The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-04-15
FREE HOMES FOR TILE FATHERs-FREE
SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN, AND FREE
BALLOT FOR EVERY CITIZEN.

BALLOT FOR EVERY CITIZEN. "
I do not propose to discuss in detail the
various features of the proposed C"nstitu- !
ton. Upon its ratification. at the approach 3
ing elections, depend consequences of graver Z
import, and interests OF more vital impor-
| lance, than any questions that arise under
its provisions. But, it may be proper for me
to say, that in the present embarrassment OF
individuals and families, the wise and liberal
homestead guaranteed by its authority, must
commend it to general favor. The provi-
sions upon the subject of public education
will bring North Carolina up to the advanc-
| ed position of this enlightened and progress
sive age Its guarantees to lite, liberty and
| private property are ample and complete.
| 1t secures, for all time to come, free homes
to the fathers, free schools to the children,
and free ballot to every citizen. Upon its
ratification will come the dawn of prosperity
and peace-and there is every reason to- hope,
that thenceforward our State will enter upon
a career of unexampled progress in all that
pertains to the welfare, happiness and glory
of a people.
THE scEPTRE DEPARTED.
If there be still worshippers at the shrine
of the lost cause who having deserted the
true faith of republican liberty, bow them
selves down to idols, and pay their dcvo-
tions to false gods-let me assure them, now,
that the sceptre has departed from their
hands, forever. The friends of Union, !iber-
ty and equality have the power, and they
mean to place this State back into the Union
upon Just and national principles, and to
guard against any future disturbance, ny
well established guarantees. But as the
-, ,,,ct fI,nr
Just, so shall the devotees of sectionalism be
permitted to enjoy the blessings of that lib
erty, peace and security which shall be estab-
lished in spite of them-and they shall be
made, in their own persons, to illustrate, be-
fore the world, the benignity and strength
of that progressive system OF republican gov
eminent, which, securely based upon the
principle OF equal liberty to every citizen,
can safely extend its pardon and compel the
reluctant to become conducive to the glory
of the commonwealth, if in no other way, at
least, as living examples of its self sustaining
power and mercy.
WHAT POWER TO RESIST EVEN HARsHER
MEASURES
Do the opponents of ratification show us
any power which they or we possess to re-
sist the national will, however harsh or Sc
we're may be its next expression-or however
oppressive or unjust its next requirements
Did they not wage an unlawful and merci-
less war to the last point of desperation and
succumb only to superior force, actually APP
piled? They ceased not to strike, and they
would accept no quarter until PROSTATE upon
the earth with the foot of the conqueror
upon their necks, their weapons were wres-
ted from their hands. If such mad and
reckless persistence he dignified with the
honors due to manly fortitudc and hcroism,
whatever it may possess of glory will be
brought into ridicule and contempt by this
continued manifestation of spite, ill-temper
and impotent pretenslons of interminable re-
slstancc The noble and brave hear them
selves in battle with fortitudc and valor.-
But when overpowered, they submit with
manliness and dignity. Is it wise, or pat
riotic, or honorable longer to distract a ru-
ined people by arousng false pride for the
memory of the past, or delusive hopes for
the realization of which the future gives no
shadow of promise?
SECESSION PROMISES APPLES OF sODoM.
And to you, my countrymen, how delu-
sive have proven all the promises and hopes
by which you were betrayed into the
recent rebellion Like the apples of SoGom,
fair to the view, they have become worse
than ashes to the touch. They were the pre-
cursors of ruin, desolation and blood. I
warn you, to-day, against the same syren
voice, that again raises its captivating strains
to entice you away from the safe highway
of nationality. Close your ears against the
tongue that would awaken IN your bosoms
the passions and prejudices of the past, and
f,>f l,o of
Is sectionalism God to he forever worship
ped? Can freemcn, already the victims of
baffled ambition, continue to be made the in
struments of their own further ruin2 Look
around you. Where are the stable laws and
the independent tribunals given to US by our
fatl.ers2 They have been swept away by
revolution and disaster And still the rev.
olution is unsettled. Society has been dis
organized and its very foundations are still
so convulsed that no man can build for him
self a solid hope. The marks of desolation
wherever we turn, rebuke our folly and pain
fully remind US Of the prosperity of other
days. Fields untitled, homesteats in ruin,
depression and care depicted on.the counte-
nances of Observation-Disclosures closed, indus
try paralized, enterprise gone. What is
wanting to fill the cup of woe, but the re-
newal of civil strife and the turning of every
mans hand against the life of his neighbor?
And even that last sad calamity hangs above
us with frowning menace
Who does not pray for security and peace
Who does not long for the prosperity and
happiness that will come in their train If
it were known, to clay, that reconstruction
had been completed, and the State restored
to its constitutional relations in the Union,
with civil law established and civil govern
ment in uninterrupted force, what weight
would be lifted from the minds of this peo-
pie ! How many would return to their
homes, tonight, with lighter hearts. to greet
their wives and their children with that
smile of contentment and peace, once the
light of the household, but which has been
unseen for these many dreary years! How
swiftly would the intuitive promptings of
affection interpret it Alright, and hail it as
harbinger of news-good news, that the
brighG days of yore were coming again. The
child, so sensitive to the marks of care or
joy upon a parents face might well believe,
in simple faith, that an angel had touched
,, the portal with his wing, and brought glad
tidings from above.
IDLE TO RAISE OBJECTIONS.
1t is idle to raise objections. We need
an end to uncertainty and strife There is
much in the proposed Constitution that ]
would have otherwise. But, I would take
it as it is, rather than prolong our present
,, purplexities, even did the future give prom
Use of nearer approach, to my views and
| wishes. For it is unsafe to trust the future