The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-07-31
REPUBLICAN MEETING AT BENTONSVlLLE,
JOHNSTON COUNTY, N. c.


MEssRs ED1roRs IA According to previous
notice a very large portion of the people,
both white and colored, from Johnston,
Wayne and Sampson, met at Bentonsville
on the 18th July, for the purpose Of giving
expression to their feelings on the present
state of the country. q
On motion Of Thomas D. Snead, ESQ.,, of
Johnston the meeting was organized by APP
pointing Bryant Williams, ESQ.,, Chairman,
and Mr.. Joseph Stafford and Capt. Benjamin
Williams, Secretaries. Il
On motion, Green Flowers, John Cole and
W. A. Langston, whites, and Charles Eason,
William Cole and Needham Sasser, colored,
was appointed committee to draft resolu-
tions for the action of the meeting. II
While the committee was absent, VIM A.
Smith, ESQ.,, of Johnston was called upon,
who spoke in his usual style for one hour and
a half, showing who were responsible for the
war and who were responsible for our present
situation, showing clearly that the secession
lists of the South and copperhead Democrats
of the North were the guilty parties. This
was done to the satisfaction of all present,
except a few ignorant secessionists and
traitors from Wayne. He further said the
present action of Congress, and its acceptation
in good faith by the people, was the only
hope of the loyal people of the South, and
advised every one who could vote under the
acts of Congress to register and vote for a
Convention, and vote for none but true Re-
publicans to that Convention. He said
there would be great effort by intimidation
and otherwise to keep the loyal people from
registering and voting, but they must stand
firm, and register and vote at all hazards ;
and if forced away from the public places by
mobs of traitors, to apply to the nearest
military Post for protection, and it would
be granted lie said it was true that trait
ors to the government of the United States,
held nearly all the Offices under the State
government, and were allowed to carry arms
to enforce the laws, which gave the oppo-
nents of the reconstruction measures great
advantage over Its supporters, as he feared
those arms might be used as they were in
New Orleans to slaughter Union men. He,
therefore, hoped Gen. Sickles would remove
all disloyal men from Office, and put none
in Office but loyal men to the government,
and who can take the oath of office of 1862.
The committee through its chairman,
Green Flowers, ESQ.,, reported the following
preamble and resolutions, which were
unanimously passed:
WHEREAS, according to the existing Or
ders, all men of North Carolina are prohib-
tied from carrying arms, except public off
GERS of the State; and whereas, large ma
iority of these officers are as hostile to the
Union and Union men, as in the days of
MIR. Jefferson Davis, and whereas, we who
live in the interior of the country, far from
any Military Post, have no protection from
marauders and traitors, and whereas, we feel
insecure with men to rule over us with arms
in their hands, who are enemies to us and
the Government, and whereas, we are taxed
to up keep government which is opposed to
the reconstruction acts of Congress, which
we look upon as the only means of our pro-
lection in the future therefore, s
Resolred, That we respectfully ask Gen.
Sickles to remove all officers of the State
who cannot take the test oath of office of
1852, passed by an act of Congress of the
United States.
Resolced, That we respectfully ask Gen.
Slckles to issue an order prohibiting the
Rebel Legislature of this State from meeting
again. D
Reso1ced, That we endorse the action of
the Republican Convention held at Raleigh
on 9th March last. 1T
Resolced, That we will do all in our power
as good citizens to aid Gen. Sickles in
carrying out to the letter, the recent action
of Congress. 7i'iilfe3is 2t a
Resolped, That the proceeding of this
meeting be published in the Standard, and
other Republican papers arerequested to copy.
: BRYANT WILLIAMS, Chairman.
JOSEPH STAFFORD, s..,,...
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, secretaries