The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-09-15
CONFEDERATE MEETING IN LIN
coin COUNTY,

Pursuant to notice, large and respectable meet
ing assembled in the Courthouse in LincontoH, OH
the 9Th day of September, 1868, to take into con-
sderation the State of the country. The meeting
organized by calling John Coulter, Esq to the
Chair and appointing Jacob Ramseur, Esq, and
A. Costner. Secretaries. Upon motion, a commit
tee of seven were appointed to draft resolutions for
the action of the meeting. The chair appointed
the following gentlemen constituting said COM
mittee, viz Rev. Mr.. Berry, Jasper Stowe, B. F.
Johnston, Daniel Finger, w. M. Rinehart, r. G..
Hayes and V. A. McBee Esqrs.
The commtte having retired, Major Magruder,
being called upon addressed the meeting in a very
forcibe and able manner in favor of the Justice of
cause showing the absence of any real for
dependency, and urging every patriot to do all in
his power to aid the country in bringing this war
The committee having returned reported through
" A. McBee, Esq, the following resolutions,
which were unanimously and enthusiastically
adopted:
Resolved, That in view of the present condition of
puc affairs, and mindful of the truth inculcated
in Declaration of Rights, that "a frequent recur
to the fundamental principles is absolutely
cessary to preserve the blessings of berty we hold
the present occasion fit and proper re-arm our de-
rotion TO those great principles Of civil liberty which
we're declared to the world by reathers our
first Revolutionary struggle, which have been trans
mitted 90 as by Inheritance, and which it is our unal-
terable purpose as far in lies, to secure and
hand down unimpaired tC posterity That as
chief among these we recognize the right to live I'M
der government of our choice and not under
one imposed upon US against consent at the point
of the bayone That previous our connection with
the late American Union, the people of North Caro-
lima were separate, free and independent people:
expressly acknowledged and recognized in the
treaty of peace with Great Britain and by the other
nations of the earth, and that in subsequently, becom
ing member of said Union for the special purposes
onunciated in the Federal Constitutions and none other
this State acted by her free consent and did not
Cede reinquish heE right to any of those preroga
tives and munments of freedom which she previously
possessed; that conspicuous among these is the maxim
that governments derive their power from the con-
sent of the governed, and that, by consequence ITO
adopt the language of first declaration of indie
pendence, whenever any form of government be-
destructive of those ends it is the right of the
people TO after abolish it, and institute new
government laying its foundations such PRINCIPLES
and organizing its powers in such form as to them
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and hap
piness.'
Resolved, That without recitng at length the causes
which led to the disruption of the late Union we fuv
recognize the right OF the States composing it,
eide each for ITSELF the Sutciency of the grievances
which led them to separation, and we maintain to
the fullest extent, the right and the duty of the people
ohe seeded States to assert and uphold their ancient
independence and to devote their whole strength and
energies to the support and maintenance the new
government they had instituted government of their
own choice, and which they recognize and acknowl-
edge as the means best adapted to secure their liberty
and safety.
Resolved, That firm and steadfast in the assertion
of our right as free people and in nothing daunted
e.,
in the chances of war, befallen arms we intend so
far it depends to prosecute the in which we
engaged in defence of rights and our exis-
free people, with all the and energies
possess That whilst desire ardently honora-
BILE peace, remember that this war is, on our part
of self defence; that all that desired of our
ruthless enemies from the beginning has often been
truly declared in the most solemn aud formal
by our patriotic President to be let alone dscaimng
any purpose to assail them in their SOIL their person
their property but they have been deaf to the
voice of reason and remonsrances and seem resolved
learn in any school less than that of Expe
fence, we accept the alternative forced upon US by
hem, ana we hereby solemnly declare that with the
help of an overrulng Providence, will neuer retire
from the contest as long can raise a man or
musket, until eur freedom and independence are
achieved f@ 81
Resolved, That as to the reconstruction of what was
the American Union, if there be any amongst us
who honestly desire it, whilst we may respect their
sincerity can but pity their deluson. Reconstruc-
tion now emancipation Of slaves and confs-
cation of our propey political and social equality
with the negro, and ultimate amalgamation of the two
The Union before the War, is more,
and can never be restored. It has ceased be the
object for which the war IL wagsd. The emancipa-