Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-08
r E nj A r. X S
MIR. RUSS. OF WAKE.
In the House, the Goth of January, on "a
Privilege Question.
r E M A r X S
OF WAKE,

Mr.. SPEAKER rise sir, to privilege ques
ton and desire the Clerk to do me the favor tt
read the article marked in the North Caroline
Standard OF the Oath Dec. 1885, which statements
have never been denied.
Mr. Speaker, you will probably recollect, and
this House viii recollect, that the day of elec-
ton for Senator of the United States, l put in
nomination, and made speech proposing the
claims of the Hon. John Pool, for that distinguish
ed position before did so, however, had an
interview with that gentleman, and learned, as
supposed his real feelings and opinions IN refer
ence to the g Howard amendment" and other kim
dred subjects.
approached him frankly and cordially, as I al
ways do warm personal and political friend.
told Mr.. Pool that l was glad to meet up with him
that had called at his room several times, but
found him absent. [ said to him that wanted to
vote for him, and if you are opposed to the ''How
ard Amendment [ will do so, and think you will
ultimately be elected. told Mr.. Pool that could
not and would not vote for any living man who was
for 1t, or for anything like it, but that rumOr was
busy against him. He laid one or both Of his
hands upon my shoulder and said, in substance,
that he 'was glad TO have an opportunity Of set
ting himself right, and declared that he was as
much opposed to the Howard Amendment az 1
could be and was glad to know that he and oc-
cupled the same ground" l expressed myself
satisfied, whereupOn lie asked me to nominate
him l did so !; spoke and voted for him every
ballot, and would have done until g Gabriel had
blown for If there is any distinguishing trait in
my character it is to stand firmly by my principles
and my friends. I told the people of Wake in the
late canvass that would not vote for the Howard
Amendment" or for any man who was for it, or
for anything like it.
Then, Mr.. Speaker, the sequel shows that l was
Wotuly deceived, and that too, by one that | re-
garded as fast personal and political friend-the
Hon. John Pool I regret to have to say this, but
it is true sir; and fee that it my privilege and
duty to ask pardon Of this House for the state
ments made and the votes gave on that occa-
Of my two colleagues upon this floor, whom de-
cClVed and mised inithat matter and abova ALL Mr..
Speaker feel that [ owe it to my constituents,
the good, the intelligent, the honest, the confd-
1ng, the patriotic freemen Of Wake county, whom
have theihonorin part to represent upon this floor,
to declare that L regret that vote more than any
political act of my lfe-and but for the deception
pTacticed upon me, should have been the last man
to have given it.
Mr. Speaker, my resolutions in reference to the
loyalty OF the people of this State, my votes, my
whole Legislative record shows that | was impO-
Sed upon. / feel sir, i'll my heart, that they will
forgive me-for 1 have represented this people for
long time. have never deceived them-I have
never told them an untruth and l never will
They have given me as high 1,700 majority
against the most formidable opposition and am
here to-day, sir, because they have confidence in
my integrity and my political honesty. l am a
Union man to-day, and this sir, is the best evil
dence of the loyalty Of my people, for nearly all of
them voted Tor me.
lean truthfully say, there has not been day or
an hour since the first gun fired at Fort Sum-
ter,-since the attempted secession of Orth Car
Johnston, that would not gladly have returned
to the government we attempted to leave but 1
want 1t distinctly understood, sir that am no un-
conditional Union man, lin the present accepta-
ton of that term.) Twas not Union man in 1861,
2,'3 and A. for the purpose ofdisfranchisng white
men and enfranchising black men. 1 detest a
white man with negro principles, at all times, and
have no sympathy with, or respect for, the aban-
doned white wretch, who will voluntarily enter
respectable negro meeting and by resolution ask
to be made their equal by the Congress of the Uni
ted States.
Mr.. Speaker, 1 declined being a candidate in
1861 for the Convention, because l could not and
would not vote for the Ordinance Of secession,
also Qecllleu Delfg d Candidate Tor InG 1aUe Con-
vention, after my friends had presented my name,
for the reason that | knew that we should be re-
quired to rejoice and be exceedingly glad, that we
are robbed of our property; and, sir, my notions
of honesty would not allow me to endorse and
sanction the theft-the indiscriminate theft,
which has been perpetrated upon this people.
Mr.. Speaker, / have always hated secession, the
doctrine of secession (nOt the honest secessiOns)
as | do the devil in he'll; but, sir, canGOr compels
me to say, there is nothing comparable on earth
or in hell to rampant Radicalism, North and
South.