Year: 1867

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4, 1867.


At 1890 A. NJ, the meeting was called to
order by Gov. Holden, Chairman of the
State Executive Committee.


The following prayer was then offered by
Rev. G. W. Brodie, pastor of the Methodist
Episcopal Church of Raleigh:


30, great and good Almighty God in
whose presence angels and archangels sing
the praises OF the Most High, and cry with
God of Sabaoth, worthy art thou to
receive all honor and power and glory for
ever and forever We thank thee that we
are blessed with this privilege of assembling
ourselves together in the form of Conven-
ton, for the purpose of deliberating upon
the great subjects that have excited this ma
ton for the last three years, and before en-
tering upon the duties for which we have as
sembled, we feel it meet first to address the
Throne of Grace, inviting the blessings of
High Heaven upon our coming together.
We pray thee, o, God. to give unto us a
right appreciation of these privileges and
immunties that we enjoy this morning. we
ask thy blessing upon this body and its de-
liberations, and we pray thee to give unto us
wisdom, that what we do and say may be
done and said to the good of the people OF
this State and of this nation, and may re-





if there be any who have come here Tor the
purpose of differing from the objects for
which this meeting has been called, to
remove all such disposition from their
breasts, and grant that all elements here
may harmonize and may this be one of the
grandest gatherings ever witnessed In the
State We pray thee to bless us in the Sc
lection of a President to preside over this
body. We pray thee to bless us In the selec-
ton of the subordinate officers to whom.
shall be committed the conduct of the affairs
of the present meeting. We ask thy bless
ing upon our country, upon our State and
nation. We pray thee to remember the
President of the United States-have mercy
upon him. We know that many are of
opinion that he has proved recreant to
the trust that has been reposed in him, as
Chief Magistrate of the United States. We
pray, thee, o, God, to forgive this, if he
should repent, and grant that he may do
so and redeem himself by showing to this
nation and this people that he loves the Gov
eminent; that he would do all in his power
to restore the country to prosperity and hap
piness Grant too, o, God, that the bless
ings of liberty and peace may spread them
selves over this great continent. Have mer
cy upon Secretary Seward, who stands by
IilC SlQ6 OF TIC ITeSlOeIl, WllooC innuOHNS 10
powerful, and by whom the President OF the
United States is more or less controlled. ..
God, have mercy on such man-so power
ful and so able, and yet not the best for the
people of the country-purify his sentiments,
sanctify his designs. and grant his influence
may be thrown into the scale for the good OF
the country. We ask, o, God, to remember
the Congress of the United States. Bless
the work they have already done, and grant
that the Reconstruction acts may prove a
blessing to the country. We ask thy bless
Ing also upon the army and the navy Re-
member the Commanders of the different
Districts. Make them good men-lovers of
liberty. And now, as the booming of can
non no, is no longer heard. and the glittering of
9he sword and the whistling of the minnie
osil and the terrible rumbling and thunder
I VI The terrible bomb. oh grant that this
.ana Of ours, now being settled down in
peace, may have peace that "surpasseth
oil understanding" o, Lord, grant US a
Sood choice in the election of President of
.nls meeting. We pray thee then. also. to
Ie ,emember each member of the Convention.
may we study and think we'll before we act |
~ the many issues that may be presented to
US; may we examine WELL may we investi-
gate Closely; and then when the action of |