Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-01-28
REMARKS OF MR.. REEVES,
OF SURRY,

OF sURRY,
Delicered in the House of Commons of North Caro-
lima on the Resolution to Erpunge the Weriean
Prednbte. .-
Mr.. SPEAKER: The object OF the resolution before
the House is to expunge from the journal of 1867
the preamble to the resolution appropriating 900
to the North Carolina volunteers to make the
journal speak the truth in this respect and at the
same time to vndicate the character of those brave
men who fought that war, and the patriotism of
North Carolina. 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 our 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
party vote. Every effort made to induce the Wing
party Of that day to admit, by their votes on the
Journals. that the just and necessary, and
that il was the act OF Mexico, was unavailing 1t
was in vain that the bleeding honor Of the country
held up befnre those bitter partizans. 1t
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 cannon's red
glare. in defence of the American flag. 1t was in
vain that eloquent voices here and elsewhere plead
for appropriation without the preamble and
pointed to the para ysing effect which that preamble
might produce on the minds Of those brave volun-
teers. The edict, first proclaimed BY unscrupul-
Gus partizan Governor and taken up and enforced
by his willing CO adiutors here was carried out and
North Carolina thus became a party 10 what our
own Legislature had proclaimed an unnecessary and
an unconstitutional war. Thus the President Of the
United States arraigned and unjustly tried with
out hearing. Sir, he was falsely condemned by
bitter of the federalists of North Carolina and
that too for so valiany 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 ts authors and supporters
have been consigned to private life; but the stain re-
m ha inad onf Lot nOt he
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
our duty to vindicate our character as a State by
expunging that false and od US preamble. Sir, let
it be done; it will be warning to the factous and
to moral traitors for all time to 1t will let in
new and fresh rays Of glory upon the character OF
old North-Carolina. 1t will demonstrate that she
is still true to the traditions the memories and nigh
ty deeds of the revolutionary 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 spirit of patriotism still
glowing and luminous with the old fires of I" Neck
lengburg shedding forth their effulgent rays from
those "Carolina Hills" where young liberty first
begun to burn, which equal at all times when
aroused to the vindcation OF their character and to
the establishing of that character it should look
and live, and read in the pages Of her history
Sir, it is no new thing to eSpunge fasehood from
Legislative records it done a memorable
occasion as a matter Of justice to the immortal
jackson, and oe done hcxe as an act of justice
to James X. Polk, who, if he inferior to jackson
in military talent was his equal as statesman. and
possessed of much Of his iron WILL and of all Of his
lofty virtues of fortude, moral courage, devotion to
principle and love of native land. Justice to James
| X. Polk a native Carolinan; justice to his i'm.
| mortal ancestors, of whom sleeps under monu.
ment which has been erected over him in yonder's
! grave yard justice to the man foully slandered
! by that preamble, demands its expurgation Justice
to our noble volunteers and our own character a
people, demands it. Sir, let it be done. l repeat
sir let it be done. Let the black lines go down tn
posterity with the sentiments of moral treason, and
the vile calumnv which they will encircle. Let the
work be done, and the people from the seashore to
the uttermoSt SUBMITS of the blue mountains, will
shout forth their approval of the deed Sir, intro
duced this resolution n 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 reason determined
| in my mind to comply with my PROMISE and
am willing, and will gladly assume all the responsi
bilitics which may be attached to this movement
| am aware that am one of the most humble Demo
cratic members upon this floor, while at the same
time am responsible man as has scat here
and shall ask no favors Of the enemy, nor will
shrink from any responsibility whatever and shal
insist on vote by yeas and nays, SO that the peo
pie may see for themselves who for and who ART
against eXpunging the falsehood, foul slander, ant
moral treason contained i'm that accursed preamble
I-