The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-11
demands for constitutional yiqhts. What constitu-

| with the conquerors. Justice demands that they
h should first perform the duty of quiet suomls-
r sion and sincere obedience to law, and when thls
: is done, they may then claim and they Will re-
e ceive generous and magnanimous terms. am
d generally sanguine and hopeful, but must con-
t fess that have some apprehensions for the III
\ ture, that a party whose motto is rule or
RUM is not yet completely conquered. This ter,
e rible work is not yet accomplishments may YET
: bring many SORROWS and disasters upon the South,
} but we must make one more brave and noble ell
fort to rescue our people.
Mr.. President, think that we are making an
important movement here to-day, and in the
f right direction. feel that we are prompted by
patriotic motives, but we will have many strong
and bitter prejudiees to encounter. The preJu-
dices of centuries are almost as tfienlt to over
come as armed resistance. The soldiers OF the
Union hazarded their lives in its defence, and
shall we fear to risk our political existence in
noble effort to restore the Union of all the States?
We cannot fight this battle with success unless
we obtain the assistance of powerful allies. Let
us then hoist the brilliant banner of the Re
publican party, and resolve under it to conquer
or go down with the Union and the cause OF hll,
man freedom. But feel assured that if we will
fight "a good fight we shall triumph. The
banner under which we rally has been made i'm
mortal by maintaining the government, and its
motto of g Union, Liberty and Equality" will
never appeal in vain to the American people,
''The Union" is the security, the greatness and
glory OF our country, and it will ever fill with en-
thusiasm the hearts of patriotic millions.
| The word lberty' has in every age aud cline
thrilled the human heart More than two thou
sand years ago it rang with eioquence and power
around the Acropolis of Athens, and through
the forum of Rome, and it gave immortality to
classic literature, and consecrated in the aftec-
| tions of mankind the history Of those ancient re-
pubcs. 1t came echoing through the roll of the
ages, and it is uttered by the voices of Amer
lean freemen the watchword OF human pro-
gress.
We are told in history that when Constantine
| the Great was leading his leg ions into Italy to
contend with MaXentias for the supremacy OF the
| he was Vht ed
responsibility of his position, and he prayed to
| the God of the Christians for guidance and sup
port. At MONDAY while at the head OF his ar
my, he saw above the sun brilliant cross in the
heavens with the inscription " Conquer by this"
He placed the celestial sign and inscription upon
his imperial Standard and he led his invincibe
hosts to victory; he sat without rival upon the
throne of the Caesars, and Christianity became
the established religion of the empire; and soon
the crceds, prejudlces and rites of paganism,
| which had existed for more than ten centuries,
passed away before the brighter light OF the
Christian faith. On our banner the magical
words Union, Liberty and Equality, and feel
assured that we may well add the inscription
4" Conquer by this; for we will triumph, and the
long established prcjudices of slavery will soon
pass away before the glorious light of universal
freedom.
Mr. President, the prime object of the rebellion
was the pcrpetuatiOn of negro slavery, but in the
providence of God, it has resulted in emancipa-
ton. Obstinacy and perversity have now brought
about civil and political equality, and if the same
Onnu anQ mad spirit Is longer lnuulgeQ In, we
will soon inevitably force upon the country ne
gro supremacy and contiscation. For the people
of the North are fully determined that the South
shall be controlled by the friends of the govern
ment, even if it is to be by black loyalistS
appeal to the people of my native State TO pause
in their mad career before it is too late. Justice,
patriotism and sincere loyalty can alone arrest
the progress of this great civil revolution, and
avert many disasters from our people. The gov
eminent emaucipated the slave, turned him loose
upon his new destiny without u home and penny
Lass nI1l, has rrf Il hat .ap l,nll
be treated with justice and gene OSity.
Why should We entertain feelings of hatred
and bitterness for the negro? He was the faith
full nurse of our childhood, the companion of our
youthful sports, and the firm and devoted friend
OF our manhood. He had but little 10 do with
his emancipation. 1t was the work of God, and
His guiding and controlling influence in it, as
distinctly manifest as Were the pillars OF cloud and
fire to the 1sraulites in their desert iourneyings
Shall the meekness and fidelity of our former
slaves awaken in our hearts no feelings of graft
tude and kindness? At the commencement of
the war we had fearful apprehensions of servile
instruction, but the slave was true to his trust,
and he labored faithfully for the support of our
armies and families, wnen he knew that our sue
cess would but riyet the chains of his bondage.
Many of them, with remarkable devotion fol-
lowed their young masters during the long and
weary marches, and with unialterng courage
stood by them amidst the storm of battle Many
OF them, on the rcd fields of carnage, performed
the last services of affection for the wounded
the dying and the dead. They closed the glazing |
eye,-tclt the last throb of the wasting heart |
placed with care the sod upon the humble grave |
which they believed with the tears of affection |
and then they sought the distant home of sorrow |
to carry tue last messages OF love, and administer
their simple, heartfelt consultations Are we so |
lost to ali the nobler and finer IMPULSES of our
nature us not to return generous kindness Tor
love and devotion like this? Shall we now in
the time of their restitution, treat them with
:corn and contempt, and strive to drive them
from the homes and graves of their fathers. If
We 90, we can no longer claim to be enlightened,
civilized and Christian men. No matter what may
happen, the domestic ties of affection which
bound me to my former slaves shall never be
broken. They are still my friends and SO help
ne God, will be true to them.
Mr.. President, l am satisfied from short ex-
'erlence that the negro is not rendered less ser
lccabe by emancipation. Slave labor produced
'ur individual wealth-enlargcd our commerce;
ave employment to our manufactures built up
ur cities, and contributed greatly to our national
prosperity and greatness; aud can never believe
UGH strange doctrine OF political economy
hat the labor of a fireman is not valuable as
nat OF slave Such theory is fully contradic-
ed py the rapid advancement and prosperity Of
hose countries where free labor prevails. We
nee controlled the slave by fear; can now
Old out more powerful incentives to laborto the
'eedman, az 6iI"tneSS, justice and the hope Of re-
ara and we can make him more efficient in
ischarging his duties citizen by educating
i'm and elevating him in the scale of being This
a duty OF patriotism, and it is our high and
1lemn obligation to God feel confident that
I'D settled the South will start upon a new
,er of prosperity, and in ten years VIC will
ard emancipation as one of our greatest bless
gs. Mr.. President, there is another question
interest and Importance which it is our duty
this time seriously to consider. In the last
We years the people of North Carolina have be-
'mc greatly alienatcd and estranged from each
her This condition of things must not remain
we would be prosperous and happy. There
e many wrongs, expressions and outrages which
IN never be forgotten, but they may be forgiven.
ur people should now become united with
rong feeling OF mutual dependence, knowing
lat they now have common country and the | 6
Inc destiny. 1 say in truth, for myself,
at have no feelings Of malice to indulge, no
brit of revenge to crafty, and l can promise 8
lat the motto of my action shall be 'Good will
man." regard the first great duty of the cit s
n to be, devotion to his country and obedience
her laws. This is my political faith. The
ncere and true friends of the country are my |
lends, and all Others to me aliens and politi
i enemies. The man who does not pay heart
1t allegiance to his country is unworthy of her |
OBJECTION, privileges and blessings. l desire to
C every feeling of sectionalism eradicated by
enlarged ard elevated patriotism that takes
the whole country. ,
Mr. President love my native State. am
oud of her glorious history. l deeply sympath-
E with my people in their sorrows and misfor- G
mes, and l expect to share their destiny, but my
triotsm is not confined to State lines, or geog-