Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-10-25

safety and peace of society," and
the promotion of the civilization and
honniness of it's members it is domestic
and concerns ourselves only, and we must
act upon il in the choice allowed US &C
cording to our convictions of duty
The elective franchise is not necessary to
the protection of any rights or I'M
munities of the freedmen before the law;
By the present Constitution, and the Bill
of Rights which has stood untouched SINCE
1776, the free colored man is now, and al
vavs has been, entitled to all the guaran-
tees as to life, liberty, security and proper
ty. which are vouchsafed to the white men,
as much so as women, minors and adults OF
the white race, who have not paid pubnc
taxes. The question before US therefore Is
not one of protection to him, but whether
he is qualified for the exercise of political
mower here, which is denied to him IN SO
many States of the North. I have no pre-
iudices against the colored race. AS
member Of the Legislature in years gone
! v. voted for their liberation on all prop
er applications according to the then state
of the law; in the practice Of my profession
aided several in establishing their claims
to freedom against white men holding them
as slaves, and prosecuted and defended
their nleas as for white men: and since their
liberation 7 recommended to the Legisla-
ture in published communication, IN reply
to INQUIRIES from certain of its members,
PROMPTLY to concede to them tie right to
testify in the courts of justice, which was
done. l wish them, now, all the happiness
and prosperity which can flow from an up
right and virtuous course Of life IN their
new condition. But it is better for them
and for us, that the elective franchise shall
remain as heretofore, with the white race,
ensuring a stable, tranquil and salutary
state of society, in which every individual,
of whatever complexion, shall be protected
in all his rights rather than incur the haz-
ards of the anarchy, disorder and insecure
ty which will ensue from the change i'll
question.
Deeply solicitous as [ am to see the old
and constitutional relations OF the States OF
the South to the Union restored, and gen
eral harmony re-established, l cannot con
sent to overthrow the organism OF civilized
society in a vain and Quixotic attempt to
affect that result. I prefer to ask Congress
to reconsider the propriety of the course
which has been adopted, and would pray
them to remember that the destruction of G
| State. which will be the effect of the meas
ures proposed. can pever be the means OF
it's restoration and that to compel hel
adoption of a change in her Constitution
by striking out a provision which stands
cOnspicuously, as we have seen, in those OF
other great States of the Union and which
they Indignantly refuse to remove, is to at
fix a badge of inferiority utterly lncons1s
tent with their ever hereafter being consld
cred an association of equals.
There are two modes of making such ar
appeal without any disrespect to Congress
4 ID IL
frame such a Constitution as is deemed II
for the people of North Carolina, and ask
ing appreciation thereof. I'd. BY voting
| against Convention. And inasmuch as the
only specific requirement Of the Act O.
Congress is as to a provision in the Con
. stitution for negro suffrage, which We
consider it rlinous to adopt, l shoulC
prefer the latter. Conventions, will
power over the fundamental law Of the
State, are not called of choice, except II
cases where change is desired, but II the
alteration proposed is not approved, there
is no occasion for the call. To me, wht
= concurred in, and most heartily approved
) their decision, it was sublime spectacle
) in February 1861, to see the people o
North Carolina reject the proposition mad
by the Legislature to call Convention tt
consider the subject of secession. Th'
. presses and politicians of various shades o
opinion. were in the confusion and uncer
= tainty of the times, nearly unanimous Il
J favor of the call But the people. seeing
the critical condition of affairs, rejected
. by decisive majority at the same tim
= taking care to elect delegates who woul
:. represent their sentiments, provided til
: affirmative had prevailed. Thus two month
were gained, before causes, not then antlcl
pated, and which were regarded when the
occurred as NECESSITY, precipitated US int
!, q war already commenced.
II These are some of the views [ shout
g have presented to your meeting, had
Il been able to attend I think the subjet
. has been less considered, by the people
. than. from its traLscendant Importance,
:, deserves.
" [ disclaim any purpose of disrespect {
, contumacy towards any department Or al
- thority Of the Government of the Unite
~ States, and still more at aiming to promot
=, the interests of party.
- A Wing from principle, never having ha
= any other party connection, now past tt
II Il meridian of life, will gladly forego all h
i interest in party, provided he can be a
= surcd that he yet has country. Our ow
G. CASTOR, long years ago, i'll the Halls (
N Congress, speaking of faction, which IS b'
Il party in excess, exclaimed, "Faction OF
rs of power is demon in chains. tactic
Il, clothed with the attributes of rule is a NJ
loch of destruction" In our present sit
alton what is party to us or we to party !?
lo To adopt platforms, profess creeds Or ba
Ut ter away our rights and interests as Stat
ne in order to conciliate any party, is not o.
en- ly positively wrong but is mistaken pc
ne icy. Nothing less than the saving effica'
IA IA of that perfect law of liberty embraced
a the Constitution of the United States, wi
C. all it's privileges and mutual guarantee
will relieve OF materially benefit rs. Aft
this shall be restored we may afford to pa
=, ticipate in the contest Of parties.
o, A half faced felIo wship, a patched up UniC
in based on fear, and accompanied with me
ed tai reservations, should not be desired.
or trust that Congress will reconsider and
ss convinced of this truth, and I trust that t
~ people will be charitable toward each othe
~ and patient and submissive to the laws, b
to that they will not lose their self-possessi
~ nor forget that freedom in elections is the
40 birthright; and, if there be among us the
% who, conscious of slittle favor with the c
h. voters, are seeking to exhibit extraordina
at zeal for the new, and to bind them togeth
ot as party organization, opposite and ht