Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-04-30
NORTH-CAROLINA STATE CONVENTION.
Third Adjourned Session.

NORTH.CAROLINAS STATE CONVENTION
Third Adjourned Session.
FRIDAY, April 25, 1862.
The President called the Convention to order pur
suant to adjournment
! Prayer by Rev. j. NJ Atkinson.
e. The journal of yesterday was read and approved.
] Mr.. Michal introduced a memorial from cit'zel's
of Rutherford, advising speedy and final ADJOURN
ment of the Convention, which was read and iao up
| on the table.
Mr. Rayner introduced an ordinance in regard to
holding the Courts in the county of Herttord. Ihe
| rules were suspended on motion OF Mr. kayner, and
the ordinance passed its several readings and was
| ordered to be enrolled.
| By Mr. Gorrell, an ordinance providing for the
election of Governor which passed the first reading
I and placed upon the calendar.
By Mr. Howard, resolution proposing to adjourn
sine dine on Wednesday s0th inst, at 10 o'clock,
! NJ, which lies under the rule.
| By Mr. Howard, an ordinance amendatory OF an
ordinance to raise North Cardinals quota OF Coined
crate troops which passed its first reading ana was
placed upon the calendar.
To the above, Mr.. Smith of Halifax oHered an
! amendment and asked that it be printed WIN the
ordinance, and it was agreed to-
MIR. Badger moved to take up anu eons'uer Tue
ordinance to exempt Quakers from military service
The motion prevailed, and the ordinance was read
the second time.
Mr., Rayner opposed the ordinance He thought
the Ouakers should be- required, in times like the
present to either fight or pay an equivalent.
Mr. Badger advocated the ordinance and argued
at some length in favor of the exemption.
Mr.. kittrell said the principles of the Quakers
were not now assumed to avoid taking up arms but
had always characterized them in times of peace and
war, and thought the Convention, i'll deciding on the
subject, ought to look to this fact.
Mr. Gilmer stated that this sect not only bore
faithful testimony against war, but it is fundamen-
tai principle among them to be subject to the pow
ers that be that they will not hold office; they
never 80 to law, do they ever suffer their poor
to become public charge. He urged the passage
of the ordinance
Mr.. Smith of Halifax, thought the Convention
could not make the proposed exemption, because the
Confederate Congress had not madeIt.
Mr.. Rutfn explained that the ordinance would eX-
empt only so far as the authority of the State en-
tends. He alluded to the history of Quaker disahlll
ty, and its effects, in England and in the earlier
history of this country. He was in favor Of the
dinance
Mr.. Leak of Richmond, also advocated the passage
of the ordinance expression in favor OF relisi
GUS freedom.
On motion of Mr. Warren, the further considera-
ton of the subject was postponed until tomorrow.
Mr.. Warren Of Beaufort, then addressed the Chair
as follows
Nix. PRESIDENT: have deferred a duty, because
did not wish u interrupt discussion. 1t is my du-
ty to call to the attention OF the Convention the
DEATH since the last session, Of my late colleague Mr.
w. D. Ellison and to offer such resolutions as have
thought would be appropriate to the occasion.
Mr. Ellison died On the 9th OF March, after an ILL.,
ness of but two days. So sudden was the event
that even his friends were not prepared for it by any
period of anticipation.
He was native of Beaufort county, but resided
for the greater part of his active life and until with
IN few years past in the county of Martin. In
both counties he held many positions of trust and
responsibility, dischargng their duties with credit
to himself and satisfaction to the people He was
lawyer Of good standing, industrious in lis pro-
iesslon never employing any unmanly art artitice
out always laboring with conspicuous zeal in the
cause OF his clients. His integrity was unoucstcn.
ed and being we'll acquainted with public business
ne was very useful and valuable citizen In ad,lI-
ton to this, he was in private iife all exemplary
and honest man.
believe, sir, that Mr. Ellison was never in pub.
lie life, except as member Of this body think
may say-and doubt not your own observation
will enable you to confirm the remark-that he de-
voted himself diligently and faithfully to the pcrfor
nance of his duties here lie was alive to the re-
sponsioilties of his position and never wanted the
trmness or the honesty to discharge them. Sitting
here by his side, knew him as a safe and prudent
counsellor and as steadfast and reliable friend ANY
constituency might be regarded exceedingly for
tunate If it were always represented by men as capa-
bic and faithful as lie was
SIch an event, Mr.. President the sudden sum-
mons iron earth OF one of our number in the prime
OF lie and scarcely yet vergng beyond the middle
age OF man-teacheS but one truth, that the tenure
OF our lives consists not in YOUTH in health, or in
manly strength, but rests in the inscrutable yet
mercitul will Of that Providence who holds the des-
times of individuals as we'll as nations in His hands
and who through the vicisstudes of life, the acct
dents OF DEATH the convulsion and storm ard peril
and varying fortunes Of revolution, from seeming
evil still educes good"
offer these reSolutions
Resotred That this Convention has heard with
deep regret the intelligence of the demise, on the
9th Of March last of William j. Ellison, delegate
from the county of Beaufort.
Resolred, That it is the sense of the Convention
that it has lost by this event an able upright, and
useful member of the body, distinguished by indus
try, by devotion to his public trust and by an in
telgent performance of his duties as a representa-
tive; and that we bear cheerful testimony to his
worth as man, and his integrity and capacity as
public servant.
Resoleed, That We tender our sympathies to the
family of the deceased and that in token of respect
tor his memory, we will wear the usual badge of
mourning.
Hes0tred, That as further token of respect this
Convention do now adjourn.
MIR. Satterthwaite of Pitt, seconded the resolu-
tlons. and submitted the following remarks:
MIR. PRESIDENT The long and intimate acquain-
lance and association which enjoyed with the de-
ceased, makes it proper that should second the
resolutions which have been offered, and in few
words give my testimony to his character and Quail
tiles. Mr. Ellison was only two months my senior,
and from early 5oyhood, the most friendly and in.
innate relations existed between u.s. up to the hour
OF his death, and can truly say of him that he was
good man; honest and upright in his dealings with
his fellow-man.
Mr.. Ellison was not man of genius, or gifted
with any extraordinary faculties of mind, and he
labored under the misfortune of a defective early