The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-19
Tor tho standard

For the Standards
IRANDOLPH O0URT--LEFTER FROM MAJ
WORTH AND REMARKS OF MIR. DICK.
81 SKATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
RANDOLPH COUNTY.
.stOourt Of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Augus
Term, 1867.
B. A SELLERS, ESQ.,, Chairman and presi
ding Justice, introduced and caused to be
read in open Court, the following letter from
Bvt Maj W. s. Worth, U. S. Army, com
manding Post at Greensboro, N. G.
H'D'oRs MILITARY Posi- OF GREENSBORO
GREENSBORO, N. c., Aug 4. 1867.
DIR. SELLERS, Chairman Of tile Court 81
Pleas and Quarter Sessions
SIR:-RepOrts are continually coming to
these Headquarters that many of the cltl-
zens of Randolph County refuse to obey the
laws and openly defy the civil authorities
This condition of affairs is much to be re-
GREETED, and continuance of it will compel
the military authorities to interfere in behalf
of law and order. Sher1ffs, Constables and
other officers will be protected, and ifnecessa-
ry, assisted i'll the proper performance OF
their duties. Any abuse OF power or unlaW-
full action of any officer when reported to
these Headquarters will be promptly cor
rected. .t .. .,G ...
respectfully request that you read or
cause to be read in open Court the enclosed
circular from Major General Sickles' Head
quarters, dated April 9th, 1867.
'Vcly respectfully,
|, (SigneO w. S. WORTH,
Ctpt. and Bot MAJOR y. s. A., CONG Post
Whereupon the circular from Maj. General
Sickles' Headquarters. dated April 9th,
1867, was read in open Court in the presence
of large number of citizens.
Ordered, That said letters and proceedings
in this matter be spread upon the minutes OF
this Court
tits unanimously ResoIced, That the Court
return their sincere thanks to Bvt. Major
Worth fox the interest which he manifests IN
the welfare of our people. and we assure him
that we will cheerfully and promptly render
all the assistance in our power in preserving
law and order in our County,,
1917 Witness ]. NJ. Hancock, Clerk
| d. of our said Court, at office in
DEAL ASHFORD, the list Monday of Au-
(signeD J. NJ HANCOCK, CLERK.
Robert P Dick, Esq, then said:
MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT AT your re-
quest nave Icdu Opcu SouiG luC Soiiihiu-
nication addressed to your Chairman, by
BYt. Maj w. S. Worth, u. S. Army, Com
handing Post at Greensboro, N. c., and
also the Circular OF Major Gen. Daniel E.
Sickles, dated April 9th, 1867.
1 am much gratifed by the action which
you have taken upon the subject; and by
your permission will address a few words
to you in the presence of this large con-
course of citizens, upon the present condi-
ton of public affairs.
The Congress of the United States has
seen proper to place our State under mill
tary government but the local laws are still
to be observed and obeyed, except so far as
they are changed by acts of Congress and
General Orders issued from Military Head
quarters. In this matter Congress has acted
wisely and generousy-an We are fortunate
in the appointment of the men who are to
control the administration of this military
government.
Major General Sickles is brave soldier,a
learned lawyer, patriotic citizen and an &C
complished statesman, and I feel well assured
that he will in all his official acts, seek to
promote the public good, and speedily re-
store our State to her proper relations to the
general government
Bvt. Major Worth is here present. and he
has officially informed you, that he will lend
you all the assistance in his power, in pro-
perly administering the laws of the land
and in restoring order and harmony in this
community. have had frequent converse
lions with him upon public affairs, and
think l know his feelings and opinions. If
l misstate them he is present and can correct
me. He feels deeply the responsibility of
his present position and he earnestly desires
to do his whole duty. He will not exercise
his authority except in cases where he deems
it necessary. All that he requires of our
people, is obedience to luao, and those persons
who render such obedience will always find
him courteous. kind and generous. He knows
full we'll that society will soon become disor-
ganized, and every thing be in state of
confusion and anarchy unless the laws are
enforced, and he is determined that
they shall be observed by all persons both
high and low. l feel that am authorized
by him to say to you, and all persons here
present, that if you will observe the laws and
perform the duties of good citizens, you will
never feel any oppression from our military
government. You will scarcely know Of its
existence except for the benefits which it
confers.
Mr. Chairman, have frequently heard the
complaint that this military government is
unjust and oppressive, and propose briefly
to examine the foundations for such COM
plants.
Nine tenths of the laws by which we are
governed are those under which we have al
ways lived. and which were adopted by our
own representatives They are administered
in our own Courts, by the officers of our
choice, and by juries of our own people
The Legislation of Congress, and the General
Orders issued from Military Headquarters
have been required by the necessities of the
times, and they have for their object the
public good. When Gen. Sickles entered
upon the important duties of his new and
difficult position, he found the whole coun-
try upon the very verge of bankruptcy pro-
luced by the late rebellion. Our people
had commenced suing each other in our
Courts to such an extent as to threaten gen
eral ruin. In short time large amount of
would have been sacrificed, and thou
sands of families would have been penniless
and homeless. The collection of debts un-
Ter such circumstances was likely to pro-
luce much distress and oppression, and great
bitterness of feeling among our people,
General Orders No. 10, were issued to prevent
such state of affairs. In this exercise of
authority Gen. Sickles made himself public