The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-12

was rejected on my motion. The mo-
tion made TO lay the resolution on the
table, with the view of rejecting it,
made by delegate from New Han
over. [ voted against this motion
along with the entire delegation from
Craven. Had Mr.. Pool alluded to the
fact Of the subsequent presentation of a
substitute on my part, then his remarks
would have had different bearing as
they are, however, their purpose, to say
tht least, is liable to be prejudicially
construed.
During the discussion on the partic-
ular resolution in question, when dis
covered it would be defeated, as offer
ed, then it was [ moved the following
substitute as not only committing the
Convention just as decidedly and EN-
phatlcally dgaiust confscation as the
-Gs"lntion pending, but at the same
t-..le giving a definite expression to ev
cry other important topic involved in
the plan of Reconstruction.
This was the substitute:
Resolced, That the Republican party
in North Carolina on the subject Of con-
.fscatiO,e, and all matters pertaining to
reconstruction, aoiU faithfully adhere
to and abide by the reconstruction plan
and measures Of Congress-.
The resolution was passed unani-
mously with earnest expressions of ap
proval. After having read it, the first
time, so completely did it seem to ac-
cord with the wishes of tbs Conven-
ton. that l was loudly called on from
all quarters Of the hall to read it the
second time. When this was done, I
embraced the opportunity, as every
member of that Convention will doubt
less remember, to distinctly explain
what | regard as the scope and real in
tent of the reconstruction measures of
Congress. | asserted that in the event
the Congressional plan was approved
and faithfully carried out, the confisca-
tion ot lands and property would never
happen-that said plan abandoned all
idea of confscation.
| further stated that understood the
plan Of Congress, AS fully embracing
and covering every other vital point,
connected with reconstruction, includ-
ing Impartial Suffrage, Civil Rights in
the broadest and most comprehensive
sense, the maintenance inviolable, so
far us the unreconstructed States would
hereafter have any voice, of Our Pub
lie Credit, and solemnly plighted faith
as nation and that | regarded all as
a solid rock, upon which the Rcpubli-
can party OF our State could stand and
triumph.
am still of that opinion, and would
have regarded a failure on the part OF
the Convention to adhere unequivocal-
ly to that plan, as great misfortune
to our cause.
| am confident no member of the
Convention, precious to the passage OF
the substitute, declared himself in IA
vor of contiscation, and that when tho
resolution was adopted, every member
considered himself fairly and honorably
pledged dgai,tst it.
In relation to relieving large num-
Der of true Union men of the disabilities
imposed upon them, not only have
been in favor of it, but would still re-
joice to see such thing consummated.
After proposing and assuming the
responsibility of advocating the i'm
portant substitute referred to, did not
regard it as incumbent upon me to as
sumo still farther prominence by volun.
teering defence of the remaining reso-
lutions. While l do not desire to
censure a gentleman of Mr.. POOLS we'll
known distinction and ability, yet, it
certainly "was unfortunate that he
never uttered a word in defence of his
=. lntions''. I respectfully submit
3. neither there is any plausible ground
for others to be arraigned, when the
able chairman of set of resolutions,
along with others of prominence on
silence, and permit them to be set aside
presence?
The intelligent observer, after reading
the Republican Address" " of Mr..
Pool, and discovering the deep i'm
portance he attached to the resolutions,
will scarcely be able to account for
their utter abandonment when they
came up for consideration.
1t may have seemed presumption in
the estimation of some, over-sensitive on
the subject Of nativity" and birth
place, for one like myself to have ex-
hibited an earnest interest at all, in the
proceedings of the Convention, but hav-
ing been resident, approaching five
years, of the State of North-C Carolina,
and fully identified with the Republi-
can party in many of its severest strug-
giles and grandest triumphs, from the
very date of it's glorious origin, I have
felt as though 1 could not stand as an
Indifferent spectator, especially, when
earnestly solicited by a respectable
portion of my fellow citizens to take
part in the great and momentous work
of reconstruction. But, willingly dis
missing all matters having a personal
bearing, especially with those who en-
tertain in common Republican senti-
ments, sympathies and convictions,
there is certainly in the extraordinary
circumstances by which we are sur
rounded, enough to enlist our most
jealous efforts and energies in procur-
ing the early restoration Of the State.
49, Aware of the deep and anxious con
dition of the public mind, would not,
if l could, contribute to the measure of
discomfort. Earnest in the conviction
that the surest and most direct way