The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-02-11

and only longed to be restored to the rights OF
American citizens, according to the Constitution
! Gov Graham next briefly discussed the policy
OF President johnson with reference to the State
governments, after the surrender i While he
did not conceive it necessary to strike down these
governments, vet III common with all our people,
he acquiesced therein He recounted the con-
eessions and sacrifices made by the people of the
South, in obedience to the exaetions made upon
them. They did all this for the sake of Peace.
And yet Congress is not satisfied Another Con
vention has been called by it,-not by the State,
bringing in the colored race as voters-a
thing unknown before, and through that agen-
cy it is sought to change entirely our State gov
ernment and place us under and anolna-
| lous one. He expressed his belief that the peo-
pie of the North viii not sanction this They will
find departure from the golden rule mischiev-
Gus and dangerous; and as they claim the regula-
ton of their own internal affairs so, when they
come to act with dehberation and dispassion, they
will do justice b. restoring to the people of North
Carolina the sane great right. Justice is 50
NATURAL sense of right SO invariably prevails
that, when the matter is presented fairly, they
will say this is right" And this conclusion
will lie fastened, when forgetting latter preju-
diccs, they go back to the past and remember
that it was the Southern Washington who COM
that it WIS the troops of North Carolina and
Virginia who, on the Hudson, amid the hills of
Jersey, in Pennsy lvania and down to the Brandy
wine, broke the back of British power.
Gov. q. cited the case of the Dorr rebellion,
and the judicial decision therein, to prove that
the forms of government can never be rightfully
changed, except by those who at the time exer-
clse the right of suffrage, and accordingly, de-
clared that the present attempt of Congress to
change those of the Southern States was revou-
tlonary. But in the case of this attempted
change,-on this Constitution which is to be
presented to the people,-we have right to VOTE
and it will be our fault if it is fastened upon u.s.
We have majority of over 80 900 registered
white voters, and the question is whether they
will take the blacks into political partnership.
Il, said Gov g., with the kindest feelings to
that race, say 'No!" Political association cam
not come until social association shall precede it,
We are not without observation Where has
the experiment ever succeeded? The Speaker
here entered into forcible recital of the effects
OF negro suffrage and rule in Hayti and Jamaica
W 18th these examples before us, shall we estab- |
fish it! A good deal had been said about ssin-
partial suffrage" with certain qualifications of
property or intelligence the test. He was op- |
posed to DISTINGUISHING any white man in North |
Carolina. And as to the blacks, while some of |
them, under the test, might be qualified, yet the
line OF color was the true line of demarcation;
and that would be best for all races. Stability |
In government is Indispensable
Gov. e. expressed the hope that the present
state of things would cease 1.-THE men in power
have no commlseratlon, the great masses can feel
the movisgs Of sympathy There are evidences
Of this everywhere. He was sure that there was
no desire here to perpetuate hatreds. Unfortu-
nate as the war was, it had had, and would still
have, the effect of making the world think more
highly OF this country. Although, for the pre-
sent, prejudces mis- ht exist, and clouds might
mpend over the names of some history will ac-
eord to the people of North and South alike the
highest need OF admiration for heroism proves
and manhood, such as the world never saw be-
Tore Their mutual achievements are so many
common exhibitions of the greatness of the
American people.
The Speaker next pronounced high eulogy
upon the Judiciary OF the land, and expressed
high hopes from that quarter, and INDUCED in an
eloquent tribute to President johnson After
again returning his Acknowledgements, he took
ais seat amid great applause.
The foregoing is most insufficient and
neagre abstract of this great speech. which was
'eceivcd with great delight by the Convention. I
Col. 2. D. Hall, of New Hanover. offered the
following resolution, which was unanimously {
dopted, viz ...->
R@so'ced, That, in the efforts we are about to
make to save the country from humiliation and
un We will put aside all former party predilec-
ions, and know only common purpose to pre-
erve civil liberty and restore Constitutional
Union
On motion of Col. W. L. Steele, the President
vas directed to appoint Committee of Sixteen
two from each Judicial District-to prepare
resolutions and other business for the Conven- !
ION; Whereupon the President named the fol- d
owing gentlemen: t
LIST District 3 Hare, Richard FL Smith. \
d-M r Manly, W G Morrisey. 3d-Thomas !
Bragg, ID Hill. 4th-M 9 Wadden pc
cameron. 5th-W L Steele J d Taylor. 9th
b Vance, Lewis Hanes. 7th-A G Avery. R =
Armfeld. Sth-A S Merrimon. A T Davidson. "a
On motion of Col. j. F. Hoke, of Lincoln. q Z
ommittee of five was ordered to report on plan a
organization, &c. The chair appointed the
blowing gentlemen to constitute the committe.
IL: Jno Hoke, d G Fowle Col W J Green.
oil u Folk and John Hughes.
The Convention then adjourned until Thurs
ay morning, 10 O'Clock .--.
For further proceedings see Sd page7