The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-05-30
Gov. Worth's Message to tho North Carolina
Convention. rE


Gov. Worth's Message to tho North Carolina
Convention. 8.
Tho following is Governor WoRTIfs Message,
recently sent in to the Convention Of North Caro-
lima:
Gentlemen Of The Conueation:
Since your adjournment last octooer, nothing
has como to my knowledge touching our position
in reference to the Federal Government, which il
not matter OF public history. AT your previous
session you made tho requisite amendments to
the constitution, and passed the ordinances be-
loved to be necessary to complete reconciliation
with tho United States and our restoration to
national fraternity. Although our people, with
remarkable unanimity, yielded their nssent to
your action, and were ready, without any excep-
e to ho saes %o
laws and constitution thereof, VIC have been
grievous)y disappointed by tho rejection of our
members from the Congress of tho nation. This
rejection has not been placed OH the ground of any
rrcgularity in their election or qualification. While
Congress recognizes tho existence of tho State
government to the effect of Incorporating into
the constitution Of tho United States our amend
ments made thereof, they continue to govern and
to levy taxes without allowing us any participa-
ton in making the laws or imposing tho national
taxes. Congress has been sitting for some five
months without providing any torms on which it
is proposed to recognize our admission. We have
elected men whom wo believe to be as loyal as any
men in the United States, every ono of whom Ia
bored to preserve the Union until hostilities had
renewed ID ready to renew his oath of fidelity to
the government of the United States Whether
any one of them could conscentously swear that
he never aided or sympathised with the rebellion,
do not know. fno member can bo received
from the States lately i'll rebellion without taking
the Congressional test OATH it will amount to prac-
tcal disfranchisement. 1t was presumed when
you adjourned in October last, that by this time
the Union would have been fully restored, or that
Congress would have defined its policy Of restora-
ton. Neither event has occurred. Neither the
President nor Congress has yet made known any
further requirements. Il have no information
which warrants me in making any suggestions to
IN vnrrf
erly take tending to produce the desired harmony
between us; 80 act as to retain our self-respect,
and give to our late enemies Just grounds for
the continuance OF ill will against us. National
prosperity cannot bo restored until reconciliation
and concord shall be re-established. If bitter
is to be continued, let oil of us strive to CO.
operate with the President in his patriotic plans
and refrain from giving any just excuse for tho
continuance OF such feeling, and hope the day
become satisfied that their distrust OF us is un-
founded, and that tho religion we profess as we'll
as public policy, demand mutual forgiveness and
ton from the public Treasurer, suggesting GER
tain amendments to the revenue acts OF the last
General Assembly: I commend his recommends
ton to your favorable consideration. In conse-
quence OF the order OF the President of the
United States relieving the Provisional Governor
entered upon the discharge of my duties as
Civil Governor, in conformity with your ordinance
on the 28th day OF December last had to en-
counter some irregularities growing out of the
transition, but with the universal desire Of the
PooPAo W. ASotoho oAuCiS NJ
have presented themselves in putting into action
the machinery Of civil government in the State.
In my official correspondence and intercourse
with the executive officers OF the United States
and with Breyet Major-Genersl Ruger, the mill
tary commandment of this State, all have exhibited
o uniform disposition to avoid unnecessary jar
rings in the discharge Of our respective Duties
and a readiness to cooperate with me in every
thing tending to restore the cordial reconciliation
between the lately belgerent sections of our
country. / learn from General Ruger, to whom
the President of the United States has lately as
signed the chief supervision Of the Freedmen's
Bureau in this State, that he wo lid gladly give
to the civil courts Of the States full jurisdiction in
all matters relating to freedmen but that he feels
embarrassed in doing consistently with his in-
structons on ccognt Of certain provisions and
conflicting constructions OF the act of the General
Assembly, passed at it's late session, entitled San
act concerning negroes, persons of color or of
mixed blood" &c. His difficulties are understood
to grow out of the ninth and eleventh sections of
the act. As it is very desirable that the civil
courts shall mete out uniform justice to all, white
and black, according to law and that all cause of
dissatisfaction to Coz fct OF jurisdiction should
be avoided, recommend the subject to your con-
sideration. My relations to your body as con-
ceive, do not warrant me in submitting any
recommendation whatever in reference to the
scope Of your action. Hence had not Intended,
until your call of Yesterday, to submit any mes
sage whatever. Having the fullest confidence In
your wisdom could not obtrude my views or
wishes on you. May God guide your councils to
results beneficial to our unhappy country.
JONATHAN WORTH.