The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-14
nEpUBLreAssr,ATEcoNyENTIoN.
The Raleigh COnventiOn.--POsiti of
asReuufJican Party.

sembly conyening at the Capital for the last
ten or fifteen years When the fact Is con-
sidered that over sicsy counties of the State
were represented, notwithstanding the hard
times and great scarcity of money, 1t demon
strates that the spirit of republicanism glows
warmly in the hearts OF its tens OF thousands
Of vOtaries.
Delegates came at great expense and IN
convenience from the extreme Eastern, Wes-
tern, Northern and Southern portion OF the
State, while the Middle portion responded
with formidable strength. Some OF the
Railroads (the Atlantic and North Carolina
included) acted cOrteouSly and generously in
granting half-fare tickets, while Others dis
Olayed the meanest and most contempt lble
spirit in grutf1y refusing the usual courtesy
extended on such occasions. The roads act
ing in this narrow and bigoted manner
may rest assured that the aninaus by which
they are controlled is thoroughly understood,
and ought not and will not soon be forgotten.
If they expect to gain any strength by the
exhibition of such disgusting prejudices, we
know their calculations will be doomed to
disappointment.
The Convention, as we'll as being Dete-
gate Convention, partook largely OF the ap-
pearance of a General Mass meeting. Al
though each county was limited to the num-
Der of votes she has heretofore been entitled
to members of the House of Commons, yet,
in each case as many delegates were sent as
it was deemed proper The result of this
operation was well calculated to infuse into
the Convention such spirit of zeal and
popular feeling as scarcely ever attends an
exclusive and limited delegated assembly.
The Convention was not only most for
midable in numbers but highly creditable in
point of character and ability. The colored
delegates were the most numerous, but not
enough so to give the appearance to the
body, when assembled, any very marked
disparity on this score The space assigned
to delegates in fuckers large and splendid
Hall seemed to be nearly half taken up by
white men, No fair-minded or disnterestcd |
observer will for moment attempt to dis |
pute that when the Convention was assem-
bled for business, it had Il commanding and |
imposing appearance; enough so to chal-
lenge the respect of even the most obstinate
and inveterate secessionist. With the ex-
cepton OF few scenes of excitement and
momentary disorder such as are naturally in
cident to a congregation so large and con-
vening under such peculiar and eytraOrdina-
nv circumstances, the spirit of order and de-
corum evinced was highly cnmmendable and
creditable.
The desire to harmonic on all questions
of vital concern was palpable. From first
to last, the idea of permitting a spirit of
discord and division to control the action of
the Convention seemed to be deprecated by
every one. 1t is true there existed honest
views as to the true line OF pol
icy to pursue in the enunciation of princi-
piles, but with all this. every one appeared to
look upon the consolidation and unity of
the Republican party as absolutely essential
in preventing catastrophe so injurious and
deplorable as could certainly result from the
defeat of State reconstruction and speedy
to the Union.
Through the entire proceedings of the
two days and evenings the spirit of enthusi
asm shown for the great principle of "poiit-
ical equality before the law" was warm,
spontaneous and enthusiastic
The introduction of the resolution on the
subject of confscation proved to be unfortu-
nate. 1t met with exactly the same fate that
We are confident would have attended
directly endorsing and approx
ng of confiscation. All attempts to convey
the impression that the Convention favored
coLhscation are without foundation in truth.
in this delicate question, notwithstanding
The feeling that was momentarily aroused,
he Convention finally acted i'll such man.
Ter as will bear the test of the closest scruti-
~ and ought to meet with the favorable re-
gard and unqualified sanction of every true
Republican in the country. In fact, by the
passage of a resolution, adhering
n the most specific terms to the reconstruc-
ion plan and measures Of Congress, the Con-
ention openly and boldly placed itself on
ecord in opposition to confscation. While
lls resolution was pending, and when the
ttentlon OF every member was keenly arous-
q and fixed to its true meaning and import
when it was explained that in the event
Sorth-C Carolina was restored under the con-
ressional plan, confiscation would he effect
ally and totally nullified, the resolution was
I'LL passed with more earnest and cmphat-
vote than any and all propositions
rought forward during the entire meeting.
We maintain, therefore, that the course
nus taken was eminently true and consist
Mt, and comported precisely with the true
hJects and purposes of the Republican par
At the present time we think the position
the party as the known friend and earnest
lVocate OF the reconstruction measures of
ongress would have been positively COM ,
romised by giving utterance to anything !
ore or less on the subject, than the resolu- !
on which was passed. By taking such
eclded stand-one that admits of no pos +
Die misconception-every Republican is en- !
'ed to defend and maintain the consisten- !
and really impregnable position of his >
arty, against any and all assaults of its en- y
mes. Ii the measures of Congress, involv- 7
g the great and vital principles they do on /
lie subject of confscation, impartial suf Il Il
age civil rights and national citizenship q
e right, then is the Republican party riqht, l.
congress is wrong, then the Republican :.
rty is wrong and must bear the RESPONSE i.
llty:: The inevitable and logical conclu- >
IN therefore, is, that after what has occur u
at Raleigh, any one who sets himself in L
position to the Republican platform of
e state, must stand in distinct antagonism =,
the Congressional plan. Will any one at v
Is critical hour, who is really a true and N
tnful supporter of lyreconstruction take st
e fearful responsibility of assuming a no. CT
ion SO manitestly fraught with disaster W
danger AS we view and understand p
real situation, there are but two courses II
open for every patriot and considerate -,
m TO take-one is FOR, and the other I'll
! the Congressional policy. The f. IN
e cons and carrying into effect of I'll
hfst position named. forever disposes of SO
SUBJECT OF confscation and will inevita- re
orlhg In Its train the most substantial er
1sslngs and benefits to both the white and &C
a.; races, while the success of the latter er