The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-02-05

thing, because it proposed to instruct the
committee to inquire into the propriety OF
recommending the relief of Union men du-
ring the war, whether they now oppose the
Republican party or not. They are in the
ranks of the enemy, yet they were Union
men during the war; Farther than that ne
did not intend to go. He never would go
farther, and was ready to 20 upon the record
in that way. Only two classes should have
relief; one which the law by its generality
had uujustly excluded, who were loyal; and
another, who have given evidence of sincere
repentance Further than that twas not
right to go. He could never recommend or
cdnntcnance loyalty to the socaled Confed-
crate government. Traitors during the war,
who occupied the same attitude Of resistance
to the government now. had n" claim upon
2 its mercy or magnanimity. They had no
right to ask for relief Gentlemen may claim
to be loyal, but in the next breath ask what
loyalty is? 1t was a hearty and cheerful
obedience of the laws and Constitution OF
the United States. Those who oppose the
laws confess they are not loyal. They say it
is a matter of compulsion.
Mr.. Durham Will the gentleman allow
me to ask question .rn
u Mr.. Tourgee lam not in favor of ex-
tending this relief beyond the point indica-
ted in the resolution. Give relief to Union
men during the war without regard to par
ty, and all the relief that is necessary or
proper has been conferred. That is my po-
sitinn. la -1s
Mr.. Holt said he wished to have the yeas
and nayssupon the question. Ii the best
and most intelligent men in the country
were to remain DISTINGUISHED, he desired the
people to know it, and that delegates should
60 home a4ektell. the people how they voted.
The hot.asSf II NJ, having arrived, the
special order, it being the consideration Of
the report of the committee on militia, was
ordered to he taken up.
Mr.. Mcdonald, of Chatham, moved to
postpone.
Mr.. Abbott opposed.
Mr. Durham said that by the application
of the gag law, his amendment yesterday
was STAYED off, 1t was apparent that the
Convention would not now allow delegates
to 60 upon the record for or against
Mr.. Abbott said that he was opposed to
staving off the regular order of business
As to this amendment and resolution, he
was perfectly willing to record his vote up
on it.
The motion was put and lost.
The Convention then resolved itself into
the
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE,
Mr.. Sweet, of Craven, in the chair The
Sd section of the report on militia was read,
when the amendment of Mr.. Abbott. to give
the power of appointing militia officers to
the Governor, was read.
Mr.. Bryan opposed the amendment. He
said that he was perfectly willing to see the
officers OF the militia commissioned by the
Governor. but not appointed. Hitherto the
militia officers in North Carolina had been
elected by their respective commands. He
was opposed to making an alteration. He
was willing to extend the term of office as i,
stood, beyond the Governor, but hoped the
amendment pending would he voted down
Mr.. Abbott said he was aware that the
| section, allowing election by commands Of
militia officers. was popular but not effective
He was willing to defer at all times to the
people. but could not concur with the gen
tleman in this instance II the State was go
ing to have militia at all. it should be eff
Gent The government will require more
and more force hereafter, and in the chang
ing population of the country who could
tell what would occur? Heretofore the mill
tia had been a sham, but in times of tur
| bulence it should be SO constituted as to b.
useful The election of officers by the pe0
pie had never worked WELL The essence O
military government, on the contrary, is dies
potism. The officers should receive thei
appointments from the Governor, therefore
and not look abroad to the people. Th
militia would indeed he IL sham, if organ
lied as heretofore Besides. the section
leaves the power to commission to the Gov
ernor, without the power Of removal. How
ever bad an officer may be, he must remain
until the Governors term expires. Tn
whole thing is wrong. and if the militia i
not to be efficient, it had better not be or
ganized at all. He hoped the amenlmen
would he adopted. If not, it would be at
tributable to the fact, that it was not palata
BILE to the public.
Mr.. Rodman said he entirely concurre,
with Mr. Abbott, and as Mr.. Bryan sal,
the appointment by the Governor was I'm
popular. He therefore moved to strike gu
the whole section and leave the matter t
the General Assembly.
Mr.. Abbott accepted the amendment
when 1t was put and carried.
Section was adopted, when section
was read, providing for an Adjutant Ger
eral
Mr.. Jones, of Washington, said that prio
to the war he had been militia colonel fo
twenty years. The militia was only peac
establishment, and amounted to nothing.
should be as little expense as possible. H
was opposed to such fat offices around tn
Capitol. His experience had told him tina
there was no use for this Office 1t was we
enough in 18th of July speeches to call it til
bulwark of the nation. But war had prove
that militia men were soldiers in peace an
citizens in war. AS the services are sma
for Adjutant-General, the salary should b
small, and no one then could be found t
take it, he thought. 1t was useless expens
any way.
Mr.. Abbott said that it was absurd t
have militia without an Adjutant- Genera
He spoke from experience. A movemer
was on foot to make uniform system {
militia for all the States. Without an Adj,
tant General, North Carolina would be sir
gular from all the other States. The Office b.
longed to the staff of the Governor, an
should be removable by him at pleasure.
| Mr. Rodman said that an Adjutant- &c,
eral would be Indispensable A list of of
GERS and men of the militia, and various d,
ties of that character, were to be performe,
He thought that the compensation had bee
small-some two or three hundred dollar
annually, and he supposed that would
all now
Mr.. Jones, Of Washington, moved to stril
out section 5. He desired to leave the e.
tire matter to the Legislature. There WI
: no use of so many officers. When he w