The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-18

ern man voted against it.
Mr. Hodnett said they did at first, but vo-
ted for it on the last vote. told my people
that should not be before them any more.
Wherever have been deficient in judgment,
l had tried to restore friendly relations
throughout the county, and the good of my
people I know that the delegate from Cas-
we'll believes that my course is inconsistent
with my former course toward the cOlored
people. have done all that could for
that race They arc the weaker; they are ar
rayed against the white race and must 60
down. My sympathies have always been
with that race. cannot support the recon-
struction acts, because am, and my Union
neighbors are prescribed.
Mr. Heaton said that the remarks of the
gentleman from Caswell, were of such sim
gular nature, that he must reply. | submit
the onslaught of the gentleman was to ex-
cite prejudice against Northern men. l
think the remarks of this gentleman are mar
row and ignoble. | ask "plain men," as he
says, if they are going to inaugurate such
policy. ANSWERS of mo, non He says
Northern men were on this floor and in the
lobbies Southern men were here pressing
theie schcmes-my friend on the lett, Gen.
Abbott,) defended the cause of these Mouth
ern gentlemen. 1 say the remarks of this
gentlemen are vicious, and if carried out,
will PROSTATE North Carolina.
To hear the remarks of the gentleman one
would think that he was generous-hearted
man. Like Cincinnatus, of Rome, he has
come here to save the State from ruin. do
not think he has exhibited all the qualities
of that great and good Roman. say that
this song of Northern men," Northern
Adventures" is about sung-it is time this
talk was over. The great battle we arc en-
tering into will show these gentlemen that
they have aroused opposition that they have
not thought Of Talking about these bonds
being in the hands of Northern mems
there any thing wrong in that? There is no
justification in such narrow minded argu-
ments. have letter in my possession from
native North Carolinian, thai says our
course here is right-that he knows of wild
ows and orphans who will be relieved by
our action in this matter.
The gentleman has made fatal blunder;
his policy would PROSTATE the State. Let
us rise above such low-minded arguments as
these.
Mr. May said; From the earliest meeting
of the Convention, this has been sipolicy.
am surprised at the opposition OF the gen
tleman from Caswel. To hear gentlemen
rise and oppose an ordinance of this kind.
that provides for the payment not of the
principal, but the interest on our State debt,
is strange to come from the gentleman from
Caswell. When measures of relief were bro't
up, he opposed them as being for repudi-
alton. The only reason why he opposes
this ordinance is, that somehow the bonds
are held by Northern men. This is no rea-
son at ALL | do not see how we can oppose
this measure unless we are for reputation.
If he had proposed anything reasonable and
Just, we might have acted with him, and
been converted to his faith. The attempt to
create sectional prejudice among the people
of North Carolina is wrong. will be glad
to see the time come when such talk as this
will cease. We cannot complete our great
internal works, without the help of our
Northern brethren. Is this the way to do
it, by insulting them? A man of any patri
otism will make provision to pay honest
debts, whether North or South. I hope
this ordinance will pass.
MIR. Welker said this seems to be a family
quarrel 1t does seem strange to me that
the men who opposed the 9th section of the
hill of rights ara tl,o who arc up
posing this measure.
hold as good Republican, that the in
terest should be paid upon this debt as soon
as it is possible. hold that this Congen-
tion should authorize the Legislature to pro-
vide for the payment of this interest.
1t is matter of good policy that it should
be done--that the bonds may be raised to
par-and our corporation be helped, so that
they may be completed 1t is for the advan-
tage of those who hold these bonds.
l was aware that it would come to this
l knew that men who detained those who
opposed this measure at first, would come
forward and refuse to provide for the pay
ment of this interest. am not willing that
this should be left to the Legislature. Let
the Convention say that the Legislature shall
provide for the payment Of this interest.
Mr.. Durham said that the gentleman from
Guilford said the gentlemen who favored
the 9th section of the bill of rights, are op-
posing this. l was not in favor of that nor
this want the whole matter left to the
Legislature. The people in their impover-
lshed condition are not able to pay this in
terest. What effect can this ordinance have
upon the Legislature unless it is part of
the Constitution? Gems Grant, Pope and
Candy are of opinion that these ordinances
are not binding unless authorized by the
military authority. 1t is question, wheth-
er this ordinance will bind the Legislature
Granting that it will, protest against it as
measure that will impoverish the State
II am rightly informed North Carolina
now owes four millions dollars interest. |
say that the people are not in condition to
pay the taxes they are now called upon to
pay. 1t is an outrage upon the people-it
Is wrong to sell people out of house and
home. The Legislature may respect this Or
dinance-it can only result in the complete
lmpoverishment of the people. am for
leaving the matter for future legislation. If
the whole people are to suffer by paying in
terest, relieve the people 1 say, and let the
internal improvements suffer. If Legisa-
ture is elected who will provide for the pay
ment OF this interest, then it is time enough
to take the matter into consideration.
MIR. Abbott stated instead of four millions
dollars interest being due, it is only one mil
lion.
MIR. Durham said this ordinance leaves the
Legislature to provide for the payment of
TINS interest as it chooses, by taxation or 9th
erwise. am for leaving this matter in the
hands OF the people-if they elect a Legis-
iature pledged to this policy, 1 have no OBJ
lection. If this inteest is to be paid by
taxation, say that it will ruin the people.
They can hardly pay the taxation necessary
for the State government.
Mr. Abbott stated that it was not the
poicy to put an exOrbitant tax on the REQ
pie.
MIR. Gambler said that every deleoate