The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-06-05
Republican Meetings.

Republican Meetings.
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For the Standard.
REPUBLICAN MEETING IN BCNCOMBE co.
According to previous notice the colored
citizens of Buncombe County met at the
Sulphur Springs Academy, Saturday, the
18th May, 1857
When, on motion of Lewis Young, Sandy
Erwin was called to the Chair, and james
Hudson requested to act as Secretary.
| The Chairman then appointed the follow
ing gentlemen as acommittee on resolutions
Lewis Young, Charles Johnston, JAS. Moore,
Frederick Hawkins, Samuel Henry and b.
Jenkins
| The meeting was then addressed by
Messrs. Virgil s. Lusk, James ]. Osborne and
Thos. j. Gambler. The committee then re-
ported the following preamble and resolu-
tons which were unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, We, the colored citizens of the
| County of Buncombe, North Carolina, hay
ing met according to previous notice, for the
purpose of expressing our political senti-
ments and to organize ourselves into Re
publican party for the purpose of support
| ing the action of the Loyal Convention, held
in Raleigh, on the 9th of March, 1867, do
Resolue, That we adopt the platform of the
Republican party as set forth by the loyal
whites and blacks, in Convention on the 9th
March, and will give it our hearty support
and encouragement
Resoloed, That With hearts full to over
flowing do we hail with JOY and delight the
passing of bill by the 39th Congress, which
gives to us the political rights of citizens.
| Though we have been rescued from bondage,
| yet without this the dearest right of an
American citizen, we would be unable to de-
fend ourselves or reward our benefactors, the
Republicans.
ResolUed, That in accepting the privileges
of citizenship conferred upon us by our
friends, we are ready to discharge its duties,
and in taking up the ballot we are determin-
ed to understand its use.
Resolged, That while we are ready to for
give, We have not forgotten; while we are
ready and willing to help rebuild the State
government of our old masters and the pros
pcrity of the South, we are resolved not to
become in liberty what we were in bondage,
the unresistng instruments of the Southern
land holders, but having the right to vote,
we will exercise The right to think.
Resolved. That it having been limited
among some of the whites, that if the negro
does not vote as (they the whites dog they
will be turned out of employment simply
for exercising the right to vote rs they may
see proper. In view of this fact, we respect
fully ask the General commanding, General
Daniel E. Sickles, if our contracts with the
white man are in all other respects COM
piled with, will this kind of treatment be
alloMed2 We ask this much, because hun
dreds of our race are dependent upon this
class of whites for their bread, and were they
thus treated they might not only be induced
to barter these dearest wrishts for mouth
ful of already hard-earneG bread, but would
suffer untold miseries.
RESOLVED, That copy of the proceedings of
this meeting be forwarded to the Pioneer and
the Raleigh Standard, and other Republican
papers are requested to copy for the informa-
ton of our race.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
| SANDY ERWIN, Gsm'n.
JAMES HUDSON, See'y
To the Editors of the Standard Being re-
quested by the Committee to forward to the
Pioneer, and the Raleigh Standard, the pro
ceedings of the colored meeting on the 18th
inst, in connection Herewith, would state
that three weeks prior to the above meeting,
at the request of the colored citizens of this
County, addressed them upon the present
state of the country, and the new position
which had been called upon to occupy to
the government, and the world also, the
absolute necessity for connecting themselves
with the great Republican party from the
fact, that they could not fail to see that it
had placed them in their present elevated
position.
But just here there was opposition, and
that, too, from the usual source One of the
late opposition candidates for this county,
was exceedingly anxious that they should
bear both sides of the question. agreed,
as l knew no harm could result to the Re-
publican cause, and that good might come
of it. Hence, you see, that it was for that
that this meeting was called. And, although
| there were opposition men invited and ex-
pected to speak, there was but one present,
! and am glad to say that he turned up as
friend, and stated that he had always believ-
ed that if the negro was to be free he ought
! to be allowed his vote. believe, sir, he
meant what he said.
But the late opposition candidate Jas
above stated, said he was as good friend
/ as the negro had, but he was opposed to
their having the right to vote, and he should,
when. an opportunity was offered, vote
against it; but favored property qualifca-
ton for all classes.
This opened the eyes Of the poor white
man, there being good many present
They are not only aware that there is a
strong opposition against universal suffrage
for the negro, but they are getting their eyes
open to the fact that at heart they are OPP
posed to universal suffrage for the white
man.
would say to that class Of men, beware
who you cast your vote for. Union, liberty
and political equality should be the motto
for ALL
will close by saying that, although there
will be powerful opposition to this motto,
the true loyal whites and the colored citi-
zens will be unit in this County, and will
stand shoulder to shoulder, with the State
and national Republican party. Come
what may, they are firmly fixed and immov-
able.
am, with great respect, your friend and
fellow citizen, 7. ]. G.