The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-11-20

in0uc6mtnL ~
First-I came here with an earnest desire of
eifectng some good
Secondly-I am here by invitation. re ~ |
You have my fellow citizens, done me the rare
honor to say told you the truth in by-gone |
days, aud that you desire 10 near IL from me
again. 1
NV success in the accomplishment of the first |
object that of doing good, depends upon two
considerations: First-whether am right in the |
views that entertain upon the all-important aud
paramount subject of the best speediest and most
successful mode of our restoration to the Union
or in other words, the resumption o; our forfeit
edrights by the attempt to secede from the Union.
Secondly-My success in convincing those who
differ with me of their error, and the fatal con-
sequences likely to grow out oft. aSt sitl' |
Many of you present will bear me witness when
say that have never attempted 10 practice off
upon youa falsehood. have always endeavored
TO be honest with myself, and with you, and
whenever the interest, and guucraI good Of my
country, my whole country, demanded it, / have
never hesitated, regardless of consequences pre-
sent or prospective, to myself to declare the
whole truth. And to-day, prompted by like
motive, intend to declare the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth to you.
Many OF you are, no doubt, anxious to know
the ground occupy in reference to the proposed
plan OF Congress for our restoration to the
Union you wish to know what, am for and
what am against. .iIi.s
That is part of my business here to-day; to
tell you am in favor of the Congressional plan,
as now proposed, in view of the fact that we
have had better plan offered and rejected it
think if we reject the present terms that no
discretion will be offered us in the future, hence
/ am Republican per sc, the present and future
good, peace, happiness and prosperity of the
country, without regard to latitude or geograph-
ical lines, without regard to race Or color.
Here stand and here l intend to stand, for
the good OF all, come veal or come wo, come life
or come death. tffa ~
Perhaps it might be well for me to remark,
-,
occupy; l wear no mans or parties collar, as
has been charged. When become SO obsequiOus,
so seryie, SO craven spirited, as to wear any
mans collar, shall consider that l am filter
subject for the halter than the collar-colars be-
fit slaves and not freemen. H3-4
After having said thus much upon what am in
favor of, | think there is but little room for my
position to be misapprehendedS or my views
misunderstood.
Let Inc now reverse the picture ana tell you
what am opposed to. fc5
lam opposed toa any policy calculated to retard
or prevent our restoration to the Union upon the
plan now proposed by Congress.
am opposed to all political secret oath-o bound
associations upon principle; they stir up strife
in neighborhoods; they destroy political conf
dence, and, if persisted in, will sap the very
foundation of republican form of government.
III have not studied the principles of repub-
lican form of government in vain, its object is to
bcstow the greatest amount of good upon the
greatest number, without detriment to the
minority.
Ii gentlemen occupying different stand point
can discern enough OF good in secret organiza-
tions to neutraliZe the evils have enumerated,
will accord to them not only the right of enjoy
ing their opinions, but will accord to them SUI
perior sagacity and craftsmanship
The feverish anxiety, fearful Generalization of
the country, and the many dangers that surround
US, requires the exercise of all the forbearance,
prudence patriotism, and craftsmanship that can
be brought to bear in the .amicable settlement of
Nhnrafn af nf fnrr af mot
are in the hands and under the immediate eve of
Him who can supply all human defects and that
we should ask His benedictions in behalf of our
troubled country; that the liberties and happiness
of the people may be cnnsecrated afresh to the
cause OF freedom.
Let us look little further into the terms pro-
posed or offered us for our restoration to our for
feted rights under the Constitution:
Upon close examination of the terms think
it is apparent to the mind of every thinking man
that Congress had a two-fold object in view in
the terms proposed. First punishment of the
guilty. Secondly, reward to those whom they
supposed innocent of the crime of secession.
think the law falls very far short of accomplish
ing either object; in thousands of instances it
excludes the loyal men from any participation in
the restoration, and in as many instances rewards
crime by admitting those to participate in the
reconstruction of the government who were fore
most in its attempted destruction. I don't speak
of these things complainingly, but simply to
show how little those in power know of the real
condition OF the people of the South. To say
the least of it, think there is great want of
craftsmanship shown in the reconstruction acts.
Notwithstanding there is not a just and proper
discrimination made in the reconstruction acts,
yet there is one feature in them that ought to
challenge the admiration of the world, at the
same time disarm those who attempted TO break
up the government of their hostility to 1t, many
OF whom are now endeayoring 10 defeat the plan
before the people. .5'lf (. e.i.
But one man held under duress; not drop of
AAl Nd 10. a..rtE on1f ~ afo hi.
crime of treason, and yet the leniency of the gov
eminent seems only to intensity their hatred.
Let me admOnsh those who seem disposed TO
thwart the object of the government to remember
accounts for the privilege that they now enjoy OF
insulting the mercy and forbearance of that gov
ernment, no further discretion, in my opinion,
will be allowed u.s. We have to 60 back into the
Union, though as many of us be left by the way
as was OF the children of Israel in their pilgrim
aye from the land of Egypt to the promised land.
The Republican party suppressed the rebellion,
and they will restore the Union; they have the
position and the power, and they will exercise it
mark the prediction. r4
Now, my black tellow-citizens, desire to ad-
dress some remarks to you particularly, and while
! do it, let me bespeak your strict attention.
You now in stature but children in mind
the circumstances under which you have been
placed in the past, and the laws regulating the
relation between master and servant, accounts
for it; it is your misfortune, and not your fault.
Win your nmlLeQ capacity LOT compromising
your obligations, and the laws that are to govern
us in the future, all we ask on your part is to
make as good citizens as you did servants, and
all will be well with us We commiserate the
helpless condition in which you are placed, and
arc willing to assist you. +e --sE 3l
Your fidelity and subordination to your former
masters challenges the admiration of the world,
and might well put to blush the example of those
who claim higher degree OF mental and moral
culture. -s q tif
In view of the position that you occupy in
society," in view of the obligations that you are
under to the law, in view of the general good, in
view of the peace, happiness and prosperity OF
the country at large, make law-loving and law
abiding citizens, use and not abuse your rights
as fleemen; keep yourselves aloof from all en-.
tangling alliance with political partizans, and
scavengers OF party; they have been the banc Of
the country in the past and will be more so in
the future if they can but secure your influence
Improve your minds and morals give good ad
vice and lay good examples in your families
impress upon their minds the importance and
necessity of like course Of conduct; be polite
be honest, be industrious, be careful and success
will crown your honest efforts.
Those who wish you well, those who wish
themselves well, those who wish the- country
well, deprecate the idea either of a white mans
party, or negro party; they desire freeman's
party, without regard to race or past relations
FOL the mutual good of the two races and for the
peace happiness and prosperity, Individually,
and collectively, OF the whole. .I.. "a
In reference to your freedom, my col0red
friends, have the candor to say you are moi
indebted to me for it.
1 was opposed to the war; said and done all
could to avert it, and when it did come threw
myself in the breach; insisted upon peace upon
the best and speediest terms possible under The
And how gentlemen protesting to occuDv the