The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-08
- r,I.RKs OFFS. FOUNTAIN, Esq,

t;eIL, GHly0FG C0utetS,e0'' F>SSst~ -
of JaAe, 1857.
FELLOW CITIZENS :EThe questions TO oe
,.la,sSe1 before the American people at the
os sooot time are fraught with interests OF the
Pnst importance to us all -because they
s,'',lyc the perpetuity of human freedom
.I Manhood rights in their broadcast sense.
;rnu the workings Of our government in
on" wears. these rights and privileges were
nnt enioyed by large portion of our peo-
Me They were absolutely denied to the
p,iored man, and instead of a disposition to
ioosen the cords of servitude, they were
Irswn closer every year by those who held
the doctrine that human slavery was indis-
,,ans,ble. But tlies rebellion inaugurated
and carried on by bad men to continue
SIsyerv. was overtlirown, resulting in the an
rnlmcnt of human slavery. And l can stand
here now, warmed by the burning blaze of
f.oodom and say what [ wished, but could
~ saw with any safety twenty-five years ago,
+hat [ am heartily glad that the right to
onmne] absolute servitude, except for crime,
:. mptted from the organic and statute laws
IS every State IN this Union. This much
oncompished in the beginning of a, great
oral as well as political reform, it becomes
rs to ask what is our duty as citizens of a
common country under the new condition OF
dnty is to stand by the government. How
shall we do this faithfully BY attaching
ourselves to the National Union Republican
norty-that party which amid dangers, per-
IL and blood, effected this great fundamental
change. And then cooperate with it to
achieve the reforms needful to place US upon
the sure foundation of f" Union, Liberty and
Equality" When Ispeak of slavery and its
r 81,
black men were in the condition of slaves in
the South. What rights did the common
working classes of the white race enjoy
here? The poor men, s0-calted, in this coun-
trv were under the influence of the few large
land and shareholders. Thus, ballots were
not used as their own, because they were
giyen to them before, or on the election days,
and they dared not change them for fear of
their leaders The poor common working
classes in the South were duped, controlled,
managed to effect legislative schemes to
the interest of the few and to the dispar-
agement of the many. By this means, the
mowers of the State governments were given
into the hands of those that held the great
est body of lands and slaves, and they legis-
lated in favor of corporations and monopolists
to the entire neglect of the non-slavery hol-
Clcrs and the white laboripg interest. The
interest of the mechanic was never thought
of or cared for. Why? Because slaves con-
stituted capital and labor to the owner, and
to whom the interests of capital in this way
was the main object with all representative
men South.
So completely were the masses of the white
laboring people South blinded with this sin
gle idea and purpose to perpetuate the slave
system, that they yielded a passive obedience
to policy which laid the foundation to sap
their very vitals as laboring people, and
entailed upon their children bondage that
would under the old system, have reduced
them to hewers of wood and drawers of wa
ter for the slaVeocrat and land aristocrat for
all time tocome: Hence, instead of legislation
operating to encourage industry, skill and
genius OF white men, it operated to increase
and perpetuate the slave system and the sup
planting in every branch of industry white
with black or slave labor. In word the
interest of the slave owner was mostly con-
suited, who in consequence held the balance
of power, enabling him to regulate at
will the price of labor and produce
Thus it was so few laboring men gained
riches, and so many remained poor. What
a different result had slavery been extinct
and legislation directed to the development
of our resources. The millions of treasure
Embedded in the lands of our State would
years ago have been brought into use by
men of our own section, making themselves
benefactors to US and Our children. But in
stead, the policy pursued locked the door to
enterprise on the part Of our people, and
these rich resources lie to-day in natures beds
monument of shame to us, because of I'M
provldent legislation. Are not these facts
fully illustrated in other States in their pros
perity, compared with our adversely? But
seeing the folly of the past, and having the
great incubus to our future prosperity
moved, IN that all men are now made free,
let US begin to improve our condition in re-
gard to their best interests. How shall we
do this First, by carrying out the recon-
struction measures promptly and faithfully
in our State. Secondly, by forming a Re-
publican State Constitution. Let the Re-
publican idea be broad, full and complete
That Is, let every man twenty-one years old
vote, white and colored, unless disabled for
crime. Let every freeman be eligible to Of
flee in the State, and let the people of his
district he the judges of his qualifications
when they go to the polls to cast their
votes. Let the government be based upon
intelligence and industry, and the voters can
and will be the judges of the fitness and
qualifedness of the electors. Then it is pos
sible that all the varied interests of the peo-
pie will be represented.
Let this be done without distinction or
determinations further than what the voters
may determine with respect to brains and
the honesty of the electors. Let all the of
tcers be elected by the sovereign people, and
then you establish sufficient check against
what some few oiigarchs fear, may lead to
agrarianism. We have some men of such
views in our State. They are against free
dom They must be voted out of the way
or they will give us trouble in our forward
march to equal rights under popular govern
ment. The enterprise of our iaboring peo-
pie South, has been kept under in conse.
quence OF this heresy against freedom. The
doctrine has long since become obsolete in
the minds OF progressive men under popular
government. 1t has long since been found
that the interest of the American people was
one ana the same. And all that has been
wanting to develop the full resources of our
great nation was to let freedom expand from
snore to shore. Not that any men ever hon
e:tly proposed, or ever will ask an equal
1l:lrt6utlon of property hy legislation. No,
tnis Idea is based. if based at all, upon ig-
norance In regard to the true character of
our honest lahoring and common yeomanry,
OF On tue fact that itc ,rop,1Ifro+orc fol ~ |