Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-01-01


Mr.. HOLDER: have read, with much pleasure
and approve, most heartily, the leading editorial in
your last issue, urging the call Of C0nCeRtiOn or
all tie States to settle the quarrel now going
between the two sections of the country, by perma
nent amendments TO the Federal Constitution. |
have long thought, that this is the best, if not the
only mode, by which the difficulties that now env-
ron us and threaten the disruption and ruin of our
government can be adjusted on an enduring and
satisfactory basis and have not hcSitated to press
this view my cOuntrymen, on all proper
1t is evident that the trainers of our National Con-
stitution looked to this mode for the removal of
all just causes of complaint against the operation of
any part of the fundamental law, any acts passed
by Congress, any of the States, which might
prove oppressive to any section OF the Union 1t Is
true, there is another mode of amending the COnSt-
tuition under the 9TH Article which you quote viz:
by the recommendation of amendments On the part
Of Congress, (twO-thirdS of each House voting for
them) and the approval thereof of threefourths Of
the States But the difficulty in the way is this.
The present Congress is composed mostly of bitter,
violent partizanS, many of whom are bent on the
dabocal act of breaking up the government, and
precipitating into civil war; and all its attendant
horrors. Their motto is "Tute ruin" They,
no doubt see plainly, the danger before us but
they are Steeled against those patriotic impulses,
which should induce Them forthwith to rush to the
rescue of the country. They not elected to
propose amendments to the Constitution, nor under
the conservative reaction which is now going
at the North When elected, they were pledged to
extreme principles and the "pride of opinion
that evil and infexible nurse of error and perpet-
uator of wrong-will prevent their yielding to the
demands of justice and reason. Not so ruth the
people,! My candid opinion is that if they had an
opportunity now, they would throw overheard the
mad, unprincipled and ambitious politicians who
are precpitating the happieSt and most prosperous
country earth into ruin and disgrace and call to
~. 81 Oftn t,hN
upon assembling in National Convention, would
go honestly to work to settle this national quarrel
by such amendments 20 the Constitution as will
secure the rights of the South If the trading
revolutionary making, - war-loving politicians
whose selfishnesS and fanatcism have brought us
to the brink of this awful precpce, uitL-stand out
Of the Scdy, the PEOPLE can get SAGE the Country!
II the able and patriotic men of the South, chosen
as delegates could meet those of the North face to
face in Convention and present plan of settle
ment which would fully protect all rights
in the Union, | believe it would he acceded to,
and adopted II rejected, then the entire South
would be justified, in the eyes of the world and
posterty in retiring a unit from association with
the Northern States and demanding her share the
public domain and other property. ! confess my
convictions on this subject are strong. Many saga
cious and patriotic men believe, that a National
Convention is the only body to which we can look
for permanent settlement of our difficulties see
that Col Outlaw, the Senator from BERTHE, has in
troduced resolutions recommending the call of
Convention of all the States. l hope this may be
adopted at once. Your very able and patriotic
article will contribute much towards the accom-
plishment of this great object | honestly believe
that Convention of all the States is the surest
mode Of adjusting all difficulties between the two
sections and perpetuating Constitutional Union
1t is evident the people rising in their might to
mark with the seal of their dsapprOval those who
would break up this government for existing causes
MARION.