The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-18
THE NATIONAL CONVECTION.
address Il Gov. orr to ne People II Esnfh-


ton to the call for a National Convention,
issued by the Executive Committee of that
body, and recommended by many of the
most eminent and patriotic members Of both
branches of the present Congress.
The importance of this meeting, and the
beneficial consequences to result from it, can
scarcely be exaggerated. Separated as we
have been for the last five years from all COM
munication with the people of the North
and West, knowing but little of their opin-
ions, except as expressed through the unjust
and oppressive action of tile bitter partisan
majority which at present controls the Ma
tional Legislature, this is the first opportu-
nifty which has been afforded US to take free
and equal counsel with those who feel i'm
PEELED by sense of high patriotism to OPP
pose the unjust schemes of the radicals in,
their systematic effort to oppress and humil-
late the people of these States, and defeat, if
possible, the reconstruction of the Union in
definitely. =
The address states clearly the principles
upon which we are expected to act in com.
mon, and it seems to me that there is not one
to which this State cannot subscribe in hon
or and with sincerity. We simply recognize
those results which the events of the late
war have placed beyond the bounds of any
future political discussion-resul in which
we have unanimously and sincerely acquies-
ced, and in conformity to which we have al
ready modified our Constitution, our legis-
lation and our political sentiments.
We are invited to Join in an acknowledge
ment of the wisdom of that policy by which
Andrew johnson, President of the United
States, has, in the midst of difficulties un-
paralleled in the history of any administers
tion, maintained the integrity of the Consti-
tuition, identified the exercise of Executive
power : it'll the rules of strict justice and the
spirit of mercy, and proved his legitimate
right to succeed the great founders Of the
Republic as the Chief Magistrate of COM
mon country, which can be made and pre-
served as one nation only by the equal adj
ministration Of just and equal laws.
The purpose OF the Convention will he to
organize. upon the principles set forth in the
Committees address. all conservative men of
all sections, and of all former parties, and, if
possible. drive from power that Radical par
ty who are daily tr,mpling under foot the
Constitution, and fast converting a constitu-
tional Republic into consolidated despo-
tism.
The great mass of the people, North and
West, have no higher interest in party than
through it to secure the wise, enlightened
and just government of the country, and
when organization is effected and the Presi-
dents enlightened policy of reconstruction
is presented for their approval or condemns
ton, there can be little doubt that he will be
triumphantly sustained, and our rights as
equals in restored Union fully conceded.
The compact organization of the Conserv
alive men is a necessity to meet successful
ly the well-organized bands of the Radicals,
and every man who disapprcves of the ty
rannical and unjust policy of the latter
should join in this national patriotic league
to defeat them. @
We are without representation in both
Houses of Congress; neither our opinions
nor condition can be officially known to the
country; unjust and discriminating taxes are
imposed on us, a people sadly impoverished
by the calamities of the last five years, and
we are allowed no voice of protest even in
the counsels of the nation. Our loyalty to
the Government of the United States is i'm
pugned in the face of our oaths of allegiance
taken solemnly and in good faith, and the
poor privilege of an official denial is with
held. We are threatened with disfranchise-
ment. and being remanded to Territorial
condition, and we are to be denied all the
rights and privileges dear to an American,
consecrated by the blood of the heroes of
1776, until we subscribe to terms too degra-
ding and humiliating to be entertained by a
freeman for single moment.
We then have the deepest interest in the
meeting of the Convention, in organizing the
Conservative men to aid in carrying out the
wise and generous policy of reconstruction
inaugurated by President johnson, and l
therefore reiterate the earnest hope that you
will take immediate steps to secure the rep
resentation of this State in the Philadelphia
Convention in August, by the wisest and
ablest men in the State.
As the time is short, the means of inter-
communication between the different sec
tions of the State imperfect, l beg leave re-
specially to suggest, that public meetings Of
the citizens of each Judicial District he held
on the fourth Monday in July, instant, (23)
at the Courthouse, that delegates be APP
pointed at these meetings to Convention of
the State, to meet at Columbia, on Wednes-
day, the first day of August, and that the
State Convention appoint the delegates to
Philadelphia; each judicial District sending
as many delegates to Columbia as may be
convenient or agreeable and that Convention
determining the vote of each District, which
will, perhaps, be vote equal to the repre-
sentation of each District in the House of
Representatives.
The delegation from the several judicial
districts making up the Congressional dis
tricts will most likely be charged with the
selection of two delegates for each district,
and the whole Convention select the four
delegates at large to represent the State
The selection of the delegates for the State
at large would seem to. require State Con-
vention, and if it assemblies, it would be de-
sirable, as already indicated, that it should
likewise select the district delegates.
These suggestions as to the mode OF select
ing Convention the time and place Of
meeting, and the basis of its organization are
made in the hope of certainly securing ac-
ton in every district, and there is not time
otherwise to settle by discussion, or consul
tation, the details which have ventured to
make. JAMES L. ORR,
Vice-P President ofthe Union Club for South
Carolina
ANDERSON, s. c., July 4, 1866.
The Smith family have had 40 members
in Congress, while the Johnsons number, 30,
the Browns 20, the Whites % the Thomp