Semi-weekly standard. [volume], January 24, 1865, Image 1

About Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??

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rHJK JSOKTfli CAltOLlNA: STAISDAKD : TUliSDA Y, JAN. 24, 1&I55.
WILLIAM W. HOLDEN,
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. . .
Vol. XV...
.No. 7.
Another Chan je of Terma. "
The Daily and Weekly papers of this City baring
advanced their terms, on account of the deprecia
tion of the currency, we are compelled to do the
tame. We regret to hare to do this, but it is una
voidable. The price of the Standard will hereafter
be as follows :
Semi-Weekly, 6 months, $30
w 3 months, 15
Weekly, 6 months, 20
" 3 months, 10 .
Subscribers heretolore obtained for nsby friends,
and subscriptions on the way to us, will be receded
at former rates.
L. BL !
RALEIGH : TUESDAY. JAW. 24, 1S85.
The LegUlatare.
We give to-day the proceedings in full of Friday
and Saturday. . .
In the Senate, on Monday, a numoer oi owj uu
resolutions of minor importance were acted on.
The Senate agreed to the proposition to appoint a
joint select committee of the two Houses, to exam
ine and report at what time an adjournment can
take place. When we left the capitol, at half past
twelve o'clock, M Dick was deliveririgan able and
ekquent speech against the policy of arming the
slaves, and against the-righ of the Confederate
government to exercise control oyer the institution
of slavery.
In the House, on Monday, resolutions denounc
ing the illegal arrest of Dr. Henry P. Bitter, of
Edenton, by Confederate authority ; also," the bill
from the House providing for supplies for the people
of Wilmington ; also, resolutions introdueed by Mr.
Gr ssom in relation to impressments, were severally
considered and passed.
Peace Movement ia the Legislature.
The resolutions introduced in the Senate Jby Mr.
Pool, at the session of the Legislature preceding
this, providing for the appointment of five commis
sioners to treat for peace, are still on the tame in
the Senate ; and similar resolutions, introduced by
Mr. Carter in the Commons, have been made the
order of the day by that ooay ior ,j.nursujr
On Friday last Mr. Hanes, of Davidson, intro
duced in the Commoas resolutions providing for a
State Convention, and for a Convention of the Con
federate States. And on the same day Mr. Smith,
of Johnston, introduced a bill in the Commons pro
viding for a Convention of the people of this State.
Mr. Hanes accompanied the presentation of his
resolutions with a very ablo and interesting
speech, which was listened to with marked at
tention. He took ground boldly and unequiv
ocally in favor of a reconciliation with the people
of the North, "under the Constitution of our
fathers," as the alternative to be preferred to subju
gation, which seemed to him to be inevitable if the
war should be continued, as be took it for granted,
it would be, by the federal government We learn
that Mr. Hanes' speech will be published, when the
people will have an opportunity of reading and
judging for themselves.
Mr. Hanef resolutions were laid upon the table
by a vote of 59 to 40.
The bill introduced by Mr. Smith provides for
submitting the question of Conventia a or no Con
vention to the people at the polls, and at the same
time for the election of delegates, to take their seats
and act in case the people vote for a Convention.
This proposition is not only called for by the con
dition of the country, but it seems to us to be in
every respect reasonable. After four years of wast
ing war it appears ta be highly reasonable and pro
per that the people of the State should have an op
portunity, in Convention assembled, to deliberate
upon their condition, and to take such steps as may,
in their judgment, be best calculated to promote their
happiness. Surely, surely in a country like this
there can be no risk in trusting the people. That
is the question after all, which is involved in this
bill introduced by Mr. Smith, Can the people be
trusted T Every one sees and admits that the pub
lic men of the country are unable, with all their
skill and wisdom, to close this' ruinous war and re
store repose and prosperity to the people. Let us
at length go to the fountain of power to tie people
themselves. But one may say, it is not expedient
to call a Convention a Convention is unnecessary,
Very well, say so, and vote that way at the polls,
if you wish; but let the people have an opportuni
ty to decide the question. I( a Convention is inex
pedient and unnecessary, they will so declare at the
ballot-box; but if necessary and expedient, and.
