Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-12
For The Standard.

1 For the Standard.
| PUBLIC MEETING IN ALAMANCE COUNTY.
| AT a very large meeting of the citizens of Ala
nance county, without regard to party, held IN
Graham or Saturday 29th December, for the Pur-
pose Of consulting together in regard to the excited
! condition of the country
On motion of Judge Rufin, f. NJ. Holt, ESQ.,, was
| called to the Chair and DIR. +. R. Freeman and
| T. NJ. Holt, ESQ.,, were appointed Secretaries.
| On motion of Judge Ruffin the Rev. A. Wilson,
| d. D., opened the meeting with prayer.
On motion of DR.. f. F. Watson, the Chairman
appointed the following Committee to draft resolu-
tons for the action of the meeting, viz: Hon.
Thomas Rutfin, sen., Rev. A. Wilson, DR.. L. +.
Watson Alvis King, B. F. Roney, John Foster, Joel
Boom Thomas c. FouSt, John Foust, A. Ii. Boyd
A. Grifis and r. Y McAden.
During the absence of the committee, the meeting
addressed by Benjamin Trolinger, Thomas Ruf-
fin, jr., c. F. Faucette, Esqs, and Rev. Mr.. Hughes
The committee, through r. Y. McAden, Esq, re-
ported the following resolutions:
ReSOLred, That the people of Alamancc county
declare their devotion to the present government Of
the Union, and their intense desire that it should be
preserved according to the Constitution.
ReS0Lred, That differences have arisen in the
country arraying section against section, and alarm
ing the public mind in North Carolina for the secu
rity of large portion Of property we recon-
mend our Legislature, now in session, to appoint
five Of our wSeSt and best citizens delegates with
powers to meet together in National Convention
with delegates from all the States of the Union, and
if possible to settle these differences on fail
ing to secure Convention of all the States then to
meet together in a Convention of all the Southern
States, for the purpose of presenting our wrongs to
the North, and, if possible save the Union; provi-
dei it can be done without dishonor
ReSOtred, That in the opinion Of this meeting, the
present state Of the public mind does not call for
State Convention.
Thomas Rufin, jr, Esq, offered as a substitute
tor the report Oi the committee, the following:
We, the people of Alamance county, assembled
to consider the present disturbed state of pubic af
fairs do adopt these resolutions, to-wit:
RcSotred, |. That we recognize in the ConStitn-
ton Of the United States the only bond which should
bind the States together, and that whenever obedi-
to it, the highest law of the land is refused
then our devotion to the Union ceases.
Res0ired, >. That the repeated aggressions and
unconstitutional encroachments of the Northern
States upon the hits and interests of the Southern
States furnish too much proof of a fixed purpose,
on their part no longer to respect the national
compact and fulfil it, duties.
Rss0Lrci, 3. That this being so. and it being the
part Of wisdom to prepare for evil before it comes
too TO be avcrted it behooves the people of the
South 10 take, without delay, whatever steps may
be necessary to secure for them the sure enjoyment
Of their rights
ResoIred, 4. That the Legislature of this State
now in session, Shnult promptly call Convention,
lnaI inc people may determine WHAT Is proper LOT
North Carolina to do in reference to the existing
state of public affairs
ResOIred, ,. That it becomes frecmcn, when
threatened with wrong, reSolTtely to preparc.to
pei it; and therefore it is the duty of all State
authorities, having control the subject, TO pro-
vide with the utmost vigor, military dcfences for
the State.
ResoIrcd g. That thepeoplc ofthis State should and
will resist with all their nil int and power any attempt
which may bc made, on the part of the Government
at Washington, TO coerce any State that has, or may
hereafter, withdraw from the Union.
The Hon. Thomas Ruffn, SEN, offered, 4 sub
stitute for the resolutions offered by Thomas Rufin
jr., Esq, the following:
WHEREAS Differences and strifes have arisen in the
country, arraying section against section and lead
ing to the destruction of our happy Union and alarm
ing the public mind in North Carolina for the Sc
curity OF 4 large portion of our property and the
preservation of Our political, civil and religious
rights, and it is essential to the peace of the country
that these controversies should be settled now or
as soon as possible, in order to compromise those
StrifeS and to preserve or reconstruct our happy
form of government, if 1t can be dOne-otherwiSe
agree some other efficient form of government
upon the basis of the Federal Constitution {; there
fore To these ends
R,S0ired, That 1t is the sense Of this meeting
that Convention ought to he called in this State
and that the Legislature, now in session. Is respect
fully requested TO call the same, according TO the
Constitution of the State.
ReSoirei, That the people of this county further
declare their devotion To the present government of
the Union and their intense desire that it should be
preserved. according To the Constitution, in its letter
and spirit, If practicable
judge Rullin supported his resolutions in an able
and eloquent speech. He followed by Thomas
Ruhn. jr Esq, in support of his own resolutions
On his conclusion, vote was taken, when the
olutionS of Judge Ruin were adopted a Sul>t
tutc for the resolutions of Thomas Rulln jr., ESQ.,
by large majority. Judge Rufn then offered his
resolutions Substitute for those offered by II. Y.
McAden, ESD a. the report o: the committee, when
H. \. Mc.titm, Esq, addressed the meeting,
tanning the report of the committee On his
cuSinn, the vote taken, when the substitute of
lrrcd ny Judge RuIIiH rejected and on motion
the report of the committee was adopted by very
large majority.
On motion, the proceedings of this meeting were
ordered to be transmitted to our representatives
and that copies he sent to the Raleigh Register and
North Carolina SiGH,'ni for publication, with the
request that other papers copy.
On motion the meeting adjourucd.
f. NJ. HOLT, Chairman.
r. H. FREEMAN, I Sc.rst,r;.s