Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-07-10
From the Raleigh Sentiael
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOV, w. w. HOLDEN,
IN CAPITOL SQUARE, JULY I, 1868.

FELLOW CITIZENS The 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 engendered and evoked
may disturb US for season, they can Meth
cl affiict US hereafter nor retard the pro-
eress of free principles on this continent.
The Union has been preserved. 1t has
been preserved not only on its former basis
Of liberty for one race, but it's foundations
are now broad enough for the whole peo-
pie of whatsoever origin, 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 reconstruction of the
lately insurgent States and their restOra-
I t;on to their Constitutional relations to the
general government, has proceeded upon
principles which have their basis i'll the
rights OF man and it has so guarded those
principles by enactmentS, and by amend
nents TO the Constitution, as to render
s them safe for the future in the hands Of the
people of the respective States We be-
iieve that the work thus begun for the
whole people, by the whole people of the
State, will be prosecuted to fortunate re-
suits. We trust that the foundations which
have been laid, and which we this day ded-
icate to the Liberty and Union in North
Carolina, will remain solid and firm for all
time to come beneath the edifce of general
prosperity and happiness to be erected
thereon. We feel sure that q government
s. 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 III whatsoever
! is merely human in its character, must flow
/ from the form we have adopted.
The people of this State have formed and
ratified q Constitution of Government,
which contains all the great principles of
/ liberty contended for in past ages by the
! wise and good of England and America
T The Constitution has been considered and
approved by the Congress of the United
States as republican in form, and with
this approval North Carolina has been re-
stored to her former position and privi-
leges in the Union.
This Constitution holds, fellow citizens,
as a self-evident fact, that all men are equal
in their political and civil rights.
It declares that call government Origl-
uSICSS 11CLAA I1IC ESOPAS5 40 AONAt1NS1 NRONA
their will only, and is instituted solely for
the good of the whole"
It declares that the State shall ever re-
main a member Of the American Union .
that there is no such right as that of Sc
cession. and that any attempt at secession
ought to be resisted by the whole power
of the State.
It provides for the freedom of the press,
for freedom of speech, and declares that
g the privilege of the writ Of hG5eaS cor
pus shall not be suspended"
1t guards every citizens house as his cas-
tie, against general warrants not supported
by proper evidence and it guards person
al liberty as of chief value to the citizen.
It declares that, &c as political rights and
privileges are not dependent upon, or mod
Tied by property, therefore no property
qualifications ought to affect the right to
vote or hold Office"