Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-14

otto on the soil OF North CarOnna. IL was
not at all Indigenous to our State. You must,
therefore, give it time to acclimate itself,
&c. 9Th. In his judgment, the bill was
cunningly devised for the express purpose
of bringing on at the polls the very thing
which it pretends to prevent. He meant
collision and bloodshed. 9th. He opposed
it, because it gave to the Executive unllm-
tied control of the State Treasury. 18th.
He opposed it because its provisions, in
connection with other acts passed by this
| Legislature, convert constitutional and
responsible Executive into all irresponsi-
BILE despot, and lay at his feet, unchecked
( by law, the lives and property of every
man, woman and child. -
! Under each of these heads Mr.. Sinclair
made eloquent and elaborate arguments.
Mr. Gatling characterized the bill as
odious and utterly abhorrent to any gov
eminent claiming to be free Republic
He said that they had become ashamed of
the word "Police," and substituted " Mil
itia." He thought that the word email
cious would be the most appropriate one
to use. This bill gave to the Governor the
power to march these soldiers to any por-
ton of the State he saw fit, whether there
was necessity for it or not. MI. G. said he
saw great resemblance between this sort
of legislation and the system of lettres de
cachet formerly introduced in France, in the
darkest days of despotism.
Mr.. Calling made clear and forcible
argument, embracing all of the numerous
objections to the bill, but lack of time
and space prevents a longer notice. We
hope, also, to publish his remarks, hereaf-
ter, in full, as the public should by all
means read them.
Mr.. Hodnett denounced the bill as cal
culated to break the peace and harmony of
the government. He appealed to the nd-
tives whites and colored) in the House, re-
CARELESS Of all party prejudices and feeling,
to unite and tread under their feet such a
cold blooded, bare faced and outrageous
encroachment upon the liberties of the
people. He said that it was no party ques-
ton. He was not party man. The bill
is introduced by Northern men among us,
to perpetuate their influence over the col
ored men, who had at last begun to open
their eyes to the schemes of the various
carpet-baggers now among us, and who, if
left free and untrammelled, would vote
against them at the next election.
J The CO ored men are fast beginning to
! find that their interests, and those of the
native white land holders, are identical.
MIR. Hodnett briefly but clearly exposed
the complete infamy of the bill, and, in
conclusion, solemnly protested, in the name
of his people, against SO iniquitous a
measure.
Mr.. Durham said that they, as members
of the Legislature, were sworn to support
the Constitution of the United States, and
of North Carolina. not in conflict with that
Of the national Government The latter
gave the States the power to organize and
equip a militia. but provides that it shall
be done in accordance with the laws of
| If tyuQ w
one years of age militia man. This bill
proposes to give the Governor the power
| taking it away from the Legislature) to
organize, equip and arm, at his discretion,
such men as he may see fit to select, and
gives him the power to call upon the Trea-
surer for an unlimited amount of money.
Is not this most clear violation of the
Constitution of the Federal government,
as we'll as that of the State ? Are we not
solemnly sworn not to do such violation :?
| The force provided for was nothing more
nor less than a standing army, at the beck
and call of the Governor. Never crowned
Kings of the other hemisphere had a more
complete sway over their armies than does
this bill give to the man "who writes him
self Governor" 1t can be ordered to any
portion of the State, and encamped in
every locality, at the pleasure of the Exc
cutlve. The Governor has decidedly more
power by this bill than the President of the
United States. The President is restricted
by the laws and Congress the Governor
here has power to call out and organize
the whole or any part of his militia, as he
IN his wisdom may see fit. 1t was nothing
more nor less than proclaiming W. w.
Holden Dictator over the lives and fortunes
of the citizens of this State. In comforting
this power upon the Executive, when the
90 IfI1tI III Ia Of 4hn loY Oh
be vested alone in the Legislature, the
men who advocate it are false to their con-
stituents, and stand perjured in the eyes
of God.
Mr.. Durham sustained his high reputa-
ton as a forcible and logical speaker.
Mr.. Davis said, as his time was limited,
he would say but few words in regard to
the infamous bill of denominations. He
was sent here by the good people of Car
teret county, a law-abiding people, who
loved peace, and he could say that there
was not an honest, respectable man in
his county that would have any posi-
ton that could be given him under
the bill. Then who are to compose this
force ? It will be the mean, dirty and
low rascals, to bully over the good people
of his county. He heard, every day, the
Republicans charging Gen. Rlair's letter
as meaning war, but what was this but
declaration of war What will it result
in but war? The decent and respectable
men of the State must fight or have the
chains of eternal slavery wrapped around
them. The people will not submit to it.
The bill provides that each county shall
bear the expense of whatever force may be
called into service in it. Now his county
was not able to bear its part of the expense
of six thousand armed men for months at
time. The respectable men will not en-
dure the presence of SO many scoundrels as
this band will be composed of, and they
will risk life, liberty, property, and every
thing else to avoid it.
Mr. Davis continued to discuss the bill
and the men who advocated it in strong
and pungent terms.
Mr.. Pou strongly and ably advocated the
reconsideration of the bill, but we are COM
PEELED to bring our report to a close.
Seymour 1gig-lamps) opposed the mo-
ton to reconsider, and moved to lay it on
the table.
Mr.. Speaker Holden also took the floor
and made a violent and infam natory
speech in favor of tabling the motion to
reconsider.