The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-19
For the Standard.
MiRTIN COUNTY CONVENTION,

/
A Convention of the Republican party of
house, in Williamson, on Saturday the 9th
day of October. 1867, and was opened with
prayer by the Rev. Willie Williams.
S. w. Watts, one of the State Executive
Committee, explained the object of the Con-
vention, the plan of organization and the
rules as laid down by the Republican State
Convention to govern District and County
Conventions.
The Convention then elected Willie Will
liams President, Putnam Shepherd, Vice
President and George w. Ellison and MEG.
Swanner Secretaries.
The President took the Chair and address
ed tie Convention. returning thanks for the
honor conferred. Counselcd harmony, and
expressed the hope that the Republican par
ty would be a unit IN the coming struggle,
that nothing should drive it from our princi-
piles, but that all should stand firm and sup
port the nominee of the Convention; that
all we wanted and all that we needed was
justice, liberty, Union and equal laws; and
if these were secured then in his opinion
these rebellious States could and would be
restored; that peace and prosperity would
again smile upon our unhappy country, and
we could then live like brothers. The list of
delegates was then called and every district
was represented.
The Convention then proceeded to nomi
nate candidate to represent the County In
the State Constitutional Convention, and
upon the first ballot. S. w. WATTS was de-
clared the candidate by an overwhelming
majority.
MIR. Watts being present was loudly called
Tor and responded in a very able speech, full
ly indicating himself and the Republican
party of North Carolina. He told the peo
pie that whatever might be the action or re-
suit of elections in other States. 1t was our
interest in view of our surroundings to give
to all classes full rights under the law. That
If there was to be legislation for classes, then
liberty might veil her face in tears and we
would bea hopelessiy ruined people; that as
q North Carolinian he loved his native
State, and wanted to see her prosperous and
her people happy. He wanted to see spirit
of kindness every where prevail, internal i'm
provements tostered and developed. schools
for the education of all classes encouraged,
and IN fact, every interest that makes great
and free people promoted. He stated that
II elected he should vote to give to all cltl-
zens without "distinction just and equal
rlgRts"--that he regarded no man as sound
that was not willing to do justice. and
soon as the people came to this standpoint
all our difficulties would end, and not before.
lie paid passing notice to the irresponsi-
hle newspaper editors of the State that
had no interest in common with the mass of
the people, but were manufacturing whole
sale Islander and villifcation and false reports
upon the Republican party and its individu-
al members; that thew were only struggling
to keep alive a rott en-, tyrannical dynasty
that is fast playing out and will soon, by the
mighty uprising OF the honest people, be
buried so low in the grave Of forgettulness
that 1t will trouble tn angel Gabriel to find
them at the resurrection. He closed by telling
the people that the Republican party was
the poor mans friend; that its doctrines and
Its teachings tended and were intended to
elevate the laboring classes, both white and
black and if they 6;.d no other advocate
but hlmselfhe would stand or fall with them
THAT their fate shout I he his fate.
The following preai nble and resolutions
were then Introduced and unanimously
adopted:
WHEREAS. 1t is eminently just, proper and
consistent with the prin ciples of Republican
liberty that free people should assemble to-
gether and express their views unrestrained
upon questions affecting their civil and politi-
cal rights; therefore, be it
1. ResOtred, That we are heartily tired of
the present unsettled state OF oar country.
and we desire, and our every interest de-
mantls speedy return of the State to the
federal Union
:. That the acts of Co agrees, known as
the reconstruction acts, present the only fea-
sibe and tangible plan to solve our present
political difficulties, and we accept them in
good faith, with an earnest eterznination to
use our best efforts to restore North Carolina
to her proper position in the Unioe.
3. That we stand fairly and slusrely upon
the platform of principles enunciated by the
Republican party of North Carolina with
enmlty towards none, but with 'aIstiee
liberty and equality under the law to ALL
4. That the interests of the two races hav-
ing become identical as citizens of our COM
mon country, the Republican party Of Martin
County openly declare to the world that we
will stand by, protect and defend each other
In our civil, political and religious rights,
encouraging every good action and perfect
obedience to just and equal laws, and con-
demning and discountenancing all evil dis
posed persons, whenever and VIII ereTer to be
found; that any man or set of me n either by
word or deed, that would array or attempt
to excite one class of our citizens against the
other, is unworthy of confidence, is no Repub-
llcan, and deserves the severest pen atty OF the
law.
.. That the effects of the late rebellion
producing such widespread ruin nd loss of
property, rendering thousands of our best
citizens bankrupt, with no prospect at pres
ent, and with little hope in the iutl III of be-
ing able to meet their pecuniary OF LEGATIONS
made prior to and during the wal ;, call for
speedy legislation to relieve them md their
innocent families from utter and retrieva-
BILE ruin, and the candidate of this Conven-
ton, If elected, is required to u, e every
means and to support such measure as will
secure the relief of the people
3. That in order to ensure success " re deem
it the duty of every true Republican to sup
port the nominee of this Convention and to
use all honorable means to secure is cleo
ton.
Z. That the proceedings of this owen
lion be sent to the Raleigh Standard fc rpub-
ication
Speeches were made by Messrs. B. B 1rges,
Eaton Taylor, Putnam Shepherd, L. L !atha-
way, Willis Manning, George Ellison and
others, with credit to themselves and t, the
great cause.
After vote of thanks to the officers the
Convention adjourned sine die.
WILLIE WILLIAMS Preo,f