Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-12-07
HON. j. T.. LEACH's REsoLU-
TIONS AND REMARKS.

tu0 LULU q. l.. 'AosSu oA0aoN tn0 @o'A0"
ing
JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN FAVOR OF LIBERTY.
N1ereas, The unfriendly, unjustifable
and unpatriotic interference of citizens OF
! the non-slaveholding 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-
stltution of the United States and by the
laws of Congress, has been the prolific
cause of cruel, bloody, and relea
war that has no parallel in point of atrdUley
| in the annals OF the world between peo-
pie protesting the Christian religion:
And uhereas, The citizens OF the slave
States, at an unguarded moment, under
! the influence of unwise 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 for precipitating the
Confederate States out Of the Union,
which has been. followed by a train of
fearful consequences not contemplated by
those who advocated the measure:
AAdachereas, We, the Representatives of
the people OF the Confederate States, 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
an honorable, just and permanent peace,
not incompatible with the principles as
laid down i'll the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States, nor with the inalienable rights
OF treemen:
Resolved, That the reserved rights Of
the States should be>guarded with Witch
full and jealous vigilance, and that any at
tempt to infringe upon those rights should
be resisted by all lawful and proper
means.
R,sozved, That whenever the govern
ment Of the United States shall signify its
willingness to recognize the reserved rights
OF the States and guaantee to the citizens
OF the States their rights OF property, as,
provided in tho Constitution OF the United
States and the laws OF Congress, to the
end that peace may be restored and our
future happiness and prosperity perpetual
l ed, we will agree to treat for peace; and
that such terms Of peace as may be agreed
to by Commissioners appointed by the
respective governments, or by the States
acting in their sovereign and independent
character, and ratified by ma ority Of
the people, shall constitute the bond Of
peace between the North and the South.
Mr.. Leach said:
Mr.. Speaker: The resolutions that 1
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. trust, sir, that they may not pro-
duce discord in our midst. ALI ask is,
that they may have calm, careful, unpre-
JUDGED hearing.
We do not offer them unadvisedly... l
have consulted my friends as to the pro-
priety of introducing them, as well as to the
proper tune and circumstances. There is
different opinion as to the proprlety Of
time and circumstances.
do not offer them for the purpose of
strengthening the arm OF the enemy
That has been effectually done by the
President in his speech in Macon, Ca, and
more efectually strengthened by the Gov
ernors Of the Confederate States and the
President, when they recommended the
use Of negroes as soldiers in the Confed-
federate army. do not offer them for
the purpose OF discouraging our heroic
soldiers, who have braved the leaden hail
OF death upon the bloody battlefield. l
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. l offer them
because am satisfied that my constituents,
both citizens and soldiers, desire an honor
able peace. l offer them because I am
satisfied that the prayers OF Christians,
statesmen and patriots have been poured
out for peace, and that the great heart a
the nation is pulsating for peace. l offer
them because | know that war is relent.
less, cruel, blind monster, killing where he
cannot make alive, and reaping where he
has not sown.
Mr.. Leach desires to be understood as
not including the "border States" in his
resolutions, the ordinances of secession
having been adopted in the "Cotton
: States" long before the " border States
went out. The latter acted under the
pressure of circumstances over which thew
had no control.
MIR. Montague, Of Va, said he did no,
design saying anything when he entered
the hall to-day, but he was unwilling to
let the resolutions Of the gentleman from
North Carolina pass without protest.
He>reviewed them eloquently and earnest.
~, and moved that they be rejected.
Numerous gentlemen called the ques.
ton.
Mr.. Leach asked that 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.
Fuller, j. NJ. Leach, J. 7. Leach, Logan,
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