The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-04-03
RALEIGH. n. q.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3rd, 1867.
Tho Reconstruction Convention.

The Reconstruction Cohseh'ioh'
It was the original purpose of the re-
construction meeting held in this City
on Wednesday last, to take the neces
s.ry steps under the Sherman act to
call a Convention of this State to re-
store the State to the Union. Fortu-
pately, however, the Congress, by the
supplemental act, relieved the loyal PEG
nile of the necessity of taking control of
this work, by devolving it on the Com
handing General of the District. Still,
As the meeting had been called, it was
deemed important to hold it, in order
that tie loyal people of the State might
meet together, to deliberate in this
great crisis, and take steps to second
and sustain Gen. Sickles in the work of
reconstruction.
Our space is so occupied to-day with
the proceedings, that we have hut little
room for comment. The meeting was,
in every respect, signally and brilliantly
successful. One hundred and fifty OF
the leading men of the State-one hum
4 dred white and fifty colored-repre-
sentine ffty-six Counties, were in at
tendance.
The white man and colored man met
upon the same floor on the same foot
ing, and co operated together in the
most cordial and harmonious manner.
1t was apparent to all that every one
was in earnest, and that nothing was
done for mere effect. 1t was the noble
spectacle of one people, uniting under
the folds of the old flag in the glorious
work of restoring the State to her natu-
raj position in the Union, and ready
and willing to adopt promptly and
cheerfully any measures deemed impor-
tant to effect that result. The former
master met his former slave as his equal
in all that pertains to manhood and the
rights of self-government, and this
meeting of freemen had no restraint in
it, but was cordial, respectful, kind and
confding on both sides.
Colored orators, as we'll as white ora
tors, enchanted the attention of vast
audiences, the former vieing with the
latter in humor,wit, logic and eloquence.
Colored ministers of the Gospel opened
the proceedings with prayer. We shall
disparage 10 one, andwe have no space
to day to dwell upon any of the elo-
quent and impressive speeches that were
made; but we cannot forbear to allude
to the remarkably appropriate and elo-
quent speech on Wednesday night, by
Mr.. Jas. Fl. Harris, one Of the colored
delegates from Wake. He was heard
with the utmost respect and attention,
interrupted only by applause, as he
moved the audience by his wit and hui
NOR, or thrilled it by his fervid elo-
quonce.
The speech of Mr.. Brodie, of Wake,
eolored, on Thursday, was also an ex-
cellent one, chaste and correct in die
ton, and replete with sound sense and
noble sentiments.
Altogether the Convention was an
occasion, and presented scenes of a
character so remarkable and impress
sive that they will never be forgotten
by those who were present.
Many of the first gentlemen and lead
ing public men of the State, of the
white race, were in attendance. We
need only to refer to sucl, names as
Dockery, Settle, Jones, Heaton, Dick,
Cowles, Leach, Thomas, Grissom, Car
ter, Goodloe, Powell, Hedrick, Jordan,
Joyce, Logan, jenkins, Sloan, 70 give
our readers an idea of the character of
the Convention so far as the white race
is concerned.
We refer with pride and satisfaction
to the platform of resolutions adopted.
1t will be seen that the glorious banner
OF the REPUBLICAN party was flung to
the breeze. The loyal people of this
State have taken their place under
this flag, and will follow it henceforth
whereveri it may wave. We refer to the
proceedings, given at some length in
our paper to-day.