Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-18
Important Letter from Gov. Ellis.

Weare indebted to the courtesy of His Excellency,
Gov Ellis, for the following proceedings of meet
ing of the citizens of Chatham County, together
with his reply, the subject of called session of
the Legislature. Whatever difference of opinion
may exist among our citizens on the subject all will
concede to the Governor integrity of purpose and
firm determination to omit nothing which, in his
Judgment may be necessary to protect the vital
interests of the State
For the Standard.
PUBLIC MEETING IN CHATHAM COUNTY.
public meeting was held in the Court House in
Pittsboro, Chatham county, on Wednesday, 2Sth
December 1859 j. j. jackson, ESQ.,, arose and
explained the OBJECT of the meeting to be- that the
Governor of the State be requested to convene the
Legislature. with view to such, legislative action
as was necessary to put the State IN such posture
Of military defence the crisis demands and in ex
planation Of his views read the letter of the Gov
ernOr to Mr.. Abernathy, of Lincolnton, published
in the last Standard
Mr. j. then moved, for the organization of the
meeting, that DIR. John A. Hanks be called to tac
Chair, and that DR.. d. S. Waddell be appointed Sec
retary; which motions were unanimously adopted.
A committee of three persons, viz: Hugh Wad-
dell, j. j. Jackson and n. A. Ramsay, Esqs, was
appointed to present Resolutions expressive of the
SefISe o lNcellIS, WllO SIioIt
time offered through their chairman, the following
resolutions, to wit:
WHEREAS recent and startling events have taught
the Southern States the imperative necessity of be-
ing thoroughly prepared to defend at every hazard
their tiresdeS and their affairs and whereas, by
recent letter from his Excellency the Governor to
Mr.. Abernathy, of Lincolnton it appears that there
are not only arms of the latest and best kind in
possession of the State, but that our militia system
=, Ii, kl.kk ntf.s
commission, in sundry parts of the State, to whom
orders could be issued in cases of emergency, thus
exposing the utter defcncelessness of our people:
and whereas by the said letter of his EXcelency it
is confessed that without legislative provision, it is
not in the power of the Executive to make the ne
cesSary preparation for defence: be it therefore
Resolred, That in view of the dangers now threat
ening the savcholding States it is the part of WIS
dom, less than of true courage, to place such
States in the attitude of full military defence in as
short time as possible.
Resolred, That reluctant to believe her people
would ever be called on to meet such emergency
as is now upon us, and law-abi ling herself North
Carolina has contded in the loyalt, Of her sister
States and made preparations for intestine car,
for the same reason that ancient Rome provided no
punishment for the crime of Poricide.
Resolred, That though unprepared with the mu-
nitions of war; the spirit and gallantry of her peof
PiN III u>iShNN vi h>' ''SS' "'N NV "'" 49,.
their ancestors whose voice first heard to Gail
1.-THE embattled' armies of America to the field
ResolreI, That in placing our beloved State in Il
posture Of military defence it is necessary that there
should be immediate Legislative action, and we.
therefore most respectfully request that the Execu-
tive of the State will take the ossary steps to
convene the Legislature at as early period as pos
slble.
Reso1red That the Chairman appoint Commit
tee of three persons, who shall transmit to His En-
cellency, the Governor the foregoing resolutions,
accompanied by letter respectfully urging the pro-
priety and necessity of immediate convocaton of
the General Assembly of this State.
All which resolutions were unanimously passed
by the meeting The Chairman subsequently ap-
pointed Messrs. H. Wadde j. j. jackson, and \.
\. Ramsey the Committee under the 9Th resolution.
The meeting, on motion, then adjourned
j. A. HANKS, Chairman.
d. S. WADDELI, Secretary.