The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-08-12
SENATE.
SATURDAY, August s, 1865.

OATuKDA1, August o, iooo'
The Senate met according to adjournment.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Long, Senator from David
son.
Mr.. Brogden from the committee on Finance,
reported bill relating to funding OF maturcd in
terest on the public debt, and moved the report
be printed. Agreed to.
Mr.. Blythe presented the report of the Com
mittee on internal improvements relating to
the French Broad Railroad.
Mr.. Weker presented the report OF the Com
mittcc on Public Charity.
A bill to provide for the organization Of spe-
cipl militia Came up by special order.
Mr.. RespaSs offered Il substitute therefor
which was read by the Clerk.
Mr. Rrspass spoke in favor of his substitute
and hoped it would be adopted as he was utterly
opposed to the bill as itnow Stood The people
OF North Carolina did not desire the passage OF
any such bill, aud lie did not see upon what
grounds Senators favored its passage. There
had been an attempt to rush the bill through in
Il very immod-st haste, and he did not approve
of either the measure or the indccedent haste
with which its friends sought TO push IL through.
He opposed the bill from its revolutionary ten
denotes and considered that its adoption would
inangurate civil strife in the State, and because
he regarded the appropriation of State money for
any such purpose rs unconstitutional. lie APP
Healed 10 Senators in behalf OF the people to de-
feat this infamous bill. Tie called for the yeas
and NAYS on the adoption OF his substitute
which was adopted.
Messrs. Cook and Sweet asked to have their
votes changed to the affirmative.
Mr.. Hayes asked to have his vote changed to
the affirmative. he was not in favor of the ORR
ginal police BILL and had intended to support the
present spccia! militia bill.
There were, he would admit, good reasons to
think that there was very strong disposition, of
a certain portion Of the people of the State to
resist the authority of the State, and if possible,
overthrow the present State government. He
hoI llv thn tn tha
special militia bill that others had, for he had not
looked upon it with that perfect ahhorrauce
which some have, on account OF its military as
pect, and the prospect OF war, which they seemed
to think would necessarily result. But, from
that unnecessary and unconstitutional distinction
of the people in See. Is. If this bill had contem-
plated enrolling the entire people OF the State in
the militia, he would not have been in favor of
this sec. But in this special militia bill he could
not see the common sense Ofthe distinction. He,
therefore voted for the substitute and hoped to
have it so amended.
Mr.. Cook moved reconsideration of the vote.
He said the General Assembly had laborcd for a
long time to perfect bill for the organization
of the militia. The opponents to the bill argued
against it on tie ground of unconstitutional and
uncalled for expense. He contended that the
bill perfectly constitutional and that it con-
ferred no extraordinary powers; that the ma
jOrity of the people were in favor OF it, that they
might be protected against the hand which stab
bed in the dark. Under the operations of this
bill, there would be no chance for any riots or
disturbances OF tho peace OF the State. The OPP
| position to this bill has the same source as that
| strife which was now shaking Tennessee to its
/ very foundations and which was endcavoring TO
| overthrow Republican liberty throughout the
| whole South. He could not be accused OF any
undue partially to this BILL for it was no pet of
| his, but the time was once to remove military
| organizations from the State, and to secure to
| the people of North Carolina the right to cast
| their votes untrameled by the influence of a
| landed aristocracy.
They demanded a law to that effect, and Sena-
| tors should take firm stand to secure that law.
| The difficulty in the minds of the majority, was
not as to expediency of raising militia, but re-
| garding the powers which should be given 1t.
| The cost of the proposed militia, had also been
source OF much argument, but would not be
| One-tenth part of that which would be expended,
| according to the provisions of the substitute pro-
| posed by the Senator from Beaufort The peo-
| pie would hold to a strict accountability, those
| who would not, or dared not take the stand for
| the protection Of the poor men in their rights.
He did not advocate the bill in all its parts but
wanted the Senate to take up the bill and perfect
| it. Even as it stood, he saw no harm in delegat-
| ing power 10 citizens OF the State to defend
| themselves against all riots and disturbances of
the peace. He did not really anticipate recon-
sidcration of the substitute bill, but had moved
a reconsideration simply to enter his protest
| against it.
Mr. Sweet asked the attention of the Senate
no longer than to give his reasons for favorng
the bill. There was not State in the Union
which had not military force in reach OF the
civil authority for the purpose OF conform
| ing the law and supprcssing violence. Such q
law was to be found in the statute book of every
State. Mr.. Sweet then referred to the former
law of the State to show that there was nothing
new or extraordinary in the bill, and compared
the forces provided for them with the forces pro-
vided in the present bill. He wondered at the
objections made now at a force not nearly SO
large as that of former days, to which no objec
ton had been made Mr. Sweet then entered in
to complete analysis OF the former system, and
that proposed in the bill, showing that there was
a complete precedent for nearly everything con
tanned in the present bill. This bill provided for
the payment of the militia only when in actual
service, which fact utterly destroyed the charges
of great expense so frequently urged against it.
Having given his reasons for supporting the bill
he now favored the motion to reconsider
Mr. Lassiter. wanted similar law to the old
law, and wanted the whole militia force OF the
State put into such condition that ii might be
used at moments notice. He wanted to take
the old militia law of the State and adopt it to
the present wants OF the people. He wanted q
militia enrolled but did not see the necessity oil
such force as was provided for in the present
bill. He would not commit himself to any such
bill at present He had and could canvass Gran
vile county attended only by colored men and
feel as secure as with militia like the one pro
posed in this bill.
Mr.. Cook said he thought the Senate should
take this bill and perfect it. The people require
protection at our hands and that was what We
should do, and would give them by passing thi:
bill Mr.. Cook then spoke at some length IL
defence OF the bill and in reply TO the remarks
of the Senator from Granville.
Mr.. Galloway would certainly vote Tor recon
sideration He did not wish to force any odiou
measure upon the people of North Carolina, bu
experience had taught him that some protection
for the people needed. He had seen SOM
evidences of civil war already. Where loya
men had been forced to leave their homes be
cause they had favored the adoption OF the con
stitution. He himself had seen men armed Il
drive away loyal men simply because they wer
loyal. He thought it necessary 10 adopt som
means TO protect loyal men who wished TO exer
else their rights citizens of the State BE asf.
ed for Il law to protect ali men in their potica
; rights without regard to color, and thought