The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-05-14
REMARKS OF MR.. GRAHAM,
Or ORANGE,

NJ Graham said, he had not intended to
- word in this discussion, but assaults |
Nd heen made upon this body which requir-
al notice from some one, lest i. should suf-
fer Injustice ia public estimation. The pub.
lie bodies of this country had been always
subject to very free criticism. Those who
were without, very frequently charged that
their proceedings were liable to very great
objection, and desired it to be inferred that
il the directors had constituted the assembly
under review, better things might have been
expected. But i. was rather unusual for
members Of such an assemblage, themselves,
10 become its assailants. The gentleman
from Hartford. (Mr. Rayner; accuses this
Convention of incompetency for The duty Of
revising the Constitution. The gentleman
from Rowan, lMr. Jones.) asserts that 1t has
fallen into disfayor with the people, and
therefore they both concur IN its adjournment
or dissolution. |, said Mr.. Graham, am
quite Indifferent as TO the time of adjourn
ment. though think much business requires
attention before we do adjourn, and that far
more anxiety seems to prevail for adjourn
ment, than as TO the condition in 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
explanation must apply equally TO US all,
gentlemen are very careful to exempt them
selves, and are prepared with an excuse to
their constituents that they could not control
the action of majority. Now, Sir, | deny
that this Convention is incompetent to revise
and re-write the Constitution, or 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 refusal Of the Convention to
adopt certain rules Of order proposed BY the
gentleman from Hereford. Sir, his PROPOSE
ton was adopted in part, and that part tends
to accelerate business, but as TO the remain.
der OF il, majority differed from the mover.
and rejected il. Acknowledging the gentle.
mans intelligence and usefulness, il may be
sufficient to dismiss this charge, with the re-
mark of DIR. Johnson, that he who accuses
all mankind conyicts himself. The ConYen-
ton contains as much Of patriotism and ca
pacity as will probably be found in any sim
liar sssemblsge. II il cannot perform the
task required, il will hardly be executed by
any other. That there may have been at
some times useless debate. or not sufficient
regard for economy Of time, is no doubt
true. This, however. is incident to all free
assemblies.
But the gentleman from Rowan makes a
mas TUsr me confidence OF the peo-
pie. How is this ascertained: The people
have elected no man their prophet to pro-
claim their voice. Each one Of US can speak
for his own constituency, and presume for
no other. | have derived no such informa-
ti0n from mine. Sensible of the magnitude
Of their affairs in this time Of trial, they be-
slowed 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 por-
tion Of the people have 80 poor an opinion Of
their Representatives, as 70 suppose they lin
ger 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 10 bring this Convention into
disrepute with the people. is perfectly mani
fest-whether Il has been successful effort,
is quite another question. From the mo
ment that this body determined to equalize
taxation upon slaves - upon other property,
so as TO expose all the resources Of the State
70 leyles, 10 meet our great and increasing
expenditures, and signitied its disposition 70
revise the Constitution, this effort commenc.
ed. Presses and politicians had srr4yed
themselves against this great measure Of re-
form, and their consistency, matter Of far
greater importance than the public welfare,
required their opposition to be persisted in.
Hence, the cutlery thai the Convention was
exceeding lis powers, aud ought to be dis
solved that IL was elected simply to dis
solve the Union and f1rn new one, task
50 easy Of performance that il could be fin
ished in the briefspaee u one or two DAYS
as il great Revolution involving State ex-
islenee, would carry itself on, and required
no provisions Of iiuance, aud no inquiry into
the measures Of attack Or defence ID the war
which was then raging. The Convention
found large army in the course Of being
levied on State account onIy--a measure
proper and necessary before the accession Of
this State to the Southern Confederacy but