Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-25
Peace Movements In the Legislature.

considered and passed
Peace Movements In the Legislature.
The resolutions introduced in the Senate iby Mr.
Pool at the session of the Legislature preceding
this, providing for the appointment of five commits
soners to treat for peace, are still on the table in
the Senate and similar resolutions, introduced by
Mr.. Carter in the Commons, have been made the
order Of the day by that body for Thursday ne1..
On Friday last Mr.. Hanes, Of Davidson, intro
duced in the Commons resolutions providing tor
State Convention and for Convention Of the Con-
federate States And on the same day Mr. Smith,
of Johnston, introduced bill in the Commons pro-
vidng for Convention Of the people Of this State
Mr.. Hanes accompanied the presentation of his
resolutions with a very able and interesting
speech, which was listened to with marked at
tention He took ground boldly and unequiv-
ocsly in favor of reconciliation with the people
Of the North, "under the Constitution Of our
atbers" as the alternative to be preferred to subu-
o,tou which seemed to him to be inevitable If the
war should be continued as be took it for granted
it would be. by the federal government We learn
that Mr.. Hanes' speech will be published when the
people will have an opportunity Of reading and
judging for themselves
Mr.. Hanes' resolutions were laid upon the table
by vote of SO to 40.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Smith provides for
submitting the question Of Convention or no Con-
vention to the people at the polls and at the same
time for the election Of delegates to take their seats
and act in case the people vote for Convention
MI: so lled fnr hu
dition of the country, but it seems to us to be IN
every respect reasonable After four years of vast
ing war it appears to be highly reasonable and pro-
per that the people of the State should have an ap
portunity, in Convention assembled, to deliberate
upon their condition, and to take such steps may,
in their Judgment be best calculated to promote their
happiness. Surely, surely in country like this
there can be no risk in trusting the people. That
is the question after all, which is involved in this
bill introduced by Mr.. Smith,-Ca the people be
trusteds Every one sees and admits that the pub
lie men of the country are unable, with all their
skill and wisdom, to close this ruinous war and re-
store repose and prosperity to the people. Let US
at length go to the fountain Of power-to the people
themselves But one may say, it is not expedient
to call Conventions Convention is unnecessary.
Very WELL say so, and vote that way at the polls,
you wish; but let the people have an opportuni-
ty to decide the question. If Convention is inex
pedent and unnecessary, they will so declare at the
ballotbox; but necessary and expedient, and
they should say when they come to vote upon it,
who will gainsay their right or their wisdom in 50
declaring9 He who is afraid to trust the people,
at any time or any question, is unfit to represent
them
We think it would be good plan to pass Mr..
Pools resolutions, and also to submit the question
of Convention to the people, for the reason that if
other States should decline to unite with North.
Carolina in the peace movement, she would have
Convention in exist ence through which she could
act for herself. Let her discharge her obligations
to her sister States by offering to unite with them
through commissioners, as proposed by Mr.. Pools
resoutions and then, if they should decline to
operate with her. her skirts would be clear, and it
could not be said that she had proved faithless to
der co States. But if the Legislature itself should
decide not to appoint the commissioners let them
Conference, which, as many think, ought never to
have been held, failed mainly because the commits
s'oners to it were appointed by partzan Governors
and Legislatures, and not by the people. Let Us
profit by this example. The commissioners under
Mr. Pools resolutions could be chosen by the peo-
pie on the day SET apart for voting n the Coasen.
tion question.
We know not what is going on at Riehmoud.--
Hexnow nothing of the mission of Mr.. Blair or
oi Its results We hear many rumors, but in grave
matters like this We can hazard no opinion except
upon facts. We fear, however, that Mr. Lincoln
and DIR. Davis will not make peace The States must
act Under this new government, as ir lisputably
SHOWN by Mr. Hanes, they are sovereign, and have
right act nany doubt as to sohsn they should
act and Aew, LET THAT DOUBT BE SOLVED By THE
PEOPLE THEMSELVES. There is no higher, there is
no safer tribunal in this country. The demand for
peace is loud and incessant. 1t browns all other
SOUNDS Nor is it confined to any one party 1t is
heard in both parties and among all classes. It
os~ not be silenced. Like rising cloud, it rolls
aus thunders in oursars with increased volume every
moment. We tell public men, who hesitate as TO
Sner duty-we tell the Legislature that the people
are terribly in earnest in this matter. We know
so11ethng OF public sentiment 10 North. Carolina,
ana we are not mistaken. Sooner or later, unless
se advance of the enemy should prevent it, Con.
tnNon "' be called and this Legislature will take
n" 10 call it. Why not now? Delay is danger
ss un we may lose every thnsby delay. We may
~ mAch by action. and aetion-PRoHPr ACTION Ia
"nat the psapie want.