Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-12
Public Meeting in Johnston ~ conn,I. 81 Hp.''O

MeeIInS IN JOnnStOn county,
At large and respectable meeting of the citizens
OF Goats District Johnston county, held the 9th
inst, after brief explanatory speech by DIR. j. I.
Leach, ". "a. Goats, Esq, was called to the chair,
and Mr.. Stephenson Ogburn appointed Secretary.
The Chairman appointed Messrs. j. T. Leach, j. R.
Goats, w. w. Johnston II. A. Clifton, and Thos.
Dupree committee to draft resolutions for the
sideraton Of the meeting. The committee reported
the following resolutions which read and adopt
ed unanimously:
WHEREAS, The alarming and fearful tendency of
the Confederate government towards military des-
potlsm by the enactment of unjust and oppressive
laws to her citizens, is just cause of compaint and
whereas, an earnest desire our part citizens
of sovereign and independent State to restore JUS
tice secure domestic tranquility, and perpetuate
the blessings Of civil and religious liberty to our
selves and our posterty is just cause for assembling
together, consulting for common good, instruct
ing our representatives and pettioning the Legsla
ture for redress of grievances:
ReSOlved, That as all political power is vested in
and derived from the people only that any legisla
ton by the Confederate Congress- or decision of the
Judiciary, denying or abridging those rights would
oe unconstitutional, unjust and oppressive, and
should be resisted by all Constitutional and legal
measures. ......... .,....
Resolved, That a strict subordination of the mil
itary to the civil law is one of the pillars of repub
lican liberty, and any attempt to abridge destroy
it by suspension of the writ of hGbeds corpus,
to supercede the civil law upon the plea Of military
necessity, or. to institute a supreme law power,
would be revolutionary and despotic.
ResolUed That the late act of Congress conscript-
ing those who had put substitutes in the army was
. gross violation of plighted Faith between the
government and her citizens andis well calculated
to destroy the confidence of the people in the sta
bility OF the government, and the wisdom and hon
esty of Congress and the administration.
ResOlUed, That North Carolina, as a sovereign
hac he Oh N n,,nc NIL he
present good, and future happiness of her ctzens;
and when she is forced to choose between militia
~ despotism and her State sovereignty, for the
good of her people, she will choose the latter by
Convention of her citizens.
ResolUed, That tie prompt and decided course of
Gov. Vance, in maintaining the rights of the peo-
pie, and the supremacy of the civil over the mill
tary law, meets our unqualified appreciation; and
we embrace the present a fit occasion to assure
him that the people will in the future, as they
have in the past sustain him in the protection of
their rights and the discharge of his duty as the
Executive of North Carolina; and that we most
respectfully and earnestly request him TO convene
the Legislature at early day, if, in his judgment,
the interest of the people and the maintenance of
our rights as citizens of sovereign and indepen.
dent State, require it ,.r-. T..
ResoIOed That we regard this as q favorable op-
portunty to re assure our. brave soldiers on the
tented field that no effort OF ours will be spared to
provide for their wives and children in their alb
sence, and that exhort them not to desert their
comrades in arms, but to stand by their rights,
hoping that speedy and honorable peace may
crown their tolls and dangers 49,.
ResolUed, That the name of Gen. T j. jackson is
dear to the heart of every patriot and that his
kindness of heart to bis soldiers and brave deeds
commander, have excited the applause and admi
ration of the civilized world; and that this meeting
in appreciation of his goodness and greatness, raise
the sum of 5000, as a contribution for erecting q
monument to his name, and that said amount be
placed at the disposal Of bis Excellency, Zebulon
| B. Vance. ...- .. :
Resoloed, That we endorse the public press in
North Carolina that in favor of the settlement
Of this bloody cruel war by negotiation; and that
a copy of the proceedings Of this meeting be sent
to the Raleigh Standard for publication, and that
those public journals in the State favorable to an
| honorable peace be requested to copy.
On motion of j. R. Goats, ten delegates were ap-
pointed to attend the Meeting to be held in Smith
| field, on the 7th instant after which the meeting
! adjourned. WIN. ID. COATS, Chm'n.
s. OGBURN, Sec'y.
| We are requested by Gov. Vance to acknowledge
| the receipt from DR.. j. T. Leach of 5000 to be ap
propriatsd to the proposed monument to Stone"al
! Jackson.