The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-02-13
PROCEEDINGS OF 4 PUBLIC MEETING IN
CHAPEL HILL.

Il .41
CHAPEL HILL.
Pursuant TO previous notice the citizens of
Chapel Hill and Its vicinity, without dis
tnction OF party, assembled at the village
school-hoase on the 9th Of February, 1861,
to take into consideration the present condi-
tion Of our public affairs and to nominate
candidates to represent the county OF orange
in the ensuing proposed State convention.
When, upon motion Of j. w. Carr, Esq,
Andrew Mickie was called TO the chair, and
Thomas A.. Long, appointed secretary.
Sidney Smith, Esq, then arose and adj
dressed the meeting upon the Importance Of
the present crisis, and the duty Of our citi-
gems in selecting our most talented and in
fluentia men to represent them in the pro-
posed convention. lie concluded his re-
marks by an eloquent and glowing eulogium
upon the character and past political services
ofthe Hon. VIM. A. Graham, and the Hon. Da.
yid l.. Swain, and avowed that they were his
choice to represent the county in said con-
yention. He then read the following pream-
BILE and resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted:
The freemen Of Orange county in this
meeting assembled believe il to be the duty
of all the citizens Of this State, in the pres
ent alarming condition Of our county. to give
some expression Of their opinion upon the
threatening aspect Of our public affairs.
A brief reference to the part the State has
acted in the past, will furnish the best evil
dence..of the feelings Of her sons, and OF their
devotion to the Union Of the States and the
Constitution, which is the sole bond which
binds them together.
CT. A. a....... IF tla nraeanf G0ngfi-
tuition, throughout the whole progress Of the
republic, North Carolina has never intrlnged
on the rights Of any State. nor asked, nor
received, an exclusive beneht. On the con,
trary she has been the first to yindicate the
equality Of the States, the smallest as well
as the greatest.
But claiming no exclusive benefit Tor her
efforts and sacrifices 10 the common cause,
she has right to look Tor feelings Of irater-
nifty aud kindness for her citizens IRON the
citizens Of other States, aud equality Of
rights tor her citizens with all others, that
those for whom she has done so much would
abstain from actual aggressions upon her
rights, or if they could not be prevented.
would show themselves ready and prompt IN
Furnishing the aggressors. That the com.
mon government for which she contributed
so largely. for the purpose of establishing
justice, and ensuring domestic tranquility,
should not. whilst the forms Of the Constitu-
ton were observed. be so perverted in spirit,
as to inhict wrong aud injustice, and produce
universal insecurity. In these reasonable
expectations we have been grieyously d'sap-
pointed.
Owing to a spirit Of Pharisaical fanaticism
prevailing in the North. in reference TO the
Institution Of slavery. melted by foreign EN-.
missaries, aud fostered by corrupt political
demagogues in search Of power aud place, a
feeling has been aroused between the two
sections Of what was once common country,
which Of itself would almost preclude the
administration Of united government in
harmony.
For the kindly feelings Of kindred peo-
pie we find substituted, distrust, suspicion,
and mutual aversion. For religion OF a
Divine Redeemer Of all, we fnd religion
Of hate against part, and in all the private
relations Of life, instead Of fraternal regard,
a consuming hate. which has but seldom
characterized warning sections. This feel
ing has shown itself IN the legislative halls
by the passage Of laws to obstruct law Of
Congress, passed in pursuance Of plain pro
vision Of the constitution. IL has displayed
itself in a persistent, and insldious circu.
iation Of incendiary publications. sanctioned
by leading men occupying the high stations
in the gift Of the people. TO produce discord
aud division in our midst. and incite TO muir.
der and every imaginable atrocity, against an
unofending community. II has displayed Il.
self 10 the persistent denial Of the equal
rights OF the citizens Of each State 20 settle
with their property. in the common terrific
~ acquired by the blood aud treasure Of all
Ii is shown ia their open ayowed determine.
ton TO cifcumscribe the institution Of slave.
~ within the territory Of the States now re.
cognising il, the inevitable effect Of which
would be 10 Gil the present slaye-holdin.
States with an eyer.increasing negro popua
tion, resulting IN the Punishment Of our non
sIayeholding population 10 the first instance
and the eventual surrender Of our country Il
barbarous race, or what seems TO be desir-
ed, an amalgamation with The African.
Il has at last eliminated 10 the election
by a sectional majority Of the free States a
lone, TO the FIRST Office in the Republic, O
The author Of the sentiment that there Is AZ
irrepressibe conflict" between free and
slave labor, sentiment which inculcates Al
a necessity OF our situation, a warfare be
tween the two sections Of our country with
out cessation or intermission until the weak
er is reduced to subsection.
In view Of this state Of things, we are moi
inclined to rebuke or censure the people o
any Of our sister States Of the South, suffer
ing from injury, goaded BY insults. an'
threatened with such outrages and wrongs
for their bold determination 90 relieve them
selves from injustice and oppression. By re-
sorting 10 the ultimate and sovereign RICH
TO dissolve the compact which they had form
ed. and to provide new guards for their 10
tufe security.
Nor have we any doubt Of the right o
any State, there being 40 common umpir'
between co-equal sovereign States, 10 Judg'