Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-02-07
From the Raleigh Sentinel,
The constitutional Convention.
(SO-Ca1Ied


wished to give it careful consideration.
Mr.. Welker moved to make it the special
order for tomorrow, at Il o'clock. Car
ried
Mr.. Gunter offered resolution in rela-
ton to relief. Laid over
Mr.. Latin, O. resolution in regard to is
suing new State bonds. Laid over.
MIR. Parker, a resolution for the meeting
of the Convention at 10 4. NJ, and also for
holding afternoon sessions, when necessary
Laid over.
Hyman, negro resolution erasing the
word "wEite" from the Constitution, and
in regard to suffrage. Referred.
Eppes, (negro,) a resolution that ali real
estate be taxed ad ual0rem, &C. Referred
to Committee on Towns and Cities
Mr.. Baker, a resolution in opposition to
all test oaths. Referred
Mr.. Ellis, the following resolutions, viz ::
WHEREAs. We, the delegates Of the people Of
North Carolina, assembled, do recognize in The
Government Of the United States three co-ordi-
nate branches, viz: Executive, Judicial and Legis-
latiVe, and 90 not recognize any Consitu ional
1Cdfrdnt for the ones infringing upon the prerog-
atiyes of the others: A1ld 1rheTeGS, There are
many special cases where persons are held in sus
pense, and are detained from speedy hearing
before one Of said branches, thus depriving them
of right to fair and impartial hearing on points
involving the constitutionality of the reconsruc.
happy inconvenience: And Gcbe7eGS, There exists
widespread feeling,of discomfort i'll all the States
OF this Union, in regard to the present unhappy
state of things:
ReSoLred therefore, That we. the delegates Of
the people of North Carolina, do hereby call upon
the Congress of the United States, i'll session,
to aid the President IN obtaining a hearing be-
fore the Supreme Court of the United States, on
all points involving the constitutionality of the
reconstruction acts, in order that their decision
may be mac known to the people Of the United
States as early possible.
Resooed That copies OF this resolution be
transmitted by the President of this Convention,
to the President of the United States to the Chief
Justice, and to the speakers of both houses Of
Congress. Laid over.
Harris, of Wake, (negro), q resolution
proposing committee of eight to take in
to consideration the Congressional Dis
tricts. Laid over.
Mr.. Abbott asked that his ordinance in
relation to the Wilmington, Charlotte and
Rutherford Railroad, be continued on the
calendar. No objection.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS.
Hoods (negro) resolution, praying the
removal of political disabilities from GER
amendment, was taken up.
Mr.. Durham said that Congress had no
right to do this, when the Howard amend
ment was no part of the Constitution
The President only had right to do SO.
It would display great ignorance on the
part of the Convention.
Hood (negro) said that the Constitution
al amendment was the law of the land
the law under which Congress was act
ing.
Mr.. Heaton said he had been informed
by gentlemen of high standing and great
learning, that upon proper representations
from members of this Convention, Con-
gress would remove, as they clearly had a
right to do, the disabilities of those who
were in hearty accordance with the Re
construction acts.
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, moved the
adoption of the resolution, and said the
resolution proposed a committee to report
names for relief from those disabilities S.
They wished to relieve the gentleman him
self (Mr. D. but he would not accept it.
TIE revolution of arms had passed; now il
was a revolution Of ideas. Congress had
taken the matter in hand; how can it be
averted Why not accept the situation,
and let North Carolina take her former
honored stand in the honored Union
Mr.. Graham, of Grange, said that he op
posed the resolution on the ground that
the Constitution of the United States says
"the President shall have power to grant
the United States, except in cases of i'm
peachment." He had been twitted by mem
bers on the other side with the oath he had
taken-the oath to support this Constitu-
ton. He certainly did not understand that
he was swearing to support the Howard
Amendment, nor did he believe that any
member on this floor did Yet we are told
that three-fourths of the States in the
Union ratified this Article, and that it is
now the law of the land. He had not seen
that even Congress had SO declared. Yet
| this resolution is founded upon this suppO-
sition. Why, then, is your party so anx-
ious that North Carolina shall ratify it 2
| No, thank God, the Constitution is not yet
trusted, from the signs of the times, both
North and South, it never will be- We are
| asked, by the gentleman from Washington.
| to take advantage of the present propiti0us
season, and, if we do not need pardon our
selves, to present the names of our friends.
Mr. G.. thanked the gentleman for his kind
ness and for the information that ''While
the lamp holds out to burn the vilest sin
ner may return.
II we have committed offences, we are
subject only to such punishment as is pre-
scribed by the laws in force, when the act
was committed, land not by the Congress OF
the United States.
I do not think, (said Mr.. G. } would
be putting any friend of mine upon roll
of honor by presenting his name upon
such petition. But we are told that un-
less we cease our factious opposition to the
measures Of Congress, our State will never
get back into the Union. Mr. President,
| do not understand how North Carolina
has ceased to be State in the Union
Gentlemen will hardly contend that it was
by the ordinance of secession. The Con-
gress Of the United States declared, in the
darkest hour of the war, that they did not
wage war for the purpose of subjugation,
but Only to restore the Union, with the
rights of all the States nnimpaired. We
| certainly have Federal Tax Collectors, q
Judge Of the District Court of the State of
North Carolina, and the Chief Justice of
| the United States presiding in the Court.
| l, therefore, do contend that North Caro-
lima is State in the Union, inferior to
| none of her sisters, and am opposed to the
| whole system of legislation as e:r post factO.
Instead of the dark and lowering picture
portrayed by the gentleman from Wash
| ington, trust to sense of justice in the
Northern people, and that pride of race
ana color, which will not continue the pre-
sent subsection of the white race or require