Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-31
bodz must depend upon the honor and integrity of

body must depend upon the honor and integrity OF
members composing them.
# is for what conceived to be for the best inter-
est of North Carolina at the present and in the fu-
ture that urge this question upon your minds
Run your minds eye over the broad limits OF your
Stat. and comprehend the vast diversity of feelings
and interest you are called upon to guard and pro-
tect and an sure you will not attribute to me an
humble member Of this House, too much concern
for the protection of those great interests OF human
happiness [ stand here to day, not without vivid
recollection of all the strong opposition l have had
to meet in conteuding for the principle embraced IN
the BILL and plead for the rights OF the people whom
have the honor to represent for the rights OF that
norton of nv constituents who are this day Ian
guishng and diving on the plains of Yorktown and
Manassas. 1t is for them, and for North Carolina
that has called me so often upon this floor in opposi-
tio1 to the views of many gentlemen in this Hall.
Il is for them thatI have had to meet the neglect
and cold indifference offered to meby those who by
common courtesy have been placed over me in this
House 1t is for standing in defence of the friends
which MANY of you are this day embracing, that
have been denied the indications of respect due to
any representative in this Hail. however humble he
may be.
need not persist in arguing the merit of this bill
further in the presence of many of my learned aSSo
GATES for to them the channel of duty is plain
They have the lamp Of constitutional law not only
in their hands, but in their mental i5rarieS-while
have but little more to guide my rambling steps
than the lamp of nature. But it has been said by
some gifted and sensible daughter of race that
men need to he reminded of more than they need be
taught" and if beauty virtue and intelligence could
invent such noble declaration in regard to man, |
am sure you will allow me to repeat the sentiment
Then catching the inspiration from one Of those who
seems to have viewed man as man, l remind
YOU that you the guardians fthe POLITICAL social
and religious rights of the people of North Carolina
Let not your action to-day change smiles into rowns
and friends into enemies
But Mr. Speaker, my race as legislator from
choice.is nearly run. have fought hard and have
fought honestly for the friends which believe are
at the foundation of all free republican governments
and if in doing so, | have mistaken the task of
the age and the wants of the people, can only hope
that my mistake is not too deep to be forgiven by a
generous and great people. Pass the bill and you
have saved the ship and cargo-defeat it and you
have engulfed the peace and prosperity of NorthCar
ona.
Having endeavored to discharge my legislative
duties as firm and independent representative,
shall give my vote in favor of the passage of the
bill. and rest nv cause in the hands of those who
have never deserted me in day of need. Had
been more mysterious in my efforts, and dealt with
dupcity of principles one face for office and an
other for the dear people, then L may have been
placed by my superlors upon some very important
committee, such counting the books in the State
library, or casing up the State Capitol