Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-24
For the Standard.
MEETING OF THE CITIZENS OF RALEIGH

MEEIlNG OF The CITIZENS OF RALEIGH.
Pursuant to notice the citizens of Raleigh, with
out distinction Of party, assembled at the Court
House, on Friday evening last to consider the pre-
sent state of the country.
Moses A Bledsoe, Senator of Wake county, ex-
planned the object of the meeting in few pertinent
remarks, and, on his motion, George W. Mordeca
Esq, was called to the Chair and Jno G. Palmer
and ID. s. Smith, were requested to act as Secreta
ries.
Mr.. Mordecai, on taking the chair, addressed the
meeting in bold, forcible and patriotic speech.
On motion of W. W. Holden, Esq., the chairman
appointed the following committee, to draft resolu-
tons expressive of the sense of the meeting viz:
Messrs. w. W. Holden, D. NJ Barringer, John II.
Bryan, DR.. Chas E. johnson, VIM. r. Cox, G.. B.
Harrison and Charles Manly.
On the retirement of the committee, H. W. Hust-
ed read TOR the pleasure of the meeting the patriotic
letter of Henry W. Miller in which he declined be.
ing candidate for Congress in this, the fourth Con-
gresslonal District. After which, Mr.. Miller in his
usual impressive and eloquent manner, responded
to the unanimous call of the meeting. NJ A. Bled-
soc, Esq, and Judge R. NJ. Saunders in answer to
calls made upon them, followed in speeches, urging
unity OF feeling and sentiment and total forgetful-
ness of all past political differences.
AT this point of the proceedings, the committee
returned and reported, through their chairman, W.
w: Holden, the following resolutions
WHEREAS, Abraham Lincoln has issued pro-
clamaton, calling for $4,000 men, for the purpose
Of coercing the people of the Confederate States or
OF making war upon them; and Whereas Abraham
Lincoln is thus pervertng the law and violating the
Constitution of his country; and Whereas the cause
of the Confederate States has thus become the
not only of the other slaveholGng States, but of
every American citizen who would resist usurpa-
ton and the exercise of undelegated arbitrary pow
err; therefore,
ResOlred. That we will resist these arbitrary and
unconstitutional measures of the said Abraham Lin
coin, and that we will unite as one man to defend
orr lights and liberties at all hazards and to the last
extremity.
Resolred, That we pledge ourselves freely to de-
vote time, our means and our lives to the State
and to the South.
Resotced, That we cordially approve of the refu-
sal of the Governor Of this State to furnish troops to
the said Abraham Lincoln
ResotUed, That we cordially approve the movements
now on foot for the defence of this State and that
are ready and anxious to contribute to the extent Of
our means in aid of these movements
Resolred, That we approve of the action of tn g
Governor in converting the Legislature, and trust
that body when assembled, will at once and unani-
mously provide for calling Convention of the peo-
pie of this State.
Resolred, That we are in favor of taking prompt.
ly such action as the people of this State may deem
proper and necessary in this grave emergency.
ReSolred, That we have heard with pleasure Of
the resignation by native of the State of their
Offices in the federal army and navy and in the civil
department Of the government; that their fidelity
to their native land is the best evidence of their in
tegrty their valor, and their exalted purity of mo-
tive; and we welcome them with open arms to the
defence of liberties now in peril by the arbitrary &C
ton Of the government which they have patriot
| cally abandoned.
Mr.. Holden then took occasion to define his posi-
tion which in few words may bestated- standb 10y
the rights and liberties of the South at all hazard,
and to the last extremity"
In response to calls, speeches were made by
Messrs. W. r. Cox, John H. Bryan Prof York
Charles Manly, Thomas Bragg, l.. OBJ. Branch, K
| P. Battle, Geo. H. Faribault, W. H. Harrison, d
NJ. Barringer, VIM. Fl. High and Ezekial Jones o
Guford, all urging the people to unite mar
in defence of the South and in resistance to the usur
patton and tyranny of Abraham Lincoln.
The question then taken the resolutions
! and they were unanimously adopted.
On motion the Secretaries were requested to fur
nish copies Of the proceedings of the meeting to tn
papers Of the City.
On motion of NJ. A. Bedsoe the thanks of tn
meeting were returned to the officers
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
GEORGE W. MORDECAI, Prest
Jo1S G. PALMER, Secretaries.
II. S. SMITH,