The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-01


self-government, because hostile to the
nation and under the nations power,
as conservator of the peace, authorize
the loyal and true men, regardless OF
race or color, to organize governments.
excluding so many of the unrepentant
rebels as shall be found necessary fol
the permanent security and preservation
of the Union. In this WAY, and no 9th
er, we verify believe those guarantees
may be obtained which clearly define
and certainly protect the American cit
izen, equalize representation, give suf
frage to loyal voters only, disqualify
the traitor from franchise and office
make secure the national debt incurred
in the cause of liberty, forever silence
the holders of the rebel promises, ele
vate manhood, reward devotion to the
Union, and secure the blessings of lib
erty to our posterity and to yours. We
plead for these things, not for ourselves
and fellow-sufferers only, but for oul
still bleeding country, from which cap
tai, enterprise, free labor, free speech
the blessings of education, the rapid
strides of internal improvements, and
enlarged progressive views, are virtu-
ally expelled by ignorance, stupidity,
bigotry, treason, and rebellion.
We ask for early, speedy, sharp, short,
and decisive action, and we ask it in
the name and in behalf of the millions
of devoted friends of the Uunion inhab-
iting the best parts of the continent, no
one of whom can claim that he enjoys
the blessings of free, republican gov
ernment or the security which the Con
stitution Of the United States guaran-
tees to the citizens.
Therefore, your memoralists submit
herewith the resolutions of our associa-
ton, and respectfully admonishing
Congress Of the dangers and increased
complications Of delay, they pray your
honorable bodies for Immediate action
in accordance with the principles an
nounced. Justice, mercy, and the ma
tional security alike demand the rem
edy.
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, in the war carried on
against the United States by the States
of Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Louis
lana, Mississippi, North -Carolina, South
Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Florida,
the said States were subjugated, com
PEELED to lay down their arms and sub
NIT to the power of the nation:
rescued that the government of those
States, Trained in spirit hostile to the
uation aud repugnant to its Constitu-
tion, were overthrow by the result of
the rebellion andceased to exist.
Resoluea, That at the moment of the
surrender of said States, no form OF
government having been provided for
them by Congress, their population pas
sed under the authority of the Presi-
dent only in his character of Comman-
der-in-Chief of the army and navy of
the United States.
ResOloed, That in his military control
of the inhabitants of said States the
Commander-in-C Chief had no other right
or lawful power than to hold them in
control and maintain order until the
will of Congress could be made known.
Resoloed, That in calling together
bodies of men in siad States for the
purpose of framing constitutions of
civil government, the Commander-in-
Chief has transcended his power as an
executive magistrate, and that the gov
ernments thus instituted are not valid
in law.
Resolved, That it is the duty of Con-
gress to set aside the governments
brought into being by the unlawful ex-
erclse of power by the Commander-in-
Chief, and 20 institute new governments,
founded on republican principles, and
calculated to protect in life, liberty,
property, and all the natural rights of
the inhabitants of said States, and to re-
strain and punish such as are evil dis
posed and enemies of the Government.
Resolyed, That among the principles
on which the new State governments
should be based, we respectfully urge
upon the Congress to adopt the follow
ing, to wit: Admission to the right of
suffrage and eligibility to office of all
loyal citizens of the United States, of
whatever race or color they may be-
until relieved by Congress,
from the right of suffrage, and from all
OIuCSS vi Hoiioi, u uoU, VI piOho, "hSeh
er under the Government of the United
States or any territorial, State, munich
pal, or other authority whatever, of all
persons who held office under the Con-
federate government, or any State, or
power, or authority proclaimed hereto
fore by Congress or the Executive in
against the United States,
said Office was military or civil,
Or of whatever nature it may have
been; and also of all persons who
voted for the ordinance of secession, or
who adhered to the rebellion and gave
it aid and comfort.
Resoloed, That this association do
recommend to Congress either to pro-
vide measures and means for the imme-
liate call in each State of a convention
20 frame State constitution, or to in
stitute in each State a preliminary es-
;ablishment analogous to a territorial
government. ....
THOS. J. DURANT, President.
DANIEL H. BINGHAM, Secretary.
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