Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-24
REMARKS OF MIR. HENRY, :,
OF BERTHE COUNTY.

The House being in Committee OF the w mole, Jan
17th 1861, on the bill to call Convention OF the
people,
Mr. HENRY said Mr.. Speaker, 1 ask the indul-
gence of the House while l attempt to define my
position to the merits of the bill pending before
this body I do not expect to command the atten-
ton of this House by any flights of etoquence, or
astuteness in reasoning, but simply to set myself
right before the people have the honor to repre-
sent and be consistent in my past and future course
I should have been contented by casting my vote IN
silence but the broad latitude which this discussion
has taken, no longer permits me to remain unheard
The interest of my people, the pledges have made
Them requires at my hands an effort in defence OF
their rights.
The bill before the committee embraces question.
in my opinion, overriding all others in magnitude
and importance to the people of North-Carolna.
question of State national existence question to
decide the future fate of North Carolina State,
and the glory and happiness Of her people. Sir, the
course and change of political events are too rapid
for sound, prudent and wise legislation the mind
of man is eager to keep step with the flash OF the
electric wire
Scarcely is one idea born before it is set aside
to give room to another until confusion and doubt
surround the whole. The bill on the table looks
to a of policy radically differing from the
aims and objects for which came to this Legsla-
ture My people sent me here to take care OF their
rights and protect their honor | am here to help
pass such laws will add to the best interests of
North Carolina. When | had the honor to stand
before the people of BERTHE county, for seat in this
body, | advocated such measures as | thought
would be for their individual and collective interest.
l advocated the principle of equal taxation at the
balot-boX; upon that principle upon that issue,
elevated to a seat on this floor. At early
day in this session attempted to redeem my pledge
to my people, by introducing bill to call Con-
vention of the people, so as to compel the Legisa-
ture when passing acts to raise revenue to tar Stare
property and real estate according to the respective
value of each. But, Mr.. Speaker appeal to you,
and this House. and ask, what has been the fate of
my bill? More than two months have passed away,
more than 32S bills and reSolusions have been
troduced into this branch of the Legislature since
its introduction. On two separate OCCASIONS l have
asked the House to take up the bill, that might
discuss it. But with that course OF action which is
characteristic of the dominant party in this Hail.
have been refused the right of freeman and the
bill has been laid on the table, there to meet its
death blow Sir, that bill came from the East,
portion Of the State deeply interested in the
peculiar class Of property it proposes to reach than
any other section of the State. say it without n
desire to draw a comparison between the East and
the West, that such proposition coming from the
East is magnanimOuS in its character and evinceS a
high appreciation of the rights of all sections. As
the Constitution Of North-Carolna reads the
people in the East permitted to hold large
amount of slave property, free and exempt from
taxation But, sir the people in the East have
nObly and periodically consented to yield that
their brethren in the West. For that purpose ! am
here with many other noble sons Of the East. !
stand pledged to my people 10 vndicate and carry
out such course of policy. Such an alteration of
the Constitution Of the State, would in my opinion
be but right and just to all classes sections and
communities of her people.
The geographical differences Of North Carolina, in
climate, soil natural and artificial advantages appeals
every true-lover of the State IN support of the
doctrine Of equal taxation. Having Mr.. Speaker,
failed to gain the support of members to call Con-
vention the plan and for the object indicated by
the bill Your table, am left to drift from rock
to rock, and shore to Shore that bounds the great
political gulf in which fear we are soon to plunge.
When canvassed for my seat on this floor last Sum-
mer, was ierccly opposed by the leaders Of par
ty who refused any argument in favor of calling
Convention of the people. Documents full of hard
names. and breathing bitter denunciations against
the party with which have the honor to act, were
pedtcd and circulated in every part Of my county,
in order to misdirect the honest judgment Of the
people, and thereby defeat the principle OF equal
taxation through Convention | charged upon
that party then that time and reflection would force
them to leave their positions, and come to the doc
trine Of equal TAXATION resort to some scheme
to delude the people. Sir what have to-day?
spectacle presented to the people of North Caro-
lna that puts to shame the confidence of honest and
cOntidng people of all parties.
The party that canvasSrd the State over last sum-
mcr from sea TO mountains, in opposition to a Con-
vention, is this day the party, day and night in and
out Of this Legislature, that is using every power to
call Convention of the people But, Mr.. Speaker
the bill | introduced has been entombed, and is
known to this House only by name as recorded on
the calendar. Sir, find myself called upon by
unexpected party 20 support Convention hill for
an unexpected purpose, and at an unexpected time.
am called upon TO vote for Convention BILL for
what? Is it to CquaZe taxation? is it to measure
out justice to all parts of the State? is to improve
upon the Constitution of 1875 and 1885? No, sir
not so but in the language of members in this
House, and in the Senate it is for tho purpose of
voting by n Conventional ordinance the State Of
North Carolina out of the Union. am here for
such reasonable purpose; my people commissioned
me here to join in no crusade against the State nor
general government But am told by some, this
Convention is to be called for more than object
First to equaZe taxation; secondly, to change the
basis of representation in the Senate; thirdly to
force upon the people of North Caraona the doc
trne Of secession As the second reason for call
ing the Convention ASST gncd by several members
from the West, to be the alteration of the basis of
representation, | unhesitatngly declare that the
Eastern people will never give up the balance wheel
of mixed representation, placed in the ConStitu-
ton of 1776 and 1885 1t has been declared by
members from the West, that the white basis must
take the place Of the federal or the West will de-
clare herself free and Independent of the East. Sir
know the West has noble and a generous people;
we have proud examples here in this Capitol
for whose wisdom and patriotism have high re-
spect, men with whom | would deplore the neces-
sy as an eastern man to part with, but if such be
one of the objections in calling Convention, then
| enter my protest and call upon eastern members
TO be upon their guard and call upon eastern repre-
scntatves, standing the watchtower of their peo-
! pies rights. not to be deceived by Legerdemnin.
Mr. Speaker, | come now to the third reason for
calling Convention 1t has been repeatedly said
by the leading members of the secession party, that
their only desire for calling Convention, is to vote
speedily as possible the State of North Carolina
out of the Union, and placed her people in beIi-
gerent attitude towards the general government for
existing causes. tell gentlemen in this Hall of all