Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-02-19

granted to Mr. Meares = g.
: On motion of Mr. Long, leave of absence for
few days, was granted to Mr. Page Principal Door
And then, on motion Of Mr.. Michal, the convsh. en-
ton adjourned. -..
SATURDAY, Feb. Is 1862
The Convention was called to order at 10 o'clock.
Dir. Graham IN the Chair.
Prayer by the Rev. Frederic Fitzgerald of the
Protestant Episcopal Church. p.
Thejournal of yesterday was read and approved.
Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. Msseley
and Bunting of Sampson, Holmes of New Hanover,
Williams OF Frankln, and Washington of Lenoir.
Mr,Strange laid before the Convention a commu-'
nieaton from the committee of safety OF the town Of
Wilmington requesting the Convention To authorize
the raising Of one or more companies of artillery to-
serve at the batteries on the Cape Fear, below the
town of Wilmington.
This was laid on, the table, on motion of Mr..
Strange who then introduced resolution authoriz-
ing the Governor to rase three companies of artl
ery, to serve for twelve months three years dur
ing the war, unless sooner discharged, for the pur
pose indicated by the communication
The rule was suspended and the resolution was
amended, on motion of Mr.. Rutfin, by providing
that the Governor shall tender and transfer the
companies to the Confederate government as soon
as raised. ag
Mr.. Gorrell offered an amendment, which, after
some discussion was withdrawn ,.-. go
The resolution was then adopted
Mr.. Mebane introduced resolution in relation to
defects of the Revenue Law. [Instructs the COM
mittee oil finance to enquire concerning the tax i'm
posed on liquor dealers. Adopted under suspen
sion of the rule.
Mr.. Berry, an ordinance to prohibit for limited
time the manufacture of spirtuous liquors from
grain.
Mr.. Michal, an orlnaRc, to restrict the distilla.
ton of grain and raise revenue
Mr.. Sclenck, an ordinance fer the suppression of
distillation. These ordinances passed their first
reading and lie over. The latter motion of Mr.
Schenck was made the special order for y o'clock
on Monday next.
On motion of Mr. Satterthwaite, the Convention
proceeded to consider the ordinance to provide
for the assumption and collection (by the State) of
the Confederate States war tax, its second read
ing.
The ordinance provides for the issue of Treasury
notes to the aggregate amount of the tax. payable
at the Treasury in five years, ard convertible into
State bonds bearing interest at the rate OF per
cent per amman.
Mr.. Satterthwalte made the following remarks in
support of the ordinance:
Mr. PRESIpENr:-I ask the consent Of the House
to take up and consider now, the ordinance which
| had the honor 10 submit few days ago. assuming
on behalf Of the State, the Confederate war tax
| do not propose myself TO discuss the measure at
will be had upon it. 1t is subject which has been
a loGg time before the committee, and one to which
they have given full consideration; and although
there was at first some division of sentiment among
the members of the committee, the recent invasion
by the enemy Of the wealthy Albemare region Of
the State-the necessity which has forced So many
of our fellow citizens i'll that region to abandon their
homes and property, and the prospect, nay, almost
certainty, that there will be Such large sacrifice of
property, and the certainty that there will be such
an additional amount of taxes levied upon
people, far beyond anythi which few days ago
We could have anticipated removed all objections
from the minds of the coTOmittee, and they unan-
mously recommended the adoption of the ordinance
suppose Mr.. President, that every member Of this
body aOp has his mind made up upon the subject
| have, myself been in favor of the measure from
the first, bat am now more firmly convinced than
ever of the proprety and necessity of the law. Our
people are already, sir hardened with amount of
taxes to Gc paid next summer, which will require
all their resources and energies to meet Their pa
trIotism know, sir, is unbounded Whatever may
be necessary in the way of selfdenia and sacrifice
the people are ready and willing to make; but sir
when we contemplate the fact that our commerce is
cut of, we cannot sell our cotton, or tobacco, or
naval stores all it is all much dead capital on
our hands our friends in the eastern portion, with
their granarieS burdened with gram, which they
cannot dispose of, Qhere being no means OF trans
porting it TO where it is wanteD will either be COM
PEELED to allow It to rot, destroy it to keep it
from falling into the hands Of the enemy,-and
when we kRo5o that there has already been, and
must continue to be- such large additional number
of our people drawn from their daily avocstions,
aud placed in camps and barracks all of whom have
to be supported. and their families protected and
provided for, does any gentleman here suppose tor
a moment that our people can with proinptness
meet the requirements of the Confederate tax col
lector in the month Of May.
tI,att t,,ff, Np-h bag nNH
if the tax is not paid at the time and in the man.
ncr required. His property will be exposed to sale
and bid of by the agent for the government do
not wish to witness any such scene will be then
presented. 1t can be prevented by the lntcrpos-
ton of this Convention. We can assume the pay
ment Of said war tax, and we can and mast provide
the means l regard it one of the highest du-
ties now resting upon us. believe to pass this or
dnance will give confidence and encouragement to
our people. They will see and feel that their rep
resentatIves here, doing all in their power to
tighten their present burdens, and it will inspire
them with renewed energy. They will volunteer
with greater alacrty, their hearts and spirits will
be buoyed up, and their arms nerved with renewed
Vgor for the conflict before us.
Sir Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee and
Virginia, and believe other States, have assumed
the payment of said tax and thus afforded present
relief to their people; and | am sure their condi-
ton is no worse than ours. Why, then, shall we
hesitate upon such an important question? Let US
pass the ordinance to-day Now, if it rs to pass,
there is not an hour to lose. The banks in Nir-
gina have nooly offered to furnish the Treasurer of
that State with the Confederate notes to make SAID
payment Who can doubt that our banks will be
equally patriotic? Sir so far in our struggle our
banks have acted MOLLY; they feel and know that
bank corporations and people are allEin one COM
mon ship, and If one goes down. all must go to-
gether. But, sir, we will not 60 down. We may
have to buffet the boiSterous waves OF this lnhu-
man conflict for season; We may encounter adverse
winds, the fury of which may cause us to lose for
a while, some portions of the ship and crew, but,
sir, they will all be recovered; she will ride out
the gale, and ultimately reach smooth and unruf-
fed sea.
Let us then, Mr. President give encouragement
and hope to the crew. Pass this ordinance by
niInnus uota-r,aSs IL NOW Ihern is meetinP