Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1856-12-10

On motion of Mr.. Blow, Samuel P. Hill, Of Cas- |
we'll County, was appointed to preside the Col
lege; who being conducted to the Chair, returned |
his thanks for the honor in the following address,
Electors for the State of North. Carolina:
l thank you for the honor conferred of selecting |
me to preside over your deliberations.
We have assembled to discharge the highest and
most impressive duty known performed, for a
sovereign State by any of her citizens-to vote for
a ruler over this confederacy, in place Of him who
occupies that place, and whose setting is as
lusrous its rising and whose future life will be
looked to by the citizens of the Union with interest
and affection.
By the requirements of the federal constitution it
is imperative that some be selected to whom
shall be transferred the power of executing the laws
of the land. The manner in which this duty is dis
charged by u.s. presents a striking contrast to the
pursued by other nations in attaining the like
result. Nothing to ntmidate u.s. scene of vio-
lence before u.s. but calmly and quietly in this small
chamber surrounded by the people and their repre-
sentatives, we assist to take from the walks of
private life, and place him in position than which
none is more honorable among the sons of men. Nor
does this change produce arrangement the social
system destruction of the machinery of the gov
ernment. On the contrary the laws will be effective,
the citizen in all of his rights and proper
ty of all its protection, if action to-day
ordinary in its character and limited in its results.
Yet it is of magnitude to be weighed in no earthly
balances, and of value assignable by no human
calculus. Fanatics hostile to section Of the Union,
have disturbed the quiet harmony and sisterly afec-
ton heretofore entwning the States together, and
| have proceeded to that fearful extent, that many
good men almost prepared to lift aside the dark
| veil of disunion and see what lay beyond. Let US
trust that action to-day will aid in arresting at
least for season, the fiery flood of fanatcism nst
courage into the weak, and give quiet and high
hopes to the heart of the patriot, that further
step is taken for the preservation of the Union.
Nor is it an insignificant cause of congratuation
that other States have come to the rescue when dam
ger was abroad in the land, and forebodings as to
the future safety Of the republic stealing slow
ly but surely over the hearts of the people; while,
on the contrary, it is matter of profound sorrow,
that other States seem to have forgotten the obga
tons they owed the South, the interests VIC have in
common, the glories and traditions of forcfath
ers and above all, the requirements of the consti-
tuition.
But let us humbIy hope that the Great Author of
all Good will incline the hearts of the people ofthese
States to do that which IS right and refrain from that
which is wrong, and thereby preserve republic upon
whose preservation hangs the happiness and pros
pcrity of an intelligent and great nation
Mr.. Settle moved that, for the further organiza-
tion Of the College, Quent. Busbee, of the City of
Raleigh, be requested to act as their Secretary.
A communication from his Excellency Gov. Bragg
was then read, after which,
Mr. Shaw moved that the College proceed to vote
nominated therefor JAMES BUcuASAN of Pennsyl-
vania. The ten votes of the State were then cast
for James Buchanan, under the superintendent of
Messrs Williams and Warng, tellcrs.
Upon this result being announced
Mr.. Avery moved that the College proceed to vote
for Vice President of the United States, and he
nominated therefor JOHN G. BRECKENRIDGE, of Ken
lucky. The ten votes of the State were then cast
for John C. Breckinridge the same gentlemen acting
as teliers.
On motion of Mr.. Shaw, committee of two was
appointed to superintend the signing, sealing and
directing the certificates of the votes-Messrs. Shaw
and Avery composed the committee.
Edward G. Haywood, of the City of Raleigh, on
motion of Mr.. Wilder, appointed messenger to
take charge Of and deliver the list of votes to the
President of the United States Senate, in Wash.
ington.
Mr. Avery offered the following resolutions which
were unanimously adopted:
Resoloed, That the Electoral College of North
Carolina on behalf of the Democratic voters in this
State tender to Gen. Franklin Pierce, President of
the United States, their grateful acknowledgements
for the signal devotion to the constitutional rights of
all the Sta tes of the Union, exhibited by him. du-
ring his entire administration of the affairs Of the
general government.
Resoleed further, That the President will carry
with him. when he retires from his present position
the sincere wish of every patriotic heart in the re-.
public, that the close of his life may be as serene
and blssful, as his career as President, has been
triumphant and prosperous.