The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-08-21


such charges for the purpose of covering
their own acts. That's so, and applause
have felt it my duty, in vindication Of
principle and the Constitution of my country
to cali the attention ofmy countrymen to
these proceedings. When we come to exam
inc, who has been playing the tyrant, by
whom do we find despotisnI exercised AS
to myself, the elements of my nature, the pur-
suits of my life have not made me- eth er in
my feeling or in my practice, oppressive. My
nature on the contrary is rather defensive in
its character, but I 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, 1
have not been awed or dismayed, or
intimidated by either threats or encroach-
ments, but have stood there in con-
jnuction with patriotic spirits sounding
the tocsin of alarm when deemed the cita-
del of liberty in danger. Great applause. !
said on a previous occasion, and repeat now,
that all that is necessary in this great strug-
gle against tyranny and despotism, was that
the struggle should be sufficiently audible
for the American 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 they would settle this question on
the side of the Constitution, and of principle.
proclaim here to-day, as I have on previous
occasions, that my faith is in the great mass
of the people. 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 we'll in the end
My countrymen, we all know that tyranny
and despotism in the language of Thomas
Jefferson, can be exercised and eXerted more
effectually by the many than the one. We
have seen Congress gradually encroach,
step by step, and violate day after day, and
month after month, the Constitutional rights
and the fundamental principles of the Gov
eminent We have seen a Congress that
seemed to forget that there was 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 in despotism, or in monarchy
itself This is truth, and because Others as
well 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 vituperation of the most vii
famous character has made its way through
the press. What, gentlemen, has been your
and my sin what has been the cause of our
offending2 I will tell you. Daring to stand
by the Constitution of our fathers. Iconsid
er the proceedings of this Convention, Sir, as
more important than those of any Conven-
ton that ever assembled in the United States
[ Great applause When 1 look with my
mind's eve upon that collection of citizens
comm together voluntarily, and sitting in
council with ideas, with principles and views
with all the States coexten
sive with the whole people, and contrast it
with the collection Of persons who are trying
to destroy the country. I regard it more
important than any Convention that has as
sembled since 1887. Renewed applause.
1 think may also say, that the declarations
that were there made, are equal to the De-
claration of Independence itself, and 1 here
to-day, pronounce them second Declaration
of Independence. [Cries of glorious and a
most enthusiastic and prolonged applause
Your address and declaration are nothing
more less than re-atfirmatlon OF the
CONSTITUTION of the United States-yes, I
will go farther and say that the declaration
you have made, that the principles you have
enunciated in your address are a second
Proclamation and Emancipation to the peo-
pie ofthe United States-(renewed applausel
for in proclaiming and re-proclaiming
these great truths yon haAc laid down a
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 the
for one country rises above all party |
influences. How many
Ire there in the United States that now re-
luire to be free2 They have the shackIes
lbon their limbs, and are bound as rigidly
IS though they were in fac in slavery. l re-
0eat then, that your declaration is the sec
md Proclamation of Emancipation to the
United States, and offers common ground
upon which all patriots can stand. Ap-
olause.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, let me, in
his connection, ask what l have to gain more
han the advancement of the public weltare2
am as much opposed to the indulgence of
,gotism as any one, but here IN converse
ional manner, while formally receiving the
of this Convention, l may be
permitted again to ask, what have I to gain,
~ consulting human ambition, more than
lave gained? Except in one thing, my race
S nearly run; have been placed in the high
'ffice which occupy under the Constitution
f the country, and l may say that have
eld from lowest to highest, almost every
position to which a man may attain in our
Government; and surely, gentlemen, this
hould be enough to crafty a reasonable
inhibition. If 1 wanted authority, or if
VlSned TO perpeCuate my own power, now
asy it would have been to hold and WELD
hat which was placed in my hands by the
MEASURE called the Freedmen's Bureau bill
Laughter and appIause.l With an army
,hich it placed at my discretion, could
ave remained at the capital of the nation,
nd with fifty or sixty millions of appro-
riations at my disposal the machine
7 to be worked by my satraps and Deepen
ants in every town and village. and then
18th the Civil Rights bill following as an
lxiliary-Q aughter)- connection with
i the other appliances of the Government,
could have proclaimed myself Dictator
ut, gentlemen, my pride and my ambition
ave been to occupy that position which re-
ins all power in the hands of the people.
is upon that 1 have always relied; it is
Don that 1 rely now; and I repeat that
,ither the taunts nor jeers of Congress. nor
subsidized eliminating press can drive
e from my purpose. Great applause-l I
knowledge no superior except my God, the
thor of my existence, and the people of
e United States. Prolonged and enthusi-
tic cheering For the one try to obey
his. commands az hest T can cOnonatible