The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-02-26

mitch can be done either 1DE o. 488nst--D0s
it does seem tn me, that any restriction in
this matter will result irishntold injury to
our cause It is true, they have, aud still
continue to pour on our heads III MOI ~
derous abuses, and By their Language infpe
the public mind with the grossest misrepee-
sentations as regards the policy d the -
publican party. Yet, would give them IN
return such portion of power as is em-
bodied in the ballot. believe such an act
on our part would tend more to lessen the
abyss between Us than any thing possible at
this time. Let "a convince them, that we
entertain no feeling of hatred or retaliation
towards them, but that our sincere desire is,
to promote the prosperity and welfare of the
old North State. And that when we ars as
1sured By acts Of their sincere support to the
Government Of the United States, that we
viii then extend the right hand Of friend
ship, and secure their every right, as exer-
cised before the war. It is, indeed, with .
sad heart that / witness such hostility OF
feeling as now exists with a portion OF the
people of this State. We ought not to an
ticipate prosperity, when such proscr1puve
ideas are favorably entertained, a. have Deen
advocated here. We have commenced the
laborious work of framing the organic NV
of the State, and let us mingle clemency
with our acts, and place before the people
Constitution not only adapted 10 -tne!r
wants, but one that will not SAVIOR vi parti-
san motives. We have the interest OF all 10
subserve, and let us make them feel that we,
although Republicans, have the good and
prosperity Of the State at heart. Although
some of the members of this Convention
were originally from Northern States, yet let
us convince the people of North Carolina
that our interests are here, ansl that the mo-
tiyes of our acts are for the public good
We have adopted this as our adopted State,
and here we expect to live, not to suffer
from our legislation, but receive equally
with others the result, either good or bad.
will not ask the attention OF the Conven-
ton but moment longer. have heard
much that has been said relative to the abll-
itv of the colored man as voter, and his
right to that privilege The interest OF the
colored man and that of the employer are
identified and why should such extremes be
resorted to, if only to keep hlm subjected or
as much of dependent as before the war;
would here say, that when the Legislature
of 1865 and '66 passed an act taxing the
colored man, they then admitted and ac-
knowledged him citizen and subject to
the laws of the State. Taxation and repre-
sentation must 60 hand in hand under any
civilized government, and how men can con-
sistently advocate the policy of taxing them
and then oppose the idea that they compose
q part of the representive people, cannot
see. We, as the predominant party, advo=
cate universal suffrage, and equal rights be-
fore the law both civily and politically. To
these men we feel ind ebted to for their val
liable services during the war, and in justice
to those who sacrificed their lives while gal
lantly defending their country's honor, We
could not repay them better than placing in
their hands the only safety for their future
the ballot. Those that lived here during
the rebellion are also entitled tn the same
consideration their services were often
brought into requisition by our fugitive pre-
servers, and there was never yet to my
knowledge one Of them betrayed. During
the latter part of the war when the suffering
was so extreme. did you hear of riots and
instructions on the part of the cnlored peo-
ple2 No! But in every large city in the
South it was almost weekly occurrence with
the whites The example set by the color
ed race during the war is unprecedented in
history. Not only without murmur, did
they submit to these privatious; but they
never resented any of the acts of cruelty i'm
posed upon them by revenge on the perpe.
traitors. They quietly awaited the result and
with nightly prayers invoked Gods blessing
On the Federal armies. The war ended
now if any people are entitled to our con-
sideration, it is the colored man who, he
fore, during, and since the war has ever
been loyal. Let US now take every opportu-
nifty to convince the people, that we are act
ing from motives which we believe will best
subserYe their interests, and when the re-
turns OF the next elections shall be made, lei
US herald to the world that North Carolina
has elected loyal man for Governor and
ratified her new Constitution by fifty thou
sand majority.
The debate was continued by Messrs. Hea'
ton, Durham, Ashley, Gambler and Tourgee
The Convention adjourned till Monday.