Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-02-22


On motion Of Col. B. R. Moore the meeting was
organized by the appointment of David Barringer,
Esq, as Chairman, and John Spelman and w. L..
Kestler as Secretaries.
On motion, Col. B. R. Moore Col. H. L. Robards
and W. L. Saunders ESQ.,, were appointeda COM
mittee to report business for the meeting
During the absence of the committee,
N. N. Fleming. Esq, being loudly called for, I'D:
dressed the meeting. He considered it the duty of
every citizen of free government to meet for con-
sultation with his fellowctzens matters pertain.
ing to the general welfare, and spoke of the price
less privilege we enjoy as nation in being able so
to assemble The spectacle of the people meeting
for selEgovernment was rare throughout the world.
government in which every man fe.t an individual
interest was the only free government he could con-
ceive. Mr.. Fleming believed in plurality Of par
ties essential to free as they
did as checks or restraints on the excuses of each
other Corruption was guarded against by the op-
position which plurality of parties gave birth to-
Mr. F. continued on this subject. The Democracy
of Rowan had assembled that day to reaffirm their
devotion to the great cardinal principles of Democra
cy, dating back to the foundation of our government
and to renew their sentiments on the great national
questions of policy which divide the people Mr.. F.
then took glance at the history Of parties in this
country. Abiding to the Wing party, he said it
died the death of decay. Upon its ruins, rose the
was quickly and Indignantly repudiated by the peo-
pie and kicked into its original detestable elements.
But the Democratic party was now what it always
had becn-unchanged, unchangeable-th same to-
day that it was generations ago-the same in New
England as in the Far West, in the extreme South
and the coolest North. Through every vicissitude;
opposed by party or by faction; openly attacked or
covertly assailed in triumph, in disaster-the glo
rious old flag of Democracy has never yet been
49, IT, -
as brightly has the same inspiring influence upon
the hearts of the people to-day, as when first given
to the breeze by the great fathers of our political
creed. Mr. +. then inquired into the nature of the
parties of the present hour. As had been stated,
the old Democratic flag twas still there" Endeav-
oring to tear it down was the Opposition party of
the South whose sole for its efforts COM
priscd in the term opposition. Not single prin-
ciple but Opposition" had they to rely on. Then
the black Republicans were opposed to Democracy.
They dated back but few years. having sprung
into existence upon the sudden exit of the Know
Nothngs over the ruins of the defunct oil Wings.
The strength of the black Republican party, the
aim Of that organization, and the disastrous consc
quences of its success long continued existence,
next claimed the speakers attention. After por
traying these in vivid colors, Mr. F. called upon the
conservative elements everywhere to come together
in their might to lay that monster and save the
Union. lie spoke of the rights of the States in the
Union, and pointed out the designs of the black Re-
publicaEs to cXterminate slavery, not only in dis
regard and defiance of all Constitutional rights and
guarantees but at every hazard to the peace and life
of the South. The South was an equal when she
entered the Union, and equal she shall remain if
she stay in the Union. To enable the South to oc-
cupy position in the Union to which she is enti-
tied all Southern men should come together and
stand together And where was the rallying point
The Democratic party was that point, as all candid,
honeSt-minded men must know. 1t was the only
party in the country with any pretcnsions to ma
tionaty. Every one knew that He callel upon
the meeting to witness the late contest for the
Speakershp in Congress, in which insult to the
South was sought to be added to wrong, by forcing
upon us for the office of Speaker a man who en-
dorsed movement of robbery, treason and blood
against our property, our peace and our families.
Against that insult and wrong the Democracy of the
South rose up to man, and beside them was to he
seen the glorious Democracy of the North. No dis
tnCtlon coulG be discovered between the Democra-
cy of Texas and Mainc of Ohio and Virginia.
Democracy stood there. no matter where the men
were from. They occupied the one common plat
form. Mr.. Fleming continued on this subject for
some time. We have not space to do more than
touch upon the leading points of his excellent
speech. Mr.. +. deprecated separation of the
no sort Of respect for those of the South who
preached submission on any terms With ma
tional President it was hard enough for the South
to maintain her position her rights or her honor
with black Republican President, with the army,
the navy, the treasury and the patronage of the
government, it would I've impossible for her to exist
in the Union. lie had no fear if the South should
she bc forced into conflict She had a million OF
men at any hour to spring to arms, and million of
Il
open, outside enemy could be guarded against.
But the election of black Republican President
submitted to by the South, would inevitably create
Republican party in the South. Let that once be
done, and where then will he the institution of sl,ve
ry? He called again upon the people of the South
to be united, Cor when they become so they will be
invincible. How could black RepublicaniSm be de-
feated? By the South being divided? Mr.. F. took
glance at past history in party contests. lie con-
tinued. If the entire South voted as one man they
could not defeat, black Repubcansln. We must
have some assistance from our friends at the North
Where were our friends to be found? The Whie
party was scattered; we can't get aid from the K.
Ms, for they were without organization except in
few States The South must look to the Democracy
of the North, which is numbered in Ohio, New York
Pennsylvania, and every other northern State, by
hundreds of thousands. That is the material w
must rely on. 1t was that which carried the las
Presidential election when the South voted almos
unit The South must encourage these brave
men by showing undivided front They have
given ample evidence of their determination to stant
by the South in her just demand. And here Mr. F
contrasted the conduct of these Northern Democrats
with that of the Plug Ugly Davis of Baltimore;
traitor who owes his seat to neither character no
brains, but to mere force of arms. This member o
the Southern Opposition refused to vote for another
member Of the Southern Opposition CHR. Smith, o
N CO. because he had never descended to tho cul
vert and completed his infamy by assisting to cleo
the black Republican Speaker. And all this tim
the Northern Democracy stood by the South W.
have no space to follow Mr.. F. further He concln
ded by urging upon the South unity of action ii
order to defeat black Repubcansm before it game
access to the South by the appliances of patronag
which the first election Of a black Republican Pres
dent would place at the disposal of our deadlest pc
ltical foes This view Mr.. +. urged with force
Once let the South be triumphed over by this party
and the power of Office and patronage of all kinds
which will be brought to bear within the Sout
unon thcir ends and aims will at once erect slave