Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-01-24
REMARKS OF MR. REEVES,

4 = y
y Nh. SPEAKER: The object Of the resolutions before
the House is to expunge from the journal Of 1846-T
the preamble tothe resolution approprating 81, 600
to the North-Carolina volunteers SO as to make the
journal speak the truth in this respect and at the
same time to yindicate the character of those brave
men who fought that war, and the patriotism OF
North-Carolna. Sir, that preamble declares that the
war was brought on by the action Of the Executive
in violation Of the federal constitution, thus putting
Mexico in the right and own country in, the
wrong. 1t was introduced into the Senate and pas
sed through that body by strict party vote, and it
was then sent to this House and passed here by q
party vote. Every effort made to induce the Wing
party of that day to admit by their votes on the
Journals that the war was just and necessary, and
that 1t was the act OF Mexico, unavailing.. 1t
was in vain that the bleeding honor of the country
was held up before those bitter partizans. 1t was
in vain that our brave volunteers looked to these
halls for an appropriation to render them comfortable
on their way to and in foreign land, where they
were to stake their lives before the lannon's red
glare, in defence of the American flag 1t was in
vain that eloquent voices here and elsewhere plead
for an appropriation without the preamble, and
pointed to the ralysing effect which that preamble
might produce on the minds of those brave volun-
teers. The edct, first proclaimed by unscrupul-
GUS partiZan Governor and taken up and enforced
by his willing co-adiutors here carried out and
North Carolina thus became party TO what our
own Legislature had proclaimed unnecessary and
United States arraigned and unjustly tried with
out a hearing. Sir, he YVES false condemned by
bitter of the ederaliss of North Carolina, and
that too for vaianty defending the honor and flag
of his country. Sir, the judgment of an intelligent
and patriotic people has long since been pronounced
upon that preamble, and it's authors and supporters
have been consigned to private life but the stain
mains and should be wiped out Let it not be said
that it is not good policy to recur to past party
transactions lest undue bitterness of feeling should
be evoked. Right before policy is my motto. 1t is
duty to vindicate our character as State by
expunging that false and obi US preamble Sir, let
it be done; it will be warning to the factious and
to moral traitors for all time to 1t will let in
new and fresh rays of glory upon the character OF
old North-Carona. 1t will demonstrate that she
is still true to the traditions the memories and nigh
ty deeds of the revolutionary era and that however
our Legislature may be led astray by passion or
party rage, there is still that sense of dignity Of
right and justice, and a spirit of patriotism still
glowing and luminous with the old fires of Meek
lengburg shedding forth their effugent rays from
those "Carona Hills" where young liberty first
begun to burn, which are equal at all times when
aroused to the vndcaon Of their character, and to
the establishing of that character as it should look
and live, and read in the pages of her history
Sir, it is no new thing to expunge fasehood from
Legislative records; it was done memorable
occasion as a matter of justice to the immortal
Jackson and can be done here as an act of justice
to James K Polk, who, if he inferior to jackson
in military talent, was his equal a statesman, ard
possessed Of much of his iron WILL and of all of his
lofty virtues of fortitude moral courage, devotion to
principle and love of native land Justice to James
X Polk as a native Carolinian; justice to his inn
mortal ancestors, one of whom sleeps under monu-
ment which has been erected him in yonder S
grave yard; justice to the so foully slandered
by that preamble, demands its expurgaon. Justice
to our noble volunteers, and character as a
people, demands it. Sir, let it be done. l repeat,
sir, let it be DONE Let the black lines 90 down to
posterty with the sentiments of moral treason and
the vile caumnv which they will cncrce. Let the
work be done, and the people from the shore to
the uttern,ost SUBMITS of the blue mountains will
shou: forth their approval of the deed. Sir intro
duced this resolution m accordance with promise
made TO the people of Surry during my canvass in
that county. have consulted no as to the pro-
prety of this resolution, for the determined
in my own mind to comply with my promise, and
am willing, and will gladly assume all the RESPONSE
bilities which may be attached to this movement.
l am aware that am of the most humble Demo.
cratic members upon this floor, while at the same
time am as responsible man as has seat here;
and shall ask no favors of the enemy, will !
shrink from any responsibility whatever; and shall
insist on a vote by yeas and nays so that the peo
pie may see for themselves who are for and who
against expunging the falsehood, foul SANDER, and
moral treason contained in that accurscd preamble