Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-03-06
For the Standard.
UNION MEETING IN ROCKINGHAM.

A large number of the citizens of Rockingham
assembled in Wentworth, on Wednesday evening
the 18th February, for the purpose OF nominating
candidates to represent Rockingham county, IN the
approaching State Convention.
About y o'clock the people assembled in the
Court House, when motion of Jno Ii. Boyd,
ESQ.,, VIM. P. WATT ESQ.,, was called to the CHAIR
Dr. T. W. Keen being called upon to explain the
object of the meeting, did So in strong Southern
speech, regarded by the conservative men present.
as well calculated to increase sectional STRIFE
As soon as Dr. Keen had closed Hon. l. Settle
arose and said that he desired to make few remarks
and to explain his presence here He stated that soon
after he reached town this morning, he was taken
aside by Jno. H. Boyd, Esq, who drew out some
resolutions and proceeded to read them that know
ing Mr. Boyds position in regard to existing diff
culties he did not listen to them particularly, but
told Mr. BOYD, as soon as he had ceased reading
that he intended disrespect, but that he looked
upon him as a diSunionist and had no sympathy
with him. and that he would not sit in a meeting
with disunionists to go and show his resolutions to
his disunion friends and consult them that the con-
servative men would bring out candidates, and If
the disunonists could beat them they would take it
for their share and if the conservatives could beat
Them they had to do the same he said that he
knew the views Of the Chairman we'll enough to
know that they could not agree; that he had had
an interview with his friend DIR. keen that morn
ing, and on this question there was wide diff
with the Black Republicans than DR.. Keen had,
but he was for irving and eXhausting every honor
able means to settle their unhappy differences
before he left this Union. II his voice could be
heard at the North, he would appeal to them to
renounce this fanaticism and uphold the Union, but
it could not and his purpose now was to appeal to
extremists here to forward patriots and save
the country.
Hon. A. NJ Scales interrupted Hon. L. Settle to
say that he had understood that he (AIr. Settle,)
had said, that he would not sit in a meeting with
"us"
Mr. Settle replied | do not know that have
called your name to-day, but | have said, what
now repeat-that will not sit with disunionsts
had alluSion to the gentleman, unless he falls
under that class" Mr.. S. was proceeding to make
some further remarks when
DR.. Keen arose to point of order, and asked If
Mr. Settle thought it fair to be speaking IN that
convention if he did not intend to act with it.
Mr. Settle said that he acknowledged the force of
the gentlemans point he had only rise for the pur
pose of explanation and would retire and adj
dress the Union men at some other point. Mr. S
was frequently applauded during the course Of
his remarks. Fully two-thirds Of the large
crowd that filled the Courthouse, left with Mr.
Settle, and organised in the street by appointing
WIN. Scott Esq, Chairman, and Jno. W. Ellington
and David P. French Secretaries.
Mr.. Settle then spoke for some time, declaring
that conservative men would have to rise in their
might at both ends Of the Union and rescue the
country from the hands of those who are trying TO
destroy it. He said that the fate and fortune of
North Carolina his fate and fortune if she said
solemnly go out, he would ask no more questions,
but would obey her and defend her with fully as
much zeal as those who are foremost in plnnging
her into these difficulties. He did not belong to
that mo hope" party; he had hope and would
work with hope to save the Union and keep North
Carolina from being dragooned, in the language of
Mr.. Yancey, into secession.
At the close of Mr.. Settles speech, Col. E. W.
Hancock offered the following resolution to wit:
Resolred, That in the opinion Of this meeting,
the State Convention ifassembled should use every
effort to reconcile the present unhappy differences
existing between the two sections OF the Confedera
CIV, and if possible re-establISh the Union of these
States and to this emo the said Convention should
exhaust every honorable means before entertaining
propositions for the withdrawal of North Carolina
from the Union.
The resolution unanimously adopted
On motion, the Chairman appointed Col. f. W.
Hancock, John W. BrOdnaX, Penhleton Ratliff,
Thomas j. Robertson James NJ. Gum, and DR..
John w. Ellington a committee to select and report
to the meetings suitable candidates for the Conycn
ton, who, after a short absence returned and re-
ported the names of DR.. E. L. Brodnax and Hon.
Thomas Settle. The Chairman put the question on
the nominations, and they were carried by accla-
nation.
During the absence of the committee, c. Glenn,
ESQ.,, addressed the meeting in bold able and elo
queRt manner. Mr. Glenn is fine speaker, and is
ready and willing breast this storm. He is doing
manly service in behalf of the Union.
After the nomination was made, Mr.. Settle again
stepped forward, and sac he would shrink from no
responsibility, and although it would cost him great
loss, he would accept the nomination, if he found
upon investigation of the question, that he could do
without resgning the Office of Solicitor to which
he had just been elected that he would consider
the question, and let it be known in time, if he could
! not now; that whether a candidate or not he was
willing to canvass the county. The Disunionists.
| he had learned had put forward two gentlemen of
| high character, and although the canvass would
doubtless call forth much feeling, he had no idea
| that it would be of personal nature. Gov. Reid
was bound to him by every tie that binds one man
to another and Mr.. Scales had been through life his
companion and friend Mr.. Scales and he were in
the same condition, both holding Offices and if one
was disqualified so was the other, and neither had
any idea of resigning. He authorized to state
that Dr. Brodnax was willing to spend his last days
under the flag of his country He was in the Con-
vention in 1885, and is ready to step forward now
and give the country the benefit of his valuable
| vices. The meeting was large and enthusiastic
They adjourned with determination to elect the
| ticket WILLIAM SCOTT, ChR.
]. W. ELLINGTON, Sscrstarie,
d. P. FRENCH,