Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-01-29
Duties of the Convention.

s
Ever since the State Convention in the exercise
of its legitimate prerogaves, found it necessary in
few instances to supply the lack of legislation, in
passing ordinances to furnish the treasury with
means and to provide for the proper disposition and
comfort of our soldiers as we'll as to meet other me-
cessities which the exigencies of the times de-
manded certain class of citizens have clamored
against it and abused it. Such persons have over
and again affirmed. without shadow of proof
that the sole and only object in sailing the Conven
ton, to change the reatio;of the State to the
order of things. In other States no such clam
or exists, although the Conventions of those States
still continue to perfotm their functions, and have
exercised Legislative and other powers to the fullest
extent which the state of the country demanded
This clamor and the quarter from which it comes
as we'll as its objects, are well understood, and can
only tend to injnrc those engaged in it.
If the Convention unmindful of its obligations to
the people, the State and the country had pandered
to the miserable partyism and corrupt demagogue-
ism of this canorous faction and surrendered itself
to the ofcehunters of the State, no such complaints
would have been heard Bot that body has calmly
pursued the even tenor of its way, regardless of this
tactious spirit in perfecting such measures as its
wisdom and matured judgment suggested Should
be done. 1t has carefully labored to promote the
true interests of the State avoiding what it does not
conceive to be absolutely necessary, and declining
to touch those questions of ordinary legislation which
the necessities of the times the expressed wishes
of the people do not dictate to be done.
But to the principal object of this article. 1t
not be doubted that there large numbers of the
people of the State, who are anxious to have the
Stay Law of the last Legislature repealed by the
Convention But on the other hand 1t is we'll
known to the Convention, that there are many, if
not majority of the people, who believe that
Stay Law of some kind is absolutely necessary in
this crisis; and while many such are opposed to
of the features of the existing Stay Law, they
nevertheless do not desire its repeal, unless they
were sure of getting better one in its stead Now
what ought the Convention to do? To do anything
with the Stay Law, involves the exercise of ordi-
nary legislation which faction in the State deny
TO the Convention the power of exercising; and
these, added to those who desire Stay Law consti.
tute perhaps decided minority of the pcopieof the
| State. The Convention is no deubt anxious 10
| carry out the wishes OF its constituency; but in
the absence of full expression OF the peoples
wishes on this subject how the Contention as
certain their will, determine amid this conflict of
opinion what is best to be done?
Again, the subject of distiliing the grain of the
State so necessary the life of our people and
soldiers into aohiskcy is exciting great aid no doubt
| merited concern. Whether our people need bread
or whiskey most, cannot be a question with sane
men. Great alarm absolutely exists in many minds,
| whether the immense number of whiskey d!stil-
leries in the State will not bring on a famine Of
bread The question is serious and an important
one But on this very subject we find the same
conflict of opinion throughout the State. From one
quarter the demand is inperious On the Convention
to tax or put down the disterles-from another,
it is urged to TAX the cornfrom another stern op-
=, position comes to touching the question at ALL
Z Now every will see, that TO tax the dstiilerles,
or the grain out of which whskey is made, will di-
recty tend to increase the price OF grain. Men who
drink will not stop to ask the price and men who
make it, will care but little about the tax, because
they can make the consumer pay it. What then Is
to be doneY Others insist that the Convention
shall regulate the price of the different qualities of
whskey, and fix the standard at low price, so
that those who manufacture it can make nothing by
it. This, perheps, would stop its manufacture, OF
excite portions of the people to break OF disregard
the law. But then comes up again the question o.
right Has the Convention the right to do it?
We have heretofore suggested, that the safest
wisest and best course, in the midst of these con
licting views, is for the people calmly and fully tc
consider these questions, and memoralize the Con-
vention upon them. We believe the Convention is
anxious to do its whole duty to the people and tht
State; but upon doubtful questions, and especially
those within the range of ordinary legislation, th'
voice of the whole people should be unmstakably
pronounced.