The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-27
TINE SOUTHERN STATES.
NORTH CAROLINA.


Governor Worth's Inaugural Address, deliv-
cred to the Legislature December %, is brief,
and deals chiefly with the relations OF the State
to the Union. We quote the important pas
sages;-
The order Of General Sckles forb.ddng our
Courts to execute the laws which have existed
with US and our ancestors for many hundred
years, in the face OF the previous proclamation
Oi the President declaring that civil law existed
in all the States which had engaged in the late
Rebellion, astounded the State. My mission to
Washington touching this encroachment on the
right OF the State to administer her laws, not pre-
tended 10 be inconsistent with the Constitution
Of the United States, and other imperative admin
istTative duties since my return, have engrossed
my attention, and lett me no time to prepare an
ADDRESS suitable for the OCCASION This order of a
military officer, asserting, in effect, his right to
amend such OF our laws as he may deem unwtse,
is suspended by order of the President. This
arbitrary step is scarcely arrested, when a mea-
sure Is proposed in Congress, looking to the
sanction of this military supremacy over our
Jaws. In the midst of the progress OF these
events, We are astounded by a proposition,
originated by North Carolinans, and brought
before Congress under auspices calculated to
alarm us. that North Carolina, one OF the
original thirteen, is no longer a state but ter
ritory of the United States. The scheme pro.
poses that a new convention be called, the
members OF which are TO be elected by voters
with qualifications prescribed by Congress, in
elUding negroes, excluded from voting by our
frame "a new Constitution for the Terri
tory formerly known rs the State of
North Carolina. The Constitution when
formed is to be approved, not by the people
who are 10 live under 1t, but by the Congress,
to approve, modify, OF reject the same; and
with test-oath framed with apparent intent to
reverse the principle that the majority of the
people ought to rule. 1t is remarkable that
The avowed and prominent projectors Of this
scheme were distinguished actors in the or
ganzauon of the present State Government,
and Lave sought OF hold office under it,. Under
these circumstances, assume by the choice of
my cOuntTymeN, the painful, responsible duties
OF Governor Of the State, without time, in care
fully considered commentary, to review these
revolutionary movements.
The Governor then argues against more
amendments 10 the Constitution aud in favor Of
National Convention, and adds:-
II my wishes could prevail, North Carolina
would be the first State in the Union TO nod up
10 the nation this constitutional olive branch.
j trust that need not assure you that no act Of
mine, official or personal, under any circum-
stances, Will give any countenauce to the un-
paralleled scheme ct erasing North Carolina from
the galaxy OF States OF the American Union.
In making this declaration ] desire to deny the
possible implication that there is within my
knowledge any other patriotic citizen of the
State who would voluntarily assent to such de-
graduation. In my very CHILDHOOD the lessons
Of parental instruction taught and impressed
90 my heart affection for the American Union
lht civil WAL WuICH we nave puSScu
has not erased these impi essions. The rehec-
tiOns of ripper years but strengthened them.
When in spite OF my remonstrances, sectiona!
war alOse, my duty, as ] conceived required
me to yield an obedience to the de fdC'O govern
ment Of the section in which lived; but when
the party coming 20, fight to preserve the
Union prevailed, gladly renewed my allegiance
to the Union, and will not now invite Its dsso-
luton by an act of Congress.
He urged the Legislature 10 encourage
manufactures, and sdd:-"I appear before you
tlnH ~, l,a han Il of
lima manufacturers, and made up by North Caro-
lima mechanics. -