The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-01-16
North aarolina-Letter from Gov. Ellis.

| WI =" JFOu SSOvs EIIISs
| meeting Of the citizens of Chatham coun
", ~ G., having reques ted Gov. Ellis to con
vene special session OF the Legislature of tha
| o'a'e, In view OF recent and startling events
| The Governor declines doing SO at present or
| the following grounds:
| Fully appreciating the magnitude of tn.
causes tha. have given rise to these apprehen.
SONS, and sensible of The persistent efforts Of
tue EVIL disposed persons who would disturb
our peace, nevertheless entertain the opin.
ION that the public need apprehend no imme.
0iate aggressions by force of arms. To my
lima Hiho our danger lies not in that direction
ihe attacks most TO be feared are those coming
u"ueF the specious forms of law more quiet
ana lasidious in their approaches. but none
ne less fatal in their results.
nave every confidence that our ordinary
poiice iorce Will be found fully and entirely
"ei"ate 10 the preservation OF the public
iedce until the time DIES igua ted by law for the
meeting of the Legislature; and then. The rep-
'eseH HtatiVes of the people. having fully liz
n'tW ife perlls that threaten us in the future,
VIII VII nave an opportunity OF me king ample
'itu timely preparations to meet them.
You may rest assured, that could for a
moment ieei that either persons or property
I5"iu hot he completely protected by existing
laws duly admins tered would not hesitate,
WIN lhe advice Of the Council of State, 10
convene the Legislature
- Is true, several useful measures II i2ht be
ADOPTED We're that body now in session.
..ions t1eLh the organization and arming OF
the militia, a measure required as well BY AL
ac' Oh congress as 10y the most ordinary pru-
"ehce. Yet this does not present case OF
o'eFruiing and absolute necessity, which
none , would justify me in conyening the Legis-
!ature In special session.
deem 1t important. too, to avoid all such
acuon as would tend to increase the excite
'hent now existing among our people, justly
dc lhis excitement has been provoked: and i'll
my opinion such meas ure would greatly tend
10 hat result
"hen the Legislature meets in regular ses-
son, we VIII have an opportunity of iookiag
S"iih-y on the events OF The past year, and The
hangers mat lie ahead of us,-and that real
danger does surround us it would be cr,miDai
ih pubic officer to attempt to conceal
"hloh frame OF mind will be the more propi-
,ious 10 discreet and cOnsiderate Iegis islatIon-
In times OF real public peril above ali others
legislation should proceed with dignity ami
Soieinhity, negativing all suspicion of the in
huences OF passion, and thereby securing more
surely the obedience Of our own people and the
respect OF all others.
This should especially be the case in our
State, for the faith wblcn North Carolina has
ever scrupuiously kept with all men leaves
no doubt that resolves enacted in her halls Of
legislation will be surely and scrupuiously
Ell forced.
Always deliberating CONSIDERABLY and dis
creetiy, resolving with decision and executing
tn'se resolves with certainty, boiGHeSs, vigor
ana courage is the policy, as stated in nv III
ausrrai address, most consistent with the dig
nited character which North Carolina has
ever borne among the States of the Union and
one mat ought not 10 be Gepar ted from.
HI arriving at the conclusion that it is not
now necessary to convene the General Assem-
bly,, have done after mature reflection
uhuer tne most solemn convictions of the re-
Spohsibiiitlts res ting upon NE, and Wi tn every
Difference to the opinions OF many intelligent
ana patriotic citizens TO the contrary.
AT the same time deem ii nv duty to saw
mat l shall labor asa!duousiy To keep myself
timely advised OF pubic events. aud should
any occurrence render such Il measure neces-
sary. Will not delay to convene the Lsgisia-
ture and take all such other steps as may be
called tor ny the honor and Interest of the
State.