Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-11-13
.QC&le9r:apbit.
Visit of the North Carolina DeIega-
tiOn 10 the President.

WASHINGTON, November TO- To-day
members OF the late North Carolina Con-
vention and other gentlemen OF that State
visited the President, when the Hon. Mr..
Reade, on behalf of the Convention over
which he had the honor to preside, presen-
ted for his favorable consideration certain
of its proceedings saying, among other
things, that the first act OF the Convention
was to declare her uninterrupted connec-
tion with the Union, and that the ordinance
of May, 1861, by which she was attempted
to be severed, was null and void. }E
This was done by vote very nearly ap-
preaching unanimity, and thus the first is
sue in the late war was yielded. The next
thing done was to prohibit slavery, and
this was by a unanimous vote, and COM
mttee of able lawyers was provided to
prepare wholesome laws for the considera-
tion of the Legislature; and thus the second
issue in the late war was yielded
The Convention having yielded that
which was involved in the war. and being
of the opinion that the State always had
been In the Union, and that our relations
had been disturbed, and not destroyed, re-
spectfully ask Your Execllency to declare
on the part of the authorities of the United
States, as the State has done on her part,
that our Government relations have been re-
constructed.
The Convention instructed the Legisla-
ture to provide for the payment of the debt
of the State, and declared that all debts
| contracted in aid of the rebellion to be ille-
gal, and prohibited the payment of the
same.
Mr.. Reade said We have heard that not
withstanding the State might yield, and as
we understand, has yielded all that was in
| volved in the war, and notwithstanding our
people were submissive, well disposed and
anxious for fraternal relations, her delega-
| tiOn In Congress would not be admitted iin-
less they had qualifications not prescribed
| by the Constitution; that they would be re-
| quired to take an oath which few men in
the State can take, affirming, not merely
that they are right, but that they have
never been wrong. .r.j ra'F1...r '.-.'
The exclusion of her delegation upon any
such test as suggested, would be felt by our
people universally as such deep wrong
that it would put their strong devotion to
the Government and their lively hope of q
perfect reconciliation to the seyerest trial
They can understand the bitterness of strife
and the aversion to treason, but they will
| be confOunded at the repulsion of offered
friendship and avowed loyalty.
J The Convention, therefore, respectfully
asks Congress to repeal the test oath. have
thought it respectful, both to you and Con-
gress, that this request should pass through
your hands, with the hope that Your Ex-
cellency's magnanimity would add to it the
same reflection which would avail tina
body. s".n
After further remarks by Mr.. Reade, il
which he spoke of the confidence reposet
in him by North Carolina, the Presiden
responded as follows: -
Hon. Mr.. Reade:
receive from you with pleasure copy
of the proceedings of the Convention 0
North Carolina. l Ireciprocate cordially tn,
cOnciliatOry, spirit in which you have ad
dressed me. The Convention of North Car
olina has done much and well toward re-
storing the State to her proper national re-
latons, but something yet remains to bt
done to render that restoration immediate
ly practicable. An acceptance of the Con
gressional Amendment abolishing slavery
throughout the United States by the Leg
isiature of the State Of North Carolina is, II
my Judgment practically important to tn
successful restoration which is so much de
sired by all without answering specifically
the questions you have proposed to me. |
will be sufficient to say that my actiol
must depend upon events, and that MI
|, Holden will be again instructed to continu
the exercise of his functions as Provisions
Governor until he shall have been express
ly relieved by order to that effect.