Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-03
MASS MEETING IN H1ILsRoRouGH.

who in few patriotic remarks explained the object
which called us together for the second time
The Secretary read the proceedings of the meeting
Of the 10Th inst, and the Chairman the Hon. VIM.
A: Graham OF the Committee of tel, reported the
following resolutions:
The excited condition of the public mind occa-
stoned by the result of the recent Presidential cleo
tion requiring in the opinion OF the citizens of Or
ange here assembled declaration of the sentiments
of the people in relation to the course proper to be
pursued in the present critical condition of our Ma
tional affairs it is therefore,
/. Resolred That the measures in the course of
adoption in certain States of the Union since the
election of Abraham Lincoln to the office of Presi
dent of the United States, presents for the deter
minaton of the people of North Carolina the grave
question: whether, far they are concerned, the
Government established by the Constitution of the
United States shall be permitted to continue in op-
Grafton, or whether it shall be overthrown and an
nuled, leaving to uncertain future, the provision
Of new guards for all the great interests that Gov
eminent was designed 10 secure.
2. ResotUed, That while regretting the decision
made in this election, in common with the people OF
all the Southern States because of the sectional and
towards u.s. hostile spirit of the political organiza
ton which nominated and elected the successful can
didate; and whilst shall vigilanty observe his
course of administration, and shall be prompt to
make resistance to encroachments, if any shall be
attempted by him, on the rights and. interest of
slavery as an established institution of the Southern
States, protected by the Constitution Of the Union
perceive in the fact of his election sufficient
cause for the subversion and abandonment of the
Government of our Fathers, under which, in but
two generations of men, the country has obtained
prosperity and power unsurpassed among the
tons of the earth.
3. ReSOtred, That we are not insenSble to the en-
enlargement given to the hostile feeling of the North
against slavery in the Southern States by the result
of this election; out it must not be forgotten that
the Government of the Urited States is practical
Government of but limited powers that the Presi-
dent is not the sovereign but the servant of the Re-
public, with authorities defined and restricted by
the Constitution and laws, liable 10 be checked and
restrained within his legitimate powers by Congress
and by the Judiciary; that Mr. Lincoln was elected
by but plurality of votes, in consequence of divS
ions among the conservative voters arrayed against
him--the majority against him IN the whole popular
vote being nearly nine hundred thousand. And
when added to this that he will enter into office with
a majority of both Houses of Congress opposed to
him, and will not he able to appoint even his Cabi-
net counSellorS without the aid of q conservative
Senate, there is but remote probability of sue
cessful encroachment on our rights during the limI
ted period of his administration if there shall be
the disposition to attempt it.
l. Resolreh That the enactment of laws in many
of the non-slavehodng States intended to obstruct
the execution Of the law of Congress- for the arrest
and surrender Of fugitive slaves is in plain and pal
pablo violation of the Constitution of the United
States, and the repeal of those laws is demanded
duty fjustice and submission to the Constitution
the part Of those States, and indispensable to
future Union.
s. Resolred, That waving the Constitutional
question of the power of State to secede from the
Union such act of secession if effected peaceably,
is not an appropriate and adequate remedy for the
injuries under which the Southern States
laboring. To depart from the Union leaving be-
hind in the hands Of her supposed enemies, all her
interests in the national accumulatiOns of eighty
years, in which she had proportional rights would
be sacrifice OIL the part of State except under
the pressure of overrulng necessity, as incompatl-
BILE with her dignity as her interest.
g. ReSOtred, That recognize in its full extent
the right of resistance by force, TO unauthorized in
Justice and oppression than themselves and if the in
coming administration shall pervert the powers Of the
Government to destroy OrotherwSe unlawfully inter-
fere with herights Cfslavery will bemore ready
torecur to this extreme remedy but adopting meas
ures on subject Of such vital interest to fifteen
States ofthe confederacy, we should deem it but just
and wise, to act if possible, in concert and after
consultation with the other saveholdEg States, and
more especially with the frontier States of Mary
land, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, which
the greatest sufferers from existing grievances, and
stand as barrier between the rest of the Southern
States, and the enemies of their peace and safety
beyond that frontier.
Z. Res0LCed, That reasonable time should be al
lowed, and all remedies consistent with the connu-
ance Of the Union, should be exhausted before an
abandonment of that Constitution established by
Washington and his compatriots, which IN its gen
eral operation has been the source of blessings in
Vulnerable to the American people.
s. Resotred, That it is recommended to the Leg
isature to make appropriations for the purchase of
such supplies of arms may be necessary as
preparation for any emergency that may arise
8. ResOlced, That the foregoing resolutions be
published in the Hlls5orough papers, and transmit
ted to the representatives from this county, to be
laid before the General Assembly.
On motion of Henry K Nash, Esq., the Chairman
of the Committee was allowed one hour in which
to offer his remarks in defence of said resolutions,
andan hour allowed tothe gentleman that wuuldrepy.
The Hon. VIM. A. Graham then addressed the
meeting in an able, clear and patriotic manner, set
ting forth his reasons in defence Of the resolutions
and his objections to the calling of a Convention;
he declared that the election of Lincoln not suf
tcient cause for dissolution of the Union; that the
President not the sovereign but the servant OF the
people. But there were other cauSes-causes OF
greater magnitude. he then alluded to the Per-
sonal Liberty Bills passed by of the nonslave
holding States But as the Governors speech was
quite an able and lengthy one, embracing many
points of great Importance, the Secretary forbears
making any further comment, with the hope that it
will be reported in full at some future period.
John W. Norwood ESQ.,, then offered the follow
ing amendment:
Resotced, That we recommend to the present
Legislature to provide for calling Convention of
the people, to take into consideration the alarming
State of public affairs and determine for North Caro-
lima the time, mode and measure of redress for ex
listing wrongs.
Mr.. Norwood spoke about thirty minutes, in sup
port of his amendment He did not despair of the
Union, there was still hope We were now in
revolution; North Carolina must move, must de-
eide. She could not remain still. While he had as
much confidence as any man in our Governor, and
in our Legislature and in Congress, he looked to
relief in none of these bodies they were all elected
in the midst of fierce party conflicts and they could
not be expected to abandon the stubborn principles
upon which they were elected he turned from them
all for safety, to the voice Of the people, North and