Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-04-17
THE NEW ERA.
NORTH CAROLINA.
Organization and Platform Of the
Republican Party,


Organization and Platform Of the
Republican Party,
Political Equality Illustrated
The following letter 10 the New
York Post, from 9 prominent Republi-
can Of North Carolns, participant in
the convention, gives an interesting
account of the organization of the Re-
publican party in North Carolina:
RALEIGH, N. c., March %, 1867.
The Republican party of North Car
olina has thoroughly organized. Such
an event marks a new era in history
How was it donel By whomI pro-
pose to tell you.
Pursuant to the call issued by the
loyal members of the North Carolina
Legislature Explained in previous
letter., one hundred white and fifty
black delegates convened in the Com
mons Hall, in this city, on the 9th inst.
Fifty.six counties of the State were
represented, and all would have been
but for the scarcity of money and lack
of accommodations for travellers in re-
mote districts. We have an immense
state. It is two hundred miles and
over from Raleigh to the Tennessee
line, and over hundred miles to the sea
shore; therefore. under the circum'
stances, the result has far exceeded the
most ssnguine expectations, two-thirds
Of our counties being represented by
its most intelligent and loyal citizens.
There were fifty colored delegates pres
ent. They sat upon the floor beside
the whites, participated in the Offices,
honors and debates, and achieved for
their race the highest encomiums from
both friend and foe. l am not stating
one thing beyond the simple truth.
The white delegates were gentlemen
of stamina-good old-fashioned farmers
few lawyers and few professed poll
ticians. In many respects it was upon
their part q most remarkable assem-
blage. Il was almost entirely composed
of middle-aged men, IN the habit of in
duleing sober second thought upon po-
litical matters, aud exercising good
Judgment in preference to prejudice
and passion. Honorable gray hairs
Qraced the brows of many Of them, and
the wrinkles Of care on more youthful
faces spoke with mute eloQuenoe Of past
hours Of suffering and Confederate des-
potism. But there was glow in every
countenance, sparkle in the eyes of
all. a freedom Of manner which show
ed consciousness Of freedom Of thought
and liberty of independent speech.
Among the colored people therewe
many untutored sons Of the plow-l
others shopkeepeFs, mechanics. a few
preachers, and one or two politicians if
/ may so speak of the past, who. since
the surrender, have devoted their time !
to the happy oonsummation of all its
troubles, upon the basis of justice and
eousIity. Upon their faces were unut-
terable sentiments ofunutterable salts
faction-when they spoke, it was with |
the voice Of rejoicing and gratitude to
God. Some of them were aged men,
who had toiled in slavery for weary |
years. and whose honorable records in |
the past sre known to all men as gen.
tlemen and Christians. The majority |
we're middle-aged. and few were
young men. The blacks prevailed over
the mulattoes in number, and excelled |
them in oratory-but all deported
themselves with q courtesy which re-
hected credit on their good breeding. |
Perhaps 1t may appear that / am
overlooking these things, but all that
have said is strictly true. l would /
that the world had been there to see
how sweet q thing it Is for brethren to
dwell together in unity.
The hall of the House Of COMMONS
was appriately decorated with national
banners. Among them was that of the
First North Carolina Union Volunteers
which had been borne triumphantly |
through fourteen battles. Above the
Speakers stand was q record bearing
this motto in large letters, "Union,
Liberty, and Equslity." So much for
the mere psrsphernalia.
The Convention was called to order
and Hon. Alf. Dockery, the Union can.
didate for Governor last autumn, unan-
imously chosen temporary President. !
On taking his seat Mr.. D. made an ap- !
propriate address, replete with patriot !
C sentiments, which was greeted with }
oud bursts of applause. From this mo- !
nent new confidence seized the hearts I
IF all /; we were togetheF-the former
lave and his master equals aud friends; :
both mingling their voices in approba- 4
lion ofsentiments of loyalty, and VIE a
nQ in the expression Of them. 1t was s
i glorious moment.
Two gentlemen were appointed tenn
,orary Secretaries, one colored and one 9
White; and the Convention proceeded o
o effect permanent organization. d
This was done, after the delegates n
names were enrolled, by appointing a a
committee of feight-four of each race
gho reported the officers as follows - :
Hon. A. H. Jones, of Henderson, Pres i
dent; o. P. HadlY, Col. D. Heaton, on :
he part of the whites, and j. FL. Har- ?
il, j. R. Good, on the part of the z
,lacks, Vice Presidents and H. II. =
denneuger, white, and ]. Z. 0'Hara, p
olored, Secretaries. r
A committee Of twenty was then II
aised on resolutions, consisting of ten e
Thites and ten blacks. s
This was all that was done in the a.
except the speaking, ofwhich a
nore hereafter, and the Convention
hen adjourned until evening at half n
asst seven O'Clock. tC
When the body assembled it was en- e'
by addresses from gentlemen
{ both colors. and adjourned until ten q
'clock next day. q q
When it re-assembled on the 18th in .
tant, the platform and resolutions
Iere reportad and adopted, and the p
amer of the Republican party of Z
Torth Carolina unfurled amid the en- a. .,
ausiastio cheers of delegates and Spec a.
1tors. After providing for the appoint in
lent of an executive and sub commit al
.es, the convention then adjourned a,
ns die. Id.
During the entire proceedings the Ii
tmost harmony and enthusiasm pre- th
allied. The galleries were crow ded
ith dense aasemblage of coIored peo-
le, and the lobhies frequently became
nDassable, while the oommlnRled as Il
.mblage of whites and blacks, wonder b
" rebels and elated loyalists. pro- p;
uded far into the main aisle. 1t was T.
strange sight TO all presant- Fad. sa