Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-09-18


A. McBee, Z q the following resolutions, which we're
unanimously and enthusiastic lily adopted:
Resolved, That in view of the present condition Of
our public afirs and mindful of tbs truth ncucated
In our Declaration Of Rights, that "a frequent recur
renee to the fundamental principles is absolutely neceg
ary TO preserve the blessings of bsr ", We bold the
pesent occasion fit and proper to resrm our devotion
to those great principles of civil liberty which were de-
cared to the world by forefathers in first Rev
olutionary struggle which have been transmitted 10 US
by inheritance and which 1t Is our una rabe purpose
as far as in us les and hand down unmpsired
70 our posterty. That as chief among these, We re-
cognize the right to live under government Of own
croce and not und one imposed upon US against our
consent, at the point OF the bayonet That previous
10 OUT connection with the late American Union,
the people of North Carolina we're a seps-
rate free and Independent people were so ex-
pressy acknowledged and recognized 10 the treaty Of
peace with Great Britain, and by the other nations OF
the earth, and that in subsequently becoming menu
Der Of SAID Union for the special purposes enunca'ed in
the Federal COnsi u!ion, and otksr this State
acted by Der free consent and did Lot cede or Ten
ouish her right 10 any of those preroglves and NUM-
men Of freedom which she previously possessed; that
conspicuous among these is the maxim that govern
menus derive their Just power from the Of the
governed and that by consequence 10 adoit the Ian
guage of first Declaration Of Independently 'whrn
ever any form Of government becomes detruciiye OF
these ends Il is the right Of the people to alter abol
ish t. and 70 insti ute neF government laying IFS
foundaii ms on such principles and organizing lis pow
ers in such form as to them shall seem most likely TO
effect their sai ETY. and happiness"
Resolved That without pctpg at length the eau es
which led TO the disruption Of the late Union, fully
recognize the right of the States composing it. to &c
eide each for itself the suicency Of the grievances
which led them TO a separation and maintain TO the
fullest extent the right ard the duty of the people o
the seeded States 70 assert and uphold their ancient
independence and TO devote their whole strength ard
energies TO the support and maintenance OF the new
government they have instituted government OF their
own choice and which they recognize and acknowledge
the means best adap ei to their liberty ard aiey
Resolved That Arm ard steadias in the assertion Of
our rights tree people and ID nothing daunted or
discouraged by the reverses which have sometimes, In
the chances OF wa, beaen our arms, intend so far
as it depends u.s. 70 prosecute the war in which We
engaged, Ia defence OF our rights and our eI-
isence "a free people, with all the and energies
we possess Th,t whist we desire ardently honor
able peace We remember that this is en- our Iar
war Of self deftn e. that all desired of ruthless
enemies from the beginning, as has often been truly de
Aared in the most solemn and formal manner by our
patroIc President is TO be let Alone 3scllimng aBy
purpose TO all them in their SOIL their person or pro-
perry but they have been deaf to the voice Of
aud remOnsraI cs and resolved not 10 learn many
school e than That Of Experience accept the
alternative forced upon las by them, and shall continue
20 defend ourselves; and Hereby solemDly declare
that with the help of an overruing Providence we
will neper retire from the contest long as We can
raise man or muskct, until our freedom and Lde-
oPndence are achieved.
Resolved That as 70 tie reconstruction Of what was
once the American Union if there be any amongst
who honesty desire it. whilst may respect their sin
cerity we can but pity their deluson. Reconstruct
now means emancipation of our slaves and confc3ton
e our propetV; political and social equality with the
negro and Ultimate amalgsmation of the two races.-
The onion Il before the iOdr, is no more and can
never be restored IL has ed to be the object for
u. ~ 81 70 al 1ha afipu nf gur
slaves aud their pot cal equality with the white race is
now the declared policy OF enemies as tet forth in
the Proclamation of the Yankee President. To bow to
the rule Of Wo st enemies now mot - dwell on the
abiecL cOwardce of the ac would be to place oure7es
voluntarily under grinding despotsm which hangs
like pail over people once Free We must be pre-
pared 10 surrender every essential right OF free govern
ment the rights Of personal hbery Of private proper
tv the freedom Of speech and o. the press, all g. safe
guards of trial by jury, the writ OF hGbeGS corpus, and
immunity from arrest except by due process-of law
Against these positive losses OF nestmable rights and
privilege, may consider the conpensAtng gains
should derive from trial by negro judges and juries;
from comp ttiou with negro voters at the polls; from
representation by negro congressman and delegates in
our legislative assemblies. and from daily intercourse
and socih equality with usty and fragrant "cZens OF
African descent"
Resolved That we most heartily respond to the voice
o. our gallant scns and brothers-the North Carolina
troops in the feld-Ehcse IN resolves and patriotic
and encouraging words have reached rs from Ihcir
camps and have aWakened our cordial admiration and
sympathy that share in the manly Indignation they
express at the unworthy conduct of certa disoyal and
tratorous czens among u.s. who, If they could, would
paralze the rg-t Of our defence ard deliver us
over bound hand and loot TO the tender merces of our
vandal Toe. But whilst the great body Of our people
are true and seadfAt to cause, as We know them
to be- we can afford hold in merited pity contempt
the few that wOud PLOT our ruin. Fewer in number
than the tories OF the revolution, though it may be
ECU H. cruel and vindctive, they are not dangercu1-
Theirs are not the hearts that dare the hands that
rike. They known 70 th'r couatrynen and their
nlmes-not worthy to appear in these proceejngs-wl
in due time reach meried ignominy when valor has
crowned our brave defenders with and victory
paues amid the trophies Of hr ccnquest5 aud takes
cOgnizanoe Of these traitors who will them swell the
triumph of her tain.
Resolved, That the manly patriotic ald straight for
ward course Of Gov. Vhce, IN giving full 6fsct to all
measures designed for the prosecution Of the war;
entitled and receives hearty appreciation, and
that We hold ourselves 10 readiness 10 sustain and sup
port his righIu authority as Chief Magistrate Of this
State in the discharge OF the arduous and indispensable
duties of his office.
r solved, That our confidence in the fearIessness
devot on energy and endurance of our patriotic Pres-
dent Jefferson Davis Is mistaken, and that We recog-
nze IN the Gmness dignity and integrity OF bis admin
straton the certain angury Of the na triumph Of
cause over all the difficulties and dangers which may
asssil It.
Resolved, That the proceedings Of the meeting be
published 10 the Iapers Of this Congressional District,
with the request that other papers copy.
Colonel William J. Hoke offered the following reso-
luton endorsing the course Of the Hon. w. Lander
member Of Congress which unanimously adopted,
whereupon, Mr. Lander responded in long aud able
speech reviewing the etIte Of the country before the
war and since dealing hard blows submissouists,
croakers and Spectators L: pr his best efforts,
and those who sat under the sound Of his thr Ing
Coquence will know to appreciate il.
Resolved That the public in the Congress Of
the Confederate SAesof the representative from this
District the Hon. William Lander merits and hereby
receives cordial approval, and that
trey in the corcusion announced by him in his recent
card the voters of the District to consent to no
adjustment which does bring with It tho indie pen
dencs Of the Confederate States their total separation
from tie United States and all the blessings of liberty