The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-18

Extra Session II the Legislature Message Of
Gov. Browuiow. {.
Gentlemen of Tie Senate ana
House of Representatives !:

have been convened. The main purpose,
and that which constitutes the present an
extraordinary occasion, is briefly but directly
stated in my proclamation OF the 18th OF
June, calling you together. 10 that paper
respectfully refer you. -
Under the fifth article of the Constitution
of the United States, Congress has proposed
as an amendment to that instrument a four
teenth article, which has been duly certified
and communicated to this Department by
the Secretary of State of the United States.
Copies of said proposed amendment, with
the authenticating certificate and letter of
Enclosure of the Secretary of State, are here
with transmitted for your consideration and
Invoke your action as promptly as is con-
sistent with the gravity and Importance OF
the subject.
beg you to bear in mind in your delibera-
tions that while the most of you have be
at all times personally and Individually loyal
to the United States, as whole you repre-
sent State the most of whose people went
into rebellion, raised one hundred and fifty
four regiments, and sent them into the field
to fight against the National Government;
levied war against the United States for four
wears, and were finally conquered and re-
duce,l to the conditfo( 1f inhabitants of a
subjugated province, wholly at the mercy of
the conQueror By the law of nations and
the laws of war the General Government has
an undoubted right to prescribe the terms OF
settlement to the State of Tennessee. These
terms have been prescribed, and are now
presented for your acceptance or rejection l
have every assurance that, when they are &C
cepted, your Senators and Representatives
will be admitted to their seats in Congress,
and the State at once reclad with her long
lost rights Are these terms reasonable 3
For my own part, they seem to me to be but
the decree of political justice and equity
made necessary by the result Of the rebellion.
BY the first section, equal protection in the
enjoyment of life, liberty and property, is
guaranteed to all citizens.
Practically this affects mainly the negro,
who having been emancipated by the rebcll-
ion. and having lost that protection which
the interest of the master gave him, became,
by the vry laws of nature, entitled to the
civil rights of the citizen, and to the means
of enforcing those rights. To deny this to
him would be TO place his life, property and
labor in the power of every unfriendly l,cal
authority or evil disposed person, and would
age. It will also prevent unjust and oppres-
sive discrimination by one State against the
citizens of other States.
By the second section, classes who are dis
franchised without crime are not to be coun-
ted in ascertaining the basis of Federal rep
resentation.
This, too, may he regarded as one of the
results of the rebellion, IA change made neces
sary by our changed condition. We now
have among us n class of freemen to whom
we deny the ballot, and all other political
rights. Have we right to count them
against the enfranchiscd citizens of other
States2 If so, then will three of our citizens
(rebels though they may be) equal in the po-
litical balances four citizens of any Northern
State however patriotic. And one citizen of
South Carolina or Mississippi will balance
two citizens or Union soldiers who may re-
side north of the Ohio Certainly the South
is not in condition to claim SO great a po
litical advantage in the national adjustment
now proposed, unless, indeed, there be merit
i'll rebellion.
The third section is intended to prevent
that class of rebel leaders from holding Office
who, by violating their official oaths added
one great offence to another. 1t is meant as
safeguard against another rebellion, by
keeping out of power those who brought on
and are mainly responsible for that through
which we have Just passed. These men. in
law and Justice, forfeited their lives and their
property, but benign and merciful Gov
eminent inflicts no punishment or disability
upon them than such as is necessary to pre-
vent them from repeating their crimes No
loyal citizen will object to this section.
The fourth section declares the validity of
| our national debt and that debts incurred or
| losses sustained in aid of the rebellion are
void.
This is simple declaration of the honor
able intentions of the nation, and will be
understood by every American citizen who
is worthy of the title.
It also refuses compensation for slaves lost
or emancipated by the war. As our slaves
were lost by the rebellious conduct of our
own people, we should not expect to tax the
nation to pay for them.
This brief analysis of the proposed amend
ments exhibits magnanimity on the part
of the American people, through their rep
resentatives in Congress, which challenges
our admiration. Viewed as terms of final
adjustment between the conqueror and the
conquered, their mildness and freedom from
all penalty is without a parallel in the history
of nations.
/ I congratulate you on your good fortune
in having the opportunity of being the hon.
ored agents of restoring the ship Of State tc
her ancient moorings, soon again to set sail
upon her voyage of prosperity and glory
But little over year ago you assembled in
the capital and took Charge of the State
She was PROSTATE, bleeding and helpless.
The Courts were nowhere held with safety
4 and justice was administered only in a few
fortified posts. County governments wert
broken up, and peace officers made no efforts
to- perform their duties. And anarchy. witt
all its horrors, reigned supreme Without
a treasury or revenue laws, the credit of thu
State was destroyed, and our grand system
of railroads was in ruins, while guerrillas
prowed without restraint over the State
You have placed our giant State upon it
feet. Under your jndicious legislation tn,
Treasury has been able to meet the heavies
demands the credit of the State is rapid,
rising to its former maximum height You
railroads are nearly all in running order anG
paying their interest on their loans, while al
. your Courts are open and justice is admins
tered in every part of the State. It is nov
your proud privilege to restore the noble ole
Commonwealth to her ancient position il
the Union of our fathers. As you have per
formed your duties heretofore in defiance
the abuse and denunciation of traitors, SO
am confident you will do in the future
needless of threats or dictation from an,
source.
Iregret that duty requires me to bring t.
i your notice any other subject than the might,