The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-01-23

is the equality of its people and especially,
also, is this true when those are compelled
to pay taxes and yet denied representation
who have proved their loyalty and devotion
to the Government By heoric and manly
deeds in hotly-contested but victorious bait
tle This is indeed tyranny intensified,
not unmingled with dastardly meanness
and cold-hearted ingratitude. We claim,
therefore,
First The right to WELD the ballot, be-
cause we are American citizens, and as such
entitled to it. @
Secondly Because we are taxpayers, and
as such Justly entitled to full representation
in the State and Federal Governments.
4 Thirdly. Because we are patriots, and as
such have proved our loyalty to the country
by our selfsacrifcing behavior in the hour
of her sorest trial.
Fourthly Because 1t is natural and in
herent right, pertaining to every native-born
American Citizen, whether white or black
who has reached his majority. -
Rssolced, That we believe in the constitu-
tional doctrine that " in all prosecutions the
acsused shall enjoy the right of a speedy and
public trial by an impartial jury OF the State
and district wherein the crime shall have
been committed" and in suits at common
law, where the value in controversy shall ex-
coed twenty dollars, the right of trial by ju-
ry shall be preserved !" hence we claim for
the colored American throughout the coun-
try fair and impartial jury trial by his le-
gal equals, and this is only attainable by his
complete enfranchisement.
Resolued, That We believe in the sentiment
of the Constitution that the citizens of each
State shall be entitled to all the privileges
and immunities of citizens in the several
States :" and that this doctrine may be made
practical in our case, we ask the establish
ment of national standard of qualifications
of electors which shall be uniform and uni
versal
Resolced, That We approve of no recon-
strnction of the seeded States which is not
founded in equal justice and impartial suf-
frage we are opposed, therefore, to the con-
stitutional amendment now pending for
adoption by the several States as the basis
of reconstruction, for in so far forth as it
permits our disfranchisement it is undemo-
cratic, illegitimate, and unjust. ..
Resolced, That We are opposed to the ad-
mission of Nebraska or any other Territory
to the position of a State in the Federal I'm
ion upon a constitution which, by the use of
the word "white, "discriminates against per-
sons of African descent for this is not a
"white mans Government" any more than
it is black mans Government, nor was it
ordained to establish the policy implied in
such phraseology but it is the Government
of the American people, and was adopted by
them to secure to all the inhabitants of our
common country and their posterity the
blessings of equal freedom and justice.
Resolred, That we tender our hearty
thanks to our tried and true friends in Con-
gress for the untiring and uncompromising
efforts which they have made to carry out
the principles embodied in the above reso-
tions in the congressional enactments per-
tanning to the freedmen ; and especially do
We thank them for the enactment which, in
the removal of certain illegal and unconsti-
MISUNDERSTANDING enfranchises our color
ed fellow citizens of the District of Column
bia.
Resolced, That we hereby express our gra-
titude to the American Missionary Associa-
ton and kindred organizations for the phil
anthropic and disinterested efforts which
they are carrying forward. at great expense
both of labor and means, for the education
and elevation of the freedmen of the eoun
try.
Resolred, That this is our home, doubly
dear to US by reason of our past labors Civ
en- to secure the development ofits resources
and prosperity, as well as the sacrifices made
by us by land and sea in the army and navy
in those struggles through which she
wrought out herindependence and establish
ed her position among the nations of the
earth and here we intend to remain. hop
ing under God to be able to commend our
selves to the Judgment and conscience of all
our fellow-countrymen by the cultivation
among us of all those things which pertain
to we.l-ordered and dignifed life.