The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-02
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. %, 1867.

| JOS. A. BEEBE,
| WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. %, 1867.
lMessrs. William r. Haughton Charles
| Blair, and Joseph A. BeeJe, Committee.
| GENTLEMEN Your letter of the 10th
instant, informing me of my nomination by
the Republicans of Chowan County, as Del
egate to the Constitution Convention, finds
me here at the national capital, where both
| public and private business has detained me
| several months. hardly know what ans
! wer | ought to give you. Although in the
Spring of 1864, broke up my residence
elsewhere and became a citizen of North
Carolina, which I still consider as my legal
home, yet as business engagements of my
own as well as official duties in connection
with the government, have kept ME from
the State much of the last year, feel some
delicacy in accepting your nomination. My
sympathies and interests are all with you, but
fear to some L may seem stranger. But
would not be thought unmindful of the hon
or conveyed in the request of the Republicans
of Chowan, to be their standard-bearer." I
know your steadfast devotion to the flag of
your country and to the princi Piles of your
fathers-the eternal and undyng doctrines
OF liberty, justice and right. You are ready
to work for the common veal when so many
who should be in the front are seeking the
rear. You have sounded truce to despair
and Indifference, and for your chidren's
sake are hopefully toiling for better state
of things. l am proud to rank myself as one
of your number, and l would not shirk any
responsibility or duty which you might put
upon me: and as yon tell me the nomination
is unanimous vote of a Convention of the
Union Republican voters of the County, l do
not feel at liberty to decline it, and there
fore shall accept the nomination, and if
elected to the Convention pledge you an earn
est effort for an honorable and faithful
discharge OF the duties of the important
trust.
The people of North Carolina are passing
through the most important period in all
their history, and there should be no dis
guise of issues, or of candidates, but
all should be as open and honest as the
dav.
If go into the Convention I 60 as one
thoroughly believing that all citizens should
stand as equals before the law Principle
and policy both alike demand his. Crime
should receive like punishment by whomso-
ever committed. Every citizen is equally
bound to support the government which
protects him, at all times by his taxes, and
In time Of war by his strong arm All, thus
sharing in its burthens, should also share its
PtO>NSeA'Ai'
loyal to the government, should enjoy the
treeman's highest prerogative, the right to the
ballot. And every citizen should enjoy the
privilege of sending his children to free
School, supported by an equal tax upon
every citizens property. If member of
the Convention, my vote will at all times
be given for laying the foundations of the
State upon these, as l believe, sound and en-
during principles of equality and justice The
at Ch thor ;ol.
white nor black but its burdens resting
equally upon all shoulders, let all share
equally its protection; and as all are bound
by its laws, let all have a voice in their ma
king
The creator has dealt beautifully with
North Carolina. She has within her bounds
the elements of great State In develop
ing and building up her future greatness and
prosperity there is work enough for all
hearts and hands, and it is hoped the day
will come right early when the peace of the
State, and the safety of all classes of citizens,
shall permit the abolishing of all test oaths,
and the introduction of universal suffrage
North-Carollna wants now the united help of
every son of hers, native or adopted Shall
we not bury all hates and resentments, all
the i'll passions born of the war, all memo
ries of masterhood and slavery, all talk of
outlawry, punishments and confscation, in
the great grave which yawns behind us {; and
as tellow-citizens of a glorious common
wealth, forgetting as much as we can of the
past seize upon the promises of the rising
future Look about you and, if YOU are a
humane man, you will say there has been
already more than enough of sacrifice and
suffering. The craftsmanship which North
Carolina now demands is not that born of
petty hates and narrow prejudices, which
crawls through ruins and haunted places.
like Il vile thing of the night; but the mag
unanimous and generous craftsmanship which
rises up to the full level of the great occasion,
standing with its open face to the high
noon OF to-day, taking within its kindly
grasp, with a common regard, all interests
and all classes and leaving the past to the
bats and owls legislates for the broadening
future.
Such, as understand it, is the spirit of
the Republican party; the party which
now controls the destinics of the nation. and
will continue to control them. 1t is in such
spirit that shall attempt to discharge the
duties of the place to which you lave nomi-
mated me, if the election shall second
your nomination. -,.. i
The old flag, first unfurled by Washington
at Cambridge, is again to be lifted up, and
float in power from the Potomac to the Rio
Granoe, and the people will hail its coming |
as the return of an old friend, and in its clear
blue no star shall be frmer set, or irradiate q !
more patriotic light, than the star of North |
Carolina. |
Earnest in that faith, I am, respectfully. !
gentlemen, your friend and fellow-citizen.
j. r. FRENCH. i