The New York herald., 1865-05-19
AEcoNSRUCTlON m NORTH CAROLINA.
UNION EEETING in RALEIGH.
The Rebel Secretary Of State Of North
Carolina Called to the Chair.
Speeches Of ]. P. H. Russ, C. B. Thomas and
w. W. Holden.
EASON is A CRIME.
.~~--~~~N>~~~>~>>.
TEE QUESTION OF FREE SUFFRAGE.
Petition from the Negroes to Presi-
dent Johnson,
&C., &c. &C.
SON is A CRIME.
TEE QUESTION OF FREE SUFFRAGE.

avn s"o "O6iVOS W AIVSl-
dent Johnson,
&C., &C., &c.
Mr.. Jamcs G. Fitzpatrick's Despatch.
RALxoH, N. c., May IL, 1895
meeting Of the citizens Of Wake county was held
to-day at the Capitol It's object TO give expression
to tho popular sentiment regarding the restoration Of
the State to the Union The time appointed for the
meeting twelve O'clock but was one O'Clock bc-
fore the proceedings commenced At that time the
gathering was not large but before long II sweed 70
several hundreds The speakers stand was erected IN
the southwestern angle Of the Capitol square, tho
sstatue Of Washington, which was sln shrouded IN
mourning for the death Of President Lincoln The bell
which called the people together was the same which
assembled the convention in 1851 when the ordinance Of
secession was passed noticeable feature 10 tho meet
Ing was tho presence Of several rebel soldiers wearing
she rebel uniform.
inc band OF Colope Changers brigade "a attend
'snce, and intepspsrsed the proceedings with music.
Among those occupying seats tho platform weso
Aessrs B. T. Moore, Haines A. H. Page a. O. Baker,
Albert johnson, Reynolds, j. R. Harrlsou C. N" Ferris
and Royster The last mentioned gentleman rs In his
eighty year. but the indrmity Of old age could
net prevent him from participating u the meeting The
Mayor Of tho CITY, Mr. Harvison ives unable on account
of sickness, TO be present
The meeting was called 10 order by Mr. Richardson Of
he Prcgvs, and Mr. J. p H. Russ called 70 preside
M Russ who was Secretary Of State during tho Hrst
administration OF Vance, taking the chair said he was
gao 70 meet bis friends and congratulated them the
favorable auspices under which they met They bad not
been allowed TO do during the past four years. con-
1ederate bayones had prevented them He had been an
uncompromisng conservatve-a Union man when II cost
ie 70 be 80; and he thanked God they were relieved
nf ff1a kurop
The glorious old flag had returned North Carolina
never TO depart He charged the secessioniss with de-
stroying our peace and liberty. Their doctrines we're
never OF the people The people been duped by DO.
fttoal parties, and had oftenmes acted with them with
out regard to right or wrong. The responsibility for all
this bloodshcd must rest somewhere It lay with the
leaders and their wicked ambition. He believed from
the commencement that the inauguration or war would
Destroy slavery and had done So BE gave up bis us
groes, not because he believed it was wrong to hold
them-as he honestly by them-but to get rid OF
tho tyranny which slavery as an Institution imposed
Andrew johnson right in wishing to punish the
masses The leaders alone responsible Treason is
ectme, and ought to be punished. In conclusion he
appointed the following gentlemen a COMMITTEES on reso
futions:-C. r. Thomas, W. r. Richardson, W. D. Jones'
4 Q. Badger, W. Holeman, Calvin J. Rogers J. J.
The committee retired to one Of the rooms In the
cspiec and after short delberaon returned and sub
NJ G Thomas, Secretary Of State Of the late State
gov6nmsnt Of North Carolina and the chairman Of The
chem in voryappropriate speech. He glad TO
lhe people after four long Of doubts and fears
for the Onion and the preservation Of the States Ho
protested against secession No division Of the people
sSs and s s. ;ss sS gs S %
blood flowed in the veins Of his children The nrss
resolution oppressed qualification at the close Of the
would they The fully prepared 70 sui Subscribe to
Were they S again 70 enjoy peace and liberty under
He would not point out his felowsczens for punish
ment He bad no enemies. He forgot and forgave all.
son. and Affections Of the peope Of Sc ou,h In eoa ns,
be forgotten or forgiven All these men should
stand aside They should be kept from tho councils OF
She people The voices Of the thousands slain In the
cried from their graves against them. The resolu-
Sion spoke Of allegiance 70 the Union He wished say
word on tho subject Of allegiance The word had mis-
led people. II had beon misunderstood Now and
henoeforih It was to apply 10 the United States govern
had taken oath TO the Confederate States He was
esked would he now swear to support the United Statess
E answer % was nai n m long ago he % ead taken tina. oath
member OF the United States faf she not in
dict with the general government. The benefit Of his
oath had now returned TO him. His oath to
support tho Confederate States was given as q
STATE officer and TO assure his fealy TO his
remain until the civil government established
Thore was no necessity for referring to The resolution
The tongues and in the hearts Of ali the people They
bad expressed their grief Silence was the st speech
on so sad topic He advocated the movement which
looked 10 the election OF Mr. Holden 10 the quo rnatorai
chair. In conclusion, he called upon has hearers
make frcsh resolutions that the government chast
career 70 an extended Christianity and civilization and
fhat the question which had long disturbed society,
church and state should receive its quieus Let be
meeting, that human slavery shall not exist their
soil He prayed that the government would continue 10
dispense ITS blessings Of peace and liberty 10 millions aud
90 generations OF millions unborn.
Mr.. Ross again read the resolutions which were then
unanimously adopted by the meeting.
Mr.. w. W. Holden was then int oduced aud spoke as
follows:
enEgcu or Mr.. w. HorpEy
Fellow citizens OF the county Of Wakefcllow citizcnE
OF North Carolina, and fellow citizens Of the United
States OF AmericaLet us rejoice behold this
day Once moro we see the folds Of the old nsg and
wavcs above us from our Capitol; hear tho national
airs we meet and greet each other; feol in
limbs that liberty independence and peace with
agsln, never more 10 depart "Glory TO God on high
and peace and good will 10 men," That heavenly peace
a. all around day and be II remembered that ~ the
conservative party Of tho Southern States aud 10 tho
millions Of patriots of the North we owe this peace
Let the old North state rejoice that she Is In the great
American Union today and in condition again TO be-
of happiness is not unminged with aud gloom.
Npt only horc has the ploghsharc Of war left It's fur
irnd IN sos every house sroashou. the the Country
Who is responsible for this war; ruin and devastaon-
this unhappy severance Of brotherhood sprnsns from
Washington hmself7 Tho answer II easy. Bad men,
ambitious men, bad hearted who fomentcd the
work of discord and who, 10 the pursuit OF their amb
aon first severed the old national whg party then the
national democratic party These arc the men whom
have tho right 10 hold responsible Five YEAR, ago tho
people were contened prosperous and happy. The
tonai namo and Tag were everywhere respected and
iaovcrnmont tho most esteemed on earth. I hap
pcned 70 have the honor Of seat In thr charesto Con-
venton waspot there one day before saw Il wss the
nxed intention OF the secessioniss 70 break up tho gov
ernment congratulate myself that was among their
crn heart" they alas succeeded The resolutions Just
adopted give birdseye view OF the atrocities com
,ned on tho neopc of tho South. From State rights
we passed 70 the most ultra consolidation, while the
habeas corpus was suppressed AZ thai day people
ere devoted TO slavery though divided about It's intro
uction into the Territories In continuance, the trs
sors promised was involved In the war The result on