The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-24
GEN. HOWARD'S ADDRESS BEFORE
THE N. c. CONVENTION. sasf

THE N. c. CONVENTION. aa.f
Remarks of Gen. Dockery and Judge Redde.
From the Raleigh Standard.
According to previous notice, large and at
tentive audience, consisting of members of the
Convention, citizens, ladies and soldiers, assem-.
bled the 18th inst, in the CoNmons Hall, to
hear the address of Gen. 0. o. Howard, Chief
of the Freedmen's Bureau at Washington. The
General was introduced by Gov Holden.
The General proceeded to address the Con-
vention. He begged leave to assure them that
he came with the kindest intentions for the
purpose of doing practical good to the white
man as well as the freedman. That he had en-
deavored to carry out faithfully the instructions
of the President, and that all his circulars had
been submitted to and approved by him. lie
was now on tour to South Carolina. In pass
ing, he thought that good might be accomplished
| by addressing the Convention of North Carolina
He was glad of the opportunity to Go so.
He had been handed the report of the Com
nittee upon Freedmen. lie asked leave to read
it, as it so nearly coincided with his own views
and purposes which were to establish some sys-
tenn of local laws, whereby social order might
| prevail and the evils resulting. from q sudden
change in the status of society be averted. The
General read the report. THE report was pub
shed last week He commended the course
therein recommended. He looked with interest
| to the action of the Convention, and future leg
islation on this matter. He had confidence
enough to believe that it would be sufficient in
time to rectify all evils. But he feared that no
laws could be passed or 60 in force before the
first of January next, owing to the necessity of
| thorough Legislation in the matter. 1t was
necessary, he thought, that before that time
that some local courts should be established,
say three Justices in each County, who should
settle all differences arising between the whites
| and blacks, and enforce law and order. He had
| no doubt but that any County could thus regu-
late its affairs and impose order and quiet upon
all classes of its citizens. .,I
Alabama and Mississippi had pursued this
course, and he now made the suggestion to the
| members of the Convention of North Carolina,
that they should adopt some similar method -
He hoped that he was understood-he desired
only the good Of the people. ,-t.
The General said that the Freedman's Bureau
thus far had accomplished all it could. No per-
sons were sustained in ideness, and vagrancy
about cities was diminishing In this it had ac
complished its purpose-to break the shock of
the sudden revolution in society aud labor. He
did not come to advocate equality-merely to
make practical suggestions and further solu-
tion Of the difficulties under which we labcred
The Bureau would probably exist one year,
probably longer. 1t had no means at hand, and
this was the reason why officers already in the
pay of the government were assigned to this
duty, because they could draw their pay as such
officers He would have preferred upright, in
| tellisent citizens for this duty, but his means
had been limited. AS soon as North Carolina
was restored to the Union, the freedmen would
be turned over to her care This is where the
matter properly rests. In the meanwhile, he
came to cooperate with citizens of the State in
the endeavor to establish local courts for the
adjudication of all difficulties between the races,
urtil the Bureau ceased to exist and the State
took the charge upon herself. ...... .
The General also referred to and enforced the
necessity of schools to disseminate Intelligence
and virtue among the freed children. He
thought no discipline better for them than that
of the school room. ,. ,.,...
10 closing, the General reiterated his kind
feelings, and said that he would like to hear
facts and suggestions from some Of the members
present. .. h.. --. .-..t.
After short pause, the audience called on
General Dockery. The call was repeated, when
the delegate from Richmond arose aud addressed
them.
GEN pocKERY's SPEECH
He said that he was 10th to address the as
sembly, when so many more able than himself
were present, but as General Howard had called
for facts and information, he would give him
such as he had.
He came from the South Carolina line, from
County lying on the Pedee. He always had
kind feeling for the negroes. They had nursed
him and had nursed bis children. This kind
attachment still existed, lie was disposed,
therefore, to do the negro justice. He belle we'd
that the State of North Carolina bad been abo-
litionized by the war, and that the people would
do them justice. ..... .. ....- -s..-ea-
But the negro did not now rightfully COM
prehend bis situation. He had many crude
ideas Of liberty. He thought liberty consisted
in the privilege of roaming wherever he wished
and cessation from labor Vagrancy was great
misfortune The negroes wandered off to the
cities, searching for crowd. Some came back
with marvellous tales, and rendered whole neigh
borhoods dissatisfied Besides, the men did not
seem disposed to support their families. They
would not work, and the women and children
could not support themselves. -.{-y
In conjunction with mean, demoralizea white
men, they had omnitted many depredations on
stock and property, stealing cotton, and killing
hogs and sbsep. In support OF what he said,
the General cited many instances OF his own
personal knowledge.
He said that now the prevailing question iD
the country vas what to do with the negro In
old times it required all the energy of the master
to make living on the woInout lands of his
country, and now that the negroes would not
work, no living at all could be made. We're
they to be driven away like the Red Men, or
should they be allowed to die in our yards from
starvation He did not believe that our people
would allow them to starye; but they would not
work, and what was to be done In his County
al f0 last