The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1867-04-03
AND ENTHUsIAsM!l!l
The First stepto "the Music
Of the Union!!!!!

The hour OF 12 NJ, Wednesday, the eth
knst., having arrived, the delegates were sum-
+monpd to attend at the Commons Hall in
! the Capitol building by the ringing Of the
5Irll. The intletatigable Secretary to the pre-
vions meeting. Mr.. w. R. Richardson, hav
ing obtained permission to use the Hall,
(which hT his efforts was also tastetuily deco
rated with national banners draped upon
the galleries and over the. Speakers stand.
above which place was extended this motto
. in large letters, "UNi0N, LIBERTY,
! |EQUALITYn
Among these banners was that of the 1st
lN. c. Union Volunteers, which had been
1 ibornc triuniphantiy 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 decorum during tile
whole proceedings and who evinccd unusual
interest in the deliberations of the Memorable
&bodv. The lobbies beneath were also crow
led to their utmost capacity by both whites
and blacks, who pressed far into the main
aise, seeking positions for the purpose of
bearing 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; - vslt -a
Mr. G. l.. Harris, of Rutherford, as Chair
man of the meeting Of loyal members of the
LEGISLATURE, called them to order, when
Hon. Alfred Dockery, of Richmond was
dominated for temporary chairman, and
unanimously elected.
Hon. r. p. Dick, of Guilford, (white,l and
J, L. Harris. (colored) ofHake, were delega-
ted to conduct the Speaker to the Chair
(which being done, Lassz "a Al 81.
Mr.. Dockery proceeded to address the
Convention in.lIiS usual forciblc and eloquent
1 manner, as follows: .
lie said although he would not make set
speech as presiding officer of this meeting, he
begged leave to submit few remarks.
We recognize, gentlemen, in this assembly
IA large number of the most Intelligent and
trGsty Union men of the State, coming to-
gcIher from the se. shore TO the mountains
for the purpose of consulting as to the most
efficient mcthod of cooperating with tlic
general government, in building up a Loyal
State government here, and checking the
downward course of events We desire tc
restore North-Carolina TO her full relations
+ to her sisters in the American .Uaion. Let
others sncer and ritlicule as:thcy may. VIZ
regard the movement rs patriotic in tho
highest degree (applanse) ffs-s-
70 he member of such 4 body, convened
for such i purpose. is IN Eonor to any man
10 he selcate, as its presiding officer is !:
distinguished honor, gentlemen, for which
tender to you my highest spppreciation zap
n pausc)
After four years of war, after the most gi
+ gantic rebellion knownin the annals ofman
kind the rebel armies surrendered to th'
victorious forces Of the general government
As consequence the Legitimate and consti
'nllonsi authorities Of that government de
cared alt civil eeyernmeatin the rebel State.
suspended. Theconqncors were full POW
ef They remain so, and now, although ",
nave had scssionsef theLegislatnre and Con
vcntoH we dna al tae work of reoonstruc-
uon, upon our aast at itast. vet to lic done
inr important question i.n:4=is, h9w slal
we 10 1t .l4ss2 10 the raceBE~ acts of Con
E'tSs They are or Textbooks, the guides
10 iead us back iato tic Unian- Garry on
'eF "Aoeiona geqGlreueats. gentlemeTi,i il
,s',ef and spirit. not tmerelY as su5niissionist:
pul acceptors il gooi ilth, by passing
Jaw nMS Just and proper in every particular /; lc
WI, MIS- DC done, and the work is accomplished
hch the new constitution Is in formation
Eitat care should be taken to guard it agains
5ls'U'ous attacks from within and without
40 ooor, which can be closed against sucI
5:%, %5s:'"oi's, Should belief open. Otherwise til,
isai'eeted Si,s53ted and evi!-disposcd will enter tn
" Nv; without any desire to excite or agtat
paugS Povnq at present, no one will deny that w
tI'o I"1 ns pssh ruined by party combinations il
Iar lrs' d; 10 prevent the recurrence of sim
of C,us Cais"Stf0us events, let US sustain the act
N'HSreSs; and keep sufficient mum