Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-12-02
HON. J. T.. LEACH's RESoLU-
TTONS AND REMARKS ;....

the Lion. y. L. Leach offered the follow
ing ....
JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN FAVOR OF LIBERTY.
Whereas, The unfIendly, unjustifable
and unpatriotic interference of citizens of
tile ron-slayehOlding States in their popu-
lar assemblies, from the pulpit and by leg
Islative enactments, with the reserved
rights Of the States, provided in the Con-
stItution of The United States and by the
laws Of Congress, has been the prolific
cause of a cruel, bloody, and relentless
war that has o parallel in point OF atrocity
III the annals OF the world between a peO-
pie protesting the Christian religion:
A7rL qOAereos, The citizens of the slave
States, at All unguarded. moment, under
the Influence vi unwlse cOunSelS, without
mature deliberatIon as to the fearful con-
sequences, made the election Of Abraham
Lincoln to the Presidency OF the United
States the OCCASION Tor preclpnatlng the
Confederate States out Of the Union,
which has been followed by train OF
fearful consequences not contemplated by
those who advocated the measure:
And achereas, We, the Representatives of
the people of the Confederate otates, de-
string to place ourselves fairly before our
constituents, our enemies and the civilized
world, declare that it is our earnest desire
that proper measures should be adopted
by the respective governments to secure
all honorable, just and permanent peace,
not Incompatible with the principles as
laid down III tic Constitution of the Uni
tI al nj, .h
Of trcemCn:
ResoLced, That the reserved rights OF
the States.should be guarded with atch-
ful and jealous vigilance, and that any at
tempt,to infringe upon those rights should
be resisted by all lawful and proper
means.
R:soI0cd, That whenever the govern
ment OF The United States shall signify its
Willingness TO recognize the reserved rights
Of the States aud guaantee 10 the citizens
of the States their rights of property, as
provided i'll the Constitution OF the United
STATES and the laws of Congress, to the
end that peace may he restored and our
'utnre happiness and prosperity perpetual
ed, we Will agree To treat for peace and
that such terms Of peace rs may be agreed
10 by Commissioners appointed by the
respective governments, Or by the States
acting in their sovereign and independent
character, and ratified Ivy majority Of
ihe people, shall constitute the bond of
peace between the North and the South.
Mr.. Leach said:
Mr.. Speaker: The resolutions that |
hold in my hand, and that | propose to
read, by the permission OF the Chair, are
not intended as an apple of discord in our
midst. l trust, sir, that they may NOT pro-
duce diScord in our midst. All | ask is,
that they may havea calm, careful, unpre-
JUDGED hearing.
We do not offer them unadvisedly. l
have consulted my friends lis to the pro-
priety OF introducing them, as web as to the
proper time and circums, ances. There is
different opinion us to the propnety Of
time ans circumstance
do not offer them for the purpose of
strengthening the arm OF the enemy
That has been etfectually done by the
President in his speech i'll Macon, Ga and
more etfectuaLiy strengthened by the Gov
ernors of the Confederate States and the
President, when they recommended the
Use of negroes as soldiers in the COnfed-
fGderatc army. l do not offer them for
the purpose of discouraging our heroic
soldiers, who have braved the leaden hail
of death upon the bloody battlefield. |
believe it will arouse them to know that
they are fighting for something more dear
to them than the negro.
| offer them because believe there is
something practical in them. | offer them
because am satisfied that my constituents
both citizens and soldiers, desire an honor
able peace. | offer them because | ain
satisfied that the prayers OF Christians,
statesmen and patriots have been poured
out for, peace, and that the great heart o
the natioa is pulsating tor peace. | offer
them because | know that war is q relent
less, cruel, blind monster, killing where he
canuot make alive, and reapimg where he
has not SUwn.
Mr.. Leach desires to be understood as
not including the border States" in hi:
resolutions, the ordinances of secession
having been adopted in, the Cotton
States" long before the border States
went cut. The latter acted under the
pressure of circumstances over which they
had no control.
+ Mr.. Montague, of Va, said he did mo-
design saying anything when he entered
the hall to-day, but lie was unwilling tc
let the resolutions Of the gentleman from
North Carolina pass without protest.
He reviewed them eloquently and earnest
ly, and moved that they be rejected.
Numerous gentlemen called the ques,
ton.
Mr.. Leach asked thai the vote be taken
by yeas and nays, and the House seemed
to rise simultaneously to sustain the call.
The roll being called all the members
voted in the affirmative except Messrs.
Enllnr M Innnh I1rr nnnh Innnn