they should say so when they come to vote upon it,
who will gainsay their right or their wisdom in so
declaring ? He who is afraid to trust the people,
at any time or on any question, is unfit to represent
them. ;
We think it would be a good plan to pass Mr,
Pool's resolutions, and also to submit the question
of Convention to the people, for the reason that, if
other States should decline to unite with North
Carolina in the peace movement, she would have a
Convention in exist ence through which she could
' act for herself. Let her discharge her obligations
to her sister States by offering to unite with them
through commissioners, as proposed by Mr. Pool's
resolutions ; and then, if they should decline to co
operate with her, her skirts would be olear, and it
could not be said that she had proved faithless to
her co States. But if the Legislature itself should
decide not to appoint the commissioners, let them
lAuxn bti the neonle. The memorable Peace
Conference, which, as many think, ought never to
have been held, failed mainly because the commis
sioners to it were appointed by partizan uovernors
0 f -
profit by this example.. The commissioners under
Mr.- Pool's resolutions could be chosen by the peo?
.and lcriK atures. ana not tv tne neoDie. Let ua
- pte on the day set apart for votirg on the Conven
tion question.
We know not what is going on at Richmond.
We know nothing of the mission of Mr. Blair or
of its results. We hear many rumors, but in grave
Biatters like this we can hazard no opinion except
U'ftl ArtW- ' I - , -
.and Mr. Davis will not make peace. The States must
aot Under this new government, as indisputably
shown by Mr. Hanes, thsy are sovereign and have
a right to act. If any doubt as to when they shouldj
act, and how, j.et that doubt be solved Br the
odmiv fiiK-ucrr vfj There is no hitfher. theta in
aJ - o
no safer tribunal in Ibis country. The demand for
jeace is loud and incessant It drowns all other
rounds. Nor is it confined to any one party. It is
beard in both parties and among all classes. It
vill not be silenced. Like a rising cloud, it rolls,
-itflthonders in our ears with increased volume every
moment. We tell public men, who hesitate as to
.their duty we tell the Legislature that the people
are terribly in earnest io this matter. We know
something of public sentiment in North-Carolina,
.and we are not mistaken. Sooner or. later, unless
ithe advance of the enemy should prevent it, a Con
vention will be called, and this Legislature will take
steps to-call it Why not now f Delay is danger
ous. We may lose every thing by delay. We may
.save much by action, and action p&omtt actios u
what .the people want
Oatrages by Tories aad Others.
A friend has sent as the following account of
the manner in which the people of Cherokee and
Clay Counties have been recently treated by .a ro
ving band calling themselves Confederate soldiers :
Fur the Standard. '
TORIES! TORIES 1 1
Mb. Editor : For the sake of women and chil
dren, and for decency's sake, permit me to state a
few facts. A band of lories, about 150, calling
themselves Confederate soldiers, entered Cherokee
county, N. C, from Georgia, last week. In Chero
kee, tbey robbed and stole horses, &a Capt Tid
well stationed at Murphy and others followed and
forced them to give up the property. The tory
officers, as I have heard, promised Capt Tidwell
that they would commit no more' depredations in
Cherokee and Clay counties, and he then permitted
them to pass on. But after Tidwell left them, they
immediately resumed the glorious work of robbing
and stealing, butreserved their most glorious efforts
for a night attack upon the true and unsuspecting
people of the eastern part of Clay county.
Here the tories seemed to be in their own clement
and glory. Divided into squads they scoured the
whole country, across mountains, into the little
coves, &c, and robbed and stole nearly every horse
in the country. No .doubt these tories thought
tbey had it all their awn way ; but a little band of
citizens served them up a breakfast just as they
were about to leave, somewhat after the manner the
Whigs, under Marion, served their tory brethren of
1778.
These citizens suddenly charged, and fired into
them and wounded several, and routed and scat
tered the cowardly rascals 1 In the rounds they
captured eight of the tories, and about twenty-five
horses and mules. In their flight the tor Us left cot
ton yarn, jeans cloth, leather, needles, spoons, scis
sors, baby clothes, women's clothes, bed-clothes,
knives, thimbles, guns, boots, and hats, Ac., Ac.
