The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-10-15
CHR WRstern DRmorrat.
ADDRESS FROM HON. JOHN POOL
AND OTHER REPUBLICANS.
CHARLOTTE, N. G.


The Raleigh Progress publishes an Address
to the people of North Carolina, which it says
was written by Hon John Pool, and endorsed
bv Hon. r. p Dick, d. r. Goodloe and Hon.
Thos Settle, censuring the proceedings and
action of the late Republican State Convention
held at Raleigh Messrs. Pool, Dick, Goodloe
and Settle have heretofore co-operated with the
Republican party. We saw printed copy of
this Address some weeks ago, but did not have
an opportunity to read it. We know Dir Pool
to be the author of it,
The Address alludes to the fears entertained
by many people in regard to disfranchisement
and confscation should the Republican party
get complete control in this State, aod then says:
THAT these apprehensions might be quoted
by having the position of the party upon these
and other points distinctly and uneq uivocay set
forth and promu gated in North Carolina, 1t was
deemed expedient and proper that Convention
of republicans should be called to meet IN the
city of Raleigh, on the 4th day of September,
1867. The Convention was accordingly assem-
bled, but its action was not such as was hopen
and expected. 1t was, confessedly. unfortunate
that after the courtesy shown to recent settlers
from the North, by making prominent politician
from the State of Ohio (Col. Heaton) the tenn
porary Chairman of the Convention. they should
have demanded. and by appeals to the colored
delegates on the ground of military services, Sc
cured the rejection of one of the most prominent
and worthy of the native Unionists of the State,
iGen. Dockery,) and have placed in his stead. as
permanent President, stranger from the State of
New Hampshire. (Gen. j. G. Abbott.) a gentle
man previously unheard of by the masses of our
people, or known only as an officer from the Fed
eral army who had recently located near Whining
ton in this State. 1t is still more to be regretted
that the colored speakers from Wilmington and
its vicinity. seconded by gentleman from New
York. (Col. Peck,) in advocating the election of
Gen. Abbott, should have used language sug-
gestive of purposes calculated to increase pre-
viously existing apprehensions. They paraded
the military prestige of their candidate in lighting
against slavery, while they reproached the native
citizens of the State with struggling to perpetuae
it. and charged Southern Union with acting
either from cowardioe from hope to save
their slave property by terminating the war short
of emancipation. The effect of these appeals
upon the colored delegates manifested by the
excitement and enthusiasm with which they re-
jected the counsels of the more considerate OF
their own race. and of officer, lately in the
Federal service. (Gen Laf}in.) who met On y
Proach and insult for raising his voice in advo-
cacy of moderation and prudence.
The election of Gen. Abbott permanent
President of North Carolina Convention,
followed by the election of four Secretaries. two
and two colored r.en. 1t could hardly be ex-
pected that the Congress of the United States
would be likely to view the action of Conven-
ton so controlled. expressive of the true senti
ments OF this State, the success of party under
it as affording sufficient evidence of the temper
and spirit OF our people, to justify the restoration
of the State to its rights and powers in the general
government.
But effort was. nevertheless, made to quiet
the public mind by committing the party in this
State, distinctly and authoritatiyely, upon three
points, to wit: LIST. Against the purpose or desire
of contiscating private property for political of
fences in the present condition of affairs. 2 In
favor of providing in the State Convention for
the extension of the elective franchise to every
white and colored man alike. 3. In favor of the
removal of disabilities from true and loyal cisi-
zens within such limits as Congress may deem safe
and prudent in this State. The "committee on
platform and resolutions" after full and prolonged
deiiberation, reported to the Convention three
resolutions embodying these sentiments, and re-
commended their passage. But these resolutions
were met by repetition of excited and mmod-
crate discussion, and voted down. 1t was un-
fortunate, that the motion upon which the first
OF the resolutions was rejected. was made, not by
any native citizen of the State, white or coored,
but by prominent politician from the State of
Ohio, tCol. Heaton) The other two were re-
jected on the motion of gentleman from New
York, itol. Peck.) now resident in Wilmington.
On motion of a native of the State, by birth, but
who now is. and has been for some thirty years
a resident of the city of Washington, u plan of
party organization was adopted SO repugnant in
Its details to the customs and usages of our peo-
pie, and as effective in the hands of any who
might seek to place our government in the hands
OF strangers by controlling the coored vote, that
it cannot fail to excite additional alarm and dis
gust.
Northern gentlemen should be encouraged to
settle among US by extending to them every cour-
tesy and kindness, and by discountenancing the
revival of prejudces, which should never have
existed. and ought now to be forgotten and buried
forever. But while our people are willing for re-
cent settlers among US to participate in our pub
lie affairs, it is not natural that they should view
with favor, the appearance even, of an effort to
place their government entirely in the hands of
strangers, to the exclusion of those whose infor-
nation. interests and experience so much better
ht them to understand and manage the manifold
interests and exigencies connected with our pre-
sent unfortunate condition. 1t must appear to the
people unkind and unjust to take advantage of
their helpless condition, by exciting appeals and
deiuslve premises to the most ignorant, and most
unsuspecting and docile of our population, and
thus raise up ehmhy and antagonism among 8.
rulnous to the coored man. for whose rights and
welfare every good ciiz is now solicitous and
destructive of the efforts of those who are labor
ing to prepare the State for return to the Union
by bringing the popular mind in cordial unity
with the great principles of the republican party.
Let the people meet in their respective coun-
ties and districts, by their own spontaneous ac-
ton, and put forward their own candidatesMmen
true to the Union and trustworthy as republicans
ana Dy supporting such, manifest to the nation
thatln North Carolina there exists such a prevail
ing sentiment of nationality and such voluntary
obedience to the laws of the land that our restor
alton to rights and powers in the government. so
fRr from hahn dam IN, tha