The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-20
For the Standard.
..- For the Standard.
Great Mass Meeting in Williamson.
1000 PERSONS PRESENT


According to previous notice, the citizens
of Martin County, both white and colored,
assembled in Williamson on Saturday last,
to see what was to be seen and to hear what
was to be said. At an early hour they began
to pour in from all quarters, and by 10 o'clock
the principal thor0ughfares of the town
were literally TANNED with human beings,
all anxious to learn something of the politi-
cal condition of the country and hear the
great principles of the Republican party ex-
planned.
At 10 o'clock the Loyal Union League
turned out and marched to the grove of the
Male Academy, followed by an immense
crowd of colored people, where they were
addressed by Col. S. W. Watts in a speech
of two hours and half in length.
! The Colonel commenced by referring to
the present situation, and the ruin and dis
tress that had been brought about by an I'M
| fortunate rebellion. He showed in unmlsta-
kable terms, who originated the Mar and who
were responsible for all the blood and treas
IRE that had been so foolishiy spent. He
| dealt hard blows upon the principal leaders
of the rebellion and skinned the small
fry secession politicians. He then held
cut in bold relief as solution OF cur diff
culties the olive branch, that magnanimous
pie of the South in the late reconstruction
act. He implored the people to accept in
good faith the situation, and to rally around
the flag of the Union, and to stand fairly
and squarely upon the platform ef the Re
publican party-and all would be well. He
then discussed the principles of that party
and the platform of principles adopted by
the Loyal Union meeting that assembled in
Raleigh on the 9th March last, and especial
ly dwelt on the motto of the party-Union,
Liberty and Equality.
After giving description and minute his
tory of the meeting that had unfured the
bannerof Liberty, Union and political Equal
ty in the State of North Carolina he closed
by an appeal to the colored people to stand
firm in the Liberty wherewith they were
made free" to look we'll to their own inter
est, and that in his opinion their safety now
and their prosperity and happiness hereafter
depended upon their devotion to the Union
and an unaterabe attachment to the Rerub-
lican party; which was pledged and will
ling TO do them exact justice The Coianers
speech was frequently applauded, and cheer
after cheer rang out from the delighted au
dience.
The following resolutions wcret hea pre-
sentel and unanimously adopted:
ReS0tEe0, mat We fuzzy endorse the plat
form of principles enunciated and set Forth
by the Loyal Union meeting assembled in
Raleigh, on the eth of March last
Resolred, That we with proud satisfaction
this day unfurl the banner OF the Republican
party, believing that the great principles of
Union, Liberty and Equality are the only
ones founded upon justice and the only So
luton of our present political difficulties.
Eesolred, That upon our broad platform
we invite an fair-minded men, without DIS
tinction of race color, to unite with us to
make a long pull, strong pull, and pull
altogether, to restore North Carolina to her
position in the federal Union
Resolred, That we will support no man for
office that does not stand fairly and squaneIy
upon the platform of the Republican party.
Resoleed, That the Editors of the Raleigh
Standard be requested to publish the pro
eeeelings, and other Republican papers copy
April 10th, 1867.