the fearful calamities of civil war. At the same time I distinctly declared that when it was ascertained that our grievances could not be thus redressed, I was in favor of the people taking their destinies into their own hands and trusting to their ability, under God, to assert and maintain their rights.

        That time has come invited and accelerated by no act of ours. Lincoln, in perfidious violation of his pledges to the country, attempted the reinforcement of Fort Sumter. The fortress was taken. He immediately issued a requisition for 75,000 men (since increased) which has been accepted as a declaration of war, and caused almost the entire South to fly to arms. Virginia has passed an Ordinance of Secession. The blockade has been declared extended to Virginia and North Carolina. The North is united in support of the infamous policy of Lincoln. They intend our subjugation by the destruction of our commerce, and a protracted strangulation, or by the bloodier issue of arms. War exists. In this emergency, North Carolina must and will dissolve her connection with the Federal Government. Duty, self-respect, safety, liberty require it at her hands. The public sentiment of the State with great unanimity demands it, and has, practically, effected it.

        It is understood that the Convention is unrestricted in it powers, and that its action is to be final.

Your obedient servant,

E.J. WARREN.