Also a mail bag, which contained the records of the
Superior Court of Fannan county, Ga., ic., Jbc.
The tory prisoners stated that the whole, gang
was made up chiefly of deserters from the infantry,
who had mounted themselves; that there were four
captains along, namely : Thompson, Cowan, OJell,
and Garrett Others of them said, they were sent
here to lake horses and other property from Union
men. Others said, this country was abandoned to
the Yankees, and they were to take the property to
keep it fioui the Yankees; and that the whole gang
belonged to Graham's command, and came from
Athens, Ga.
The above are the facts as reported to me by eye
and ear witnesses, and I presume it is all substan
tially true.
Now who is responsible for this tory raid from
Georgia into North-Carolina 1
Tories, in the Revolution of 1776, were hung with
out mercy. By that law, this whole gang ought to
be hung. If commander Graham, of Athens, Ga.,
sent them, he ought to be hung as a tory leader.
If Gov. Brown sent them, he is a tory and ought
to meet a worse fate. If Jeff. Davis sent them, he
is the chief of tories and ought to be hung as high
as Haman by the same law.
If Graham, Brown, and Davis, inflict merited
punishment on the actual tories who have plunder
ed us, and give us redress, they will be acquitted ;
if they do not, the people of these counties in
North-Carolina than whom there are no truer, or
more loyal citizens any where will hold them,
Graham, Brown and Davis, responsible as tory
leaders! If Gov. Vance quietly submits to tory
raids from another State upon his citizens, he ought
to' be blacked and kicked into some gentleman's
kitchen to wash dishes and carry slop to the pig
as a position and occupation suiting his genius.
These bands who steal, lob, abuse women and
children and murder, are tories, because they do
the deeds of the tories of 177G. Why are they sent i
upon us T Our men are in the army. Our women and f
children toiling like negroes for food and clothes
even clothing their men in tie army. And yet,
v.uua ui wmu iv fuiuiiiicu iuu mill DfcCAi, uu
curse and abuse women at their will.
These independent, irresponsible companies are
a curse to any country or cause. If the authori
ties do not put them down, the people will be ut
terly ruined, or be compelled to turn out, devil-like,
to bushwhacking.
Just think of it ! A man and his sons serving in
the Confederate army at $18.00 per month, and a
gang of tories comes to rob and steal from their
wives and children' thimbles, combs, baby clothes,
Jfcc. Oh ! is not this the quintescence of oppres
sion, of tyranny, of devilism 1
But all this is the legitimate fruit of the accursed,
secession" doctrine that one person must be punish
ed for the crime of another.
A good man has a son, independent of his father.
That boo in spite of his parents goes to the Yankees.
Then by permission, a tory gang falls upon the
father, curses him, hangs him awhile, robs him of
money, horses, praviaions, olothes, Jbc., and what
for t Because his son, over whom he had no con
trol, has acted 3 he chose. A son sins, the father
is punished 1 ' A woman's husband, whom she can't
control, goes to the Yankees. Immediately, the Sa-.
tanic agents of power pounce upon her, curse and
abuse her, hang her or one of her little children to
force them to tell where the husband, or hU money
is, and then strip them of horses, provisions, clothes,
spoons, baby rag, Jbc, and why ? The sin of the
father is Tinted upon helpless women and innocent
babe?.
M The memory of the wicked shall not" Polo
von. Children yet unborn will curse the memory
of men now living, and confinement in the "lake
which burns with fire and brimstone " to all eterni
ty will alone be an adequate punishment for their
crimes.
Justice will ultimately be done, but how long I
how long 1 R. W. D.
Our correspondent has used very strong language,
and we feel it to be our duty to publish his commu
nication pretty much as he has written it It can
not be, however, that the President knows of these
outrages ; or, if he does, he is certainly making ef
forts to prevent their repetition. Our people natu
rally look to him and to our Governor for protec
tection. If they cannot get protection tbey will
soon become indifferent as to what flag waves over
them.
