Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-06-18
Camp Limbo, n. G.
From the Grc,nsboro' Patriot
THE CONVENTION ORDINANCES.

~
In this issue we publish all the Ordinances and
resolutions of the last session OF the Convention
They will be read with interest by our readers and
the paper containing Them should be preserved for
reference.
This body, among the most able that has ever
convened in this State, Gid business Of most im-
portant character leaving many things equally im-
portant, undone or still to be done.
Among this conservative body of talented and en-
perenced delegates there was large number OF
men, whose whole aim, study and business seemed
to be, to prevent any thing useful from being done.
Beginning with few days after the Convention
first met Judge Biggs, with others Of like temper
and feeling commenced system of wasting and
consuming time with speeches or motions to adjourn,
and to fix days for final adjournment. While ne e.
manned in the Convention near one-hait OF the time
was consumed in this way and in efforts to reflect
npon, and disgrace their constituents, the honest.
loyal citizens of North Carolina, by forging all 10
take ties. oah;' a shase and disgrace; which the
Representatives of other State IN our Confcdera-
cy have attempted to Fix on their constituents
This, after the consumption of much time unneces-
sariy and foolishy, was defeated by large malorl-
ty Those whose votes stand recorded on the jour-
nails of the Convention for this attempt to disgrace
their constituents, the men who are chargeable
with the delays and repeated adjournmentS OF this
body.
Al the various SESSIONS, Wuell tEe NonNCItlOI, "
the aid of consideration and the Reports OF its COM
mittees, were ready to vote most questions, these
gentlemen, by factous and concerted action, worried
those disposed to remain in their places and do the
business of the people into an adjournment So at
each session. At the commencement OF each Ses-
sion days spent in again getting ready to vote,
and then the balance of the session spent by
these factious adjournment men, in discussing, and
otherwise attempting to force an adjournment or to
fix some early day for final adjournment
All these things the journal will show and prove
when published 1t will show to whom alludc
as being responsit lie for the delays and failures to
do the public business. We regretted to see that
the Hon. Kenneth Rayner seemed to content him.
self with being the camp follower of the Biggs
chqne,-a junto who struggled to defea: nd calorem
just and equal method and rule of taxation; but
were forced to vote for it. The necessity of test
oaths, sed:ton ordinances, the creation of new
crimes, and the magniying Of old ones, with almost
unlimited power of punishment, seemed to have &C.
cupied his mind and soul. His mind, and the i'm.
agnation of those, who acted with him, seemed to
be haunted, night and day, with the idea. that the
good citizens OF this State he most loyal people in
the Confsderacy) required the Inqu,stion, test
oaths, and the terrors of punishment, to be made
faithful and true to our great cause. Never were
Messrs. Biggs, Eenable, Howard, Woodin, Rayner,
the McDowels, Reid, and their associates, more
When some of them ask the people to be made
Governor, will see.
10 give an instance of the success these adjourn
me"t delegates had in the delay of business we
would call the attention of the public to the Dan
vile Connection, not for the purpose OF discussing
the merits OF the measure but as fair specimen of
their factious conduct
This Ordinance was introduced and reported upon
an early day; vote upon it pressed; but this
could not be had until nearly the close of the third
session, and yet 1t passed by large majority. So
an effort was made to save and make useful the
Cape Fear and Deep River Improvement, save the
State rillion of dollars and get the said improve
lnent completed and secured, certainly and without
further loss to the State and yet vote could not
be had upon this, measure Of exceeding great i'm
portance to the whole State.
IL was expected by the people Of the State that
tae Convention would have rewritten the Constitu.
uon IN such plain language, that none could mis-.
understand, including such reasonable and proper
amendments as the times, and public sentiment
certainly demanded. and then submit the same to
the votes Oh the people for their approval or reec
tlonS All inns was essential and necessary to give
quiet ana sat,Sac'oh 10 the public mind. All these
questions Of Constitutional amendments and olter,
tons ought to he settled They ought to mass .wav
The sooner the better, so as to have no dy;.;oD.
about State matters among US. so as to nn;to the
energies Of all the people in one body .o.;nst -,
enemy. who are struggling with their hosts .nG
power, to crush US down. and to deprive us Of ,nda
pendeqce and our very liberties. Instead of ddsr
citizens and sections, all true patriots in the Con
vention, We believe. did all they reasonably coul,
to settle, quiet. and allay all State quarrels @
such men, We incline to think is majority of tina
body. We feel assured that their courtesy an
generous bearing restrained them from adopting tn
previous question, and forcing the transaction .
business But forbearance often ceases to be
virtue.
In addition to the importance Of the Convento
passing on all the important Constitutional amen
ments for years mooted in our State elections. tn
liberal and consderate delegates proposed to so a
ter the provisions Of the Constitution as to let a
new counties, some eight or ten in number, hav
each their own member y the Commons. The
asked time, and the cessation of factous and diat
ry motions. that justice might be done to these ne
counties. But il is surprising that such men