The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-30


out trial ever being accorded them and
when any one expresses sympathy with him.
1 can scarcely keep my temper l never
committed treason. If sending my boys
some provisions and clothing is treason, did
that. They volunteered because OF the inn
pending draft, for conscri ption had not then
been imported from France by that man
who, next to Benjamin, had the lowest in
stincts In the world-one Wigfall, whom
nobody has ever heard of since he got over
the Mississippi [Cheers.l Let US be firm
and determined as 1 have said and there is
nothing to fear. After some further remarks
Mr. Jordan offered the following resolutions
| WHEREAS, In the opinion of this meeting while
it is eminently proper and right that the State of
| North Carolina should be restored to her former
position in the Union, that peace, prosperity and
social happiness may return to people, and
whereas we profess to have and feel deep in
terest in their future welfare and permanent pros
with the belief that four-fiths of them unable
to pay taxes and meet their individual indebted
ness, under our present collection laws, there
fore,
RESOLVED, That in order to avert very great dis
tress amongst the people of the State and avert
the sacrifice of the property thereof as to allow
the citizens opportunity ofworkiDg out OF their
Indebtedness, respectfully solicit Gen. Sickes,
the military commander of this district to inter-
pose his authority in arresting evil SO disas.
trous to the peace, happiness and future pros
perity of our citizens by suspension for time
of the collection laws now in force in this State
Resolvsd, That the President of this meeting ap-
point a committee Of to confer with Gen.
Sckles on this subject, which they may do by
general, or both, as they may deem most cxpedi
emit, in order to effect the object above specified
| on all debts contracted before the war and that
| they report to --.
The resolutions ent to the committee.
There being nothing OF an important char
| ooto 1,aFD tha fho hos
Settle was loudly called upon for a speech.
Mr.. Settle said that. through loss of sleep
and WEAKNESS, he was scarcely able to do
justice to himself or properly entertain the
| Convention but there was SO much to talk
about, that he would proceed to say some
thing. The rebels, he said, had time and
again spurned the terms offered them by the
general government-they had especially re
fused to adopt the Constitutional Amend
ment, which to rebels was the most magnan-
imous offer in all the history of the world
from the conqueror to his fallen foe. But
owing to their stubbornness we were here
to-day to break dirt and lay the corner stone
of the Republican party in h-Carolina.
| Applause. The war, he said, was COM
| menced to pcri'C safe slavery. 1t went the
other way, contrary to the expectations of
all the leaders of the rebellion. Therefore,
slavery is forever dead in the United States
of America. This has been the work of God,
and can say that it is for the best Great
applause. We have been educated up to
the true point OF republican lberty-we are
now willing to see every man clothed upon
with all his rights, immunities and fran
chises without regard to race or COLOR
Some of the Northern States-Ohio is be-
hind u.s. We hope she may catch up
Laughter and cheering.] With us the old
crust of ideas formed by the institution of
slavery is broken up in Il thousand frag
ments. They are floating off-passing away,
as everything must pass away not founded
upon the eternal rock of justice Applause
We are called radicals. Why. all great re-
formers are radicals, they go to the root the
matter. Franklin, Morse, Fulton and Field
were accounted radicals in science. So all great
men, who show to the old fogies something
new under the sun. Look at the progress made
in this country. in railroads in every kind
of Improvement. Shall our laws stand
still? The old ideas were good in their time.
But we live in a new era-of revolution,
where one month filings greater flood of
light upon the world than fifty years ordina-
rly. Sir. allow me here to refer to the adj
dresses of the colored gentlemen, to whom
l listened in committee this evening Mod
crate, intelligent, patriotic in all their views,
such utterances would reflect credit upon
any man or set of men. We have also
agreed in that committeestn unfurl the BAN
ner of the great Republican party to the
breeze! Tremendous applause Without
party of that kind, all our efforts will be
wasted. There can be no display of practi-
cal patriotism until we form party of true
men and exert ourselves for the cause of
Union, Liberty and Equality" systemat1-
cally! [Applause.]
was Democrat prior to the war. I en-
tered that party fighting for reform-for free
suffrage among whites. At the opening of
the war, joined the Union party. Since
then we have not been able to do MUCH
But to day enter this new party battling
for rctornl-for free suffrage! Let US stand
fairly and squarcly upon that platform. We
are now Repuhlicans-ou banner is to the
breeze-let us rally for the conflict.
Mr.. Grissom, of Granville, asked permits
sion to introduce Col. Deweese to the Con-
vention lie was a federal officer, and he
hoped would be welcome by all.
Col Deweese advancing was greeted with
applause. He said that when he came into
this Hall to-day, he expected to r1main 81
lent, but what he had seen and heard i'm
PEELED him to express his sentiments of graf
ification. This Convention was alive-ani-
mated with the true spirit, buoyant with
hope. shall go North in few days.
There expect to meet With distinguished
public gentlemen. I can bear glad I'll
dings with me. I can tell them that
! North Carolina is in earnest in this attempt
at reconstruction. was born a Southern
man and wear the federal blue When vo-
ted for Fremont in Arkansas, they expelled
me from that State. 1 then owned slaves,
which had inherited, but now thank God
they are as free as 1 am! [Applause.1
was ever opposed to that institution. When
they sent me away from Arkansas I told
then would return, and SO did. went
back in 1868 at the head of 1000 cavalry,
and when 1 left that town loyalty was at
premium. What do we behold here to-day.
The practical display of the principles In
scribed in the declaration of independence
| that all men are created free and equal
What radical could have reasonably expect
ed this six years ago7 1t is glorious sight,
sir to us all. And would say to these col
ored gentlemen beware of rebel influence
The men who mastered your brethren at
Fort Pillow, New Orleans, and Memphis
who burn your sshool-houses, and prosecute
you to-day, would tear down the fabric Of
these free institutions. which you are tonight
engaged in erecting, and re-enact the horrors
of Laurel Valley in every county of the State
Beware especially of those who proclaim that
| IL IL