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

her investments IN puollc works, which Will
result from the general revival Of prosperity.
Speech of Hon. J. w. Holden,
laj&o House Of Representatives., 4gg. 7, 1868.
The question being on the motion of Mr..
hrgo 10 reconsider the vote by which the
.7gcia! militia bill passed the House on its
tird reading, Mr.. Holden obtained the floor
anil addressed the House as follows:
JIR. SPEAKER: shall dwell briefly upon
thcconsttutionality Of this measure though
suppose there can he very little real differ
cnccot opinion on this subject among Repub-
iicans. We find in section 2 of tile Militia
Article in the Constitution, that the General
assembly, shall prOcide for the organizing,
arming and cquipping OF the Militia. Sir,
the Constitution does not say that the Gen
erl Assembly itself shall organize, equip,
and arm, but that it shall provide for these
things in such way as best to secure the
protection of the individual citizen, the en-
tofc,mcnt of the laws, and the preservation
oithe peace. Therefore we sec that section /
q. this Militia bill gives to the Governor pow
cF 10 appoint, organize and equip special
force | cannot doubt for ii moment that
the legislature has right to make this
provision; and that it has the right 10 call
out either part or the whole of the Militia,
OF 10 authorize the Governor to do So. is
equally clear to my mind. therefore deem
this bill constitutional deem it both ex-
pcdient and necessary, and I counsel the Re-
publican party here to-day, that without
some such force as this proposed law pro-
yIdes, there ia imminent danger of riots and
other political commissions of no ordinary
character.
But it is passing strange, Mr.. Speaker,
that those gentlemen on this floor, who most
bitterly opposed the adoption OF the Con
stitution. should he its special friends and
eEpounders now. Sir, I an surprised at
therneWioUnd affection for that instrument,
their apparent adherence to its letter from
comma to parcnthesis, and their Jealous en-
detvors to comprehend its spirit, and inter
pref its grand and glorious language Surely
with the summer sun, there came a gentle
change DER their mcditations. Is it possible,
that those who denounced this Instrument
as an abomination, now hold it up as their
peculiar protection! Do those who sought
u destroy this hulwark, now seek to shelter
themselves behind it, and even to drive It's
builders from their citadel of liberty This
marvellous metamOrphosis 1t is indeed
wonderful !
But perhaps this change is natural. These
i gentlemen may fear that they will be OPP
4 pressed and prosecuted God forbid May
none OF US ever feel again the terror Of armed
1 oppression or suffer the pains of bigotcd po-
Hncal persecution. Though the Conserva-
tive party may think this bill to he an engine
Oh destruction for them, though they may
seek to interposc the Constitution for
safety and protection, tell them that this
hI!l Is not meant for any class of men, bat
Tor those doers of evil, who may break the
peace or resist the laws. Then let them calm
Their fears. If they intend to do right,
there is no danger; but, sir, if they medi-
tate war, revolution or resistance to the gov
eminent, there is danger, not in this militia
'iii particularly, but in the unfaltering de-
termination Of the Republican party to put
II item down at all hazards, and by the short
est method.
It will be said that hereby declare war.
. But, sir, my voice is for peace. What State
can maintain peace, without furnishing of
lenders against the law, putting down rebel
lion and securing protection to loyal citizens
from the hate Of their enemies! Tell me
what State in the world is without force
to do these things2 What State of the
American Union is without a militia2 Does
not the federal government have an army to
MAINTAIN Its supremacy against treason
what will become Of our State government
without militia? 1t will be reed in the
"nent. Dir. Speaker. or leaf upon the
wnlrlWlnd! Sir, if we intend to maintain
this government, to preserve its peace, and to
enforce Its laws we will not lop off the strong
ngnt arm of its Constitution; but rather we
\ Will DID that arm to strike the evil doer and
spare him not!
II The question now before the House is the
motion to reconsider When majority of
'he members here have twice been solemnly
recorded in favor of the BILL to reverse that
uecsl3n at this hour would he stroke ofcon-
Snmmate folly. cannot believe that it will
oe done. 1t is too nearly like the old adage,
VIII and won't, be id if do, and
nc ID if don't" What though there
ne objections to this bill, was not every OBJ
Jgc'i0n known and every vote recorded
III ~, WHICH COuiu DE ODIaIDeu HIS
uIere been any argument against it, spoken
VI read npon this floor, with which we were
ro' already familiar This is chlld's play.
Ieh let the motion to reconsider he voted
G 10" or laid upon the table and when this
n-'i goes to the Senate if there be ncccssi
= Tor alteration, the learned lawyers of that
" os body will suggest the proper
I'"hges. But at least, let the House stand
y; us decisions, transact its business and get
rS%ly to adjourn at the earliest possible day.
t lnere are those upon this floor. who long for
N.Y. cool air oftheir mountain homes, the smile
t5 ,IiIe andthe prattle ofcbildrcu, to whom
, wy que smoke of their chimneys curling up
mo "s.s from tic valley, would now be the
oF i'i ~. welcome of all sights under the canopy
wi. i'eaVen. And, sir, there are others, who
,;ra ' !" near the roar Of Ocean on their ma
AMI :pgach, to reYel in its flashing waves
hot s "l'ae lis invigorating breath. In tbs
GUNNER month, disease walks abroad