The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-30
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hood, of Cumberland

address the Convention. He said that he ra
joiced that the hour for doing even handed ms
ticc to all men and all races had arrived-when
every man should have his just rights accorded to
him and maintained Let us not now tritter
away the precious moments, but go ahead. There
is no use waiting for Conservatives. [Applause I
Let them go up. They are in the way of the ma
ton, and they must get out oft. Let US educate
| the colored people. Give them all the advanta-
gcS which the whites possess, and with such an
even start there can be q fair race. Gov. Worth
proposed to COLOMBO them. What humbug!
Send all your aborers away? What folly We
need the colored people here to retain the capital
in the country, which has already come down
here from the North to improve the lands.
| Mr.. Settle, of Rockingham, the chairman of the
committee on resolutions reported series which
were read from the Clerks desk. [Thcy are given
in full, ms passed, below.
| Mr.. Settle, said he would not detain the Con-
vention by any extended remarks. The resolu-
tons spoke for themselves. He referred, how
ever, especially to that one which seemed to touch
the heart of every decgatc-the resolution in re-
lation to the REPUBLIcAN party, where we pledge
| ourselves to the maintenance of its principles.-
| lCheers That resolution, sir, meets my hearticst
appreciation, .and only hope that hereafter we
shall forever keep even step with the great party
which saved and perpetuated the Union and the
| Constitution. Prolonged applause
Mr.. Dick then took the floor. He said that the
members of this convention were the pioneers in
the work of reconstruction-the true eXponents
of the grand ideas of the age, for we find both
races here assembled, rising above mere prejudice
and minglng their efforts in godlike majesty of
now completing the work Of the old revolution
we are fulfilling the expectations of all true Re-
publicans, in re-establishng and pertecting free
institutions upon the basis OF liberty and roiaIity
The speaker here referred to the Congress at Halt.
fax-he said that its name had come down in his
tory, renowned the world over because its mem
beers cutting loose from the old, but mistaken
idea of the world that man was incapable of self
government, established q constitution so sutcd
to the development of all the generous impulses
of the human heart, that, under its beneticent
| n. -Isin f1,n 40 ,fC odd al
run career of prosperity, unsurpassed for its
glories, which were those of peace and not of
war. He drew picture of the happiness OF this
n1tlon-then ill gloomy words recalled the men,
cries OF that disastrous era, when the wall of the
mourner was heard in all the land, and the gaunt
spectre of famine assailed the threshold of every
| habltaton. When the war ended, he said in
stead of meeting with contumcly or receiving
harsh terms from the conqueror he imposed SO
| light burden, that all were astonished. Under
| the influence Of this kindness, what was done?
Anything towards restoring the government up
! on a stable foundation? No, nothing in reality
For it is sad fact that the mass of the Southern
people, still led by the pardoned leaders of the
rebellion, grew defiant, neglected the plain re-
quiremcnts of duty, and INDUCED in invective and
denuncaton towards the greatest statesmen of
! the republic. Therefore, the work of reconstrue
ton remains yet unaccom plshed We have now
the terms once more laid down, we know the
guarantees necessary to be given for future good
behavior, and as portion OF the people, we have
assembled to express our willingness to carry out
the laws OF Congress in word and spirit In Or
der to do so practically, We have further deter
mined to unfurl the brilliant banner of the Re-
publican party. We shall then be in fraternal
concord with the Northern people, and Union
Liberty, Equality become cardinal principles for
all ages Mr.. Dick paid glowing tribute to the
colored people, their remarkable fidelity and
loyalty The heresy of the past is exploded. We
can now see that justice and confidence will do
more to win their affections, than anything else.
Let us now inculcate feeling of nationaty-a
broad sentiment of patriotism not confined within
State lines. The speaker then delivered an elo-
quent eulogy upon America, and closed amid the
applause of the delighted audience
ter.-REP.]
Mr.. Coleman, of Cabarrus, arose to say that
ne was glad the line was to be drawn here to-
day: Let those, who had never bowed their knees
TO Baal, keep that line well defined because its
oblitcration benefited the secessionists, who
were now all "Union'' men. Let lis be called Re-
publicans, and devote ourselves to the mante-
nance of the principles of that party. Mr. Cole
man referred TO his consistency in the past-he
their friend, and rejoiced to see them start in
the race even with the white man. He had no
fears of the success of their race. For civili-
Nile, he thought it would yet be ornamented by
the intellects of the dusky sons OF that cline
transpantcd to free America. Tine speaker was
frequently interrupted by bursts of applause
Rev. Geo. W. Brodie of Wake, coiored. was
loudly called for. He said that he had wished to
remain silent member of this Convention. But
being thrown into the battle, as it were, he deemed
me-a grand and sublime sight In the Capitol
OF North Carolina we are assembled-this Con-
vention of whites and colored. Look at the past
history of these races, behold them in the present
What wonderful sight for the eyes of all meni
[Cheers We have moved ahead of all others
step in advance of other people, there is not
VINO now wishes to go back! These are the
reasons, why these things are q wonder to me =
Applause.
am rejoiced also sir, at the tone of modera-
ton observed in those resolutions. With the
nI1r in I,a rNncf fhn no11
ed people still desire to send forth loyal princi-
pies of good will to mankind appealing to the
honorable sentiments of the human heart l am
glad this is SO. AS a colored man, am watched,
observed and feared. When left my home in
the South years ago, went to enjoy the freedom
of the British government. But loved my ma
tive South-1knew in my heart that should yet
come back freeman. And have SO returned,
thank God. [Chccrngl
Those resolutions also speak of party The
colored people are in favor of one party-the
party that bears on its banner and in its heart
the motto of Union, Liberty, Equality Give
us that-iberty to enjoy ourselves in the highest
sense of the term, for it is sweet to US. We love
it. Else may ask you IN the language OF Burns,
If I'm designed yon lordling's slave,
By natures law designed,
Why was an independent wish
Fer planted in my mind?
| [Sensation and great applause.1 But we have
adopted the name of Republican. l love that
| name have ever been a republican and 7 can
I
| before they get through with it. Laughter and
| cheers. Continue your course, my friends, and
you will succeed-for the colored man will stand
by his friends.
| Let me, however, undeceive my white friends
| They regret the war-we do also because of its
sufferings, but do not regret it as they do for
! it brought US LIBERTY! Let them remember that
fact always, and we can never differ Oh other
| points.
| have before also said that love nv country.
| We all love it, but the colored man hates its
wrongs to him. But we bury the past-it is
swallowed up in the glory of the present [Great
applause.l Look at the progress of our people
their wonderful civilization. What have We to
fear in competition with the whites, if they give
US a fair race? We will make good citizens, some
| of our people statesmen of renown. l appeal 10
a Douglas and a Langston. The slave from the
dank swamp and cotton field, to-day delights the
most refined audiences in the nation with varied
learning and polished oratory, completes before
| the most eludite gentlemen Of the republic be-
| fore the learned Supreme Court Of the United
States, in discussions upon the profound matters
of constitutional and international law GSensa-
ton We have reason to be proud-to thank
God, who made Abraham Lincoln an instrument
OF our deliverance. Now that the tree of liberty
is planted, with its roots watered by such show
| ers rs these, can stand under the pleasant
shadow of its branches and cry happy Happy
| [Applause.l
| This is glorious event. No modern history
records such an event. But going back two
| thousand years, we can find q parallel in the