Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-10-11
THE DINNER TO MR.. KERR.

THE DINNER TO MR.. KERR
The Editor of the Milton Spectator says he was
present at the dinner gwen to Mr.. Kerr at 1ancey-
Vile, on the 2Sth instant The Editor says:
at was given by his friends, without distinction
of party, in commentator of his recent action in
relation to the Nebraska and Kansas Territorial
bills. 1t must have been truly gratifying to Mr..
Kerr, to have met many Of his friends that
casion. 1t vas indeed meeting. Caswell
turned out in full strength We also saw gentlemen
in attendance from Person, Alamance, and Guilford
and our neighborng State, Virginia. At 10 o'clock
a procession formed in the courthouse square,
and preceded by Gen. Thomas w. Graves marshal,
marched to the grove the Presbyterian church,
where the tables were spread. Quite a large num-
Der of persons had assembled to do justice to the
plentiful repast prepared under the superintendent
of Captain A. A. Mitchell OF the dinner it is
enough say that there the greatest abundance
than sufficient to feed the vast multitude, and
it well cooked, which is rather unusual on such
occasions. After dinner the Hon. Calvin Graves,
President of the meeting, made few pertinent
marks expressing the qualification of the citizens of
Casweil at Mr.. Kerrs course. The Secretaries, Mr..
A. c. Lindsey and DR.. James e. Williamson, then
read letters from Hon. j. NJ. Morehead, Hon. Thos.
RuF;n Hon. Thomas Bragg, Messrs Edwin G. Rcade
and Henry W. Miller, expressing much regret that
il out of their power TO attend the dinner. The
reading of the regular toasts then commenced.
The toast to Mr.. Kerr received with great ap
pause.
He responded in a speech of more than an hour
in length, and was frequently interrupted by the
applause of the assemblage 1t was one of his best
efforts, and all seemed delighted. He said that it
was the proudest day he had ever experienced, to
his friends thus forward to express their
qualification at his action upon this great national
measure He then, in a clear and forcbe manner,
gave his reasons for voting in favor of the Nebraska
BILL and proved that the South had gained much by
its passage. He gave the Wings who voted with
the Abolitionists and fanatics of the North some
hard hits. We suppose Messrs. Rogers and Puryear
~ Stctn had tolyo fHnIr A = Tho
close of Mr.. Kerr. speech committee of four
appointed to solicit copy for publication,
hope all will have an opportunity of perusng."
The following are the regular toasts tbs
casion:
IL. The Constitution of the United States. The
work of the saGes and patriots who achieved our
liberties, the only bond of equality among the States,
and the only true basis of Union,
3 The right of the people to form their own gov
ernment A right of ncstimable value to freemen,
and formidable TO tyrants only. -
3. John Kerr. Our esteemed fellow citizen, our
distinguished representative We honor the
who earlessy and ably advocated the Constitutional
rights of the South, when imperiled by demagogues
and fanatics.
T. North Carolina Among the last to accede to
the Union because of her jealous love of liberty, she
will the very last to rccede from it, long it is
based on the Constitution.
5. The South In the present crisis united we
stand divided we fall.
6. Stephen A Douglas. Honor and Immortality
to the who rising superior to the influence of
party section has boldly periled all his hopes for
the Consultation and the Union.
Z. Dome site Slavery. 1t is our own institution,
and repel with Indignation all interference with
1t on the part of fanatics and demago9ues.
8. The brave and true men of the North who
voted for the Nebraska and Kansas bill. To their
firmneSs and patriotism render the homage of
our grateful Acknowledgements
8. The Union. blessing so long as it secures
liberty and equality; curse which it is the instru-
ment of oppression"
The following manly and patriotic letter
ceived from Gov. Reid, and read to the assemblage:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
RALEIGH, September %, 1854.
GENTLEMEN: have received your letter of the 9th
instant, inviting to attend public dinner to be
given to the Hon. John Kerr in consideration of his
course during the last session of Congress on what
Is tamiar known as the " Nebraska question:" |
regret that other engagements will deprive me of
the pleasure of avaing myself of your kind invita-
ton to meet my old and long tried friends at the
time you mention, and to join with them in the ap
prevail of the leading principles asserted by the action
of Congress- on that important measure. Bad faith,
on the part Of non-saveholding States in disregard
ing compromises forced upon the South, led to the
passage of the Nebraska Act and to the restora-
ton of great constitutional principle, from which
the Federal Government had departed for more than
quarter of century. This important tri-
umph for the South.
But the fact is notorious that very considerable
vi
to destroy the most sacred compromises of the
stitution by unwarranted interference with the
domestic institutions of the Southern States These
fanatics leave at their doors the suffering hui
manity of their color, unclad and unfed and go
beyond the legitimate scope of their authority to
join in a crusade against the South, and to bestow
their sympathy and their charity upon outlaws and
fugtves. Their conduct clearly indicates that they
actuated more by hatred towards the South than
by sympathy for the slave By the exercise of their
philanthropy at home, perhaps they may do some
good; in attempting to exercise it among US, they
can DO none. We must place ourselves upon the
constitution and resist the attempted entertainments
OF the North in becoming spirit of firInness and
teach these Abolitionsts to mind their own business
and let us alone.
, Much praise is due to tho patriotic men of the |
North who have, in the midst of this spirit of anat
,clsm, stood up so boldly in defence of the Const-
luton and of the principles upon which the Union
vi the States of this great Republic can alone be
Preserved -
am, very respectfully, your obedent servant
DAVID S. REID.
!, Dr. Allen Gum, Elijah Graves, Sem, ESQ.,, Dr. N.
A. noan, A g. Lindsay, Esq.
AND the following characteristic letter receiv-
Gu from Mr. William A. Graham
HHLsBoRoUGH Sept 25, 1854.
uESrLENEN acknowledge, with much pleasure,
your invitation to the public dinner to be given by