Year: 1863




OF sustaining vigorous prosecution of the war till
our independence is secured; who are for sustain
ing the authorities of both the Confederate and
State Governments in all rightful and patriotic
measures looking to that result; who are opposed
to party organizations and party divisions during
this war; who are opposed to the corruption, ex-
| travsgance, and party tyranny of the dominant
faction in this State; and who are for outstanding
our resources, the better enable 20 pay feed,
clothe, and support the families Of the gallant sol
diers who are fighting our battles-was held in
the Commons Hall of the Capitol on Thursday
night, February 9Th, 1868, J. R. Logan, Esq, of
Cleveland, in the chair, and J. H. Foy, Esq, of
Onslow, and J. D. Stanford, Esq, of Duplin, act
ing as Secretaries.


The following resolutions were after debate
UNANIMOUSLY adopted:


We, portion of the representatives of the peo-
pie of North Carolina, in the General Assembly,
now in ses.ion-together with other citizens of
the State who concur with in our views of the
present crisis Of affairs-impelled by sense of
devotion to our country, now struggling for free
dom and independence-and impatient and indig-
! nant at the wrongs and expressions heaped on us
and those who agree with us, by accidental
| dominant faction now in power in this State
having met together for the purpose of consulting
with each other to the course which duty to our
country to ourselves, and to the of truth and
| Justice, requires us to pursue-after calm and
! dispassionaCe interchange Of views having deter
mined to organize for resistance at the ballot box
do hereby solemnly appeal to the freemen Of North
Carolina for the vndcation of our conduct, and do
hereby adopt the following resolutions basis Of
! organization, viz:


l. Resolved, That during the continuance of
the present war, we repudiate and abjure all idea
of party organ zation-that We do not meet as
party men-nor is it our purpose to accomplish or
prepare for party objects. AS patriots, as loyal
citizens, both of the State and Confederate Gov
ernments as unwavering advocates of Southern
ndep ependence, and of earnes: and vigorous
prosecution of the war we are now waging, until
an honorable peace is secured-we propose to
combine. AS the victims Of party oppression and
tyranny, by the present dominant faction in the
State, we appeal to all men who love their coun-
try better than they do party, to come to the res
cue, and to vindicate the fair name and character
of our beloved State, against the misrue, the reck
less extravaganza and party tyranny of the faction
now in power. This faction, before the last elec-
ton, affected to have forgotten all party divisions
of the past and professed determination to ignore
them for the future; but were they in
stalled into power, than they assumed to them
selves the party name of the "Conserratiue par
ty;" and under that parry name they have in-





relenting and tyrannical system of party despotism
ever known in the past history of partizan war
fare.


2. Resolved, That mere political parties based
on a mere struggle for place and power, are i'm
proper and unpatriotic, especially during such
war as we now engaged in which Involves the
very existence of our couG ry--that We do protest
against the bitter, prosc- ,tive, partizan intoe-
rance and tyranny which have marked the course
of the present dominant faction in this State since
they obtained power, as exhibiting an insatiate
greed Of Office to be their common bond of union,
when the efforts of every one should be directed
towards saving his country instead Of squabbling
over the spoils of Office.


g. Resolved, That in this holy struggle for all
that is near and dear to freemen Cancellation, har
mony, brotherly kindness and forbearance should
be the object of every patriot; and do, there
FORE protest against the ruthless warfare waged
by the dominant faction against men for honest
difference of opinion, entertained not only at the
present time, but even in the past-in their pro-
scribing and turning out of office men who, by
long experience and efficient discharge of duty,
have won the public confidence; and whose SER
vices the State especially needs at the present
time-as calculated to create divisions, strife and
heart burnings among our people-as tending to
cripple and paralyze the efforts of our brave SOL



with the hope that they are to profit by our dis
sensons.
f. Resolved, That the secession of the States of
the Southern Confederacy-North Carolina inclu-
ded-was rightfu just and proper, forced upon
them by the long continued and persistent outrag-
es and oppression of the Northern majority, and
that those who now continue to blame or cast CEN
sure the act of separation AID its authors, vlr-
tually admit their attachment for disrupted gov
ernment which was bent on enslaving US, and can
be regarded in no other light than as sympathis- !
ing with our enemies, and opposed to the inst- !
tutions and form of government the Southern |
people have chosen for themselves.


5. Resolved, That the separation of the South |
from the North is, and ought to be, final and
irrevoc- -ble-that the Confederate States OF
America is Government with the rights, powers
and privileges of other independent Governments,
entitled to the cordial support of all its citizens
and with power to punish treason and disloyaty |
on the part of those who enjoy its protection; and
that all attempts whether open secret, to bring
about restoration or reconstruction of the old |
Union, are unpatriotic, wicked and treasonable-
that to yield to the enemy now, and make terms
of afiliation with people who have proven re-
gardess of all the most sacred pledges and obllga-
tions would be not only craven submission to
tyranny, but would be casting odium and reproach
upon the memories of the illustrious dead, who
have been the martyrs of so many batte-helds, and
whose blood cries from the ground for vengeance
on our oppressors.


6. Resolved, That the adoption of the Consti- .
oC hair nyTn