Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-06-08
Mortb- Garoliua Stan1arh
conservative Mass Meeting in. Forsyth.

On Saturday, the 2Sth Of May, large public
nesting was held at the Courthouse in Winston,
and, on motion of Jos. Crews, ST., Joshua Boner,
ESQ.,, was called to the Chair, and }. H. Stolt9 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 represented)
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
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 recompended the names oil MAJ w.
B. Stipe, and COL W. II. Wheeler, as nominees,
who were unanimously endorsed by the meeting;
also the following resolutions, which, being read,
were likewise unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That all free and constitutional gov
ernments are established, not for the purpose OF
creating officers and rulers to tyrannize over the
people and deprive them of civil liberty, but to
protect tie freedom of the citizen, and to promote
his soelfare prosperity and happiness; and that
whenever the powers of government are Prostltuted
eshur purposes, IL is the right and becomes the
duty Of the people in public meetings or otherwise,
to demonstrate with their rulers
Resolred, That as "eternal vigilance is the price
ofliberty" itbehooves the people to becarefu to
lect none for office but true and faithful friends OF
constitutional liberty; and that when public off.
GERS arrogate to themselves arbitrary pocers or be-
come ap0logists Of acts of usurpaton, or torgegut
Of the rights of the people, it is their duty to dis
place such faithless public servants at the ballot
box and elect more faithful in their stead.
MIL ,ok 1xv ~, ftSoN
ry but in practice of staid subordination of the
military to the civil power provided in our State
and Confederate Constitutions; and that we de-
nounce all attempts to convert our Republican form
of government into military despotism or dictator
ship and are utterly opposed to any form OF gov
crnment or administration which denies to the peo-
pie the security of constitutional liberty.
Resoleed, That under our State and Confederate
Constitutions, the freedom of speech and of the
press are guaranteed to every citizen, and that We
denounce every attempt to deny or abridge the cit
izen Of these rights.
ResoIned, That while obedience to the law is the
duty of every good citizen, denounce all persons,
their aders and abettors enemies to free govern
ment who deny the right of the people, as quar-
anteed by the Constitution, to assemble together
and consult for the common good, and petition the
government for repeal of odious laws, and re-
dress of grievances.
Res0lced, That we are utterly opposed to the
suspension of The writ of haJeas corpus which after
centuries Of snffefings and privations was wrested
by the strong arms and stout hearts of our English
ancestors from the grasp of tyranny and that, as
we would guard and protect ourselves and our
children from chains and slavery, SO we should
sacredy protect this great 6ulaoarE of civil liberty
and that as the courts Of justice should ever be
open for the redress of wrongs and nuriesto prop
erty so we believe that the Confederate Constitu
ton should he so amended as at all times to
to the citizen the great acrit Of right" as Sc
curty against oil illegal restraints on his personal
freedom.
Resolred, That we are uncompromisngIy opposed
to secret sessions of Congress- which the acts
Of the Representative from his constituents, as
dangerous to-cyi liberty, and that we are in favor
Of amending esCoDfederate 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 preudfcial to the
country.
Rssolsed, That we. esteem the immediate repon.
sbty OF the representative to his constituents, as
one Of the greatest safeguards against Unjust and
oppressive legislation that we are therefore op
posed to persons from States situated as Kentucky
and Missouri, occupying seats IN Congress and
ooting 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
the evil legislation OLA Congress which has beer
so Justly denounced by W. W. Holden Of this
State, Gov. Brown and Alex. II. Stephens, of Ga
and recently by Gov. Vance. And that for the pur
pose Of remedying this dangerous evil and grea
wrong. we are, in favor ofso amending the Confed
crate Constitution as to allow them no create,
privileges than Territorial Delegates soho do MOI
vote, but only participate in the discussion of Con
gfess.
Resolced, That in order to procure these mucl
desired smendments to the Confederate Constitu
ten and such other securities to civil liberty as tn
exigencies may demand, we recommend calling
State Convention in accordance with Art 8 of tn
Constitution Of the Confederate States, which pro
vides as follows: 4
"SEc. 1. Upon the demand of any three States
legally assembled in their several State Oonven
lions, the Congress shall summon a Convention
Of all the States, to take into consideration sucl
amendments to the Constitution as the said State
shall concur in suggesting at the time when tn
demand is made"
Reaalqed, That we are utterly opposed to all mo-
law, test oaths and gag laws and denounce an,
man who would advocate such measures, as fit toe
in the hands Of tyrant to trample under foot al
laws all Constitutions and the most sacred right
ofthe citizen.
Resozoed, That we agree with Vice Presideu
Stephens, Gov. Brown Of Georgia W. W. Holder
Gfthis State, and the recent message of Gov Vance
that the late act of Congress enrolling person
whose services are necessary to carry on the in
dustrial and business pursuits Of the country, re
quirng them to get detail from;the President o
Secretary of War, or be put into the army, is
s dangerous and despotic stretch Of power, whie
ought not to be placed ip the hands of any mar
and well contriyed to strike down civil liberty b
making the personal liberty of the Citizen su6sei
Went TO and dependent upon the will Of one man
and that the same is an assumption of power b
Congress to regulate the domestic affairs and ;r
ternal concerns Of the State, the management {
which belongs exclusively to the States themselves
Rssoloed, That the gallant soldiers are entitled
the lasting gratitude Of the people Of this countr
for the heroic valor they have exhibited on ever
battlefield, and we tender them our heartfelt syn
pathy for the privations and hardships they have
nebiy .endured and that it is the duty of all goo
citizens to support and protect their wives an
children, and ne earnestly hope the day is not ia
distant when Reack NAV s,aile unon the eauut.