The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-11

Mr.. Abbott said this was very delicate
question, and what he said he desired to see
construed in liberal manner. But there
| was anxiety on this question. He had no
| doubt that the President could register if he
wished to- 1t was delicate question, but
no such reasons should overpower us.
Mr. King of Lincoln-must we stay until
case is carried to the United States Su-
premc Court
Mr. Abbott-no sir. But this question
should be enquired into. 1t is important to
us all. A case could be easily made up and
sent to the Courts, after the adoption of this
| Constitution. ,-.-ssss-.r-F-.,. .e-
Mr.. Heaton said if the President had been
consulted, he had nothing to say but if
not, it struck him as indicate and unconr-
! teous. He should have been notified. He
desired to have the President come forward
and tell the Convention what he knew of it.
Mr.. Tourgee said it would be indicate
| and uncourteous to call the President before
! the Convention now. The most gentleman
!. ly way was to institute a committee, He
| held printed sheet, which attacked the
President bitterly on this point. The Pres
ident should be placed in positionwhere
| he could relieve himself of these charges
| No personal motives had impelled the offer
ing of this resolution,
Mr. King, of Lincoln, insisted on previ-
Gus motion to lay on the table. He said that
\ the validity Of the Constitution depended
upon no such insignificant matter:as this.
Mr.. Nicholson thought the reconstruction
acts did not require delegate to be regis
tered, but only to be able to register
Mr. Jones, of Caldwell, said the President
had not been consulted in the matter before
the house. No doubt he would be able to
| give satisfactory answer to any inquiries
on this subject.
Mr.. Tourgee said the reconstruction acts
required every delegate to have the same
| qualifications as voters.
Mr.. Gambler said the resolution did not
meet the intended object. If the question
was referred to Congress it would take
six months to decide. Us
Mr.. Abbott said that in Florida, General
Meade had expelled unregistered delegates.
| He had no doubt but that the President
could register, and this matter should be
decided. r
| Mr.. Cander-how2
| Mr.. Abbott the President must register.
| Mr.. Candler-well suppose he does not.
Mr.. Abbott that would be matter for
serious consideration. ,,ss
| Mr.. Hayes, of Halifax. hoped the motion
to lay OH the table would be Withdrawn, in
| justice to the President.
/ MIR. Watts said that he was friend of the
! President, but this was too grave matter
! to be left in doubt.
| Mr.. Candler-who is to decide this qucs-
ton. Will any gentleman tell me9
Mr.. Tourgee-on careful consideration of
| the report of the committee, the Convention
will decide ---g
Mr.. French, OF Chowan, said there was no
reflection on the President or any member of
this Convention. 1t was certainly matter
of great Importance, and should he referred
to committee of legal gentlemen.
The motion to table was lost.
The resolution was adopted.
! Mes5rs Rodman, Heaton and Pool were
elected as committee by the Convention.
PRIVILEGED QUESTION.
Mr.. Cowles said at the time of the offering
of this resolution, he was in the lobby. He
did not intend at that time to say one word
IT, sway the minds of delegates for or against.
Hewas little surprised at the suddenness of
the introduction of this resolution. He felt
little mortified, and thought he could dis
cover something personal.
) Mr.. Tourgee said If the gentleman could !
not admit his disclaimer, there Eas an end
oft.
Mr.. Cowles said he had an interest in this
matter merely as man. But he thought
politically the investigation would bear no
good fruits to the Republican party. 1t
seemed that some delegates had been goad-
ed to this course by paper in this city,
whose charges were beneath notice. Its
f,r love laio ot<,
here He was surprised to see that dele
gates here were msled by this sheet.
Now he desired to know what course to
pursue here. He had been arraigned
indicted or impeached. He was glad that
he was out of the chair when the question
arose but should he return, his limbs would
falter on the steps. His hands would hest
tate to sign a draft on the treasury. And
unless there were some manifestations of well
come, he would indeed feel mortified and
uncertain what to do. He had never faltered
in his support of the Union He had never
failed to support the Union, and was involv-
ed only technically In 1860, when no one
would take office under Mr. Lincoln he had
done so. Applause. That had brought
this investigation upon him. During the
war he had been arrested from time to time,
his farm had been devastated, and he had
suffered for his loyalty. Delegates here
knew that he told the facts in the CASE
So when the war was over he claimed to be
Postmaster again, and it was given him. He
had never been required to take the oath
anew. 1i -InaE sr4
Now when the State seeded, he wrote a
letter which was opened and read A Wig.
lance committee waited on him at his home,
and informed him that he had written this
letter saying that he would not hold Office
under the Contederacy. There was home
guard parade that day, and the rabble were
clamoring in the street. They told him it
was too serious a matter to be trifled with.
They had hung a negro, a clay or SO before
on his lot. So he consulted with his wife,
and loyal friend, who told him that he
would be hung unless he submitted for his
letters had been Intercepted. No oath was
administered nor did he ever take it. He
had letters to show that his resignation was
afterwards accepted because he would not
take the oath. The Office passed into Union
lady's hands Then when Stonemans CON-
mand caine, his house was guarded because
of his loyalty. $50 ~ Gaa
Now when the iron clad oath was rendered,
him, his conscience and not the fear of pun
ishment prevented his taking it. When the
reconstruction oath was rendered he liesita-
ted, because he thought Congress might re-
lieve him. His friends had run him for the
Convention. He had done all he could then,
and was returned with the highest vote ON
the ticket. Coming here to take back
seat, he had been elevated to the Presidency
. | much to his establishments