Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-06-07
genti- 4Dprktu stm1harh,
ConservatiHe Mass Meeling in Forsyth.

meeting was held at the Courthouse in Winston,
and on motion of Jos. Crews, ST., Joshua Boner,
Esq, was called to the Chair, and j. d Stoltz and
s. Fountain were requested to act as Secretaries
. The Chairman explained the object of the Con-
vention to be the nomination of suitable candidates
to represent the county in the Commons branch Of
the next General Assembly. The names OF dele
gates from the several Captains districts being
called, (all of which, out two, being representedl
fifty delegates responded and took their seats.
A motion prevailed, inviting all Conservatives
present from districts not regularly represented,
and also all true Conservatives in the meeting to
take their seats as delegates and participate in max
ing the nominations.
When, on motion, the delegates from the several
= Captains districts were made committee to report
on candidates and upon resolutions; and after de-
liberation, they recommended the names oil Maj. w.
B. Stipe, and Col W. H. Wheeler, as nominees,
who were unanimously endorsed by the meeting;
also the following resolutions, which, being read,
were likewise unanimously adopted:
Resolred, That all free and constitutional gov
ernInents are established, not for the purpose of
creating officers and rulers to tyrannizo over the
people and deprive them of civil liberty, but to
protect the freedom of the citizen md to promote
his a0eydre, prosperity and happiness; and that
whenever the powers Of government are prosltuted
to other purposes, it is the right and becomes the
duty of the people public meetings, or otherwise,
to demonstrate with their rulers.
Res9lCe1 That as eternal vigilance is the price
ofliberty it beaOoves the people to becarefu to Sc
lect for Office but true and faithful friends OF
constitutional liberty; and that when pubic OH
arrOgate to themselves arbitrary P0erS or be-
apot0gistS of acts of usurpation, or JOfgegut
of the rights of the people, it is their duty TO dis
place such aithless public servants at the ballot
box and elect more faithful in their stead
Aesotre& That we are in favor not only in thee
~ but in practice, of stad subordinaton of the
military to the civil power as provided in our State
and Confederate Constitutions; and that we de-
nounce all attempts to convert Republican form
of government into military deSpUtiSm CT dictator
ship, and are utterly opposed to any form of gov
ernment or administration which denies to the peo-
pie the security of constitutional liberty.
ResOI0ed, That under our State and Confederate
Constitutions, the freedom of speech and OF the
press guaranteed to every citizen, and that We
denounce every attempt to deny or aSrdSe the cit
izen of these rights.
ReSolred, That while obedience to the law is the
duty of every good citizen we denounce all persons
their aiders and abetoTs enemies to free govern
ment who deny the right of the people, as guar
anteed by the Constitution, to assemble together
and consult for the common good, and petition the
government. for repeal Of odious laws, and a re-
dress CT grievances.
Resol0ed, That we are utterly opposed to the
suspension of the writ of hdbeGS corpus, which after
centuries of sufferings and privatiOns wieSted
by the strong arms and stout hearts Of Our English
ancestors from the grasp of tyranny and that as
would guard and protect ourselves and our
children from chains and slavery, so should
sacredly protect This great b"oafk of civil liberty
and that as the courts of justice should ever be
open for me redress of wrongs and injuries to prop
erty, so we believe that the Confederate Constitu.
ton should be amended as at all times to
TO the citizen the great aorit Of right" as a Sc
curity against all illegal restraints on his personal
freedom.
Resol0ed, That We are uncompromsingy opposed
to secret sessions of Congress- which the acts
of the Representative from his constituents, as
dangerous to civil liberty and that are in favor
of amending the Confederate Constitution so as to
forbid the holding of secret sessions of Congress,
except when considering measures relating to the
operations Of the army, diplomatic relations,
the publication of which might be prendlcial to the
country.
Res0Lred, That we esteem the immediate repon-
Sibty Of the representative 10 his constituents,
one Of the gre,test safeguards against Unjust and
oppressive legislation that therefore OPP
posed to persons from States situated Kentucky
and Missouri, occupying seats IN Congress and
gOtGRg to impose laws and burthens on US which
cannot be enforced on the people of the States
which they profess to represent That we believe
that this is the source from which flows much of
the evil legislation Oflast Congress which has been
SO Justly denounced by W. W. Holden Of this
State, Gov. Brown and Alex. ii. Stephens, of Ca,
and recently by Gov. Vance. And that for the pur-
pose of remedying this dangerous evil and great
wrong. E are in favor Of so amending the CoHfed-
crate Constitution to allow them greater
privileges than Territorial Delegates, aoh0 do not
rOte but only participate in the discussion of Con-
gress.
ResOloed, That in order to procure these much
desired amendments to the Confederate CCnstitu-
tiGn and such other securities to civil liberty as the
eXigencies may demand, recommend calling
State Convention, in accordance with Art. of the
Constitution of the Confederate States which pro
vides as follows:
"SEc. /, Upon the demand of any three States,
legally assembled in their several State Conven
tons, the Congress shall summon a Convention
of all the States, to take into consideration such
amendments to the Constitution as the said States
shall concur in suggesting at the time when the
demand is made"
Res0l0ed, That We are utterly opposed to all mob
law, test oaths and gag laws and denounce any
man who would advocate such measures as fit tool
in the hands Of tyra1t to trample under foot all
laws all Constitutions, and the most sacred rights
of the citizen.
ReSGtued, That we agree with Vice President
Stephens, Gov. Brown of Georgia, W. W. Holden
of this State and the recent message of Gov Vance,
that the late act Of Congress enrolling persons
whose services are necessary to carry on the in
Ilustrial and business pursuits of the country, re-
Quiring them to get detail frou;the President or
Secretary of War, or be put into the army, is a
dangerous and despOtic stretch of power, which
ought not to be placed in the hands of any man,
and well contriVed 10 strike down civil liberty by
making the personal liberty of the citizen subser-
Vientto and dependent upon the will of one man :;
and that the same is an assumption of power by
Congress to regulate the domestic affairs and in.
ternal concerns of the State the management of
which belongs exclusively to the States themselves
ReSOVed, That the gallant soldiers are entitled to
the lasting gratitude of the people of this county
for the heroic valor they have exhibited on every
hot fia1A aplr Ia
patty for the privatons and hardshpS they have so
nobly endured and that it is the duty of all good
citizens to support and protect their wives and
children, and we earnestly hope the day is not far
distant when peace may smile upon the country,
and we may be able to welcome them to their