The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-09-04
Nnrth Carnlina Legislature.


Which convened in extra session on the l5t also Ine
message of acting governor Henry I. Clark, who III
accordance with provision in the constitution no" ~
the executive chair Of State rendered vacant oy 'e
death of Gov Ellis
The message onens with brief but feeling allusIon
to the death Of Gov Ellis and modest reference to the
new and responsible duties to the discharge OF which
he fMr c. had been suddenly and unexpectedly caleu
That portion of the message treating OF federal fea
tons give entire:
The great struggle which now RACES throughout our
country exces the intense interest at home ana
abroad 1t is needless to argue to ourselves, OF 1le
world the justice or propriety OF our course. we
natiety Welded every expedent and listened every
promise in behalf of that Union around which had so
nno cIunq our interests and dearest affections But
suddenly the mask raised and we saw before US the
sword of the tyrant aud henceorh there was no hesa
ton in course.
An extra session of the legislature Immediately con
vened and with no dissenting voice, submitted the
issue to the people in convention, which UNANIMOUSLY
passed the ordinance of separation and deveranee ana
that act has been sustained and ratified by the people
with an unanimty unparalleled in the history OF the
political struggle of the world.
Men who but Yesterday were fronting each other IN
fierce and angry debate this very issue, are to-day
marshalled side by side in the ranks-banded like
brothers and stalking ther lives their fortunes and
their sacred honor" in the common cause
The unanimy of North Carolna this great struggle
while it must ensure success embelshes page Ill her
history MS brilliant as the victory which achieves her
|
independence.
suddenly thrown into this great struggle without an
army or the organisation to support one we Ind offered
to us an army of volunteers who have come forward
with brave hearts and willing enlist in the cause OF
their country To sustain this course and make 1t Ell
fective in the field the legislature have voted ample
powers the executive and devolved on those entrusted
with the administration of affairs fearful responsibility
The governor impresses upon the attention OF the
legislature the necessity of making ample provision both
orthc equipment of for defence othe coast
The expenses Of the State have been and continue to
be large owing to the equipment aud transportation OF
troops The governor says:
should like to communicate to your body the whole
defence and armament of the State the force which has
been sent out and that which is still cquipping in the
State the state of the coast defence and the plans Tor
giving them still more strength 1t is your right and
duty to know these facts but from prudential consdeI-
tons consider it best such information should not be
communicated in public message. The detences OF the
coast he considers OF paramount importance He says
In some parts of the coast we have been unfortunate
in obtaining proper officers and engineers but bett9f
management | trust is now prevailing. This properly
falls under the and direction OF the Confederate
government. The State naval armament las been
erred pursuant to ordinance OF the convention, and
is now being properly manned aud transferred to the
defence of waters and feel great confidence that
it will contribute materially their defence. An officer
of the Confederate States has also been sent to inspect
our coast decnces and batteries preparatory to asSum
ing the control of them, but yet it has not been ac-
complished. | have lately addressed communication
to the president the subject and am daily expecting
a favorable reply.
The governor recommends the passage of some law
! that will give more efficiency to the State militia.
The message concludes with reference to the re-
sources of the State and the ability of her people to
produce within themselves every article necessary Tor
home consumption, thereby depuylng the northern
States of the vast of money they have for years
been fin the habit of taking of North Carolina in
change for her machinery, farming implements, mer-
chandise food and clotqng. The governor says:
1t is mortifyng to State pride to think that we
have hitherto been dependent on the northern States
for even the of Defence including all the muni-
tons of war; and upprehensons have been felt among
us that the want of these might impair the means and
resources of maintaining this But from a recent
survey made by able State geo0gist Prot Emmon,
am gratited that have IN ourmldSt, WITHIN
few miles of the North Carolina railroad, most ex-
tcusve and valuable supply of lead, now ready to be
taken up; and he further reports that have the mate
rial for the manufacture of gunpowder. The most valu-
able ingredient powder satpere found abundantly
in the limestone caves of Tennessee Georgia ndnorth
Alabama. \ company is engaged in The western
part the State for the manufacture OF powder and if
any assistance is required would suggest that the
State should furnish aid for the purpose of facilitating
the supply of this necessary material which the blockade
of our coasts now eifectualy cuts off.
II The blockade of our coast and the nonintercOursc
around our borders have established two important
facts First that in commercial relations we have
become entirely dependent the north for almost every
article that we use connected with machinery, farming
merchandise food and clothing, both the uxuries and
neccssares of life, including almost every article needed
for our defence The second and more important fact
is also now established, that VIC have the means and
material for supplying all these within own
borders Necessity is developing these resources and
driving to the use of them.
Il The continuance of the war and blockade for two or
three years may inct much personal suffering, but it
will surely accomplish national and commercial in
i dependence
If the war terminate soon political rights
might be secured but trade would resume its chan
nels Time alone will successfully divert the course OF
trade but when diverted it becomes difficult
ever to restore it, Once checked and turned off the
great food of northern trade, and southern capital will
roll their strength together to establish southern pros
pcrity and independence
And it is equally important to US to establish our
commercial political independence. decisive
victory may establish political rights i'll single day
but continuance of this and blockade can only ac
complish the other.
To us the blockade and war is a sharp but temporary
pain but it is slow consumption preying the yitals
of northern wealth and commerce.
THE Observation-Disclosures very little business
transacted other than the organisation of both bodies
In the senate resolution Intro duced for joint
committee to enquire into the consttutonaity and cx.
pcdiency of the legislature going into election oi
governor of the State, which LAID the table by
vote of q to Is.
In the house nothing of interest was done.
Extract of letter from gentleman in McCulloch y
camp to the editor of the Washington Ark) Courier
dated, August 18TH
After Gen. McCulloch had completed the organise
ton of his army of fifteen thousand men, he took up hi
/, line of march towards Springfield lie halted upor
the banks of Wilson's creek, henceforth to be remem
bcred by the American historian, to make further
engagements before his final attack upon Springfield. -
We had been encamped here for several days, wher
on Friday evening 9th of August, general order wa
issued for the army proceed against the enemy
e trenched at Springfeld-about 1000 strong, thai
night at 9 o'clock Every thing of course in readi
ness by sunset, and all did to lay around thu
cmp-fres smoke tell love tales and sing songs unit
the hour arrived but higher power ordered otherwise
slight shower Of rain descended about dark and sooi
e the whole heavens was mautled in one bleak and i'm
pcnetable cloud this of caused the order ssue
: in the evening to be countermanded. And thus W,
were detained there the whole night while the euem
taking advantage of the darkness of the night surprised
us about daylight next morning with booming twenty
c four FOUNDER, and shower of grape-shot. | wa
asleep like many others, but when that deathnote rum
It out upon the morning air, threw off the sweet spell
of the sombrc god, and i'll few moments, without tn
thought of breakfast upon my noble charger, 'c
e ger for the fravn We were attacked by two thouSap