The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-01-02

purpose Of the convention is to consider all
| grievances impairing affecting the equality
and rights OF the State of North Carolina as a
member Of the United States, and determine
the mode, measure and time of redress, and
delegates are to be chosen on the 7th and
assemble in Raleigh on the 18th Of February
next. As the bill and report Of the majori-
ty do not indicate any specific grievances,
the minority Of your Committee on Federal
Relations are unable to determine whether
i IS intended to make the impression that
the Federal Government has recently assum-
ed any unusual and menacing attitude to-
wards North Carolina. affecting her equality
and rights as one Of the United States. Elk.
ercising the right of conjecture, the minority
OF your Committee suppose that the grievan.
ces complained Of are the personal liberty
iaWs enacted by some of the northern States,
hinderng the proper execution of the Flu
gitiye Slave Law. II the minority Of your
Committee be not mistaken ia this conjec>
ture. they would respectfully suggest that,
inasmuch as these grievances have existed
for long time under the present and former
administrations of the Federal Government,
which administrations have met the approba-
tion Of large majority Of the people Of this
State, they cannot nov constitute very ur-
gent reason for the present legislature to
call out the citizens upon such short notice,
at an unusual and inclement season Of the
year. TO vote for delegates 10 State Conyen.
ton called, as il is, for the purpose Of chan.
ging the relations Of the State to the Fcder-
al Government. The laws complained OF
are not the acts Of the General Government.
but of particular States, and being uncon-
stltutional are null and void. If, however,
the grievance complained OF and not dsclo-
sed IS the election of Lincoln to the Presi-
dency-an election affected by a minority
vote, in consequence of divisions among his
opponenis-it is, in the opinion of the mi
nority, an adequate cause for calling Con
yention so hastily, with extraordinary power,
which may place North Carolina out Of the
Union before the 4lh Of March next, and
before the country can be officially informed
Of the policy Of the incoming administers
ton. Would it not be more prudent 10 a.
bide the determination of the great efforts
now being made at Washington city and
elsewhere by patriotic men 10 compromise
all difficulties, and obtain more secure guar,
antics against the unlriendly legislation Of
certain northern States! Let the people
have time to deliberate, that North Carolina
may not be precipitated out Of the Union,
and her influence as peace maker between
tile North aud South utterly destroyed. Ii
lis further objected 10 the bill, as reported,
that il is not IN accordance with the proyi-
sions Of the Constitution Of the State and the
usages Of 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 he General As
sembly unless by the concurrence Of two
thirds Of the members Of each House Of the
General Assembly. and the latter part said
section provides Tor amendments by the &c.
neral Assembly. The act Of l856-57 Of the
Legislature, amending the Constitution. inn
mediately following this enacting clause, has
the words, " two-thirds Of the whole number
OF each House coneurrinE." and the Minority
of your committee, entertaining no doubt bui
that a concurrence of two.thirds Of all the
members of each House is demanded TO call
a Convention Of the people, recommend that
these words be inserted immediately after
the enacting clause OF the first section OF the
reported bill and in conclusion the mino-
riiy Of your committee respectfully suggest
that measures be taken 70 procure Con-
vention Of all the States of the Union, with a
view 10 a final settlement Of all subjects 10
controversy between the Northern and South.
ern States; aud il such final settlement can
not be satisfactorily made, that peaeeable
separation of the States and an equitable
distribution Of the property of the Federal
Government among all the States, NAV be
brought about aud the minority further re.
commend that the bill reported BY the ma
jority do not pass.
Respectfully submitted.
GILES MEBANE,