Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1863-12-02
Mr.. Avera,s Resolutions.

The following preamble and resolutions were in
troduced in the House Of Commons on Thurday last
by Mr.. Avers, of Johnston, and laid on the table
They embody in all probability the views and feel
ings of very largo majority of the people of john
ston County,
WHEREAS, All politicalpower is vested in and de-
rived from the people And whereas, it an nalien
able right guaranteed to freemen to assemble in
public meeting and consult for the common good :,
and give public expression to their honest sent
ments upon questions of policy pertaining to the
good of their common country. And, whereas, the
freedom of speech and of the press is the great
bulwsrk of civil liberty, the suppression of the
same should never be tolerated by republican and
free people. And, whereas, we are at this time
and have been, for nearly three years, engaged in
deadly conflict of arms with the federal government
Add, ~keSyss, our arms have been crowned with the
most brilliant victories that the annals of history
record in any age or country, and still the breach
between Us appears to get wider and yet wider
AID, whereas, yet there has been no formal prop
osition for negotiations and settlement of the ques
tons in dispute between US. And, whereas, it is
the wish Of large majority of the freemen of North
Carolina as expressed at tue ballot box forrepresen
tafves to the Confederate Congress- that all honor.
able means should be used to stop the strife, desc
lation and horrible slaughter Of human life that
must follow . continuance of this dreadful war:
Therefore,
Resolced, That the freemen of North. Carolna
have the constitutional right to hold public meet
ngs and consult together for the good of their CON-
mon country; and that when the freedom Of speech
and of the press of this State is trampled under
foot, and suppressed by mob violence or military
force with impunisy, the people cease to be free
men and become vassals and slaves to military
despotism, which will never be tolerated in North
Carolina.
Resosoed, That the wise and Independent deci
siens of the judiciary of tie State cannot be too
highly priced by all lovers Of republican liberty,
and North Carolina as a sovereign State will ever
maintain and defend its loyal decisions, assailed
from whence they may and that all true North
our patriotic Governor Vance, for his noble defence
and maintenance of the decisions of the judiciary
and the laws of the State.
Resolved That formal negotiationsf for an amicable
and honorable settlement Of our present national
troubles upon the basis of separation with CONNER
cial treaties offensive and defensive should at the
earliest day possible be commenced with our enemy,
by the legal treaty making power OF the Confederate
States of America and do hereby most respect
fully request and instruct our Senators and Repre-
sentatives in Congress to make an effort to bring
about negotiations by instructlng the President to
at ence appoint ambassadors whose duty it shall be
to make and receive propositions from our enemy
pointing to settlement and peace, aud to propose
to the Federal Congress the calling of peace con-
venon of the people, by both sections, to be repre-
scented by delegates to be selected by the people of
the sovereign States to make an honest, patriotic
Christian effort as brethren, to put stop to the
present cruel, savage and unchristian war; with
power to ray (suoject to vote of the people) any
treaty or compromise they may make
Resotced, That We are justly proud of the chival-
~ and heroic v,lor Of our brave soldiers who have
so nobiy battled in the defence of our rights upon
every battle field Of this bloody war, and we exlort
them to stand firmly by their colors, as we can not
and must not relax, any constitutional effort for
vigorous prosecution Of the war to an honorable
peace, until srmstice and cessation of hostiies
are declared Cor negotiation Of treaty of peace as
We can but hold the olive branch Of peace in one
hand and the sword in the other until we can m AXE
= settlement 6y negotiations or are recognized IS
free and Independent people. :