Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-03

and there only comes the demoniac cry OF subugaton
and slaughter hoarsely sounding as it were, from
the very depths of hell The people now are unit
in resistance to tyranny, and in defense of their
homes but they still claim to have voice in the
formation of that new government for which they
pouring out their treasures and blood. This
Convention does not represent their sentiments in
the formation of permanent government. Scarce
ly half of the people voted for the delegates, and
well satisfied that not half of the voters expected
us to connect them permanently with any govern
ment without their consent.
In the of this debate the question has been
asked why not submit the ordinance of secession to
the people? / do not think this necessary. know
the will ofthe people upon that subject They have
expressed it, by sending thirty thousand of their
brave sons to the field of battle. The history of
the past has taught me the feelings of North Caro-
lima upon questions of freedom and vassalage and it
has also taught me how jealous the people Of
theirrghtS in the formation of their government
Secession was but the final act of revolution and
sternnecessity required that it should be immediate
and complete. government may be destroyed in
day. but there is no power of enchantment that
can rear it again in a night. The most splendid
edifce be easily pulled down, but architectural
skill, taste and wisdom required to construct it
again in its grand proportions.
1t is said by some, that if we show any division of
sentiment, or manifest any reluctance in adopting
this permanent Constitution, it will give aid and
comfort to the enemy. flow can it have this effect
Have we not already passed unanimously the ordi-
nance Of secession Have we not poured
mics into the field, ready to meet Lincoln and his
hirelng murderers' on the border? Can it give him
aid and comfort to show that he is contending with
people who are jealous of their rights even with
their brethren? can tell you, Mr. President how
this Convention can give aid and comfort to the en-
envy. Refuse to submit this Constitution to the
people. The impression prevails at the North that
this revolution is not the act of the people, but the
work of corrupt and ambitious men, sustained and
carried on by Inscriptions political trickSters.-
Such is the substance of the editorials of the leading
Northern ournals. At first the great masses of
the people dissatisfied with the usurpations
and arbitrary authority assumed by the prime
movers Of this revolution and if they had been let
alone by the Black Republicans, they would soon
have corrected these abuses. But the Proclamation
camelke flash oflightning and fusedevery Southern
hearintoone. Iwantnow to hear the voice fthe peo
pie to show the North that we are all united in our
resistance to them. Let the old Union men speak
out for revolution and disunion. The one hundred
and thirty thousand voices that went up from old
Virginia last week, the most eloquent speech
nation uttered, and equal in effect to the
victorious shout of a conquering army | want
North Carolina to have an opportunity of speaking
likewise; for from her hills her mountains and her
plains, know the same proud defiance to tyranny
like grand pecan will swell.
We are told that stern necessity compes North
N3TOHna 10 auOpI lnlS permanent CONSTITUTION. L
believe this is so. Our interest and safety demand
our connection with the South. | can but regret
the fallen condition of my owned loved native State
Once she was peer among her sisters, but now
fanatcal deSpOt is about force her into govern
ment which she did not assist in forming We can
still preserve her selfrespect and honor Let do
as Virginia has done and adopt ouly the Provisional
Government, and demand all of our rights in the
permanent government. When Virginia was about
to secede, her Convention waited upon by
special Commissioner from the Confederate States
man high in authority and of exalted intellect and
worth. Why should we not be treated with similar
respect? Virginia entered the Southern Confedera-
cy like an empress, and her capital has become the
seat of empire, and shall North Carolina enter as
an unbidden guest and suppant?
Mr.. President: We would do we'll to follow the
example of Virginia, that noble and glorious old
Commonwealth Well does she deserve to be called
the mother of States and stateSmen-and she is now
producing another of heroes. Her past history
is full of renown, and her action in the present cr-
sis has made her immortal. Her soil has long been
halowed with the ashes of the mighty dead and on
her venerable head is destined to be poured the first
baptSmal blood Of the new revolution. Her first
love for the Union of our fathers remained I'M
changed to the last hour and when that Union
destroyed by fanatical tyranny, she from amid
its ruins, like a noble old Queen mother, with her
children, both the beautiful and brave, from prince
ly and cottage homes, with devoted love gathering
around her. She seems to breathe again the spirit
of her glorious dead, and undismayed breasts the
fearful storm. There she will stand in the sublim-
ty of her patriotism and power until every one of
her brave sons have died like the Spartan heroes
of Thermopyl@, ard if she must be conquered, the
victors will win no trophies but the desolated homes
of widows and orphans.
| listened with great interest to the able and
learned argument OF the venerable delegate from
Alamance Judge Rufhn.) l think the argument
hach ham f,,1lx h-f ho
from Orange Gov. Graham) but if it still re-
manned unanswered, | would not undertake the DIFF
ficut task, even if l had the power; for l have
been accustomed to regard HIM in questions of law,
with the same feelings of generation and awe with
which the devout Greek listened to the responses of
the Dephic Oracle. There was an expression which
fell from his lips which l regretted to hear-that
the people had not the capacity to form their gov
eminent. This is the creed of the old arStocratic
dynasties of Europe. l had hoped that this idea
had been dispelled in the American mind, by the
unrvaled success and prosperity of our nation
But our great Republic has fallen and the express
sion sounded like hooking ghosty wall among its
ruins. This idea has produced all of our present
difficulties. If the people of the North and South
had been consulted by their infatuated leaders, they
would have sustained and preserved the government
from It's terrible overthrow. Let in this our
new experiment in government always trust the
people, and we may confidently hope that high
and glorious destiny awaits our young Republic.
Mr.. President, desire briefly to refer to one of
the arguments most frequently used in this debate,
in opposition to my amendment. 1t is said that the
public mind ought not now to be disturbed by the
excitement incident to popular election. Liberty
| is most in danger in the midst of revolution
Peace is its only friend and law its only safe
citadel When this friend is banished and the bull
warks are broken down. its only refuge is the patri-
otism of the people This revolution has been so
sudden that it has never received the direct and au
thortatve sanction of the people. Even the dele
gates to this Convention did not receive more than
half of the popular vote of the State. The people
have not chosen their leaders in this revolution
When our Governor and Legislators were elected,