Year: 1867

Everybody here knows what was done at


Wilmington and Fort Fisher, how General


Abbot and his brothers in arms walked in


lemons and We came out free Colored men,


look to your interests: we will vote for the


man who fought for the freedom and liberty


of the negro


Colonel Odom, of Northampton Co: do
trust that my friend from Pitt will withdraw


my name. I am in favor of peace and I


want harmony here. I never heard my name


mentioned so unexpectedly; but as it has


been mentioned, will just say, that sir,


am Republican; never wish to see recon-


structlon take place in this State unless upon


loyal basis, and intend, sir to march to


the tune of the Union, the Constitution and


equality and liberty. 1 do trust, sir, that
will withdraw my name.


Rev. Mr.. Hood, of Cumberland County:


Mr.. PRESIDENT The colored delegation
have demanded none of the honorable posi-
tions in this Convention. Under some cir
cumstances it is likely we should have done
so but, sir, after meeting last nignt-up to
which time we had particular programme
which perhaps without difficulty we could
have put through; and / may remark that
upon that programme was the name of a
Southern man for President of this Conven-
ton, and up to this morning it was the de-
cision OF the leading colored men in this
Convention that that was our best pro-
gramme. But this morning, sir, we find
there are two elements in this Convention
a Southern white, and Northern white ele-
ment, and these are struggling for ascendancy
The colored delegation at once found that
they should take position, if possible, to
harmonise these elements Nine counties
met in caucus this morning and decided that
if we put up the man we had laid our minds
upon we should be in danger of destroying
the harmony of this Convention from the
cause l have mentioned. Nothing would
please the enemy better than that we should
break up in a row; but they shall not have
an opportunity of witnessing any such
thing. In this difficulty we concluded to
support General Abbott, and propose to re-
commend Mr. Pool as Chairman of the Com
mittce on Resolutions, and Gov. Holden AS
Chairman of the State Executive Committee.
Nothing would please some people better
than to see Gov. Holden removed from that
position, but we do not intend to be driven
to the wall by the enemy; we shall pursue
the even tenor of our course, entirely indepen-
dert of what our opponents may think
do in the matter. We have made up our
minds to carry this party through this State.
independent of the opposition and the men
we wish placed in positions of trust we will
place there in spite of all opposition.


General Laflin Il wish to set myself
right belore the colored and the white peo
pie in common. am a Republican wool
dyed, clear away up to the handle and be-
lieve that the tenets of the Republican party
are those best calculated for the speedy adj
mission of this State into the Union. | be-
1;ax ie IN
and I wish to say here that We want a reduc
tion of this taxation on cotton ard tobacco.
l desire too, the peace and harmony of the
Republican party, as l believe it will carry
this State and will open the courts for the
administration of justice. alike to the white
man and the colored. For the better har-
mony of this Convention, then I will with
draw my nomination of Colonel Odom.


Dr. Powell We'll, that being done, if
the Convention will now take q vote as to
the report OF the Committee on permanent
appointments, we can then proceed to uusi-
ness.


The Chair:-The question, gentlemen, is
as to the adoption of the report


A vote was then taken upon this question,
when it was unanimously declared that the
report of the Committee on organization be
adopted.


The names of the newly appointed officers
were again read, when


Hon. J. G. Abbott, the president elect,
having been conducted to the platform by
the Hon. Mr.. Pool and Mr. James II. Harriss.
was introduced to the Convention by the
Hon. David Heaton, temporary president


Colonel Peck then proposed three hearty
cheers for General John c. Abbott, the Pres
ident elect of this Convention.


And this being responded to in most en-
thusiastic manner by the assembled dele
gates


The Hon. ]. c. Abbott then came forward
and said:


FELLOW CITIZENS Il am very sorry and
must say not little embarrassed. to have
been made the subject of so much talk, pre-
vious to taking my position as President of
this Convention. Nevertheless, l extend to
you my sincere thanks for the honor you
have conferred upon me. and I promise to
discharge the duties of the position to the
best of my ability. You will not, at this
time, expect lengthy remarks from me, as
good deal of time has already been consumed
and great deal of work is yet before the
Convention. Before the Republican party
there is still a larger and greater business
to restore the shattered fabric of this an
cient Commonwealth to give new vigor
and purity to our fundamental and to our
State laws; to set up here such institutions
and such regulations as will call into this |
splendid country population and wealth; to
keep up here standard of faith as Repub
licans; to recollect that their tendency is
always upwards and never. downwards; to |
that elevation of character by |
which they have been so victorious in times |
past, and by which I trust they will win
them in the future. This is the work that |
is before us. Now, gentlemen, need not
say to you that am in favor of harmonious
and vigorous action. Whatever will tend to
that, that am in favor Cf (Cheers) What
ever personal ambition any man may have,
think ought to be made subordinate to the
general good for believe this period to be
too critical, and this cause too sacred to per-
nit any trifing or to permit any man to
stand in its way. Because, in it and around
it clusters the welfare-not only of the new
" enfranchised population, but of all the
population of this Commonwealth.


Now, gentlemen, see here officers of both
The late armies which were in the struggles of
The war. l see here menwho were citizens of
he Confederacy, as well as those who were
citizens of the United States. see here also
;he newly enfranchised class who are coming
,ut, and are commencing, to them, new
ife of responsibility and duty. Now, I say
% you all, let us remember, above all things,
hat Uherever we were horn and unCler