The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-10
GOVERNOR HCLDEN'S MESSAGE
o TIE ". =. COT CFU[LOV. =
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, N. c., !
Raleigh, October 3, 1865.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, N. c., ]
Raleigh, October 3, 1865.
Gentlemen Of the Convention
do not deem it my duty, under the circum-
stances, to address you formal and elaborate
message III relation to public affairs. Your
duties are too plain to require suggestions from
me, and l entertain no doubt those duties will
be promptly and faithfully performed.
North Carolina attempted, in May, 1861, to
separate herself from the Federal Union This
attempt involved her, with other slaveholding
States, in protracted and disastrous war, the
| result of which was vast expenditure of blood
and treasure on her part, and the practical abo-
liton of domestic slavery. She entered the re-
bellion slaveholding State, and she emerged
| from it non-slaveholding State. In other re-
spects, SO far as her existence as State and her
rights as State concerned, she has under
gone no change. The President of thee nited
States wisely determined that her existence as
State should not be extinguished, but that un-
der that clause of the Federal Constitution which
guarantees to every State IN The Union a re-
publican form of government" her people, 10
Convention assembled, might SO alter and amend
their Constitution, and adopt such measures as
would restore the State to her Constitutional
relations to the Federal government, and thus
secure once mole to the people thereof the i'm.
measurable benefits and blessings of the Union.
Allow me to congratulate you, gentlemen,
upon the favorable circumstances which surround
you, while engaged in this great work of restor-
ing the State to her former and natural position
1t is my firm belief that the policy of the Pres:-
dent in this respect, which is as broad, as liberal
and as just as the Constitution itself, will be ap-
proved by the great body of the people Of the
United States; and that the period is not dis
tant, if We are true to ourselves, and properly
regardful of the reasonable expectations of our
friends in other States, when our Senators and
Representatives will resume their seats in Con-
gress, and when our State will enjoy, in COM
mon with the other States, the protection of just
lasas under the Constitution of our fathers. In
the touching language of your most worthy pre-
siding officer, "We are going home. Let pain
full reflections upon our late separation, and
| pleasant memories of our early union, quicken
our footsteps towards the old mansion, that we
may grasp hard again the hand of Friendship
which stands at Inc door; and sheltered By the
old homestead, which was built upon a rock, and
has weatisered the Storm enjoy together the long
bright future which awaits US"
take it for granted, gentlemen, that you will
insert in the Constitution provision forever
abolishing slavery or Involuntary servitude in
North Carolina; ans that you will submit the
| COBstlt utIen, WheTaltered and amended, to the
people of the State at the ballot box for ratifca
ticn or rejection. do not doubt that fife Con
stituton, thus altered and amended, will be rati
| fed by immense majority Of the people.
. | send herewith the Report of Jonathan
Worth, ESQ, Public Treasurer, setting forth the
| State debt, the condition of the Sinking Fund
aud also a general view of the State finances
both at home and abroad. Also Reports from
the Banks and Railroad Companies, showing
their condition; and reports from the Supern
tendent of the Insane Asylum and the Principa
of the Asylum for the Beat aod Dumb and the
Blind containing statements of the coudition Of
these institutions. I also send herewith Re
port from the Public Treasurer in relation to the
! State property, to which, with the other Reports
| referred to, / invite your careful attention.
/ 1t will afford me pleasure, gentlemen, to fur
nish you with ATTY information in my possession
which you may desire; and beg you to be as
sured that will be ready at all times to CO.
operate With you in such measures as may be
deemed essential to promote harmony among
our people, and to restore the State, at the
earliest practical period, to its constitutional re-
lations to the Federal government.
have the honor to be, with much respect
! Your obedient servant,
w w HOLDEN,
/ Er4 Provisional Governor