The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-18

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sent to, or give my aid to a political
enforcement of the monstrous doc
trine Of coercion. / DO not for a
moment think that North Carolina
would become a party TO the enforce
ment of his doctrine, and Will not
therefore do her the injustice of plac-
ing her in that position, even though
Alphabetically"
The General Assembly of North
Carolina met on the 18th of Novem-
Der, 1860. South Carolina passed her
ordinance of secession on the 10th OF
December. Mississippi followed On
the 9Th of January, 1861; Florida, on
the 10th; Alabama, on the 18th;
Georgia, on the 18th; louisiana, on
the 26th; and Texas, on the 1st Of
February. Amid the profound agita-
ton which these events produced,
North Carolina preserved her equa-
nimity as a State. though her people
were divided. Those who favored
joining the newly formed Confederacy
advocated the calling OF a convention.
Those who opposed secession op-
posed the calling of a convention.
There were, however, a large num-
Der who opposed secession as mex
pedient, who nevertheless favored the
calling OF a convention. Such a body,
it was thought, could observe the
SouA "a CNCAllS, aHu NC ICoOy "
action II circumstances required.
On the seth Of January h General
Assembly passed a bill for an cleo
ton to determine the question Of CALI
ing a convention, and at the same
time for choosing members Of the
convention if called. The 9th OF
February was named as the day for
the election. The call Of the V
ton was rejected by a narrow ma
inrjfv ovan hrn6raI on1 fffu.
but the number of delegates chosen
who were known as "Unionists'-
that is. who thought secession mex
pedient unless coercion Of the seeded
States was attempted-Was eighty
two; while the numbe Of those who
were known as "secessiOnists'-that,
is, those who favored Immediate ac-
tion-was thirty-eight.
From Peace to War.
On the 18th OF April hostilities be-
gan in Charleston harbor. On the
18th Mr.. Lincoln issued his proclama-
ton for coercion. On the 18th, Gov
ernor Ellis issued his patriotic re-
joinder, converting the General AS
sembly in special session" on the 1st
Of May. On the 18th Of April. the
leading organ Of the majority con-
tanned an editorial which voiced their
sentiments, as these were affected by
such a stupendous change in their
affairs, and which it will be enlighten-
ing to quote as follows:
1T is needless to remind our read
erS how earnestly and honestly we
have labored to preserve our once
great and glorious and beneficient
Union. In its existence we have be-
leved were involved that inappre-
cable blessing, peace; that sound
form OF liberty and law inaugurated
by the Constitution of the United
states; and the security, nay even
the existence, Of that domestic in
%stitution out of which have arisen all
Of our national troubles. In the new
aspect Of affairs, we see no reason
to change any opinion that we have
expressed, that the difficulty ought TO
have been peaceably. settled, and
would have been if good men had
) been Influential. We believe now, as
!, heretofore, hat by the exercise OF
that patience which the immense is
sues at stake demanded, there would
have been a peaceful settlement. We
believe now, as heretofore, that a
: fratricidal war for sue a cause is a
wrong of which We would not be
guilty for a thousand worlds. But
with all these opinions unchanged
there is a change in the condition 81
: affairs--a change with which neither
we nor the people of North Caroline
have had aught to dover which
they have had no control, but Nhi~I
Of necessity will shape their action
The Presidents proclamation is tn.
last feather that breaks the camel.
r back. 1t shows that the profession.
Of peace We're a delusion and a cheat
or, if ever really entertained, tina
peaceful intentions have been aban
I dOned. War is to be prosecuted
against the South by means of tn,
seventy-fve thousand men called for
: and North Carolina has been ofhciall,
required to furnish a quota Of tn,
seventy-five thousand. Will she q,
it? Ought she to do it? No. no
Not a man can leave her borders upol
such an errand who has not made u
[ his MIND to var upon his own hom
I, and all that he old dear in tina
e home. For ourselves we are South
ern men and North Carolinians, an,
/. at war with those who ara AT ua