Oue readers have doubtless heard much as to the
outrages perpetrated on the old men, and women
and children of Randolph and other Counties, by
certain of the Home Guards called out to arrest
deserters. Every good citizen is opposed to deser
tion. Every good citizen will do everything he can
in reason to aid in returning deserters to their com
mands. But there is a right way and a wrong way
in every thing. -It is right to arrest deserters, but
it is wrong to arrest and torture women and chil
dren, and to destroy property on mere suspicion
that this or that old man, or this or that woman has
harbored dec erters, or can tell where they are. It
is wrong to arrest and tortore the wife of a deser
ter to make her tell where her husband is. It is
horrible, in this Christian land, in this " high noon
of the nineteenth century," to hang this wife up by
the thumbs, or to put her thumbs uuder the fence,
with two men to sit upon the fence, until she
screams out and tells where her husband is. We
have heard that this was done in one, of the
Counties -of this State I Who is responsible for
the deed f Do any of the members of the Leg-
JsUlure of this State know of this and other wanton
cruelties to, women and children? Do they know
that houses have been torn down over the heads of
helpless women and children? that their little
property has been plundered or destroyed ? and
that, in many instances, they havo been arrested
on mere suspicion of harboring deserters, or know
in? where thev weresnd penned for days in school-
houses, and Churches, and barns J Do they know
of these things, and yet sit silent in their seals f
Almighty God I - And yet this is a Gospel land, and
we have Chaplains who are paid to preach the Gos
pel of Justice, Mercy, and Truth ! Is the manhood
of the country all dead. f
A friend has just banded us a letter, written by
a lady, dated Asheborough, Randolph County,
January 28th, 1865, from which we nitke the fol
lowing extract;
1 write to tell you now tne cavairy servea me on
last Friday. They searched my house said our
folks were in the woods took neat, and salt, and
chickens from me, and commenced to take my corn.
I begged so bard they let my corn alone. They
also snapped their pistols at me and Mrs. . . I
have always done my part by the soldiers, and it ia
bard that I should be treated in this way. I have,
always been true to my country. The cavalry
stopped at every house and took what they pleased.
What I have I got by my hard labor, and ft seems
hard to see it taken from me."
The above letter is from an unmarried lady whose
brother, who had been her protector, was wounded
at the battle of Gettysburg, and is now a prisoner
in the bands of the enemy; The cavalry referred
to are said to belong to the Home Guards.
We feel it to bo our duty to make publication of
these facts, Sn order that the attention of the au
thorities, as well as of the public generally, may be
called to them. Will those authorities do anything
to protect the defencele&d against such outrages ?
We shall see.
. - -
We think it is now apparent to every- one that
Gov. Vance is still determined to " fight it out,?
and that he is opposed to every peace measure ef a
practical character. What will the Legislature do H
Will that body tamely submit to be ruled by ona
man 1 It seems to us that it is lime for indepen
dent members to speak out If Gov. Vance is not
a Peace Conservative, let th fact be' announced io
the two Houses, and let him be classed for good and
all, as he deserve to bey-with the Destructives.4
Expose him in his true colore to ihe people, and ha
will at once lose his power to mislead and bani
boozle those who are really and honestly die
to do something for peace. Parley and du
with him, and he will have you just where he warns
0 a- t a . .
you. oinp mm oi an nts pretences ana disguises,
and he will soon be powerless for harm.
. -' i
Cuserimo. The Confederate has at length been
roused from its lethargy, and in its issue of Monday
last says: ' .
"The cause of tba Confederacy is not lost A
tery short time wil) demonstrate that its safety is
assured. But the people ye who have all at stake
you must remain true, loyal and courageous.
Hold out yet a while and all will be welL'.'
So mote it be !
It will be seen that Mr. McAden has offered a
resolution proposing that the two Houses adjourn
on Saturday next, to meet again on the third Mon
day in November. This may be fairly regarded as
an anti peace movement for it is not probable that
peace measures can be matured and passed during
the present week. What will the people of Ala
mance, three fourths of whom are for peace, say to
this proposition by one of their Commoners 1
For the Standard.
