The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-02-19


primer ont for North Carolina. If there was
ever q theory that was inconsistent with
National and International law, this, OF the
gentleman's was the most absurd that could
characterize people. Even tyro in law,
would know that mere corporation cannot
die. Its assets are always given to success
sors. If this be true of mere corporation,
does it not follow, with regard to the great
sovereignty of State? It was wheel
within wheel. This was the position OF
North Carolina when engaged IN rebellion.
When che endeavored to be separated from
the United States and to be connected with
the Confedcracy, she was then separate.-
But when the mother government conquer.
{ ed, she resumed her position. She was still
a State. A child might rebel against its
father, hut still it was child. s. with re-
gard to State. The Federal Government
had always sale this, by the acts of Congress.
She was treated as spoiled child, but so it
was. The reconstruction acts made 1t so. Ii
they adopted that view of the matter, they
would be clear of anomalies.
He admitted according to the gentleman's
idea, that her political position was destroy
ed in 1861; her functions were suspended, but
ALL This is the view of the Supreme Court
of the United States. They decided that
Congress should treat all rebel States in a
political relation. The de. facto government
was disturbed. But as soon as the South
was conquered, the right of the mother gov
eminent was resumed. The doctrine that
when the United States conquered, the South
was held as conquered State was untena-
BILE. That doctrine would do in regard to
one countIyand another But it was not so
in civil war North Carolina was but part
of the family. The government of the Uni
ted States SO regarded it. And if this was
not so, then there would have been divi-
sion of the land, and the great seal of North
Carolina would have been destroyed. Did
not the government of the United States
treat it as State2 Was it not so in the
reconstruction acts? Not an acre of land in
North Carolina had been confscated He
had not heard OF the execution of any man
for treason. Not one. Had never heard
OF the hanging of any one. Not one
And yet in the face of this declaration
of war, the gentleman got up and said
this was new State. All know that North
Carolina was poor. Every man was taxed
equally. Can it be, that because of that, it
must now go abroad, that they had forgot.
ten their public and private credit? Were
they now to forfeit that honor which hith-
erto had been and was still so highly priced
by them He was glad that he did not
know one Of the people as the gentleman
did. The bonds of the United States were
issued, some of them, for their own improve
ment. No man could sue the State of North
Carolina on the credit of the United States.
Could mans money be used and when
he came for it, could you say "Get ifyou cam
What bonus of rascality would that lie
What! tell man when you have got his
your money but will not pay it. Was
that morality? Were they prepared to take
any such step as that2 Virginia hand bound
herself by a pledge to pay her obligation.
Was North Carolina to be less honest than
her sisters? If so, heaven forbid. What
Were their conciences to be stained
with the foul blot of reputation
Again, North Carolina wanted credit.
The men from the seaboard to the noun
tain, had not the means with which to cul-
tivate an ordinary farm. If they let it be
known that they were in favor of repudia-
ton, how would they get that credit from
their brethren in the North ? They needed
credit. They must have it. Were they to
start to the North with reputation stuck in
their forehead? 1t has been we'll said:
"When people become nationally dis.
honest. Individually they will be So"
Were they, then, to destroy their national
reputation, with an individual idea of repu-
diauon? But if North-C Carolina be dead,
and the neN State succeeds, (because the
government of the United States has not
wiped out the statal line,) if the father dies,
and the son succeeds to his property, has
that son right to say 1 cannot pay that
debt2 Would that be honest Would
it be fair? Would it be according to
common sense How would the State
of North-Carolins maintain its dignity
How would it maintain its integrity How
would it maintain its public virtue North
Carolina was his native place. He loved it.
He honored it. He venerated its time-hon-
ored institutions. He would not have her
detract from her public honor If they
would be true to themselves, then in the
language of the bard g To thy own self be
true, and it must follow, as the night the
day: Thou canst not then be false to any
$1,000
man."
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, said he would
like to see the section submitted to the peo-
pie. There was no necessity for its adop-
ton now by the Convention. He believed
the general government would assist to pay
this debt if left as it was. If made sepa-
rate ordinance he would vote for it, other
wise he would leave it alone.
1.-THE balance of these proceedings given
hereafter. The evening session renders the
labor of the Reporter very onerous.
MONDAY, Feb. II, 1868.
The Convention assembled in the Com
mons Hall, at 10 o'clock, President Cowles
in the Chair.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Hudson, of the NJ. E.
Church.
The journal was read and approved.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Abbott, the
names of absentees, at the time of voting,
were ordered to be recorded.
Mr.. Abbott, an ordinance in relation to
freight on the W. & w. & N c. R. R. Re-
ferred
Mr.. Rich called up the ordinance reported
by the Committee, establishing an immigra-
ton agency in New-York.
Mr.. Rich moved to amend by inserting in
line z. after "years :" under the direction of
the bureau of statistics and immigration.
Mr. Rich said there was no use of assign
ing reasons for the passage Of this ordinance,
as be understood there was no opposition to
it anywhere
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, moved to
strike out $500 and insert $4,000.
~ IL L., uc.
to make an Office, and put the salary SO low