Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-02-21
For the Standard.
UNION MEETING IN sMITHFIELD.

was organized, by calling Edwin Boykin, ESQ.,, to
the Chair, who returned his thanks for the honor
conferred upon him, and explained the object of the
meeting in handsome and appropriate manner.
On notion Wyatt carp and j. G. Hood, Esqs.,
appointed Vice Presidents.
On motion, A. G. Powell, ESQ.,, and DR.. E. d.
Sneed were appointed Secretaries.
The organization being then completed,
On motion of Mr.. Abell committee Of two from
each precinct of the county appointed report
resolutions for the action of the meeting.
The following gentlemen were appointed by the
Char, viz: L. Eldridge, L. R. Waddell, w. B.
Wall, j. r. Whitley, Dr. Leach, R. Goats, William
H. McCullers ID. Gardner, Troy Woodall, B. God
win, B. r. Hood, Nathan Tart j. H. Williams, j.
Woodland James H. Harrison B. Williams, F. Phil
Ups, j Woodland, w. Blow William Hastings Z. II.
Woodland W. II. O'Neal, W. H. Sellars, w. Wei
Ions, S. Barnes. B. R. Hinnant, W. H. Joyner, DIR.
John r. Thompson, John F. Sanders and George
Reen
During the absence of the committee, the meet
ing was addressed by C. B. Sanders, W. II. Sanders
w. A. Smith, b. H. Tomnson, Ransom Gully and
William Avera
The committee then reported through their Chair
man, L. R. Waddell, ESQ.,, the following resolutions
which were read and adopted with only one dissent
ing voice.
WHEREAS, A Convention is soon to meet in the
city of Raleigh to deliberate the condition of the
country, and to take such steps the present emer
gency will Justify and WHEREAS, North Carolina
the first to declare her independence and one
of the last in ratyng the Constitution of the United
States therefore
ResOlred That we, a portion of the people of
North-Caroina never will submit to the admnstra-
ton of the Federal Government on the principles
enuncated BY the black Republican party, and are
firmly resolved not to surrender any right to which
Orth-Carona is entitled under the Constitution of
the United States; yet unwilling to dissolve
the Union formed by that Constitution and give up
the liberty and blessings won by the many and pa
cpfo
secured to us under the Constitution without first
appealing to the States themselves to the people
of the States through the ballot box for such expa
| natory amendments to that instrument and such
guarantees may be acceptable and satisfactory to
the people of the States and more especially to the
people of the slaveholding States.
ResOLoed, That not insensible to the mach
nations and devices Of the leaders of the disunion
party we, therefore, pledge ourselves patriotic
and conservative citizens to expose their duplicity
and trcachery whenever we can.
ResOlred, That we believe the President of the
United States James Buchanan, has used every ef-
fort consistent with the office of chief executive of
the nation to reconcile the present unhappy differ
ences existing between the two sections of the Con-
federacy, and is therefore entitled in our opinion,
to the heartfelt gratitude of the conservative patriotic
| citizens of every portion of our country.
| Res0lred That while we do not grant the right of
secession, yet We are opposed to coercion by the
| Federal Government, believing most confidently
! that the Union cannot be preserved by force; and
that any attempt of the Federal Government to do
So will inevitably result in civil war between the
| North and the South.
| ResOlred That we will vote for no man who is in
! favor of immediate secession, and who will not
| pledge himself to every effort to reconcile the
present unhappy differences existing between the
two sections of the Confederacy, and if possible,
establish the of the States, and to this end,
| the State Convention, if assembled, should exhaust
all honorable means before entertaining propositions
for the withdrawal Of North Carolina from the Union.
After the adoption of the resolutions the commit
tee through their chairman put the following gen.
temen, in nomination, VIZ: c. B. Sanders, John
Ii. Kenneday WIN. II. Joyner, B. Ii. Tomlinson,
DR.. John B. Beckwith, Nathan Williams, DR.. j.. I.
Leach and Il. Richardson
The meeting expressed an unwilngneSS to go in
to an election until the gentlemen nominated should
define their position on the present unhappy federal
relations of our country; whereupon VIM. II. JOY
ner and declared his loyalty and fidelity to
the Constitution and the Union of the States de-
cared his opposition to secession for existing causes
that he was in favor of eXhaustng all honorable
means before he would vote North Carolina out of
the Union. c. 3. Sanders, B. H. Tomlinson, Dr.
Leach and John Fl. kenneday, each addressed the
meeting in brief though patriotic Union speeches.
! in which each declared that he was opposed to Sc
ceSsion for present that all means consistent
with the honor and dignity of the State should be
exhausted before he would ever give his assent for
| North Carolina to Secede
Mr.. Kennedy concluded his remarks by declaring
that he unwilling to dissolve the Union, un til
the people ofthe States appealed to for justice,
through the ballot-bOx.
Dr. John B. Beckwith then arose and addressed
the meeting at length, in clear logical, and
forcible manner; taking strong ground against the
right of secession He expressed, in a feeling man.
ner, his love and loyalty for the union Of the States
and condemned in forcibe and unequivocal lam
guage the doctrine of secession for existing causes,
and demonstrated with the people against the dam
ger of disuniOn, showing cOnclusively that civil and
deSolatng war would inevitably follow.
The meeting then proceeded to vote by ballot,
which resulted rs follows: c. b. Sanders l6I :;
John H. Kenneday, 43; William II. Joyncr, Al !;
B. H. Tomlinson, 333 Nathan Williams, II; Dr.
John B. Beckwith, %; DIR. j. T. Leach, 4.
T.. B. Sanders and John H. Kenneday having re-
ceived the highest number of cast were there
fore declared by the meeting to be the candidates
represent this county in the ensuing State ConVen-
ton
L. Eldrldge, ESQ.,, said he had prepared resolu-
tion which he now offered an additional resolu-
ton in favor Of one of North Cardinals nobleSt
one whose emncntly wise, patriotic, and conserva-
tive course, in the present perouS condition of
confederacy, proves him to be jewel of priceless
value; not only to North Carolina but to the whole
country; a man who is a terror to accurSed dema-
gogues of all parties and constant in his advocacy
of principles which he conceives TO be calculated to
advance tie best interest of the nation the north
rnStar" Irefer to the eminenty distinguished editor
of the North Carolina Standard W. W. Holden.
The name of w. w. Holden created much ap-
pause.
The following resolution was then read and passed
unanimously:
ResOLUed, That We cordially endorse the Justly
conservative and patriotic course of w. w. Holden,
Esq, Editor of the North Carolina Standard and
that recognise him eminent statesman, an
unsuled patriot and man of sterling integrity of
purpose.
On motion of James II. Abel, ESQ.,, the proceed
ings of this meeting were ordered to be published
in the North Carolina Standard and Raleigh Regis
ter. The meeting then adjourned.