The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-04
For the Standard.
RALEIGH, N. c., February ~, 1865.

The Convention adjourned.
-. =
"a For the Standard.
RALEIGH, N. c., February ~, 1868.
Mr.. WILLIAM. YATEs-Dear Sir AZ
ter long silence On my part write you a
few friendly but hurried lines, to let you
know that I am we'll physically. mentally
and politically. and do hope that these
few lines will find you in the enjoyment of
these inestimabe blessings. -.T
l have n" inf, resting political news to
write only such as you are familiar with;
therefore, l hope you will excuse me for
drawing the curtain of oblivion over the
sorrowiul and devastating scenes of the past,
and then permit me to speak a word in
reference to the present
Sir, we arc now engaged in framing Con-
stitution that will guarantee civil, political,
and religious liberty to all men, and political
equality before the law. So far as social
equality is concerned it has never been asked
| for by heathens, nor ever will be granted by
Christians or Republicans Social equality
cannot be governed by law, nor ought not, if
it could. Our Constitution will debar no
man from his rights before the law, while it
will grant or guarantee unaienable rights
to thousands of human beings, created by
the power of God, redeemed by his blood,
and preserved by his providence. Now, sir.
hope that you will at least concur with me
in the opinion that equal justice can hurt no.
body. l am weliaware that there is differ
ence between your political opinions and
mine yet believe it is an honest difference,
and is compromisable on the principles Of JUS
tice. and under rules governed by strict
friendship.
Now, Sir, the time is not far distant when
our Constitution will be submitted to the
people for ratification, and do hope that
you will use your influence to help us to
ratify it. And do know, that when you
| think of the scenes through which we have
| passed, or even those with which we are
now surrounded. that you will see the pro-
| prity of such q measure, and cheerfully ac
quiesce in it. would call your attention
briefly to the condition of our State. Our
State banks are dead our houses and fences
| are in diapidated condition our fields,
which once produced heavy crops of cotton
and grain, are 'overgrown with briars and
broom-sedge; our school-houses and semi
naries are deserted; our rivers, which are
continually pouring down their torrents
from the Southern slopes of the Allegheny,
are running uselessly to the sea. We have
thousands of strong hands unemployed, or
working for wages that will not board and
clothe them; and the energy of the farmer,
the mechanic and the merchant is paralyzed
or lost Well, now, what shall we do to re-
store prosperity to the detected and suffer
ing citizens of North Carolina? Now, Sir,
this is my opinion in regard to this matter !:
we must frame good Constitution we
must ratify it; we must return to the Union
by the nearest practicable route; We must
place North Carolina in her original position
in the Union. We are in debt, and nearly
out of credit. Is that because our State is 4
poor onel No sir-we have one of the rich
est States in the Union. and all we want is
intelligence and encouragement to develop
her resources. Well, now sir, how shall we
act to attain to those things SO desirable to
us all? We must ratify our Constitution !;
we must guarantee equal political rights to
all men before the law; we must employ
the colored man to work, and We must pay
him for it. There are millions of dollars in
Northern States ready to be invested in
Southern property as soon as our State can
he placed in her original position in the fed
eral Union.
Now, sir. will give you brief sketch of
the course have pursued in this Conven-
ton. First: have voted for every measure
that was strictly Republican that has come
before the Convention; and l have done this
because believed it to be my duty to do
so, regardless of any personal interest.
anu not seeking for office at the hands OF the
Republican party, or any other party in the
State. l am not seeking for any honor
more than what may accrue to me from
the faithful discharge of my duty.
When return to Mecklenhurg will moi
he candidate for any Office in the State ol
County. All that ask is to retire to the
peaceful labors Of my little farm, and in
tend to spend the residue of my days in ag
ricultuTal pursuits; and in order to place oul
farmers, mechanics and merchants in a con
dition to live and to educate their families
and to promote the best interests of the PEG
pie at large, am in favor of all the relic
we can get on their old debts first by Civ
ing heads of families permanent homestead
and secondly am in favor of scaling dowr
I all debts contracted between citizens of thi
State prior to May, 1865. want all debt
scaled to the present medium value of TIN
bills on the old Banks of this State. If tn
| Wal HAS icuttcitu tie DdukS uHaDle I'd re
deem their notes, it has rendered the farmer
mechanic and merchant unable to pay theirs
. wish I had time to write more, bu
must close by assuring you that l will d
everything that is in my power to advanc
the interests of all my fellow citizens, and t.
promote all measures that will tend to de
velop the great agricultural, mineral, manu-
, featuring and commercial interests and n
i sources Of the State. III s
Very Respectfully.
: SILAS N. STILLWELL,
Delegate from Mecklenburf
Col John 7. Dewcese has been nominated ft
> Congress as the Republican candidate in IL
: Raleigh IN. CO. distrct-the abest colored ma