The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-22
- - q 80. =
REPUBLICAN MASS MEETING IN RALEIGH.
Speeches by Gov. Holden, Mr.. James
H.cHarris, Col.J J. T. Deweeses Capt.
T. F. Lee and Col. Jas. Font. Taylor.

|
previous call, large number of citizens OF
both races assembled in the Courthouse.
/. Onmation. Rev. S. ID. franklin was called
to the Chair.
On taking his seat, Mr. Franklin returned
sincere thanks for the honor conferred upon
him,-and stated that the object of the
meeting was to listen to addresses from gen
tlemen present, and to consult together as
Republicans. ---.-7a.4-..-.. -=-----. -s.-..---
Mr.. James II. Jones was then appointed
Secretary. - i.
Calls were now made for Gov. Holden,
which being continued, he came forward
and addressed the meeting as follows:
Mr.. Chairman and FellOO- Citizens Il am
glad to see here tonight SO many people of
both races I am glad, sir. to see the people
on such occasions as this; and, sir, the
people now are composed of all classes of
both races, into whose hands are entrusted
the interests and destinies of this country.
For the most part, up to late period, Re
publican National meetings have been held
throughout the State, which the peo-
pie have attended, applauded and encour-
aged. Sectional feelings were driven from
the open field; and in remembrance of the
sufferings of the past, fellow-citizens, 1 say
that the people of the whole country ought
to cherish National sentiments only, and
that sectional feeling ought to have been
driven from the field long ago. [Applause.l
But, gentlemen. I regret to say that recently
meetings have been held in this City incul-
eating sectional sentiments. This was done
to give tone to public sentiment throughout
the State-to encourage rebellious politl-
clans to infame the minds of the people
against the Republican party and the. negro.
They held two meetings-one in this Court
house, and another at Tucker Hall, which
was mere funeral ceremony after all their
display. laughter 1t was decided
failure, [cries of yes, yes, and to none was
that failure more apparent than to those per
sons who were engaged in it. But, while
desire to engage in no controversy about
of Gov Bragg, delivered on that occasion,
and also the letter of Gov. Graham, which
| has been published since. So far as
political TOPICS are concerned, have much
to say in this connection, and as to personal
matters only this, that the speech of Gov.
Bragg was decent in tone and manner. In
that respect, he very much differs from many
of the "little blowers" of his party. Laugh
teri I have no personal controversy with
any one. This is a contest of principles. I
believe with my whole heart that the safety
of the nation and the highest good of this
people depend on the success of the prin-
ciples of the Republican party. For one.
shall not lose sight of them in personal
wrangles.
Gov. Bragg said in reference to confiscation,
that he congratulated the people as one versed
in the law, that in no event could it occur;
and vet in the next breath, he tells the people,
that if they follow the lead of the last Re-
publican Convention there is imminent dan
ger of contiscation. How is that How is
it that confiscation can never occur, and yet
L.. 4
ger of lt9 Fellow citizens, Gov. Bragg ia
laboring under misapprehension of this
whole question. He fails to touch the root
of the matter. Let me give you the history
of this confiscation question, and you can
Judge for yourselves whether there is danger
of it or not. During the war Congress
passed confiscation laws. At the close of
the war. according to the letter and spirit of
those laws, the land of every Southern rebel
was forfeited to the use of the government
But the President then issued his proclama-
ton of amnesty. This was done in accord
ance with provision of said confiscation
acts, granting the President authority to
proclaim such amnesty. This amnesty pro-
clamation was valid up to the repeal of the
section in the laws, relating to that subject.
The section has been repealed, and yet in the
face of this action by Congress the President
has continued to grant pardons. I tell YOU.
fellow citizens, if he be impeached, this in
fringcment of the law will form one of the
articles of impeachment.
But Gov. Bragg enlarged upon the view
now taken by certain public n en-, that because
the last Republican Convention did not speci-
fcally declare against confscation, thatit was
really in favor of it. Did the first Republican
Convention declare against confscation
Who charges, therefore, that it was in favor
Of fr,,f1, =, fon
Gems of both races. and refer to- races in q
political sense, because it is customary to do
so, though in my opinion all distinctions of
race should be ignored in political assem-
blies of the people from this time forward,
and every man be required tostand politically
upon his own merits, and not upon color; let
me tell you, fellow citizens, the truth is both
Conventions declared simply and unmistaka-
bly, that they were in favor of the Recon-
struction acts of Congress, nothing more,
and nothing less. Cries of yes, yes] 1t |
was not for Republicans but few months |
old to go outside the reconstruction acts, |
and outside the platforms of the party in |
the Northern States, to dictate to the nation
al Republican party either on confscation !
or disfranchisement. [Cries of that's SOL |
But, who are really the confiscators2 For |
two years during the war, these acts hung |
secession land-holders, squirting them on to |
desperation. Then the most distinguished !
champion of confscation was Andrew John
son, who is now the idol of these gentlemen
He was the originator of the most radical of
all confiscation ideas and measures. When
he appointed me Provisional Governor, he
gave me unlimited power to seize property,
and contiscate it to the use of the State gov
eminent, He Andrew johnson, did that,
felfow-cittzens. And he ordered the Judges
to enforce the confscation laws of Congress.
Yes, he said to me in the presence of John
P. H. Russ, of this City, and Robt. P. Dick,
of Guilford, that it was his purpose to cut |
up the lands of the South and divide them
among the poor people of these States. He
declared, with emphasis, that this should be
the result of the twenty thousand dollar
clause in his proclamation; that his purpose
was fixed that the large landholders of the
South who had involved the people in rebel
lion on account of their slave property,
should not live at their ease on their large |
landed possessions, while thousands of fam
lilies of soldiers who had been beggared
and orphaned by the wicked policy of