Newbern weekly progress., 1862-06-14
p'sse FgalcisEa Stale Convention.

than 10 years of age is So; over 10 and less
than Is, SO; over Is and less than 20, $15
over 20 and less than 45, $50.
/ This measure became law by large ma
! 48FTts eI3D0dsek II el1.
stitution.
What" says Kenneth Rsyner, ''ao you
propose to levy tax upon human beings that
have souls? Why, sir, more shocking bar
barity could not be perpstrated. Was greater
insult ever offered to the Almighty? Horri-
ble horrible to contemplate"
| At this stage of the proceedings the Hon.
John A. Gimer, from Gullford County, rose
IN his place and reminded Kenneth Rayner
THAT the Chief Justice of the United States
ence gave decision to the effect that slaves
were property, and had no rights that white
men were bound to respect and that he, Ray
ner, indorsed and approved oil that decision
calling it one of the most profound of tac age
Mr.. Glmsr desired to know ii the gentlemaa's S
We had undergone any change, and, if SO,
in W hat particular Is it the gentleman's con-
| scisnce pocket that is outraged Which is
the most horrible to contemplate? Il would
remind those gentlemen said Mr.. G., whose
consciepces so suddenly outraged by the
! introduction of this proposition to levy tax
on slaves, that they all, without single ex-
ception, heartily concurrcd with the Chief
Justice in bis decision that slaves are profertv;
therefore, it is self-evident that their conscience
have undergone change this subject,
hence We are led to understand that their pock
cts alone affected. 1t can be regarded as
only tax service, not on souls.
Il also, while | up, desire to call the
attention Of those gentlemen who are opposing
this measure To the fact that they, and they
alone were chiefly instrumental in carrying
North Carolina out Of the Union. Yes, gen
tlemen, 1t IS you who were in favor of contract
ing great debt by carrying with the
Union. You claimed that secession was ne-
ccssary, III order to give better security to the
institution of slavery; hence for the
exclusive benefit OF your property that seces-
sion took place, and this enormous debt was
contracted, and all of this misery and slaughter
brought upon the country. At the commence
nsnt of secession you were exceedingly patri-
otic and said that the Sou,h must secure her
independence, at whatever sacrifice of blood or
treasure.
"Gentemen, you have succeeded in forcing
the State out Of the Union {; you have also sue
ceeded in saddlng great debt upon the State;
thus far your wishes have been realized. You
have had yeur way. In gratifying your wishes
this debt has been incurred You have re-
manned at your firesides while the fearful
struggle going Oh, and obliged those who
represent no property to fight yeur battles
Now, that the debt has been contracted by you
who represent the slave interest of the State
you nevertheless have the coolness, with all
these facts staring you in the face, to rise In
your places and refuse to be taxed. By OBJ
jecting to pay your share of this great debt you
are obligng those who fought your battles to
pay it for you. | desire to know if there can
be anything more unsratefu' and inhuna than
this ? | had no hand IN bringing about this
unholy war | was not in. favor Of secession
and am not now. | love the old Union, and
long to return 10 its folds. l had no voice in
contracting this debt; have been opposed to
it all along Notwithstanding this, | am will
ling that my slaves should be taxed heavily to
hqundate this unjust debt Yea, [ qCou1d
gtsdls ennoncip0te them ell If 1t aeouia restore
as beck zoe aoere before. THIS slavery ques~
ton Is tie cauSe IF tits car und ase shol Isye7'
haze peace until gradual enaancipation meus-
urs IS ddopted."
The Hon. VIM. A. Graham also made tery
able speech in favor OF this tax, az did Messrs. Il
Badger, BagIey, Barns, Brown d nnell, ,.'oS,
ter, Holden Lake (of Anson,) Sat:erthu ai1e,
Warren, and many others Mr. Graham "a d
" The gentleman from Hartford CMr. Rayner)
accuses this Conyeution~ of incompetence iol
the duty OF revising the Constitution. IT,
gentleman from Rowan (Mr. Jones) asseI S
that it has fallen into disiavor with the people
and therefore they both concur in its adjourn
ment or dissolution. From the moment this
body deter mined To equalize taxation upon
slaEcS as upon Otlci property, 50 ao 10 expose
ali the resources OF the State to leviss to beet
our great and increasing expenditures, and
sgnitied is disposition to revise the Censtitu
ton, this effort commenced, and ever since
they have opposed this great measure of
reform. But the gentleman from Rowan
makes a graver charge. He asserts that the
Convention has lost the confidence of the
people. How is this ascertained ? The peo
pie have elected 40 man their prophet to pro-
e1oi,, hair ct, y
for his own constituency, and [ presume for
no other. | have derived no such informtsi siou
from mine"
Mr.. Graham's speech is an able production.
He is Of the leaders of the Opposition
party, and will doubtless be the next Governor
of this State. He is strongly supported by
w. W. Holden Of The Raleigh STANDARD,
which was formerly the leading Democratic
organ of the State; but since Secession. which
it has opposed, 'he paper has taken sides with
the Opposition party, and is recognized
AS its leading organ, In bringing the Hon.
VIM A. Grahams name forward for this posi-
ton, The Standard says es-3
"Why such an anxiety on the part of the
per sc Secession no-party strife to know VINO
is 10 be the next Governor Of North Carolina
We think their anxiety may be relieved IN
some degree by telling them who the people
will not have to rule the de-tinies Of
North Carolina. First, they will not have a
foreigner (meaning the Editor of The Rateigh
JourndIO Secondly, they will not have
Yankee (meaning the Editor OF The RaIeigh
Registers both Secess Thirdly, they will
not have Secessienist of the South Carolina
school And that there may not be any doubt
whe is meant urder the third head, we will
define the term by remarking that the people
want DO man 10 ures;de oyer The destinieS of