Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-05-07
REMARKS oF MR.. GRAHAM,

Mr. Graham said, he had not intended to say a
word in this discussion, but assaults had been made
upon this body which required notice from some
one lest it should suffer injustice in public estima-
ton. The public bodies OF this country had been
always subject to very free criticism. Those who
were without, very freqGently charged that their
proceedings liable to very great objection. and
desired to he inferred that if the directors had
constituted the assembly under review, better things
might have been expected. But it was rather unu-
sual for members of such an assemblage, them
selves, to become it's assailants. The gentleman
from HEREFORD (Mr. Rayner) accuses this Conveh-
ton of incompetency for the duty Of revising the
Constitution. The gentleman from Rowan, CHR.
Jones) asserts that it has fallen into disavor with
the people, and therefore they both concur in its
adjournment or dissolution. l. SAID Mr.. G., am
quite Indifferent as to the time Of adjournment,
though L think much business requires attention
before we do adjourn and that far more anxiety
seems to prevail for adjournment, than as to the
condition iE which the Constitution and the public
interests will be left by reason of an adjournment,
without giving to them proper consideration
While these sweeping accusations are made against
this assembly in general, and which without ex-
planatlon must apply equally to US all, gentlemen
are very careful to exempt themselves, and are pre-
pared with an excuse to their constituents that they
could not control the action Of a majority. Now,
Sir, deny that this Convention is incompetenS to
revise and rewrite the Constitution, to transact
any other business requiring its deliberations IN the
trying circumstances which surround, us. The
proof of this allegation seems to be found in the re-
fusal of the Convention to adopt certain rules Of or
der proposedsby the gentleman from HEREFORD
Sir, his proposition was adopted in part, and that
part tends to accelerate business but to the
mainder Of it. majority differed from the mover,
and rejected it. Acknowledging the genteman's
intelligence and usefulness, it may be sufficient to
dismiss this charge, with the remark of DR.. John
-hpa cal ind him
self The Convention contains much of patriot
ism and capacity as will probably be found in any
similar assemblage. If it cannot perform the task
required, it will hardly be executed by any other
That there may have been at some times useless de-
BATE not a sufficient regard for economy of time
is no doubt true. This however, is incident to all
free assemblies
But the gentleman from Rowan makes graver
charge. He asserts that the Convention has lost
the confidence of the people. How is this ascer-
tanned? The people have elected no man their
prophet to proclaim their voice Each one OF US
can speak for his own constituency, and presume
for no other. | have derived no such information
from mine Sensible of the magnitude of their af-
fairs in this time Of trial. they bestowed generous
confidence and expected the exercise Of considerable
discretionary powers In that | must presume,
they do not differ from the generality of their fellow
citizens; and cannot believe that any portion of
the people have poor an opinion of their repre-
sentatveS to suppose they lnger here to crafty
their vanity for public debate or for the sake OF the
compensation allowed to meet their expenses.
Mr.. President, that persistent effort has been
made to bring this Convention into diSrepue with the
people, perfectly is uanileSt-whether 1t has been n
successful effort quite another question. From the
moment that this body determined to equalize tax
alton upon slaves upon other property, so as to
expose all the resources OF the State to evies to
meet our great and increasing expenditures and
faH tic tO no
this effort commenced. Presses and politicians had
rayed themselves against this great measure ofrefor,
and their consistency, matter of far greater i'm
pJrance than the public welfare required their OPP
position to be persisted in. Hence, the cutlery that
the Convention exceeding its powers, and ought
to be dissolved; that it elected simply to dis
solve the old Union end form a one task so
easy of performance that it could be finished the
brief space Of one two days-aS if great Revo-
luton involving State existence would carry itself
OH, and required no provisions Of finance, and no
inquiry into the measures Of attack or defence in
the which was then raging. The Convention
found large army in the course of being levied on
State account only-a measure proper and necessary
before the accession of this State to the Southern
Confederdcy but after the adoption Of the Confed-
crate government, by which the war-making power
was surrendered to that government together with
the power to raise means and pay all the expenses
incurred in its prosecution, it became unnecessary
to retain TINS army on our nanuS-anu provision
was made for its transfer to Confederate author
ity to be supported out Of its Treasury. The Con-
vention deemed it quite work Of supererogatIon,
that the State after paying her share of the Federal
revenues to support the establishment at Rich
mond fol- the defence of the whole country, should
be burthened with like establishment at Raleigh,
for her own defence, and passed its ordinance ac
cordngly. This was made another cause of COM
plant and the General Assembly at its next ses-
sion was induced to reverse this policy far as
practicable. The result has been the contraction
of a large debt, for the payment, equipment and
supplies Of troops by the State, which properly be-
longs to the General government | have made
some inquiry into this subject and have not heard
of a single other State which has pursued a similar
policy, or contracted equal amount of debt on
account of the war. In them, disbursing officer
of the General government has been at hand to de-
fray expenses and make payments as they have
fallen due. Yet of the chief offences Of this
body was, that it required the general system to be
adopted here.
The Convention also required information of the
Executive in relation to the public defenceS, and
, was met by the er, no doubt sincerely made
as matter of opinion, that all was safe But alas
how delusive and Notifying was this assurance
| when put 10 the test 1t ventured to propose ant
to urge measures of defence which did not meet Elk
ecutve appreciation All Of these, and other like
causes have arrayed against it political opposition
which has endeavored to disparage 1t in the public
esteem, believe, without success am sure, with
out justice. No derectiOn is imputed to it ii
measures necessary for the prosecution of the war
but no credit is allowed TO it for four or five mil
lions of appropriations in aid of those provided by
the Legislature-none for levies of men without
stint whenever called for, for carrying it on; but
general prejudice is sought to be engendered by
vague charges of exceeding its authority and pro
longingits powers.
Sir, let do nothing to give countenance to thi.
unreasoning prejudice. You can, in my belief
transact all the business before you including
stitutiona revision, and adjourn in twelve ffteeI
days. And, here let me observe that some consti
| tutional'amendment is indispensable, notwithstand
ing the frequent propositions that that subject shall
be ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Senate can be elected il
the coming August; none but citizen of the Uni
ted States being entitled to vote in that election
the Constitution now stands But if YOU propose