Mr. Editor : Can you tell me where Mr. Irvin
Thompson is ? Some say he is gone to Europe ;
others say he is in the front ranks, where the bat
tle rages fiercest Knowing the patriotism of the
man as I do, I conclude he is in the latter place;
making the fur fly. He said that whenever the
Yankees polluted the soil of this State with their
feet, he would give them some of the' gist and grit
of our revolutionary forefathers. I am satisfied he
is doing that very thing, for he is not the man to
back down trom what he says. If you know what
regiment he is in, Mr. EJitor, please let me know,
as I want to write him a letter of encouragement
while he is spilling his blood in the cause of inde
pendence. E.
We regret that we are unable to give our corres
pondent the company and regiment to which Mr.
Thompson belongs. Mr. Thompson was very anxi
ous to secede from the old government He distin
guished himself in his native County of Wayne by
bis zealous advocacy of secession ; and though we
have not had the pleasure of hearing from him late
ly, we have no doubt be has been a long time in the
front ranks, where the blows fall fastest and thick
est, fighting for bis favorite doctrine. A grateful
country will reward him.
The following is the bill introduced in the House
of Commons on Friday last, by Mr. Smith, provid
ing for calling a Convention of the people of this
Siate :
A BUI to call a Convention of the People.
Whereas, In the judgement of this General As
sembly, the present condition of the country de
mands that the sovereign people of this State
should assemble in Convention to effect if possible
an honorable termination of the present war : And
whereas, on matters of such grave import, this
General Assembly, is reluctant to adopt any policy
without first ascei tainiog tho sense of the people,
in whom all sovereignty tesides: .
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assem
bly of I fie State of North Carolina and it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the same, That upon
the passage of this act the Governor of the Slate,
be and he is hereby required to issue a proclama
tion commanding tne sheriffs of the respective coun
ties in the State to open the polls at the several
precincts in said counties, on 13lh day of February
A. D. 1865, where and when all persons qualified
to vote for'members of the General Assembly may
vote for or against a State Convention, those who
wuih a Convention, voting with a written or print
ed ticket "Convention," and those who do not wish
a Convention, voting in the same way "No Conven
tion ;" also to open separate polls at the said time
and places for the election of delegates to the Con
vention to be assembled on such times as are here
inafter provided ; said polls to be superintended by
inspectors appointed by the Sheriff, with the advico
of three justices of the Peace of the respective
counties, who shall be sworn according to the pro
visions of section 8, chaper 52 of Revised Code.
Sec 1. Beit further enacted, That it shall be
the duty of the Sheriffs to make out duplicate state
ments of their polls in their respective counties, on
the question of Convention and no Convention,
sworn to before the clerk of the County Court, one
copy of which shall be deposited in said clerk's
office and the other copy transmitted to the Gov
ernor of the State at Raleigh, under the same rules
and regulations and under the same penalties sr
prescribed in the case of the returns of the vote
for electors of President and Vice-President of the
Confederate States, as are now prescribed by law
immediately after said electibn.-
Sec 3. Be it further enacted, -That it shall be
the duty of the Governor, as soon as he shall have
received the returns of the Sheriffs, in the presence
of the Secretary of Stale, Public Treasurer and
Comptroller, to compare the number of votes cast
for and against a convention ; and if it shall appear
that a majority of the votes polled are in favor of a
convention, he shall forthwith issue a proclamation
in such manner as he may think proper, summon
ing the delegates elected to said convention as afore
said to convene ic Raleigh, on the 2nd Monday in
March A. D. 1865, and if a majority of the votes
polled are against a convention the Governor shall
in like manner issue a proclamation of that fact,
and in that case the assembling of the said delegates
elected as aforesaid under this act is hereby declar
ed to be illegal and of no effect
Sec. 4. Be it further enacted. That the election
for delegates as aforesaid shall be held and conduct
ed in the same manner as elections for members of,
the General Assembly, and the vote shall be count
ed, and the scrolls compared and certificates issued
in the same manner as prescribed by law for mem-i
bers of the Uouso of Commons.
Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That if a vacancy
shall occur by death, resignation or removal from
the State or by the refusal to serve of any person
elected delegate as aforesaid, the .presiding officer
of the Convention shall issue bis writ to the sheriff,
of the county in which such vacancy may have oc
curred, after such notice as the Convention nay
order, to open a poll to fill such vacancy, under the
sarae rules and regulations as hereinbefore prescrib
ed for the election of delegates.
Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the said Con
vention shall consist of one hundred and twenty
delegates, and each county shall be entitled to the
same number of delegates as members of the House
of Commons under the last apportionment
' Sec. 7. Be it further enacted. That this act shall
be in force from and after its ratification.
LEGISLATURE 07 SORTH-CAROLTNA.
SENATE.
Friday, Jan. 20, 1865.
A list-of names proposed for appointment as Mag
istrates was laid upon-the table.
- Mr. Wiggins introduced a bill to authorize fifteen
Magistrates of Halifax county to transact county
business, which, under a suspension of the rule,
passed its severai readings. .
Mr. Ellis offered a resolution to instruct the ju
diciary committee to enquire into the expediency of
passing a law empowering the wives of soldiers to
make contracts binding tba property of their hus
bands, which was adopted. Also a resolution in
structing the same committee to enquire into the
expediency ef the passive of a law to prohibit the
sale of property under execution, for specie, unless
the contract specifies tho payment of specie, which
was adopted.
BILLS, ETC ON f HEIR SECOND READINGS.
; Resolutions requesting the Governor, in certain
contingencies, to remove the Commissioner of Ap
praisements recently appointed by him. Amended
and passed. Rule suspended and passed its third
reading.
A bill to provide spirituous liquors for medical
purposes in Cabarrus county. Rejected.
- A bill concerning impressments. Rejected.
A bill to levy a tax in-kind for the support of the
families of sol tiers. Postponed and ordered to be
printed.
A bill to amend the act to incorporate the N. C.
Volunteer Navy Company. Passed.
Resolutions protesting against emancipation for
publio services. Made special order for Monday
next at 12 o'clock.
A bill to amend 1 section, 87th chapter, Revised
Cod j. Rejected.
resolutions in regard to illegal impressments of
iperty by tue Confederate government. Alter
discussion ty Messrs. AAssiter, W right and Udom,
the resolutions were made the special order for Tu
esday Dext at 12 o'clock.
Resolutions in regard to habeas corpus. Infor
. mally passed over.
A bill to amend an act to authorise the Gover
nor to employ, slave labor in the erection of fortifi
cations, ice Passed.
A bill to appoint inspectors for the town of Fay
etteviile. Pat-sed.
Resolutions in relation to the exemption of cer
tain employees from conscription. Passed.
A bill to rearrange the public office in the Capi
tol. Mr. Wright offered an amendment providing
that the Treasurer and Comptroller should exchan
ge rooms. A lengthy communication from the
Comptroller in relition to the matter was read.
Mr. Wright's vmendment was parsed, and the bill,
as amended, was then laid upon the table by a vote
ofntolS.
BILL OR ITS THIRD KDADlNd
A bill to incorporate the North and South Caro
lina Railroad Coiapany. Passed.
MUECLLANI0U3.
The resignation of Mr. McCoy as Eifgrosiing
Clerk was received and accepted.
A proposition from the House to proceed to the
election of an Engrossing Clerk was concurred in,
and the Senate voted as follows: T. H. Hill 10; W.
A. Huske 22 ; Pfohl 3.
The committee reported the whole number of
votes 133, as follows: Hill 44; Huske 54; Pfohl 17;
T. W. Davis 18. No election.
The Senate again proceeded to vote for Engross--ing
Clerk, as follows, the name of Mr. Pfohl having
been withdrawn: Huske, 22; Hill 13 ; Davis 5.
The committee reported the whole number of
votes cast as follows : Huske 56; Hill 46 ; Davis
82. No election.
The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The House was called to order at 11 o'clock
A. M.
Mr. Shepherd presiding in the absence of the
Speaker.
