The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-04-15
SPEECH OF
Hon. JOHN POOL,
OF PAsoUoTANK,

My FRIENDS AND CoUNTRYMEN Il shall
address you to-day as citizens of North
Carolina, and not rs members of any polti
Cal party. | do not mean to misead you rs
to my own party affiliations. l am Re-
publican, and expect to vote for the Repub
lican candidates for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency of the United States in the cleo
tons next FALL Ii allowed to vote should
cast it for Republicans to fill all the offices
in the coming elections in this State. But
shall present to you, on this occasion, the
question of ratifying the proposed COnsti-
tuition, entirely disconnected from mere par
ty considerations, and as above ali parties
and men.
REVOLUTIONARY DISPUTES SHOULD BE QUICK
LY ADJUSTED.
My full conviction is that this State should
be restored to its true, constitutional rela-
tions with the federal government at the
earliest possible time-and with very little
regard to the conditions imposed. There
should beno more battling upon this question.
The history of the world teaches US to avoid
or speedily settle all questions and disputes
which involve revolutionary ideas or excite
the public mind to the extent which pre-
parcs it for that sanguniary alternative
When the late civil war was about to be
commenced, entertained the views now ex-
pressed, and laborcd as far as my humble
efforts could extend, for peaceable adjust
ment of the questions at issue. When they
had been irrevocably referred to the arbitra-
ment of the sword, avaied myself of the
very first opportunity to advocate peace and
reconciliation and did not cease in my
vain efforts-nor did suffer myself to be
deferred by the frowns of friends, nor by
threats and dangers, nor by the unexamplcd
abuse and odium of which was made the
object When the conflict of arms had
ceased amid blood and ruin, still believed,
rs / now do, that the revolution had not
ended, and that unfathomable calamities
and mseries were yet threatening my coun-
try, unless the smouldering fires of discord
should be speedily extinguished. I heliev
ed, especially, us / have ever since done,
and do now believe, that to the vanquished
the earliest settlement is always safest and
best. 1t is most natural, and altogether in
accordance with human impulses, for con-
queror to consider the rejection of terms ex-
acted as manifestation OF contumacy and
defiance, and hence, their stringency is
much more likely to be increased than di-
minished .I.
CONTINUED EFFORT TO EFFECT SETTLE
MENT.
But unwise counsels prevailed. The Pres
ident's policy was defeated and in the sue
ceeding elections the feelings and spirit of
the rebellion were made predominant and
had the ascendancy in every one of the in
surgent States. Under apprehensions which
ho,ya hno, b,,, bc,
events, assisted in an effort in Washington
to procure for North Carolina, alone, terms
which, though rebuked and secuted at the
time by those of our people who differed with
me in their views, they would gladly now
accept. The effort failed, and the present
Reconstruction acts were passed. Regret
ting some of their features, nevertheless
gave them my active sanction and support,
and have advised, and do now advise that
they he accepted and conformed to prompt
ly and in good faith. My course has been
actuated solely by desire for the most
speedy restoration of the State to amicable
and constitutional relations I have acted,
and now act, under the deliberate convic-
ton that all which we most dearly cherish
as a nation, as well as individual safety and
welfare, is subjected to imminent peril by
every month of delay, which gives scope and
force to dangerous and ever progressive rev,
olutionary ideas and passions. Hence, l
have steadily and unwaveringly opposed
those whose conduct and purposes have
seemed calculated, if not intended, to pro-
long an unsettled state of affars-and have
affiliated, politically, only with those who
have advocated prompt submission to the
national will, and ready obedience to the
Constitution and laws of the land. But
when any of my political associates, under a
mistaken view of what the public safety re-
quired, have seemed to acquesce in the pos
sible necessity Of confsration and other
measures of more than requisite harshness
and severity, have not hestatcd to stand
firmly in opposition, and to place myself
under the temporary displeasure of friends,
whose good will and appreciation 1 most
value, and to whom 1 am bound by the re-
membrance of the dark hours of danger,
abuse and attempted degradation, through
when we stood together in defence of liber-
ty, peace and the Union. 1t has seemed to
me that moderate counscls and definite pro-
positions were best calculated to secure such
a concurrence of public sentiment as to rem
der most sure and speedy the restoration Of
the State upon just principles, and the re-
turn of that spirit of nationality and mutual
kindliness of feeling, upon which alone we
can safely base reasonable hopes of future
prosperity, and the practical enforcement
OF the great principles of Union, liberty
and equality.
PREFERENCES BETWEEN MEN SHOULD BIZ
DIsREGARDED
Desiring to facilitate in every way, thu
earliest reconciliation with the nationa
government, l earnestly advocated the cleo
ton of Gov. Holden, in 1865. and the ele
walton to prominent positions of such mer
only as were least obnoxious to the excl
ted luminosity or prudential objections O
those who possessed plenary power owe
the matter involved. 1t is wisest and hest t.
pursue the same policy in the approaching
elections. Objections to certain men, ant
preferences between men should not be al
lowed to put in jeopardy nor complicate thu
great purpose of restoring the State to it
governmental relations.
PROFESSIONS, BUT CONTINUED BATTLING.
Those who have steadily opposed ever,
measure and requirement of the general gov
eminent preparatory to restoration of thu
State, at one time, protested to be willing t.
acquiesce in the present reconstruction acts
provided, no additional disfranchisemen
and no prescription should be incorporated
into the new Constitution. The Convention
has given heed to moderate counses, ant
framed Constitution with no disfranchise.
ment and no prescription in it, beyond the
very letter of tile reconstruction acts. VIII,
then is it opposeds Why are not the pro
LESSONS made in private conversation !,