The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-14
INAUGURAL ADDRESS

LU v. w. W. II . u d Z "
IN THE CAPITAL SQUARE, JULY 4TH, 1868.

FELLow-CITIZENs:-1he unity of govern
ment which constitutes us one people, has been
restored. The Great Rebellion is suppressed.
The will of the majority, from which there will
be no further appeal, has been pronounced.
Although the passions which the rebellion en-
gendered and evoked may disturb us for season,
they can neither affiict us hereafter nor retard
the progress of free principles this continent.
The Union has been preserved. 1t has been
preserved not only on its former basis of liberty
Tor one race, but its foundations are now broad
enough for the whole people, of whatsoever ORR
gin, color or former condition.
We have assembled to-day to begin anew the
work of self government. The Congress of the
United States, properly charged with the recon-
struction of the lately insurgent States and their
restoration to their Constitutional relations to
the general government, has proceeded upon
principles which have their basis in the rights of
man and it has so guarded those principles by
enactments, and by amendments to the Constitu-
ton, to render them safe for the future in the
hands of the people of the respective States
We believe that the work thus begun for the
whole people, by the whole people of the State,
Will be prosecuted to fortunate results. We
trust that the foundations which have been laid,
and which we this day dedicate to Liberty and
Union in North Carolina, will remain solid and
firm for all time to come beneath the edifee Of
general prosperity and happiness to be erected
thereon. We feel sure that government ''of
the people. by the people, and for the people,
will outlast any other form and will confer greater
benefits than any other on those who are destined
to live under it; and we are, therefore, confident
that all that is valuable and perfect in whatso-
ever is merely human in its character must flow
from the form we have adopted.
The people of this State have formed and
ratified Constitution of Government, which
contains all the great principles of liberty con-
tended for in past ages by the wise and good of
England and America. The Constitution has
been considered and approved by the Congress
of the United States as republican in form,
aud with this approval North Carolina has been
restored to her former position and privileges in
the Union.
This Constitution holds, fellow citizens, as a
eclfevident fact, that all men are equal in their
political and civil rights.
1t declares that ''all government orr CLIMATES
from the people, is founded upon their will only
and is instituted solely for the good of the whole
It declares "that the State shall ever remain 6
member of the American Union''-that there is
no such right as that of secession, and that any
attempt at secession sought to be resisted by the
whole power Of the State"
1t provides for the freedom of the press, fol
freedom of speech, and declares that 'the privi
lcge Of the writ Of kabeas corpus shall not be
suspended"
1t guards every citizens house as his castle
against general warrants not supported by proper
evidence: and it guards personal liberty as O
chief value to the citizen.
II dsslasss sass, "a RelIssal tights saa g55Si
ought to affect the right to vote, or hold Office
Il secures religious freedom.
1t provides for education as "a right" which
it is the duty of the State to guard and main
tain"
1t declares that perpctuities and monopolies
hereditary emolumcnts and privileges, and ca
post focto laws are contrary to the genius of
free State, and ought not to be allowed.
1t declares that human slavery is forever pro
hibited within this State"
1t provides that all property shall be taxed
according to its true value in money" thus es
,ablishipg the only just system of taxation; anc
for the protection Of both the poll and the lands
1t provides that for State and County purposes
the poll tax shall never exceed two dollars ano
that this tax shall be "equal to the tax on pro
perty valued at three hundred dollars in cash"
thus balancing the land against the poll tax, and
preventing injustice or oppression to either.
1t makes the most stringent provisions fol
maintaining State credit.
1t provides for homestead for every head Of
family, and, as far as it was possible to do SO
secures such homestead against all debts or obi
cations
1t very tenderly provides for the rights Of
married women, by exempting all their property
from the debts Of their husbands, and giving
them power, with the assent of the husband, to
convey such property as they may choose.
It provides for the poor, for the orphan, 70,
the deaf and dumb and blind for the insane, fol
idiots and iDebriates, and, in fine, for all who are
benighted, wretched aud forlorn.
It separates from each other the three great
departments of the Government, Legislative
executive and judicial; and it makes them al
dependent on the people as the only rightfu
eource of power.
1t provides that every male citizen shall be q
voter; and every voter, with few exceptions
shall be eligible to Office. Suffrage has thus
been bestowed upon all. The colored man has
the same right with the white man to vote and
hold Office / do not inquire whether it was
necessary to do this TO accomplish reconstruc-
ton. It is sufficient that justice is always a
necessity in founding governments that are to
operate upon all. and that without it no govern
Inent can be expected to endure. The ballot,
thus bestowed upon eur recently eufranchised
people, will remain with them. There is no
power that can deprive them OF 1t, without piung-
ing us into protracted and terrible civil war.
Four millions of human beings, who have once
tasted the blessings of freedom, would not sur
render these blessings without struggle They
would find powerful friends here and elsewhere
in the country. Greater ealamities and suffer-
ings than those endured by our people in the
late rebellion would come upon US with such a
struggle, but the result, though long delayed,
would not be doubtful Liberty for all would
again triumph Those who had provoked such