The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-12-18

conjecture they would respectfully suggest that in
asmuch as these grievances have existed for long
time under the present and former administrations of
the Federal Government, which administrations have
met the appreciation of large majority of the people
this State, they cannot constitute very urgent
reason for the present legislature to call out the c-
Zens upon such short notice, at unusual and ncle
ment of the year for delegates to State
Convention called is for the purpose of chang
ing the relations OF the State to the Federal Govern
ment The laws complained of are not the acts of the
General Government but of particular States and be-
ing unconstitutional null and void: If, however,
the grievance complained of and disclosed is the
election of Lincoln to the Presdency-an election eff
1ected oy minority VOTE in consequence of divisions
among his opponents-t h, in the opinion of the min
GRITTY, an inadequate cause for calling Convention so
hastily, with extraordinary power; which may place
North Carolina out of the Union before the 4th of
March next and before the country can be officially
formed of the policy of the incoming administration
Would 1t not be more prudent abide the
of the great efforts now being made Washington aud
elsewhere by patriotic men, to compromise all difficult
tles anG obtain more guarantees against the
unrendly legislation of certain northern States? Let
the people have time to deliberate that North Carolina
may not be precptated out of the Union and her in
tuence peace maker between the North and South
utterly destroyed. 1t is further objected to the BILL
as reported that 1t is not in accordance with the prov
ions OF the Constitution of the State and the
the Legislature The first section of the fourth article
of the State constitution provides that no convention
of the people of the State shall be called by the Gener-
al Assembly unless by the of twothirds of
bly, and the latter part of said section provides
amendments by the General Assembly The act of
lS56-57 of the Legislature amending the Constitu-
ton, Immediately following the enacting clause, has
the words, two-thirds of the whole number of each
House concurring) and the minority of your Commit
tee entertaining doubt but that of
thirds of all the members of each House is demanded
to call Convention of the people, recommend that
these words be inserted Immediately after the enacng
clause OF the first section OF the reported BILL and in
conclusion the minority of your Committee respectfully
suggest that measures be taken to procure Conven-
ton of all the States of the Union with view to a
final settlement of all subjects in controversy between
the Northern and Southern States; and if such final
settlement cannot be satisfactorily made that peacea-
BILE separation of the States and equitable dstribu
ton of the property of the Federal Government
among all the States may be brought about, and the
minority further recommend that the bill reported by
the majority do not pass.
Respectfully submitted,
GILES MEBANE
NATHAN NEWLY,
DAVID OUTLAW.
The above Bill is to be taken up the Sd of Jan'y
for Ioro