The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-30
HARMONY AND ENTHUSIASM u!
The First Step to "the Music
of the Union" III!

The hour of ~ NJ, Wednesday, the 9th
inst. having arrived, the delegates were sum-
moned to attend at the Commons Hall in
the Capitol building by the ringing OF the
bell The indefatigable Secretary to the pre-
vious meeting, Mr.. w. r. Richardson, hav-
ing obtained permission to use the Hall,
which by his efforts was also tastefully deco
rated with national banners, draped upon
the galleries and over the Speakers stand,
above which place was extended this motto,
in large letters, "UNION, LIBERTY,
EQUALITY"
Among these banners was that of the 1st
N. G.. Union Volunteers, which had been
borne triumphantly throughout fourteen bat
ties, and now reposes in peace and beauty,
an honored relic of the past, dear to the heart
of every true North Carolinian.
The galleries soon became densely packed
with colored people, who maintained the
most perfect order and dccorum during the
whole proceedings, and who evinced unusual
interest in the deliberations of the honorable
body. The Hobbies beneath were also crow
died to their utmost capacity by both whites
and blacks, who pressed far into the main
aisle, seeking positions for the purpose of
hearing what was said and seeing what was
to be done.
The delegates having been seated for the
most part, many being compelled to stand
for lack of chairs;
Mr.. c.: L. Harris, of Rutherford, as Chair
man of the meeting of loyal members of the
Legislature, called them to order, when
Hon. Alfred Dockcry, of Richmond, was
nominated for temporary chairman, and
unanimously elected.
Hon. r. P. Dick, of Guilford, (whte,) and
II. Harris, (colored) of Wake, were delega-
ted to conduct the Speaker to the Chair,
which being done,
MIR. Dockery proceeded to address the
Convention in his usual forcible and eloquent
manner, as follows:
He said although he would not make set
speech as presiding officer of this meeting, he
begged leave to submit a few remarks.
We recognize, gentlemen, in this assembly
large number of the most intelligent and
trusty Union men of the State, coming to-
gether from the sea-shore to the mountains
for the purpose of consulting to the most
efficient method of cooperating with the
general government, in building up loyal
State government here, and checking the
downward course of events. We desire to
restore North Carolina to her full relations
to her sisters in the American Union. Let
others sneer and ridicule as they may. We
regard the movement as patriotic in the
highest degree (applause)
10 DC u nncUDCT vi SUCH IL DoSiS,
for such purpose is an honor to any man.
To be selected as its presiding officer is a
distinguished honor, gentlemen, for which l
tender to you my highest appreciation Zap
plause)
After four years of war, after the most gi-
gantic rebellion known in the annals of man.
kind, the rebel armies surrendered to the
victorious forces of the general government.
As consequence the legitimate and consti-
tntional authorities of that government de-
clared all civil government in the rebel States
suspended. The conquerors were IN full pow
er They remain so, and now, although We
have had sessions of the Legislature and Con-
vention, we find all the work of RECONSTRUCT
ton, upon our part at least yet to be done.
The important question now Is, how shall
we do it? Look to the recent acts OF Con-
gress They are our textbooks, the guides
to lead us back into the Union. Carry out
their wholesome requirements, gentlemen in
letter and spirit, not merely as submissionists
but acceptors in good faith, by passing
laws just and proper in every particular; let
this be done, and the work is accomplished.
When the new constitution is in formation,
great care should be taken to guard it against
insidious attacks from within and without.
No door, which can be closed against such
assaults, should be left open. Otherwise the
disaffected and evil disposed will enter the
citadel
Without any desire to excite or agitate
parties at present, no one will deny that we
have been ruined by party combinations in
the past. To prevent the recurrence of SIM
liar disastrous events, let US sustain the acts
of Congress; and keep sufficient num-
Der of the leaders of the rebellion out of Of
flee to do so successfully. For, gentlemen,
fha aynpripnca Of thn and
warns us against reposing further con-
fdence in them. Let US beware then, for
the reconstruction of our State government
is not intended for this generation alone, but
for all time to comet And when we see ev-
licences of genuine repentance, and they
bring forth the true fruits of that repentance
by word and deed, We will all unite to fling
the mantle of the past over their errors, but
not until then.
The work which We have to perform, gen.
tlemen, is of great magnitude. But were it
possible to communicate with the dead, the
spirit of Washington would applaud it, and
encourage us to persevere. Then let our mot
to be no North, no South, no East, no
West!" applause, and that other sentiment
from the lips of great and patriotic states
man, Liberty and Union, now and forever
one, and inseparable!' prolonged APP
plausc.)
On motion of W. W. Holden, Dr. H. J.
Menninger of Craven, (white) and J. S. Leary,
of Cumberland, (col., were chosen temporary
Secretaries.
The roll was then called and the follow
ing delegates answered to their names:
Alamanee.-Dr. j. w. McCauley, J. B.
NcMurray, ]. w. Hardin. w. A.. Dunn,
(whites,) and Wyatt Outlaw, Guilfor0 Sell
lars, Henderson Hassell, Charles Moore, (cGl-
orsd.)
Bea,yort.-D. N. Carter, S. T. Carrow,
(whites)
Greene-wm. Conner, D. E. Best, (col)
Guiyord.-R. P. Dick, ]. Hiatt, (whites0
H. Unthanks, L. Gibson, N. Aston, (col)
Halitae.-Jas. A. Reid, N. B. Martin,
(whites.)
Harnett-J. N. Turner, Aaron Thomas
J. s. Harrington, (whites.)
Henderson.-A. III. Jones, (white)
Heryord.-L. W. Boon. G. Moore (col)
IredeM-H. Werner, (white)
,ohnston.-B. R. Hinnant, DR.. j. T. Leach,
(whites)
Jones' DR.. j. T. Leach-pro1y.
Lenaoir.-R. w. King, (white.)
Aartin.-S. w. Watts, ]. ]. Martin,
(whites)
Mecklen6rg,-E. Fullings, (white) Rich.
Smith, J. Davidson, (colored
Xontgomery.- Jordan, (white.)