Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-19

: Hon. WELDON N. EDWARDS,
- President of the NJ C. State Conuention:
SIR: l have received, through His Excellency,
John W. Ellis, Governor of North Carolina, copy
of an ordinance passed by the Convention OF Nor'n
Carolina vesting IN the Confederate States of Amer
lea jurisdiction over certain tracts of land in the
town of Fayetteville and county Of Cumberland
Looking hopefully forward to the day when in arms
and all things necessary, to maintain our rights we
may be independent,
am, very respectfully
and truly, yours,
JEFF. DAVIS.
The communication was referred to a committee,
consisting of Messrs. Ruffn Graham, Rayner, Cor.
rell and Shaw to report the expediency OF trans
ferring the other public property within the limits
of the State to the Confederate States Government
Mr. Strong, from the committee on enrolled bills,
reported as correctly enrolled, an ordinance provl
ding for the mode in which the ordinances OF the
Convention shall be authenticated, and the same
was signed by the President
RESOLUTIONS.
By Mr.. Battle, resolution to allow Elizabeth
Chavis and child to eusave themselves. Lies over
BY Mr. Miller resolution limiting the time OF
debate-also lies over.
Mr.. Smith moved to take up the motion to re-
consider the vote on the seventh regiment bill, and
the motion prevailed.
Mr. Fuller moved to postpone the subject, and
O'clock but afterwards withdrew it.
The question was then the motion to recon-
sider On this notion Mr.. Barnes demanded the
yeas and nays, which being ordered, reSulted-yeas
So, nays As.
The question, shall this ordinance pass ?" was
then put.
Mr.. Satterthwaite, of Pitt, said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: am very much obliged to my
friend from Northampton, for his courtesy in yield
ing the floor, to afford me an opportunity OF en-
planning what may seem to be very inconsistent
course, upon this ordinance. On the original pas
sage of the ordinance, voted for it. | confess did
So Mr.. President, not so much from a conviction oil
its importance and necessity, as from desire to CO.
operate with my friends on all questions where my
Judgment does not condemn their policy. But, Mr..
President am one of those who believe that it is
the duty of the representative to represent the WILL
and reflect the wishes Of his constituents, upon
questions of legislation, whenever he can do so,
without any violation Of his own conscience, and
especially so, when his mind is in doubt as to
the propriety of the measure Since the passage of
this ordinance and its publication among the peo-
pie of my county, they have furnished me with
what consider unmistakabie evidence of their op-
position to it-whether their present opinion is the
result of wise reflection, haSty and incOnSiderate,
shall not stop to inquire but shall feel bound now
to vote against the ordinance without entering into
any protracted discussion, to the merits or de-
merits of the ordinance itself
Mr.. Spruill of BERTHE alluded to the views of the
Brigader General, in regard to the coast defence
thought the Governor misintormed on the subject;
gave facts in relation to the position of al
fairs IN the East for his support of the
ordinance.
The hour had now arrived to take up the special
order
Mr.. Barnes moved to postpone the consideration
Of the special order, that the question now under
consideration may be disposed Of
Upon this motion a discussion arose, embracing
wide range, and which occupied the remainder of
the morning, and nearly the whole of the afternoon
sessions. The limits of a newspaper report will al
low of but the merest synopsis of the remarks of
the speakers.
Mr.. Speed said he had done his duty in this mat
ter if the Convention chose to reject the ordinance,
upon the heads Of others would rest the response
biity. He said he had been accused of censuring
the Executive; in answer to that he would say, if
he had but little confidence in the powers that be,
he had caught the contagion during the debates
here.
Mr.. Howard raised the point of order, that it was
not proper to argue the merits of the question when
a motion to postpone it was under consideration.
The chair decided that it was in order to show
the Importance or necessity of measure, as rea-
son why it should not be postponed.
Mr.. Speed resumed his remarks, and alluded to
remarks of the opponents of the ordinance on its
former passage, and to amendments offered by
them, to show that there was necessity for the
troops contemplated in the ordinance being raised.
Mr.. Woodfn explained his remarks on the ordi-
nance when it was up before--he thought those
whose business it was to attend to these matters,
were more competent to do it than this Convention
was. He was in favor of the motion to postpone
Mr.. Howard said he not acting from motives
of like or dislike to any in his opposition to the
ordinance, but from a consciousness of duty and
right
Mr. Thomas, of jackson, said he did not rise to
make speech, but to say to his eastern friends
they ought to be satisfied with equal rights and
equal protection. He adverted to remarks that had
been made about the legislature, on Wednesday
last. He was called to order, when some little un-
reportabe cooquy ensued
Mr. Barnes disclaimed all intention in supporting
the ordinance, to reflect censure upon the Governor
or any body else He believed the circumstances
quired some such measure, and therefore he was in
favor of it.
Mr.. Shaw thought that notwithstanding the dis
caimer of gentlemen, it did appear to him that there
desire to cast censure upon those who had
charge of our military defences He alluded to the
remarks of Mr.. Speed, and said he thong n: he was
the last man who ougs to bring charges against
the Executive and mentioned a rumor of certain
expressions Mr.. Speed had used last spring.
Mr.. Smith said he had introduced the ordinance
on his own responsibility, and because he thought
it necessary. He had confidence in the Governor S
integrity, but in his military skill that one,
who knows any thing of the matter, will endorse
the report concerning the strength of the coast de-
fences. He continued at some length to argue the
merits Of the ordinance.
Mr.. Tracy followed in opposition to the ordinance.
He said that if the brave volunteers from his county
had thought that such an ordinance would have
passed the Convention, they would never have left
their homes they have in great numbers, for the
defence of the country. He said no such thing had
been heard Of in any of the other States
Mr.. Fuller stated that he had supported this
measure on the former OCCASION because he thought
it polite measure, but had since reasons for
changing his views, and had therefore, moved the
reconsideration. He thought the Executive could
effect tie object designed better without the ordi-
nance than with it.
"A colloquy ensued between Mr.. Smith of Macon,
and Mr. Rutin in regard to the disposition of troops