The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-10-22
Letter of Hon. VIM. A. Graham.

| we PupHsn to-day q letter from Gov Graham to a
late political meeting held in Raleigh. 1t will be
seen that Mr. Graham takes decided ground against
| reconsructing the State Government in accordance
with the Acts of Congress We regret that he feels
it right to oppose reconstruction, because believe
that his great personal influence in this State will do
much towards obsructing speedy settlement of the
question-t will do much towards inducing the white
people to vote against a Convention, and against
adopting the Constitution if Convention should be
held.
We shall not abuse denounce Gov. Graham
for his views-he is entitled to his opnion-but his
opinions ought not to have more weight than those
of hundreds of other intelligent, good and North
Carolinians who favor compliance with the Acts of
Congress.
Heretofore, the expression in this State has been
general in favor of accepting reconstruction on the
terms offered by Congress. All the " Conservative"
meetings which have been held, and all the speakers
| at those meetings, while opposing extreme radical
| views, have favored a strict compliance with the
laws of Congress. Gov. Worth, and other prominent
gentlemen and the Raleigh Sentinel (the able organ
of the conservative party in North Carona,) all
have declared in favor of obeying the requirements
of Congress-no more and no less In this respect,
the leading and the public press of the State
have differed with Mr. Graham. But what
tHcy VIII now pursue, since >'UoVernOf Ufanaln
has spoken, remains to be
Our conservative friends in Lincoln county, in a
public meeting which nominated Gov. Graham's son
candidate for the State Convention, adopted the
following resolutions
Resolved, That accept the DEMONSTRATION
measures as the speedest means of restoring to us
our Civil Rights.
Resotped, That invite fellow-citizens, both
white and colored unite with these principles
nd @ n m in wh int prIfV andSa of
tice the rights of both races will be
Under present circumstances, we endorse such re-
solutions right and proper.
For our own part, we will say that have not
changed from the views we expressed soon after the
close of the war; viz: that the sooner comply with
the demands of those in power the better it would
be for us. We are not afraid of confscation or
punishment for opinions public matters-we intend
to do what we think is right regardless of all
quenees But we contend that it is important to all
men who expect to live and die in the South, that
present difficulties should be speedily settled, and
that we should place ourselves in position where
we can assert our rights guaranteed by the Const
tuition under which we live. Until do this, we
are liable to military authority, to the depredaons
of bad and evil disposed men, and to uncertainty and
forebodings to the future.
Others may do as they please but we do not hest
tate to say that if we had vote would cast it for
speedy settlement of the questions at issue and get
into the Union early possible If the people of
the South (amOng whom expect to live and de)
involved in greater and further trouble, and
heavier burdens imposed OR them, think we
can truthfully say that not to blame for it
that did all could to them from further
annoyance and difficulty. We do not write for the
benefit of any particular party, to promote any
particular set of men-we for promoting
the interest of all and restoring the country peace
and quiet, regardless of party and party men.
Before closing this article ought to inform our
readers that Hon. b. F. Moore of Raleigh also wrote
letter to the Raleigh meeting, in which he favors the
holding of a Convention and complying with the
construction measures He says:
'My course has been explicit and open in favor
of Convention, that should feel constrained in the
expression of my views of what conceive to be
true policy, were to undertake to give my opinions.
l earnestly hope that the meeting will be con-
Quoted and such views expressed will not tend to
retard progress towards reconstruction. And
while say this, will add that deprecate the pro-
ceedngs of the late Convention, held in this city,
inconsistent with justice liberty and patriotism well
calculated to cngcnder hatred between the races and
lay the foundation of feuds, which will ultimately
crop in Violence