Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-10
The State Convention.

of the acts and dongs of the session. The following
judicious remarks Of the senior editor of the Fay
etteville Observer, in the mean time contain more
truth and good sense than we have seen elsewhere:
1.-THE Convention has adopted several very i'm.
portant and indispensable measures and instead of
joining in the clamor raised by few papers and
persons, some contending that it did too much, and
that it did too ttle-we think it is entitled to
thanks for what it has done, at least A correspon-
dent recently argued that the Convention called
for certain purposes and no other, and urged to
rebuke it for taking up any thing else. We do not
admit the correctness of this view. The Convention
was undoubtedly entrusted in the first place, with
the duty of dissolving the connection between the
State and the United States. But if it had performed
this duty and adjourned leaving the State in con-
dition little short of chaos it would have deserved
the execration Of every patriot There were other
and indispensable duties to be performed, and some
of the most important of them could not be perfected
till the very closing hours of the session. We refer
particularly the transfer of the troops FORTS
nal &C., &C., to the Confederate Government which
was necessarily matter Of negotiation with that
government and to the providing of funds. 1.-THE
Convention had adjourned without completing this
negotiation and tranfer, the State would have been
liable for the millions of dollars which our army
would have cost, the Arsenal here would have re.
manned idle, and other evils would have resulted
But correspondent overlooking all these, thinks
that the Convention should have adjourned long
ago. to save the State the expense of the per diem
of its members. That is to save $3.50 day, about
$4,000 for the whole session. the State should
have remained bound for millions. Again, one of
the last things the Convention did, (and which if it
had adjourned month ago, might not have been
supposed necessary to be done) was to provide
funds to enable the Treasurer to preserve the honor
of the State.
1.-The Convention was called for certain purposes
and no other" it is said Well, what were those
purposes? In quarter it is contended that some
sort of stayaw ought to have been passed in place
of the present defective one that alien enemies
property in the State ought 20 have been disposed
Of that the coast defences ought to have been bet
ter provided for: in another that Lieut. Governor
ought to have been created, &c.
For ourselves, we would have been glad to see
some other things done besides those which were
accomplished; and therefore regret that the Con.
vention adjourned so soon. 1t is smaller body
than the Legislature, composed of more venerable
and talented men, and at least as patriotic as the
Legislature 1t had the power to do all that the
Legislature can rightfuly do, and was likely to &C.
complish business in a more perfect and judiclous
manner. The condition Of the State and the coun-
try is such that no one can tell what day may
bring forth-how soon sudden emergency may
arise to call for prompt and decisive legislation.
Especially may this happen in the present enfeebled
condition of body and mind of the State Executive
For all of these considerations, we regret the ad
journment of the Convention. While it is reputed
not to have been as free as it ought to have been
from party and personal influences, it was yet more
. so than IS usual in this degenerate day. 1t
body worthy to be honored."