The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-04-02


force of arms; and that the doctrine that the
supremacy of the general government has been
established, and that the paramount allegiance
of the citizen has been acknowledged as due to
the United States.
4. Resolved. That we sincerely exalt in the
fact that as q nation now absolutely a
nation of Freemen. and that the in all his
course over our wide spread country no longer
shines upon the brow of slave. Without re-
seryation We heartily endorse the great measures
of Civil Rights and Impartial Acknowledgement
without any property qualification conferred
without distinction of color, and that we arc
ready to unite in the early practical attainment
OF these inesimable privileges. Although the
mortal remains of Abraham Lincoln now rest
silently beneath the soil of his adopted State. yet
his voice still rings like clarion through the land
earnestly summoning every American citizen to
the support of the great Party of Liberty and
Emancipation.
5. Resolved. That as the most potent and
efficient means by which the South can speedily
regain her lost prosperity. we earnestly advocate
the spreading of knowledge and education among
all men, and that to the attainment of this great
end, we demand and shall persistently and firmly
insist upon the absolute right of free discussion
and free speech on all subjects of public in
terest.
g. Resolved. That we join in an earnest wish
for the maintenance untarnished and undimmed
of the public credit and plighted faith of the
nation.
z. Resolved, That in the lnantanance of the
position taken and the principles this day avowed.
we earnestly invite the influence and corporation
OF men OF all political persuasonS, who regard
and cordially support the recent action of Com
gress as solution of our present political diff
cuties; that we deprecate partizan violence and
desire peace and good will toward all men, and
if in an open and fearless effort, which we pro-
pose to make on every suitable occasion, to per-
suade and convince the people. that our highest
and trueSt Is be yel nv
maintaining the principles of the Republican
Party an earnest interest should be awakened,
it will be from other cause than a rigid adher-
ence to what we regard sacred right and
solemn public duty.
During the sessions of the Convention speeches
were made by Hon. R P Dick, Hon Thos Settle,
D NJ Carter, ] B Odom, D Heaton, w NJ Cole
man, c r Thomas, and others, (whites,) and Jas
II Harris, J Hood and G W Brodie, (colored J
All spoke in conciiatory tone.
CoNGREss-A concurrent resolution was
adopted that the respective officers adjourn both
bodies, on Saturday, to the first Wednesday in
July. Then unless otherwise ordered, to adjourn
the first session sine die.
Mrs. SURRATT.-The extraordinary scene in
the House of Representatives, when Butler bold
ly charged Bingham with helping to hang ian
innocent woman" will revive the discussion
throughout the country with regard to the guilt
or innocence of Mrs. Surratt, who was hanged
July Z, 1865, with others, convicted of conspi-
racv to assassinate President Lincoln. Mr. Bing
ham was the Assistant Judge Advocate to the
Military Comm ission, and, in alluson to the part
his position necessitated in the trial, Butler
said:
/ "If during the war, the gentleman from Ohio
Mr. Bingbam) did as much as l did in that d.
rection, should be glad to recognize that much
done; but the only victim Of the gentleman's
proves that know of was an innocent woman
hanged upon the gallows. His only victim in
the one Mrs Surratt. l can sustain
the memory of Fort Fisher ifhe and his associates
can sustain him in the blood of woman tried
by military commission, and condemned with
out sufficient evidence in my judgment"
1t will be remembered that the bulk of the
testimony against Mrs Surratt rested upon two
witnesses, Lloyd and Weichman, while most of
the off setting testimony in her favor was of the
most respectable character; and her confessor,
who administered the last consolation of religion
declared that "as God lives Mrs Surrat was To-
nocent of the murder of President Lincoln or of
any intent or conspiracy to murder him" Payne
pronounced her innocent, and Gen. Hartranft
| said that he believed Payne.
All these things will be read with fresh iu-
terest, particularly in the light of the Supreme
Courts decision with regard to trials by military
| commissions and in the face of the fact that a
man like Butler, in an unguarded moment, pub.
licly confessed what possibly many other men Of
Buffers political faith believe to-day.-Ne,o
York World.
~We are glad to learn that the wheat crop
L.. - boo, IN; rroI by tho oolJ uvo,tbo. W.