The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
The Speaker laid before the House the resigna
tion of Neill McKay, one of the Engrossing
Clerks.
On motion of Mr. Grissoni this resignation was
sent to the Senate with a proposition that the two
Houses elect a clerk to fill the vacancy at half past
eleven o'clock. The names of Messrs. Walter A.
Huske, T. U. Hill and Pfohl were put in no
mination. An engrossed bill, from the Senate, .to facilitate
the building of bridges which have been washed
away in the counties of Alamance and Granville,
passed its several readings under a suspension of
the rule.
Leaves of absence were granted to Messrs. Amis
and Alford.
A message from the Senate announced its concur
rence in the proposition from the House to elect an
Engrossing Clerk at half past eleven o'clock. The
House proceeded to vote. Mr. J. Yf. Davis having
been also nominated. The committee to superin
tend the election subsequently reported " no elec
tion." Mr. Hanes introduced resolutions on the subject
of a general Convention of the Confederate Slates,
as follows :
Resolution on the subject of s General Convention
of the Confederate Slates :
Whereas, The present system of legislation by
the Congress of the Confederate States, by which
the most oppressive and unconstitutional laws have
been passed from time to time, by the votes of ir
responsible representatives from Missouri, Ken
tucky and other Slates, some of whom have never
seceded from the Government of the United States,
but have at this time their full quota of men in the
armies of oar enemie, and who therefore have no
constituents upon wnom the laws passed by them
can operate, and some of whom dare not even show '
themselves in the States which they profess to re
present, is an outrage to which no free people ought
to submit:
. And, Whereas, Article A of the Constitution of
the Confederate States provides, "Upon the de
mand of any three States, legally assembled in
their several Conventions, the Congress shall sum
mon a Convention of all the Confederate States, to
take into consideration such amendments to the
Constitution as the said States shall concur in sug
gesting" at the time when the said demand is made ;
and should any of the proposed amendments to the
Constitution be agreed on by the said Convention
voting by States and the same be ratified by the
Legislatures of two-thirds of the several States or
by Conventions in two-thirds thereof as the one
or the other mode of ratification may be proposed
by the general Convention they shall thencefor-.
ward form a part of the Constitution. But no State
shall, without its consent be deprived of its "equal
representation" in the Senate.
Therefore, Resolved, That the Joint Select Com
mittee on Confederate relations be instructed to
frame and bring in a bill callng a Convention of the
people of this State, or submitting the question to
them so as to enable them to assemble in Conven
tion if a majority of them should desire to do so
for the purpose of co-operating with any two other.
States in culling a Convention of all the Confeder
ate States, for the purpose of amending the Con
stitution, so as to provide that'hereafter the repre
sentatives bf any State or States, whose territory
is in the hands of the enemy si that the Confeder
ate laws cannot be enforced therein, shall not dur
ing the continuance of such occupation by the ene
my, be permitted to vote upon any question of leg
islation, but shall have only such rights us are al
lowed to the delegates from the Territories of the
Confederate States; and of considering such other
amendments as the said three States shall concur in
suggesting.
Resolved, further, That Stste sovereignty being
the principle on which North Carolina -and the other
States withdrew from the Federal Union, the States
composing the Southern Confederacy fire sovereigns,
and the Confederate Government is oo ly their agent,
and subject to their control, and that the States in
their sovereign capacity, in General Convention as
sembled, have the right to negotiate a peace with
the government of the United States, without con
sultation with the President of the Confederate
States, but subject only to the subsequent ratifica
tion of the several States in their separate State
Conventions.
At Mr. Hanes' request his remr.rks in support of
these resolutions were read frottf. the desk by the
Clerk.
'Pending their reading there -vras another ballot
for Engrossing Clerk resulting as before. On this
ballot Mr. Huske received 56 votes; Mr. Hill 46;
Mr. Davis 82.
Mr. Phillips moved that Mr. Hanes' resolutions
be printed and made a special order for Tuesday
next
On motion of Mr. Person they were laid upon the
table.
