The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-18
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.

We direct attention to the proceedings of public
meetings published in another column.
A meeting of citizens of Craven county was held
at Newbern on the 18th inst ID. K. McRae, Esq,
reported the resolutions They declare that the
Union under the Constitution, as interpreted by
the non-saveholding States, longer affords to
North Carolina that welfare, equality and tram
guilty which it was intended to secure, and that
new guarantees must be given and all hostile legis
laton repealed by the Northern States in order to
preserve safe and friendly Union. The Govern
or's recommendations in regard to calling Con-
vention and arming the State were endorsed. Mr.
McRae made a speech in which he defended South
Carolina and opposed any attempt at coercion.
A large meeting of the citizens of Irede county
was held in Statesville on the 9Th inst Reso-
Iutions in favor of preserving the Union-recom-
mending the passage Of retaatory laws against the
North, and recommending the thorough orgahza-
ton of the Militia of the State, passed. 1t is
stated that the meeting was composed of persons
of both parties.
There has been two or three public meetings in
Fayetteville. One, presided over by Judge Shep-
herd passed resolutions asserting that the election
of Lincoln was TO cause for dissolution, but ex-
pressing readiness to resist any further aggressons
AnOtner meeting, nelu on saturday the oCn PAS
sed resolutions saying that the former meeting did
not clearly express the sentiments of Cumberland
county, and declaring that the repeated acts of
aggression on the part of the Black Republican
party upon the rights of the Southern States and
the election of Lincoln is cause for dissolution and
that North Carolina ought to secede unless the
North repeal all laws obstructng the execution Of
the fugitive slave law and guarantees to the south
States equal rights and equal privileges in the
Territories.
A meeting of the citizens of Wayne county was
held in Goldsboro on the 8th, and resolved /" that
the safety of our lives and fortunes, and what is
more dear the preservation Of honor, forbid
remaining longer in the Union unless our Federal
Relations are speedily changed"
Two meetings have been held in Wilmington.
The last one, held on Tuesday last, and presided
over by Thos H. Wright, Esq, passed resolutions
in opposition to immediate secession in favor of
State Convention and of arming the State, and re-
commencing conference of all the southern States.
1t was also resolved that North Carolina cannot
honorably secede without consultation with her
revolutionary sisters, Maryland and Virginia The
Wilmington Herald considers the meeting a strong
Union demonstration, while the journal does not
consider it so much so after all.
meeting in Bladen county passed resolutions
endorsing Gov. Ellis message in relation to federal
matters, and in favor of the right to secede but
declaring that such ri CHIT ought not to be exer-
cised only in of great peril. A Convention
was recommended.
Citizens of Arson held meeting at Wadesboro
on the Sth. The resolutions were reported by T.
S. Ashe, Jas A Leak and others, and declare that
while the election of Lincoln affords just ground
hon ole hate f IT.
SELF is sufficient cause for dissolution; but if
the incoming administration should dare infringe
on the rights of the South, then North, Carolina
should assume attitude of firm resistance and
make common cause with her sister States of the
South 1t was recommended that the State be put
in thorough preparation for whatever exige ncies
may arise.
A meeting was also held at Whites Store Arson
county, on the Sth, and resolutions adopted saying
that the election of Lincoln, of ITSELF is no cause
for dissolution, and demanding the repeal of the
statutes of Northern States multiplying the fugitive
slave law. ,
A meeting of citizens of Guilford county, held
at Greensboro on the 18th, and presided over by
Robert P. Dick, Esq, passed Union resolutions,
and in favor of arming the State.
A meeting in Harnett county passed resolutions
there is a reasonable hope for justice, and declar
ing for Convention.
LETTER FROM THE Hon. JOHN BELL.-The
Hon. John Bell, of Tennessee has written long
letter the National Crisis, to A. BurWell, Esq,
of Vicksburg, Miss. He closes as follows:
After what | have written on the preceding
pages Of this letter. it is scarcely necessary to say
that | am resolved to adhere to the Union. | will
not say that in no possible contingency would |
consent to a separation of the State; but would
exhaust every constitutional means for the redress
of our grievances, before [ would think of dssolv-
ing the Union. | am not willing that one State
should be withdrawn from the Union-that
star should be stricken from the bright cluster
which now emblazons the national flag.
| have long foreseen the probable occurren ce of
a crisis like the present, and shrunk from the pos
sble issue of it, and | could never contemplate the
destruction ofthe Union without sensations not
like those which l imagine would overwhelm
on beholding the last going down Of the sun
never to rise again forever.
Besg- The authorities of Richmond, Va, have
adopted measures to prevent an influx to that city
of the laboring poor Of the northern cities. They
have very properly guarded the aboring classes of
Richmond against being over-run by the paupers
from the North, many of whom, no doubt, helped
to elect Lincoln and brought the distress upon
themselves. 1t would be we'll for all southern
communities to adopt some plan to prevent the sur
plus population of the North from flowing too free