Olive branch backed up with 500,000 bayonets
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch June 26, 1862:
“Governor”Stanly makes a speech.
–The Yankee paper published in Washington, N. C., called the New Era, contains, in its issue of the 19th inst., a report of Stanly’s speech, made in that town on Tuesday, the 14th. We have seen a copy, and can find nothing in it to change our opinion in the least of the man. He says “Mr. Lincoln called upon an old son of North Carolina to bear he the olive branch of peace,” and he “implores” his hearers “to come back” into the Union, “and those bright bayonets” which now seem to flash enter and indignation will assure you protection, and happiness !” “Remember the North has over 500,000 men in the field, and while a piece of iron can be found in the earth — while a grain of gunpowder can be manufactured — each one of them is ready to pour out his last drop of blood for the Union.”
The Wilmington Journal calls attention to these quotations especially to show the inconsistency of the man. At one breath he is imploring the people to return to the Union; in the next he is holding forth threats of destruction with “bright bayonets.” if he is not obeyed; yea, “500,000 men will shed the last drop of blood for the Union;” that is, the subjugation of the South. The Journal has information that a good many persons were present to hear what stably had to say, but they manifested no disposition of approval of his course. They could not, as a matter of course, give public expression to their feelings of disapproval, being surrounded by Yankee bayonets. His reception in Washington was that of coldness. No attention was paid to him by the citizens, although it is differently reported in the Era.
Edward Stanly was a Whig from North Carolina who supported the Union over states’ rights. In 1853 he moved to San Francisco to practice law. Apparently the war brought him back East because in May 1862 President Lincoln appointed him military governor of eastern North Carolina. Stanly resigned in March 1863 because, as North Carolina Historic Sites points out, although he was a Unionist, he was also opposed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. He returned to his San Francisco law practice.
Stanly’s nephew was Confederate General Lewis Armistead.
Mapping the eastern part of Stanly’s military department
