The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-06-06

practical necessity. For that purpOSe
he recommended the immediate cal
Of an unlimited convention OF the
people. He also urged active prep
arations for war.
The Assembly did not delay, and on
the same day, after authorizing the
Governor to send troops to Virginia
they turned their attention to a con
vention bill which had been immedi-
Ately introduced, and within two
hours Of the time Of assembling, the
House of Commons by a unanimous
vote passed it. The Senate then took
up the bill and with only three dis
senting votes it was passed at once
through all three readings. Those in
opposition were Jonathan Worth, L
@. Sharpe and Josiah Turner, who OBJ
5ected to the haste Of the thing, the
short time allowed for a canvass, and
the fact that the convention was not
required to submit its action to the
vote of the people for ratification. The
bill provided for the election Of del
egates to an unlimited convention.
Before night Governor Ellis issued
q proclamation calling for the cleo
ton on May 18th, and summoning the
convention to meet May goth. This
done the Legislature turned it's atten
ton to preparations for war, which
were carried on with great activity.
SdII1pIiSh " thc COhf CIle1OI
was marked by no matters Of interest
Many of the older Union men declined
to be candidates. as they did not wish to
take part in the act Of separation
from the Union, most of them beliey
Ing that the abolitienists, the Dem
tcracy and the devil had c%onspired to
Destroy 'the best government on
earth" but all advocated preparations
for war, or war itself.
The convention met In Raleigh on
May goth and many regarded the day
Is particularly suitable for the work
IN hand. All the delegates. regardless
Ct their opinion as to the constitutions
<lity Of secession, were determined
upon separation. h only "a bic
question before them was how it
should take place.
The body as a whole was easily the
oblest and most distinguished that
has ever assembled in North Carolina.
Ehould be so, for the most momentou
.tep in the life Of the State was to
be taken by it. Therefore the reason
OF the fact is easily explained. The
people felt the gravity Of the situation
and regardless Of party differences.
showed a disposition to elect their
most trusted men, and thus the best
element Of both parties was present
The most striking thing about the
membership was the large number Of
Old Wing leaders. who. having been
driven into obscuritY by the long pc
Rod Of Democratic success, now again
appeared in political position. In
fact tn. Wings were in q majority,
end the Democrats. a majority Of
whom had opposed secession befor
President Lincoln's al for troops. In
30 sense. therefore, could the mem
bership Of the convention be called
extreme on the subject.
Ilroho hIu tho most ~ 7r4rfiny ~
the leaders in the convention were
William A. Graham. Thomas Ruffin
George e.. Badger and Weldon Ed
wards. Among the other prominent
men were Asa Biggs, David S.. Reid,
William Johnston, Warren Winslow
Bedford Brown, William W. Holden,
Kenneth Rayner, r. p. Bick, Burton
Craige. George Howard. and John A.
Gilmer. Five Of the delegates had
also been members Of the convention
OF 1885.
The convention organized by the
election OF q president. Weldon Ed
wards and William A. Graham were
placed in nomination. The election
was in q sense, though not complete
1y. a test Of the strength Of the two
elements composing the convention
which may be called for convenience
the secessionists and revolutionists
The former won, and Edwards was
elected by a vote Of sixty-five to his
opponents forty-eight. AS soon as
the president had taken the chair, Mr..
Badger presented a paper for consid-
GRAFTON. It was. however, not read
at the time, but was postponed until
organization should be COM
pleted. After this the president read
q communicates from Franklin ].
Moses. commissioner from South
caroline TO present her ordinance and
to invite the cooperation Of North
Carolina. He was at once received
the convention and made a most pat
ronfzing speech, welcoming the pros.