The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-09-30
SPEECH OF
COL. ROBERT M. DOUGLAS,

JUL. hODhIel III. DOOohhS1
Delicered before the Great Mass Meeting of
the Republican party in Raleigh, September
18Th, 1868
FELLOW CITIZENS Though it may ap-
pear presumption in one so young to attempt
70 discuss questions W lich task the energies
and abilities of our greatest statesmen, yet,
feeling in this vital struggle on which be-
lieve the future prosperity, if not the very
existence OF our country depend, 1t Is the
duty of every one, young or old, to exert his
utmost in defence of our sacred cause, l obey
your call. This is probably the first time in
our nations history that young man has
had the opportunity of appearing before
popular gathering rs the advocate of truly
national party-a party that is governed by
no sectional interests or partisan prejudces:
but whose motto is our whole country, whose
eternal principles are equal rights, and equal
laws. l do not look upon this as a canvass
which will decide the manner in which the
government of tile country shall be admin
istered; but as an issue on which will de-
pend the vital question, I" shall we have
country 2"
Sincerely believing this, shall not at
tempt to deal with minor questions of do
mestic policy, but shall come at once to the
main issues, Union or Disunion, Peace or
War.
What satisfaction does the true patriot
derive from the adoption of his dearest theo-
ries of government, if, in the adoption of
those theories, begins the ruin of the land
lie fontlly hoped they would lead to great
ness2 Laws founded even upon divine in
SEPARATION, would lie useless if there were no
country for them to govern.
What theatre is there for the display of
tile energies of IL young and aspiring citizen
Just entering upon the important duties of
life, in country torn by civil strife2 Well
has an eminent American statesman re-
marked: "Therc is no path of ambition
open to ire in divided and distracted
country"
To prove that the real issue is peace or
war, we have only to refer to Frank P.
Blair's letter, written with a view to his nomi
nation, and subsequently endorsed by the
very TACT of his nomination by the National
Democratic Convention.
Blair in his letter says:
"Therc is but one way to restore the Gov
eminent and the Constitution, and that is
for tile President elect to declare these acts
null and void, compel the army to undo its
usurpations at the South, dispcrse the carpet
bag State Governments, allow the white
people to reorganize their own governments,
and elect Senators and Representatives"
Of course, any attempt to subvert the gov
eminent of these Southern States by force,
would lead to war, as the Governor and all
other State officers, civil and military, arc
sworn to obey, support and defend the Con-
stitution of the State of North Carolina and
we will defend it.
Further down Blair says:
ave must restore the Constitution before
we can restore the finances, and to do this
we must have President who will execute
the will of the people by trampling into dust
the usurpation of Congress, known as the
reconstruction acts. wish to stand before
the Convention upon this issue, but it is one
Which embraces everything else that is of
value in its large and comprehensive results
1t is the one thing that includes all that is
worth q contest, and without it there is
to the struggle"
On this issue he was nominated. If any
further proof were needed to show the revo-
lutionary spirit of the Conservative party, it
could easily be foundin the violent harangues
we daily hear around us, their bitter perse-
cution of Union men, and their unrelenting
hatred of the North, and its loyal people.
This bitterness towards Northern men,
who prove true to their principles, and who
do not bow in slavish submission to the
opinions of these naughty aristocrats self
constituted Judges of honor and morality, I
know from personal experience Though
descended from one of the oldest families of
this State, and born and partially raised in
Rockingham county, upon my return nearly
two years ago to my native place, was de-
nounced as Yankee, and generally re-
ceived with all the GOODNESS and distrust due
to one of that detested race. Notwithstand-
ing my own nativity, and the position OF
my mothers family, they could never forget
the Puritan birth of my father, whose native
State, Vermont, with her 10000 majority
so nobly leads the van and may add
could never forgive his dying efforts in de
fence of his country.
Speaking of him, and feeling that whatever
importance any words of mine may have is
derived from the name bear, and the affec
ton many still feel towards one who through
life proved himself the peoples friend, few
words concerning my father may not BIZ
deemed inappropriate. 1t was with feelings
ofsurprisc, and must add of indignation
tthat saw his name inscribed upon one
the transparencies borne in the late Conser
.yatiye procession. thought that common
1decency at least would have prevented then
from dragging from the tomb the name of
man whom they had betrayed and denounced
through life, and after his death, whose or
jpi,an children they had prosecuted.
s'baWlnle gazing upon that name remem
ibered the time when these same men declared
him a traitor to every principle of honor be
cause he preferred his country to his party
and bitterly denounced him for his efforts t,
rally the people Of the West for the defenc
of tho Union. 81
deoenerate son; and for every quotation
- .,;vp me from lis speeches will Civ