Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-05-30
Things at Raleigh.

The session OF the State Convention the concentrs-
on of troops the location of the actual head quarters
nd of the ofcegiving power at Raleigh draws people
there from all parts of the State more so than during
the session of the Legislature 1t appears to us that al
most everybody in Raleigh this week or bad been
there, or coming there.
The Convention itself contains large proportion OF
the prominent of both of the former political ogen-
zatons, and those who not in the Convention ap-
pear to be about. We need hardly add that there are
good many politicians to be found almost without seek
| ing.
| The Convention, presided over by Hon. Weldon n.
Edwards, of Warren, has, everybody knows passed
the ordinance of secession, and also adopted the pro-
visional government of the Confederate States. The
ordinances for these purposes have been signed by all
the members. So far the movements Of the Convention
were made unanimous. In the order of procedure the
ratification of the permanent Constitution of the Con-
ederate States ought to have come next, and we pre-
sumo would have done so, had there been certified
COPY of said Constitution in the possession of the Con-
vention Of course pamphlet or newspaper copies Of
that document might have been procured, but very
properly these not regarded sufficiently author
tative to form the official basis of solemn state action
in so momentous crisis as the present. properly
attested copy will shortly be received from Montgomery
and the subject will then be before the Convention
No doubt the Constitution will be ratified, and if so it
must be taken as whole, the Convention having no
power to amend it in any way to suit themselves. Any
desired amendment be suggested by the Convention
as was done by the Florida Convention. We doubt if
any amendments will be asked for. The Constitution
will be promptly ratified it gets officially be-
| fore the Convention
The other matters already mooted in the Convention
are First, The preparation of address setting forth
the causes which induced North Carolina to separate
herself from the late United States This arises out of
and in connection with the passage Of the ordinance OF
secession Second, There will probably be something
done in regard to the Stay Law, which meets with
good deal of opposition in some sections and which is
seriously believed by many lawyers to be unconsttuton
al to several of its provisions Third, The question
of taxation, involving the ad vdorm amendment to the
Constitution will certainly be brought up at an early
day. and some change is certain to be made That was
clearly indicated by vote taken on Wednesday, What
the extent of that change may be we hardly know -
Fourth, There has been talk about Lieutenant
Governor We do not know whether will be elect
ed by the Convention, but the fact that the Office will
be created pretty clearly indicated although have
not noticed that it has yet been brought before the
members publicly.
Naturally there are good many people dissatisfied
with matters and things connected with the military
movements and arrangements. Naturally, too, there
may have been things done that might have been better
done had there been greater experience and larger a
cites for doing them. No Doubt there are screws
loose there always are some loose ends left hanging il
suddenly as most of the recent military movements have
had TO be initiated. A source Ct confusion has been
the changes in the laws bearing upon the military SER
vice The raising of the ten regiments of State Troops
deranged the Offering Gpd acceptance of the twelve
months volunteers. The oil for twenty thousand vol
unteers, although very good BILL necessarily more
or less puts things If gear with those companies
who had offered their service under former laws
These difficulties were to have been expected, and
We think that in short time the machinery will get to
running more smoothly, and working more efficiently.
Patience ie o virtue which is not remarkably plenty
Just now but it is none the less needed In all such
times many will be to get the big disgust for
a while at least. Complaints will inevitably be made
OF any appointing power, whether that power be exer-
cised by the Governor, the Adjuant- General the
Advisory Board Where only one out of dozen ap-
pIicans for any particular post can DE appointed to
such post of there will be eleven disappointed
We are not defending all the appointments made nor
, are we attacking them ALL any of them We are
only reasoning upon the general tendency OF things
! creating pressure even the Convention -
and this brings to the fifth matter already engaging
the attention of that body, namely an Investigation
into the military resources OF the State, the laws upon
the subject and the administration of that part of the
State government. The Convention was in secret ses
sion yesterday upon this matter and of course we can
not say what was said and DONE but is evident that
there is disposition to make changes, but tChat
changes we do not know, if anybody does they are
: smart.
t We have alluded to matters already foreshadowed
without pretending to express opinions upon the
tual course of things. Evidently, the Convention will
s. not adjourn very We heard gentleman
given consult emphasis rather than accuracy in their
expressions say that the Convention was going toabosh
the Legisatu and establish itself peanence at
least meet from time to time for two years. This we do not
accept in its unlimited sense. The Convention is very
able body. Anybody who has any knowledge of the
public men of our State, will that at the first glance
he casts over the Commons Hall in which its sessions
are held That it holds large portion of the political
talent of the State is also evident 1t would not be in
human nature for such body of able and experienced
veterans in the field of politics and Of talented aspiring
and ardent Juniors the field to stay long in SEES
sion together without some ambitions and rivalships
springng up 1t is also easy enough to see that while
the questions Immediately connected with secession
the Convention unit, and party distinctions
laid aside, old PARTY associations and peudces how
l. ever dropped for the time, not by any al
: dead might have been expected. Wecan hardly say
how far these feelings may influence the action of mem
g bers of the Convention unconsciousy even to them