The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-08-22

ueiude the PUBIC m1nQ iAto .uO oS1AeA '.ioe
there is some one in power, who IS usurplng
and trampling upon the rights OF the Con-
stitution. It is done by those who make
such charges for the purpose OF covering
their own acts. That's so, and applause l
have felt it my duty, in vindicatlon OF
principle and the Constitution OF my country,
to call the attention ofmy countrymen to
these proceedings. When we come to exam
inc, who has been playing the tyrant, by
whom do we find despotisnl exerclsed AS
to myself, the elements of my nature, the pur-
suits of my life have not made nae, eth er in
my feeling or in my practice oppressive. My
nature on the contrary is rather defensive in
its character, but will say that, having ia
ken my stand upon the broad principles OF
liberty and the Constitution, there is not
power enough on earth to drive me from it.
loud and prolonged applause Having
placed myself upon that broad platform, l
have, not been awed or dismayed, or
inundated by either threats or encroaeh-
ments, but have stood there in con-
Junction with patriotic spirits sounding
the tocsin of alarm when deemed the clta-
del of liberty in danger. Great applause
Isaid on aprevious occasion, and repeat now,
that all that is necessary in this great strng-
gle against tyranny and despotism, was that
the stru. ygle should be sufficiently audible
for the a merican people to hear and proper
ly understand They did hear, and looking
on and seeing who the contestants were and
what the struggle was about to be determin-
ed. that hey would settle this question on
the side oil the Constitution, and ofprinciple.
proclaim here to-day, asI have on previous
|, ~ = int
of the peo OLE In the darkest hour of this
struggle, when the clouds seemed to be most
lowering, MY faith. instead of giving way,
doomed up through the cloud beyond while
I saw that all would be well in the end
My countryInen, we all know that tyranny
and despotis IN in the language of Thomas
jefferson, can be exercised and exerted more
effectually by the many than the one. We
have seen a Congress gradually encroach,
step by step, and violate, day after day, and
month after rnonth, the Constitutional rights
and the fund.- amental principles of the Gov
eminent. VIE have seen Congress that
seemed to for get that there was q limit to the
sphere and scope of legislation. We have
seen Congress in minority, assume to usurp
power which, if allowed to be carried out,
would result lin despotism, or in monarchy
itself This is truth, and because Others as
we'll as myself have seen proper to appeal to
the patriotism and Republican feeling of the
country, we have been denounced in the
severest terms. SANDER upon SANDER, vitu-
peration upon '7ituperation of the most vii
famous character has made its way through
the press What, gentlemen, has been your
and my sin 2 what has been the cause of our
Sffending9 will tell you. Daring to stand
by the Constitution of our fathers. Iconsid-
er the proceedin gs of this Convention, Sir, as
more important than those of any Conven-
ton that ever as sembled in the United States
[Great applause When I look with my
minds eye upon that collection of citizens
comm together voluntarily, and sitting in
council with ideas, with principles and views
commensurate wit h all the States coexten-
sive with the Who'll e people, and contrast it
with the collection of persons who are trying
to destroy the coun try, regard it as more
| important than any Convention that has as
sembled since 1887. Renewed applause. !
think may also shy, that the declarations
that were there made, are equal to the De-
claration of Indepen dence itself. and here
to-day, pronounce tn EN- second Declaration
of Independence. Cries of glorious and a
most enthusiastic and. prolonged applause.
| Your address and declaration are nothing
more nor less than re-afirmation OF the
CONSTITUTION of the United States-yes,
will go farther and say that the declaration
you have made, that tine principles you have
! enunciated in your. address are second
Proclamation and Elm ancipation to the peo-
pie ofthe United States-( renewed applause)
for in proclaiming and re-proclaiming
these great truths yon haze laid down q
Constitutional platform upon which all can
make common cause and stand united to
gether for the restoration of uhe States and
the preservation Of the government without
reference to party.
The question only is the salvation of thu
country, for one country rises above all party
considerations or influences. How many
are there in the United States that now re
auire to be free2 They have the shackle.
ubon their limbs, and ere bound as rigidly
as though they were in fact in slavery. Ire
peat, then, that your declaration is the sec
ond Proclamation of Emancipation to thu
United States, and offers common GROUND
upon which all patriots can stand. LAP
plause.
[ Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me- il
this connection, ask what have to gain NOR
than the advancement of the public welfare
am as much opposed to the indulgence o
egotism as any one, but here IN converse
tional manner, while formally receiving tn.
proceedings of this Convention, may b,
permitted again to ask, what have / to gain
by consulting human ambition, more than
have gained9 Except in one thing, my rac'
is nearly run; have been placed in the higl
Office which occupy under the Constitution
of the country, and 1 may say that hav,
held from lowest to highest, almost ever,
position to which man may attain in GU
Government; and surely, gentlemen, thi
should be enough to crafty reasonable
ambition. If wanted authority, or if
wished to perpetuate my own power, how
easy it would have been to hold and wielt
that which was placed in my hands by tn
measure called the Freedmen's Bureau bill
Laughter and applause. With an arm,
which it placed at my discretion. coult
have remained at the capital Of the nation
and with fifty or sixty millions of appro
priations at my disposal-with the machine
ry to be worked by my satraps and Deepen
dants in. every town and village. and theI
with the Civil Rights bill following as al
auxiliary aughter)- in. connection will
all the other appliances Of the Government
I could have proclaimed myself DICTATOR
But, gentlemen. my pride and my ambition
have been, to occupy that position which re
tains all power in the hands of the people
It is upon that I have always relied it i
{. upon that L rely now; and I repeat tina
neither the taunts nor jeers Of Congress. no
of subsidized calumnia ting press can driv
me from my purpose. Great applause.]
acknowledge no superior except my God, th
author of my existence, and the people Q
the United States. Prolonged and enthusi
astic cheering.l For the one I try to ODE
all his Commands as best can, compatibl