The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-09-12

Gus of irresponsible men, or Gfnot al
together such body ofhaving transcen-
ded its legitimate powers and usurped
others never committed toit, by display
ing to you the dreadful consequences
which must follow the establishment OF
the charge. Having been member OF
it, l gave due consideration to the ques-
ton whether the Convention was le-
gitimate body or not, and, fit were,
What powers it possessed 1t is true,
that | preferred, that, in raising our
State government from its utter prostra-
ton caused by the late war, we should
pursue, as nearly as practicable, the
forms to which we had been accustomed,
and was, therefore, in favor OF allowing
the Legislature to assemble even under
the military banner and provide for call
ING Convention in the mode prescribed.
SO urged upon Gen. Sherman, in our
first interview after his arrival at the
seat of government, and I found him
altogether disposed to the same course.
asked him if he would furnish trans
portation on his lines of railroad for the
members who might desire to attend,
and he replied that he would. When
about one month afterwards, visited
the President, in company with other
gentlemen from the State, to see what
line of policy was to be pursued to en-
able the State to resume its political and
civil condition, l urged on him the pro-
priety of allowing the members ofthe
Legislature to convene, because this
was the mode prescribed, by our Con-
stitution, for calling Convention. He
unhesitatingly disapproved of it, saying
there was no Legislature; that it was
elected, qualified and organized as
body in rebellion against the United
States, and was not a legal body
l urged him to waive this and allow
them to convene for the mere purpose
of calling Convention, and, among
other objections, he said: "Suppose |
should allow it and thus recognize the
legal existence of the rebel State Gov
eminent, and the Legislature should re-
fuse to conform to such terms as may be
deemed essential to suppress the reb-
elton and restore the State to its duty ?"
replied that he need not fear it, that
there was, at this time, no one Ofthat
body who might not be led back into
the Union with silken thread" The
President was, however, fixed in his
purpose of ignoring the existence ofany
civil authority in the State, and he even
maintained that there had been no law
full authority of any kind since the reb-
elton had become open and fragrant
l did not concur with him in all he
said but mention this to show how
great, in his opinion, was the necessity
for thorough fundamental organiza-
ton of the Government, and how ample
and unrestrained should be the powers
ofthe Convention. In his proclamation,
issued few days afterwards, he reaf-
firms the views above expressed, and
says that the rebellion "has in its req
dictionary progress deprived the people
Of the State Of NORTH Carolina Of all
ciyH government" that sit becomes nee
essa,y and proper to carry ont and en-
force the obligation ffthe United States
to hepeople Of North Carolina in Sc
curing them IN the enjoyment Of a re-
publican form Of government"
Therefore, as president of the United
States and Commander-in-C Chief of the
army and navy of the United States"
he appointed William w. Holden
provisional Governor of the State of
North Carolina, whose duty it shall be,
at the earliest practicable period, to pre-
scribe such rules and regulations as
may be necessary and proper for con-
vening Convention, composed of dele
gates to be chosen by that portion of
the people of said State who are loyal
to the United States, and no others, for
the purpose of altering and amending
the Constitution thereof, and with au-
thority to exercise within the limits of
said State all the power necessary and
proper to enable such loyal people of
the State of North Carolina to restore
said State to its constitutional relations
to the Federal government as will enti-
tie the State to the guarantee of the
United States therefor, and its people
to protection by the United States
against invasion, instruction and do
nestle violence Provided, That, in
any election that may be hereafter held
for choosing delegates to any State Con.
vention, as aforesaid, no person shall be
qualified as an elector, or shall be eli.
gible as member of such Convention
unless he shall have previously taken
and subscribed to the oath of amnesty
as set forth in the Presidents proclama
ton of May 10Th 1865, and is a voter
qualified as prescribed by the Constitu
ton and laws of the State of North
Carolina in force Immediately before
the Goth. day of May, 1861, the date
of the so-called ordinance of secession
and said Convention when convened, ol
the Legislature that may be thereafter
assembled, will prescribe the qualifica
lions of electors and the eligibility O
persons to hold office under the Consti
tuition and Laws of the State-a power
the people Of the several States compos
ing the Federal Union have rightfully
exercised from the origin of the gov
eminent to the present time"
In pursuance of the powers granted
Convention was called, and the quail
ifications of those allowed to vote were
suggested by the provisional Governor
and submitted to and approved BY tn,
President. All were allowed to vote
who were loyal and would then TAXI
the oath required by the President, ex
cept such as might fall within some on,
of the executions r. was roon;rod :.