Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-02-19
REsoLUT,IoNs

Adopted By the Union Mass Meeting held in Ra-
leigh on the 9Th Of february, 1861.
WHEREAS, The people of North Carolina, in Con-
vention, on the 2lst day Of November, 1889, after
two years of trying deliberaton ratified the Consti-
tuition Of the United States established among other
things, for the purpose of forming more perfect
Union, promoting the general welfare and securing
the blessings of liberty to themselves and their pos
terity; Therefore, .-sst - -
Resolued, That we, a portion of the people of
North Carolina never will submit to the admins
traton of the Federal Government on the principles
enunciated by the Black Republican party and are
firmly resolved not to surrender any right to which
North Carolina is entitled under the Constitution of
the United States; yet we are unwilling to dissolve
the Union, formed by that Constitution and give I'D
the liberty and blessings won by the many and pa
triotc sacrifices of revolutionary forefathers
and secured to us under the Constitution, without
first appealing to the States themselves, or to the
people of the States through the ballot box, for
such explanatory amendments to that instrument,
and such guarantees may be acceptable and salts
factory to the people of the States, and more espe
cially to the people of the slaveholdng States.
ResOlUed, That we do not regard the Union as
course" blighting the progress and prosperity of
our own section or of any portion of the country
nor can we forget that the Federal Government has
as yet, made no aggressons our rights nor at
tempted any which have not, and cannot be RENE
died in the Union. On the contrary, we believe the
Union of the States to have been the copous foun-
tain of our national, social and personal happiness
the palladium of political safety and prosperity
shielding and protecting among the nations Of the
earth at the same time securing to US benefits and
blessings unknown to any other people.
ResOtred, That we still have confidence in the
conservative patriotism of many of our Northern
feow-citzens, and yet believe that our national
Government, having in its infancy successfully pass
ed through the struggles and difficulties of the old
confederation, and afterwards the excitement and
dangers consequent upon the passage of the Alien
and Sedition laws of 1889; and again. the trials
and crises of the years 1912, 1920 1888 and 1850,
each pregnant at the time with the most gloomy
forebodings for the preservation of the UnIon will
yet safely weather the storm now raging around US,
and that shall transmit to the millions of Ameri-
can freemen to come after us, the same Union with
all its blessings and advantages, received from the
fathers who established and left it to us.
Resolred, That the Union of the States cannot be
preserved maintained by force and that the first
attempt Of the Federal Government to do So under
any preence whatever will inevitably result in civil
war between section and section We, therefore,
earnestly DESIRE and so recommend, the Federal and
State authorities to abstain from the commission of
every act which might, in the present sectional
ASPIRATIONS lead to any collision.
ReSOlUed That while we are determined to main
tain in every event our Constitutional rights in the
Union, if possible, yet if it should be ascertained
that final and satisfactory adjustment of existing
differences cannot be had STILL we hope that every
effort consistent with honor, will be made by the
people of North Carolina to promote peaceable sep
aration of the slave from the free States.
ReSOlUed, That we pledge ourselves to vote for no
who is in favor Of secession for existing causes,
and who will not endorse the sentiments contained
in the foregoing resolutions and above ALL who is,
or has been unwilling to submit the action of the
Convention to the people for ratification or rejection