Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-01-26


ate to enumerate. After abiding to the character
of the men who would be sent to it. he urged the ne
cessty of convention which he regarded as COM
ing event."
1t being now - o'clock, ia % Speaker announced
that the bill to incorporate the Bank of Commerce
was the special order. On motion that bill was
postponed, and made the special order for tomorrow
at 10 o'clock.
The debate was then resumed.
Mr. Steele objected to the amendment as not pre-
scribing the manner in which the convention was
to be called and as failing to show whether all
white men to hold seats in it or not there be-
ing nothing to prevent any one Ifhe felt avorably
disposed towards the amendment, intended to
vote for it. (Which, however, he did not he could
not support it in its present shape. But if he
derstood his duty to his constituents and the State
he was bound to vote against the amendment, and
the bill too. He was pleased to see Mr.. Gorrell
come out so thorough Young American, after
thinking him so fully imbued with Old Fogyism.
He meant no disrespect. He, (Mr. S., was not
going to make speech, at this time, on this ques-
tion but if he should speak, it would be as states
man ought to speak. He would not stir up sectional
feelings, nor would he support or oppose anything
because it might please his constituents but he
would do so as North Carolinian, and work for the
entire State.
Mr. Gorrell had proposed the amendment in good
faith and he thought every Senator could vote for
it. 1t merely provided for the calling of the con-
venton let it be adopted and he promised that full
arrangements would be made this session for all the
machinery necessary. In conclusion, Mr.. G. took a
fling at Mr. Steele on his change of party.
Mr. Steele replied. He thought the allusion to
him quite gratutous But if Mr. Gorrell, or any
body else desired to meet him that question, in
or out of the Senate, he was prepared. We are
threatened, said Mr. s., with the cloud no bigger
than the hand. Let come, he continued l. for one,
am ready to meet the Storm be the consequences to
myself what they may.
Mr. Edney would vote for Mr.. Gorrelrs amend
ment as he considered it met the whole case. The
grievances complained of could never be remedied
till convention was called. He considered the
people the only legitimate power to effect the desired
reforms. He objected to Mr. Bledsoe's scheme as
not being the true democratic course 1t was the
peoples province; they had to fight the battles, and
they should be allowed to amend their own fiunda-
mental law. He maintained that any plan propos-
ing to take power from the people was not in accord
ance with true democratic principles. The question,
he said, was whether white men or negroes were to
constitute the basis of government. Mr.. E. pro-
cecded at some length to speak of the basis of
presentation, &c, and continued. The whites were
taxed to support the government while the slaves,
to great extent were allowed to 90 untaxed Cit-
zenship, he said consisted in perfect freedom under
the government. He enlarged upon some of the
arguments of Mr.. Gorrel, and in conclusion, urged
free and open convention Tie up the hands of a
free people, he exclaimed in reference to restric-
ton amendments to the constitution sooner than
live under the provisions of such an instrument he
would prefer to live in state of nature clear of all
conventionaliSms.
Mr.. Leach entered his solemn protest against the
whole proceedings. No alteration had been asked
for by the people. When the people required the
constitution to be altered he was in favor of the
conventional mode. When the proper time came
he would 90 for abolishing all property qualifications
for office.
Mr. Turner would 60 for Mr. Gorrells amend
mcnt if that failed, he would then vote for Mr..
Bledsoes BILL For this course he would take an
other occasion to give his reasons. His own views
were against legislative amendments, though he had
introduced bill with that view but he knew it was
not possible to pass such BILL though that was no
reason why he should not support it. In reference
to changes in the constitution he said other States
had made them but North Carolina had gone on
without. He argued to show that the constitution
of former years. however good, did not necessarily
suit the present generation. There complaint
from the Jews. He would as soon see Jew in Of
flee as Catholic, and good Catholic as soon as
Protestant. But the Jews could not be legslated
out of their grievances. He preferred the amend
ment providing fer convention, to pass. BY that
means what Mr. Bledsoe desired could be more
speedily obtained He and Mr. Bledsoc had started
OUT LOT tnat relOTT Dut WHEN were tncy 10 get II
The untaxed property would remain so this year,
next, and the year after that. He hoped Mr. Bled-
soc would 60 with him. Mr. Gorrell could rely on
his assistance. He contended there was some dam
ger in the States being dishonvred individuals in
New York had come forward to save her credit al
ready. When Mr.. Gorrell's amendment failed as
it would he then would vote for Mr. Bcdsoe's bill
He preferred bad constitution, having the af:
fections OF the people, to a good one without
their affections. While he would go for con-
vention, he would not go SO far some He
would not say they should not tax negroes he
would tax them ad calorem and he would tax the
the white man too, as now No respectable white
man would object to be taxed per capita. He would
vote for the amendment because he preferred it.
Mr.. Bledsoe said it was due to himself that he
should explain his vote He congratulated himself
and the people in having secured the aid Of Mr.
Gorrell in the proposed measure That Senator,
however, proposed to amend the constitution by
means of convention; but it was well known that
the party with which he (Mr. Bledsoe,) had the
| honor of acting preferred the other mode. How
ever he and Mr. Gorrell agreed on the main object
and he hoped to meet the Senator at that point, no
matter by what road it was reached Mr.. b. said
he felt called upon to vote against the amendment,
because he preferred different mode He agreed
with Mr. Gorrell in his views of the matter, as re-
CARDS its expedition He was convinced the present
legislature would not call convention, though that
was no reason why this matter should not be press
ed Nor would it be material to him, so far as the
people were concerned, which mode was adopted,
for the object would be accomplished by them either
| way
Referring to the bill, he said it proposed merely
to remove restrictions it was innovation on the
original constitution; it was to strike down restric
tions on the provisions of that instrument. Like
Mr.. Turner he was one of those Senators who
were not afraid of trusting the people with their
affairs He thanked that Senator for his co-opera-
ton; this scas darling object with him, (Mr. B.
If the legislature should continue to persist in its
opposition to this measure, he would take his stand
by Messrs Gorrell and Turner, and insist a con-
vention He hoped Mr.. Gorre would not insist on
his amendment; but if he should, he (Mr. b. would
vote against it, preferring the Legislative method.
The question was then taken on the amendment
of Mr. Gorrell, and resulted in its rejection to
| 10 nc follouc.