Newbern weekly progress., 1860-01-17
LETTER FROM GOV. ELLIS.


Gentlemen 1 have the honor of acknowledging
the receipt of your favor OF the eth ut enclosing
IL copy of the resolutions recently adopted at pub
lie meeting of the citizens of Chatham county,
of which urges the necessity of specIul session
of the General Assembly.
These resolutions manifest, upon the part of the
citizens of your county, zeal in behalf of the
public welfare deserving of all conmendatinn and
which they will doubtless receive the thanks of
the people of the State.
Like sentin1nts to those contained in the resolu-
gent citizens, consider it not inappropriate, and
indeed, but respectful to them to make known pub
lcly, my views upon the subject and will avail
lnyself of the Oppor unity offered by your commni-
cation of doing 1t is not to be denied that Il
of insecurity pervades, at this time, the publ
mind to very considerable extent, arising princpal
y of the fact of want, in the psesent disturbed
condition of public atfurs, of organization of our
military forces and effective to place in thc
hands.
Fully approaching the magnitude of the causes
that have given to these apprehensions and
sib of the persistent efforts of the evil disposed
persons who would disturb peace, l neverthe-
less cnter ain the opinion that the public need ap-
prehend no immediate aggressions by force OF arms
To my mind our danger lies not i'll that drection.-
The attacks most to be feared are those coming
der the specous forms of law ,-mOre quiz and i'll
idous i'll their approaches, but none the less fatal
III their results.
have every confidence that ordinary police
force will be found fully and entirely adequate to the
preservation Of the public peace until the time desig
mated by law for the meeting of the Lcgisa1 ure and
then the representatives. OF the people, having fully
in view the perils that threaten us in the future,
will have opportunity of making ample and time
ly preparations to meet them.
You may rest assured that could l for moment
feel that either persons property could not be com
lletey protected by existing laws duly administered,
would not hesitate, with the advice OF the Council
of State, convene the Legislature.
1t is true, several useful measures might be adol
ted that body now in sesslon-amOng them
tne organization and arring OF the militia, measure
required as we'll by an act of Congress, Us by the
most ordinary prudence. Yet this does not present
of over-ruling and absolute necessity, wi!lch
zIOne would just tfy ne III cUllVenllg the
ciHt
deem it important too, to avoid all such action as
would u1d to increase the excitement now existi
among uur people. justly as tins excitement has been
prov"kedi and i'll my opinion such IA measure would
greatly tend to that Result
When the LegSlat ure meets IN regular session, we
will have opportunity of looking calmly Oh the
events of the past year, and the dangers that lie
ahead of us,and that real danger does surround
it would be criminal in public officer to attempt t"
conceal, which frame of mind will be the more pro
DitiOES to discreet and cOnsiderute Legislation. IN
times of real pubic peril, obove all Others gsIal"
should proceed with dignity and solen nifty, mega
tirin all suspicion of the influences of passion, and
thereby securing surely the obedience of our
people and the respect of all others.
This Snould especially be the i'll State, for
the faith which North Carolina has ever scrupu GUS
ly kept with all men, leaves no doubt that resolves
enacted in her halls OF legislation will be surely and
scrupulou<ly enforced
A,ways deIiber;ting considerably and discreet
ly, resolving with decision, and executing those re-
solves with certainty, holiness vigor and courage,
l. the policy, stated Ill my inaugural address,
most consistent with the dlgnhed character which
North Carolina has ever borne among the States OF
the Union, and one that ought not to be departed
from.
In arriving at the conclu ion that it is not now
necessary convene the General Assembly, have
done SO after mature reflection and under the most
solemn convictions of the responsibilities resting up
Inc, and with every Difference to the opinions of
many Intelligent and patriotic citizens to the con-
trary.
AT the same time, deem it my duty to say, that
shall labor assiduously to keep myself timely ad-
vised of public events, and should any occurrence
render such measure necessary will not delay to
convene the Legislature and take all such other
steps may be called for by the honor and interest
Of the State
Very respectfully,
Yours &c,
JNO w. ELLIS
Hon. HUGH WADDELT., j. j. JACKSON, Esq. N. A
FSn