The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-04-24
For the Standard.


The Mass Meeting.
MEssRs. EDIToRs AS there seems To bo
some Misrepresentation as to the circ, mstan.
ces, the purposes and the authority under
! which the meeting was hcldin the CITY Of
Raleigh, on the 9th ult., permit me to re-.
mark, that it was volunteer corps from tho
people at large for the common good. and
that 1t is alike due to the members that
composed the meeting and the community
at large, to state the facts in the case Asa
member OF the meeting have no regrets to
express or apologies to make for the part
took in its proceedings As to the circum-
stances they are too apparent for misappre-
hension. We all have and are now realizing
the hand of oppression brought about bS
our own folly. We have denied ourselves
the right of citizenship by our attempt to
pull down the pillars of the Constitution
and destroy the Union. The God of battles
has decided the contest the verdict has
been rendered up against US by the tribunal
OF military power.
The purpose, as I conceive, was patri.
vito one. 1t was to consult together for the
common good by devising or adopting such
measures as were most likely to restore us to
our forfeited rights. 3@8s
After mature deliberation on the subject
the meeting, through its committee, came to
the unanimous conclusion that the plan of.
fered by the Thirty-nin Congress, known
as the Sherman plan, was the best terms upon
which the Union can be restored, and the
one most likely to meet the approval of Con-
gress.
The authority under which the meeting
was held is undoubted The Constitution
guarantees the people the right to assemble
together and consult for their common good.
The meeting was preliminary to meeting
that will shortly be held under the AUTHORITY
of Congress for the purpose of enabling us
to resume our forfeited Eghts, by a compli-
ance on our part to certain prescribed terms
as proposed by that body. Taking into &C.
count the enormity and magnitude of the
crime with the bloody train of sin, l am
| forced to the conclusion that the terms of.
fered, compared with the offense, and the in
gratitude manifested towards the victors
since our subjugation, are such as ought to
meet the appreciation of every thinking and
just man.
There was one feature in the meeting un-
precedented in the history of the State The
negro was permitted to participate in the
proceedings The meeting was held ire
spective Of color. This might we'll chal-
lenge the derisioa and ridicule of supercil-
| ious persons, but when we look at the SUBJ
| ject more closely and view it as it is presen-
| ted to Us, sensible men will have no difficult
| ty in seeing the reasons that influenced the
meeting. Though, black the negro is no
| longer o slave The shackles of slavery
have been burst asunder. The freedom of
the negro stands in bold relief as one of the
results Of the war. He constitutes now
an element of society. He has been pro-
claimed citizen by the decision of the ju-
dicial department of the government, He
| is now amenable to the law as other citizens
subject to its penalties He pays bis taxes,
performs public service, and is liable to be
| called upon to bear arms in defense of our
common rights. In view of these facts ask
the question in all candor, why not permit
him to participate in the administration Of
the geyernmentf
after the preliminary action, usual
Oh such occasions, the President OF the meet
inc appointed committee whose duty it
was, to report platform of principles, which
was unanimously adopted The platform
consists of three p&anks- Union, Liberty
end Equality We were not unmindful Of
the fact that the inscription ON our banner
weald not only be distssteful, but Often
sive to those who are responsible for the war
! and the defeat of the Howard Amendment.
( IF we consider an apology due those gentle
men, we might well refer them to the 18th
chapter of 1st Corinthians. We assure
them we are ever ready to spread the man.
tie of charity over them after repentance on
L n = Oh thar, IN Ground
their arms of rebellion, eradicate hatred
from their hearts to the Union, and assist
the friends OF Union, Liberty and Equality, in
T restoring themselves again to their forfeited
| rights as American citizens. They are house
hold words-stern realities 1t is neith-
er cretfitable to the heart or the head to OPP
pose them. The terms are dose prepared
by our own hands, and if it should nauseatc
little, perhaps it may be for our future
good.
Just at this point beg leave to notice
more particularly Equality, the third plank
in our platform. It may be that there are
those in the exuberance of their prolific
minds, who will attempt to torture the pur-
port of the term into social equality. In re.
Div to all such, let pue remark that social
equality is settled and administered by pub
lie sentiment and not by Legislative enact
ments. 1t involves NO principle, but is gov
erned exclusively by the caprice of public
sentiment. Where is the man who gives
the same cordial greeting to the poor, that il
extended to the man of affiuence and posi-
| ton in society9 If You claim and exercise
the right OF discrimination in a social poin'
of view between the different classes of YOU
own cast, you need not fear the right of dis
eliminating between the white man and tn
negro. An opposite view Of the subject ina
plies either Ignorance of custom sanction
ed by the civilized world, or a depravity o
mind and corruptness of morals well calcu
lated to put decency to the blush. Socia
equality as interpreted by some is corrodint
to the mind and debasing to the morals
refined society. 1t is an insult to chastity
blight and mildew upon virtue.
]. T. L.
~ For the Standard.