Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-08-21

hoped the House entertained no idea of rushing
heedlessly into this matter 1t involved serious
considerations and the matter should be carefully
approached
Mr. Foy disclaimed all unknd feeling towards the
Convention. He had followed his own sense of du-
ty and the wishes of bis constituents in presenting
the resolutions. The Convention having done what
it called into existence to accomplish he thought
it time that its existence should be terminated.
Mr.. Fleming must oppose the resolutions. The
action proposed was not respectful to the Conven-
ton. The question involved was serious one;
gentlemen had not looked to the consequences
Whatever may have been the course of the Conven-
tion it admitted of very serious doubt whether the
Legislature had the constitutional right to adopt any
such action. He doubted the right, and should OPP
pose it.
Mr. Hill of Caswell, entirely approved of the reso-
buttons and was in favor of immediate action. He
could not see how the Legislature could compromise
its dignity by adopting them. 1t was question Of
duty simply, and he was ready to discharge it
The people were dissatisfied with its action. 1t had
been called together to do certain things, it had
transcribed its boundaries and he was for putting
a stop to the exercise of powers which might prove
dangerous. 1t claimed unlimited powers and the
right to sit as long it thought proper, and he was
opposed to body who claimed such RIG hits in a Re-
publican State
Mr.. Meares replied warmly in defence of the
Convention. He at first supposed that the design of
the advocates of these resolutions, was simply lit
tie fun. He was surprised to find gentlemen on
that floor treating the matter seriously. What had
the Convention done to merit such action? Com
plants were made in general terms, but no specific
charge had been alleged, except the offensive re-
marks of one or two gentlemen of the Convention in
regard to the Legislature And must the entire
body be condemned for the imprudent or undigni-
fled remarks of one or two? He hoped gentlemen
would consider where they were drifting. What
had the Convention done, he would ask? 1t had
been said that the Convention had broken up the
military system of the State. The fact was, the
Legislature had ordered the raising of 80 900 troops
but had made no provision to equip or pay them.
The State was heavily in debt-the military sys-
TEN of the State organized by the Legislature,
was increasing that debt at the rate Of $l4000,O00
per year. If the war continued several years, the
debt must have been immense. Such was the con-
dition of things when the Convention met. Neces-
sty obliged it to resort to legislation to provide the
means for equpI ing and feeding the troops. Pres
ident Davis had told our commissioners that in ad-
diton to the ten regiments of State troops he could
only receive 900 volunteer troops for u months.
The Convention therefore was Obliged to make some
provision by which the State should be protected
against debt likely to become enormous. What
the State incurred in equipping and preparing men
to 60 to the field she told could not be refund
ed to her by the Confederate States until after the
war. What did the Convention doY Did it dis
band the residue of the troops not wanted by the
Confederate States? Certainly not The COnven
ton knew not what contingencies might arise. 1t
therefore, far fom treating the Legislature disre
spectfully, manifested its confidence in this body,
by leaving their disposition to it. which, assembling
at later period, would be better prepared to Judge
of the demands ofthe State, and ofthe country, and
dispose of them accordingly. Gentlemen had allu-
ded to the exercise Of power and that the Convcn-
ton might hold on to an unlimited time. No one
believed that body had any idea of sitting beyond
the necessities Of the case. We were in a war, and
knew not what exigencicS might occur to require
the action of the Convention But why did gentle
men vote for an unrestricted and unlimited COnyen-
ton? Why did not the gentleman from Caswell
vote to restrict it. if he had fears of body like that
Mr.. Hill said he was so anxious to get out of the
old Union he took no time to think of other matters.
He thought the Convention would confne itself to
the object for which it was called and not trench
upon the prerogatives of the Legislature. He
claimed that the Legislature had made provision for
carrying on the war, &c.
Mr.. Meares reioined
Mr.. Foy had heard no good argument against his
resolutions. If gentlemen could show any good
reason against their passage, he would be glad to
hear it. and would give it respectful consideration,
but until they did, he must insist upon their passage
Mr. Bridges could not vote for the resolutions, at
any rate in their present shape They were not
respectful to the Conventions body entitled to re-
spcct for its high position and its eminent ability
The Legislature could gain but little credit for im-
tating what was considered the undignified course
of the Convention. The resolutions would engen-
der bad spirit, and its effects upon the unanmty
which should prevail during the war; would be dele
ferrous. The Convention might retaliate upon this
body sharply, by passing an ordinance abrogating
the Legislature, and the consequences mil ht be
fearful. He was proceeding, when a question of
order arose. and the Speaker decided that the merits
of the resolutions could not be discussed; gentle
men must confine themselves to the question of re-
ference to the judiciary committee The question
then taken, when it was decided in the negative
The question coming up on its second reading,
Mr.. Mebane urged that the matter before the body
one Of too serious to be adopted hastily
1t involved very grave considerations He preferred
a reference to committee that time might be given
for cool deliberaton but as that had been refused
he moved that the subject be postponed, and be
made the order of the day for Tuesday next The
proposition was rejected
Mr.. Ferebee, a member of both bodies was per-
sonally indifferent to the result yet he must express
his dsapprobation of the resolutions. The Conven-
ton as body did not merit such condemnation 1t
had not transcribed its authority and if it had e-
gisated, it was because of the exigencies of the
times. Besides the Convention had not completed
its work. Very important exigencies might arise,
when it might be essential to the public GOOD that
other States in the Confederacy had their Conven.
tions and they would no doubt exist until the war
closed.
Mr.. Galloway was as much opposed to the action
of the Convention complained Of, as any one, but
the course proposed to be pursued towards it did
not have his sanction 1t was entitled to courtesy
The manner it proposed to treat the Convention
was novel, and he must warn the House against any
action which would divide and distract our people
during the existence Of the war; 1t was all impor.
tant that should be united in its prosecution but
who could foresee the consequences of arrayng the
Convention against the Legislature, and rice uersai
Would not this action create Legislative party
and Convention party in the State, and what would
be the consequence
Mr.. Clark of Craven, endorsed fully the resolu
tions. The people desired that the Convention
should ceasc-they had no further use for it, and
the remarks of his friend from Camden, served t,
confirm his convictions of the mportance and neces