Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-25
the Constitution Of the Confederate States of Amer


ga, was then taken up.
Mr.. Venable said the Constitution was the same
as that of the former United States Constitution,
with some amendments which he briefly stated.
Mr.. Smith of Halifax, desired to know if the copy
of the Constitution offered with the ordinance
authentic
Mr.. Venable said it was a copy printed by the
Public Printer of the Confederate States.
Mr.. kittrell said, in such important matter,
We should be certain what it is we adopt In adop-
ting this Constitution, may not be adopting the
Constitution of the Confederate States.
Mr.. Barnes said, this is grave matter, and one
upon which the Convention ought to act with great
deliberation. He was much in favor of making
North Carolina member of the Southern Confed-
eracy as the gentleman from Granville, but he also
wished to know when he voted his State into the
Confederacy, upon what terms she should go in
He was not willing to take this Constitution as the
true one, without better evidence. The gentleman
from Granville is lawyer, and in the habit he pre-
sumed, of acting on evidence, yet he is willing to
take this Constitution without shadow of evidence
of its correctness Other States had not so acted
they had had certified copies sent them, and he
would not consent to place his State in so undigni-
fled position as the adoption of this Constitution
under such circumstances, would place her.
Mr.. Osborne thought there was no necessity for
haste-deliberate consideration ought to be had on
this grave and important question. He moved the
shall be referred.
The motion prevailed, and the President appointed
Messrs Venable Badger, Barnes, Osborne and Rufin.
Mr.. kittrell introduced an ordinance to repeal
clauses and of section of the 18th article of the
amended Constitution in regard to subjects of taxa
ton. Read the first time and ordered to be printed
Mr.. Biggs introduced a resolution that all ordi-
nancesfor altering or amending the Constitution of
the State, brought before this Convention shall be
laid upon the table. Lies over under the rule.
Mr.. Craige moved that certified copy of the or
dinance passed by this Convention, adopting the
Constitution Of the Provisional Government of the
Confederate States, be sent to the Government at
Montgomery, and the motion prevailed.
MIR. Barnes from the committee to have the
ordinance of secession on enrolled and prepar-
ed for signature, reported that the ordinance had
been neatly enrolled parchment, and would be
ready for the signatures Of delegates this evening
o'clock in this Hall, and proposed that the same
should be signed first by the President and then by
the delegates in alphabetical ORDER and the report
was adopted.
Mr.. Bachelor introduced a resolution for the ap.
pointment of committee of thirteen to prepare bu-
siness for the Convention.
Mr.. Wood6n could not see how a committee could
prescribe business for the Convention-he thought
the Convention was unrestricted, and he thought
that each member for himself had the right to in
troducc such resolutions and amendments as he
might see proper. Such committee might have
been appropriate in 1885, when the Convention was
restricted in its action, but this Convention could
not be so curbed
Mr.. Spruill, of BERTHE, agreed in sentiment with
the last speaker. He said it might be necessary,
and he thought it would, to make certain changes
in the Constitution and he would not consent to
thus having the free action of the Convention tram
meled.
After some further remarks by Messrs. Reid and
Pofn oil SC H., ol,,A,4 L., NJ
Badger against it,
Mr.. Ferebee moved to lay the resolution on the
table and the motion prevailed.
On motion of Mr.. Meares, the Convention took a
recess until this evening o'clock.
EVENING SESSION.
The President called the Convention to order al
o'clock.
The special order for the evening was the signing
the ordinance of secession.
At the suggestion of Mr.. Barnes and others, the
date of the passage of the ordinance affixed to
the enrolled copy of that instrument.
The President Hon. Weldon n. Edwards, Their
affixed his name to the ordinance, in presence Of
the Convention, and of large audience of ladies
and gentlemen in the galleries. who testified appro
val of the act by demonstrations of applause.
The roll Of counties was then called in alphabet
cal order, the delegates from each coming forward
the counties were called and afixing their names
to the ordinance-erery delegate to the Convention
being present and signing.
Mr.. Osborne then moved that the ordinance be
deposited with the Secretary of State for safe keep
ing and he be authorized to procure a case for the
same, and, after some discussion, the proposition
was adopted.
The Convention then adjourned to IL o'clock, to
morrow morning
WEDNESDAY, May %, 1861.
The Convention was called to order at II o'clock
by the President Prayer by Rev. I. E. Skinner.
The journal of Tuesday was read and approved
The President then announced the following com
mittee to report State Flag: Messrs. Whitford
Graham, Rayner Smith of Halifax, Foy, Winslov
and Cunningham.
Mr.. Graham moved the printing of the Constitu
ton of North Car lina and the act of the Genera
Assembly calling this Convention with the rules o
order, and the motion prevailed.
Mr.. Osborne moved that when any paper shall b
ordered to be printed the number of copies shall b
one hundred and fifty, unless otherwise ordered
and it was carried.
Mr.. Headen introduced a resolution that Messrs
Rufin, Brown, Graham, Badger and GImer be ap
pointed a committee to prepare an address settin
forth the causes which impel North Carolina to
separation from the United States.
Mr.. Lander moved to lay the resolution on tn
table, and the motion prevailed.
Mr.. Bachelor offered resolution that from an
after to-day the Convention shall meet at TO- a m.
and adjourn at 2 p. m.
On motion of Mr. Badger, the resolution was lai
| on the table.
Mr. Satterthwait introduced resolution that Their
shall be committee of five, appointed by the Pres
ident to prepare address setting forth the cause
for the separation of North Carolina from the lat
| federal Union.
Mr.. S. said he thought it necessary and prope
| that this Convention should declare to the Worl
the causes which led to our separation from tn
late Union, and send it forth with the ordinance G
separation.
Mr.. Reid suggested that the number of the com
mittee be enlarged and that the President be adde
| thereto.
The President asked to be excused on account G
the duties already imposed upon him.
Mr.. Rayner moved to amend the resolution b.
making the number ten instead of five, and tn