The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-01-22

feelings would not allow him to sit still and
see obloquy cast upon any delegate. He
did not know any locality where such a
thing would occur outside these unrecon-
structed States. 1t was owing doubtless to
the fact that new element had been introdu-
ced into politics, and seventy-one thousand
new voters were struggling into considera-
ton and pubic respect against the tiercest
opposition. He trusted the Convention
would adopt this resolution, which was in
all equally.
Mr. Durham, of Cleveland, said he re-
GREETED to see the introduction of this resolu-
ton. While lie was in hopeless minority,
he could only protest against it. Such res
oution had not been introduced in any Leg
islature of this State before this. On the
third day of the session, one of the report
ers of the press to be excluded! He must
protest against it. And what was this to be
done fora Because the Reporter had called
certain delegates negroes. Were they not me-
groesa ~
Mr.. Hood, of Cumberland, will the gen.
tlemen allow me to ask him question:
Mr.. Durham-They can't deny the fact of
being negroes. Do gentlemen intend to ex-
clude reporters tor telling the truth2 ~
Mr.. Abbott, of New Hanover, said there
was no intention to interfere with the liner
ty of the press, or with editors. While
there was disposition to burlesque this
Convention, he desired to see that Reporters
should be required to treat all members
equally with respect Mr.. Hood, of Cum
berland, had been denominated, Hood,
negro" He thought that all members
should be spoken of respectfully. as gentle
men occupying honorable positions in this
Hall. He did not intend to discuss this
whole social question-but all should be
treated alike respectfully. He also saw that
the heading ofproceedings ofthis Convention
in Conservative paper was printed "Con-
vention so-called." That was Objectionable
But this resolution treated of a graver mat
ter. He wished to stop the exhibitions of
disrespect by any reporter, evinced toward
this body.
Mr. Durham, of Cleveland, said the desig
nations given were because the people de-
sired to know how the negroes voted. Were
they ashamed to be called negroes? He
again protested against this resolution, in
the name of the white, honest people of the
State, for it interfered with the liberty of
the press, and for that reporter was to be
excluded for calling negro,-negro.
Mr. Hood, of Cumberland, asked If the del
gate desired an answers He could tell him
it was doubtful whether any one here pres
ent could tell where the term, negro, came
from. 71
Mr. Abbott, of New Hanover, said that
he was not intolerant-he did not intend
to interfere with the liberty of the press
He had been informed that the editors of
the paper in question, were personally esti-
mable men. He desired free report of the
proceedings of this body, but as much as
he desired this, such a report should be
fair and exhibit due respect towards every
delegate.
Mr.. Hodnett, of Caswell, said reproach
was sought to be thrown on the reporter.
from paragraph, in which he had spoken
of Hood, negro, nominated Ball, white"
This he contended was strictly impartial
If one was insulted, both WERE Thus early
he regretted to see such spirit as was evinc-
ed this resolution.
Mr.. Abbott. of New Hanover, SAID if it
was necessary to describe delegates, why
not say one was Yankees, another Irish, an
other baldhead, &c. The whole matter was
absurd and disrespectful. He did insist
upon the passage of this resolution.
Mr.. Ashley, of New Hanover, said that re-
porters were on this floor by courtesy. They
should conduct themselves politely, as if they
were in parlor. They might say what they
pleased outside of this Convention, but they
ought to truly report what was said here. They
were bound as gentlemen to speak re-
spectfully of every delegcte, and he
desired to see this matter settled at once.
For when Republicans have chance to
manifest self-respect, under such assaults of
the Conservatives, they ought and were
determined to do So He wished to hold
every reporter strictly to the rule of cour-
tesy.
Mr.. Durham, of Cleveland, arose to re-
ply to the delegates from New Hanover and
GuilfOrd. He had come here in q hopeless
minority, but he expected to find majority
disposed to act fairly. He would cite an
instance. During the last Legislature, Mr..
Holden's paper had denounced members as
rebels and traitors No intimation of ex-
termination or the expulsion of the report
er was thrown out then. He thought it un-
wise and unfair at the time, and thought so
now. If pursued, this principle of party
retaliation would ruin this Republic, as it
| had destroyed Others
Mr.. Abbott. of New Hanover, said when
a member was elected he stood here as the
peer of other delegates. This resoluti on
| simply recognized that fact. He had no
wish to change the color of any one.
But if the President was a colored
man, he would treat him with the same re.
| spect he had treated the honorable President
elect. A reporter was bound to do the same
thing by all the laws of courtesy and usage
AS to Mr.. Holden's paper-he remembered
that an expression about building a hell
had been once uttered upon this floor, and
| probably provoked sharp structures. But
that was not in discussion to-day. II was {
question whether this Convention would
protect its members from insults or not.
Mr. Welker, OF Guilford, said this reso
luton applied to all reporters. No distinc
ton was made. But it did not apply to til,
papers. Only that portion furnished to tn
paper by reporter, was in question. TIL
resolution did no injustice whatever.
MIR. Harris, of Wake, said the structures il
MIR. Holden'spaper. referred to by Mr. Dur
ham, were ofan editorial and not reportoria
character. He remembered too in the las
Legislature, white citizens bad been threat
ened with the pillory for favoring the pres
ent reconstruction bills.
MIR. Moore, of Granville, moved to lay tn
resolution on the table.
MIR. Forkner, of Surry, called for the yea
and nays, which resulted as follows:
Not laid on the table, yeas 3, nays rs.
Mr.. Forkner, of Surry, said that under tn
adopted rules this discussion was out of Oh
der, nor could the resolution be considere
to day, therefore he moved that the rules b
AoI