Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-11-27

disunion He fancied that if our Executive had
seen an article (Which he read) from the Charleston
Mercury insulting in its character to Virginia and
North Carolina he would have suggested different
policy from that in his message. In addition, he
thought it very proper that we should take posi-
ton on this question The people expected it; and
in view of the act that sentiments OF an entirely
different nature from those which he confidently be-
lieved were the sentiments of large majority o.
this State had been announced by one high IN all
thority-holling the Office of l. s. Senator, as far
back as 1856 Mr. Cngmsn in what is known as
his Charlotte letter, had given uttera?ce to Senti-
ments of highly dIsunion tenor.
He said he hoped the day never would arrive,
when the people of this State prepared to give
I'D the Union of these States unless for other than
existing causes lie moved that the bill be laid on
the table and ordered to he printed
Mr.. IOlc said that the resolutions Offered by the
gentleman from Camden contained the principles of
abolition consolidation. They cut the South off
from any hope, and if recognized by this House, the
DAYS of the South are numbered. That he never
wonld consent TO live under government of unlim-
tied powers 1t was against this doctrine that
fathers fought, and whi~h they defeated. That the
resolutions which he offered amendment as
serted the true principles. and only hope of
safety; that any other doctrine utterly destruc
tive of our rights that unless we stood boldly in
support Of the rights of the States must abolish
slavery in the South We are in the midst of a rev.
olution The decree had gone forth. The chains
were already forged in the town Of SprIngfeld,-it
only required TO place the manacles on oar hands
and lead the submitting victims to the slaughter.
Mr.. Waters moved that the motion be postponed
indefinitely. Ruled ont of order.
He said that he did not desire so important mat
ter sprung upon the House and acted on hastily.
Mr. Mcbane said that the objections of the gentle
man dill not apply. The proposition TO lay on the
table and print necessarily gave time for delibe-
ration.
Mr.. Fcrrebee stated that he had no party end to
gain in the matter. He had introduced these reso-
buttons before the House that an expression of the
sentiment of this Legislature might be known, and
20 to the people accordingly.
Mr. Person said it was well known that propo-
Siton had been sent to the Senate to appoint Joint
committee upon the subject; and when that motion
made it was distinctly announced that the object
was to refer all resolutions and other matter upon
Federal relations TO that committee without debate in
the hope that some action might be recommended
which would secure unanimity. lie regretted that
gentlemen had not allowed things to take that course
This was no time for excitement and division. -
Former differences should be forgotten and the
grave questions now pending be approached and act
ed upon with prudence and Notwithstanding in
view only the honor and welfare Of North Carolina
And he called upon gentlemen to lay aside prejudice
and passion, and up the great questions of the
day with unprcjudiced minds and patriotic hearts
remembering that they questions in which
every citizen of the State deeply interested
That he would not enter upon discussion of the
resolutions bnt to express his regret that the gen
tleman from Camden had thought fit 10 embrace in
his resolutions declaration against the right Of
State TO Sec,de under any circumstances when it
was well understood that gentlemen upon this side
held different opinions upon that subject; and eSpe-
cially when, whether it be called revolution or Sc
cession the immediate practical effect of It's exercise
would he the same. He had hoped that question
which had been styled abstract would have been
waived for the present in order to make some can
did effort 10 find a common ground unnn which we
could advise the whole people of the State 10 stand
together.
Mr.. Hoke begged leave to introduce the following
amendment:
Resolred, That the Constitution Of the United
States is compact between sovereign and indepen-
dent States and all powers not therein delegated
reserved to the States respectively: that among the
attributes of sovereignty retained bv the several
States Is that Of watching the operations Of the
general government. and protecting her citizens
from unconstitutional abuse on the one hand and
securing to them on the other, strict fuiment of
the obligations imposed by the Constitution upon
the general government.
Re>o!'e6, That the people Of North Carolina as
organize political community have the right to
withdraw from the Mon, whenever q majority in
convention assembled shall decide withdrawal nc
cesSary to protect their property or persons from
unconstitutional and oppressive legislation by The
general government, or whenever by the failure of
the general government to fulfil her constitutional
obligations, The people Of the State may deem >uch
a step necessary, in order TO secure the enjoyment
of the rights, privileges, and protection, guaranteed
to them by the constitution Of the United States
and in such an emergency, maturity of the people
of North Carolina, acting through the organized
authorities of the State would be entitled To the
sole and undivided allegiance of all her citizens
Mr.. Henry submitted the following amend
ment to the resolution of Mr.. Fcrebee, and moved
that it be laid on the table to he printed:
Resolred, That in the opinion of this general As
semblv person in tarOr Of seccssioB or dssolu-
ton of the american Uni0n ought to he elected to
any Office in the gift of the people of North Caro-
lima
Mr.. Crumpler moved that the resolution first in
troduccd by Mr. Ferebee, be laid on the table
printed. and made the special order for Monday
Mr.. Fleming thought the motion to make them
the special order Monday out of order. as the
committee had not yet been constituted on Federal
Relations.
Mr.. Crumpler desired 10 know how they stood on
this question, and thought that every man here
representing a constituency, ought to know how to
vote
Mr.. Love Of Jackson, said:
He came from a county bordering upon South
tuency he was proud Of They were brave and
ready at all times and under all circumstances to
maintain their constitutional rights. They arc for
the equal rights of all the States. He would not
say that he or his noble constituency are for dis
union. Yet he believed that there were crcum-
stances under which a brave, determined people
might he forced to use the right of secession. He
believed in the aJsract right Of secession but he
was not now ready to say that he would exercise
that right He was not ready to discuss the
federal questions, and hence it was that he had voted
to raise JOINT committee the part of the two
Houses, to whom all these federal questions should
be referred. He hoped the motion to take up the
resolutions from the table would not prevail He
could not nO'o see any practical good to result to
the country by the introduction of resolutions
which only divided and distracted us when we
should be unit upon the great issue of the coun-
try-namely to maintain our constitutional rights,
and yet secure our honor and respect as sovereign