Yeas Messrs. Alston, Amis, Austin, Baxter,
Benbury, Bond, of Gates, Boyd, Brown, of Madison,
Brown, of Mecklenburg, Bryan, Caho, Cobb, Cost
ner, Crawford, of Rowan, Crawford, of Wayne,
Cunningham. Dargan, Davis, of Halifax, Davis, of
Franklin, Duke, Erwin, Faison, Faucette, Gaskins,
George, Gidney, Grier, Gudger, Harrington, Har
ris, Harrison, Hassell, Hawes, Joyner, Judkins,
Lane, Latham, Lewis. Little, Love, McAden, Mc
Cormick, .McLean,- Outterbridge, Patton, Peace,
Person, Pool, Polk, Powell, Russ, Shepherd, Shipp,
Shober, Smith, of Cabarrus, Smith, or Duplin, Stan
di and Wooteu 68.
Nats Messrs. Allison, Asbeworth, Banks, Rest,.
Blair, Bond, of Bertie, Caldwell, Calvert, Carson,
of Alexander, Carter, Clapp. Cowles. Craige, Flynt,
Fowle, Griseom, Hadley, Hanes, Henry, Holton,
Horton, of Watauga, Uorton, of Wilkes, Isbell,
Jordan, Lowe, McGehee, McMillan,,Murrill, Patter
son, Phillips. .Rogers, Russell, Sbarpe, Simmons,
Smith, of Johnston, Stipe, Waugn, Wheeler and
Young 39.
INTRODUCTION Or BILLS.
The following bills were introduced and referred.
Mr. Smith of Johnston, a bill to call a Conven
tion of the people.
Mr. Russell, a bill in regard to the holding of
courts in Brunswick county.
Mr. Austin, a bill to legalise an election of Inten
dant and Commissioners of the town of Monroe.
Mr. Fowle, a bill concerning injunctions.
A bill reported from the Finance Committee,
which was considered at the former session in se
cret, was transferred to the open calendar.
The House then adjourned until to morrow morn
ing at 10 o'clock.
' SENATE.
Saturday, Jan. 21, 1865. i
BILL, ETC, ON Til II It 8ECOND BEADINOS.
A bill to incorporate the Cumberland Monu '.
mental Association. Passed its 2d and 3d readings
A bill to incorporate Mt Hermon Lodge, No
1 1 8, in town of Asheville. Passed.
A bill to incorporate the Deep River Woolen Com
pany. Passed.
A bill to amend an act to incorporate the Cape
rear importing and exporting company. Passed.
A bill to amend the 6th sec 71st chap, of Re via
ed Code, relating to the tolls of millers. Laid upon
the table.
A bill to authorize a certain number of magis
trates in the county of Columbus to transact county
business. Passed, rule suspended, and passed its
3d reading.
A bill to. amend an act to nrnvida for a Tiirnml-n
road from Salisbury to the Georgia line. Passed. 1
a uui to auiaorize ine cniei cleric ot tne lreasu- '
ry Department to transact certain business in the '
name of the Treasurer. Passe d.
A bill authorizing the taking of depositions of
persons within tho enemy's lines. Passed.
A bill to authorize the county court of Jackson .
to appoint a tax collector. Passed.
A resolution' to authorize the Treasurer to receive
partial payment of taxes from counties within the
enemy's lines. Passed.
A resolution to furnish Nathan Whitford, Esq .
a copy of the Revised Code. Passed its 2d and 3d
reading..
BILLS, ETC, ON TBEIR THIRD BEADINN3.
A bill to amend an act to incorporate the North
Carolina Volunteer Navy Company. Passed.
A bill to amend an act to authorize the Governor
to employ slave labor in the erection of fortifica
tions, ic. Passed.
A bill in relation to Inspectors in the town of
Fayetteville. Amended by providing that flour
shall be inspected at the depot when required by
the owner, and passed.
A resolution in regard to the exemption of cer
tain State employees. Passed.
A bill to incorporate the North and South Caro
lina railroad company. Laid upon the table. The
reporter was in error yesterday in reporting this
bill as passed. It was read and informally passed
over.
HESOLUTIONi INTRODUCED.
Mr. Hall introduced a resolution to authorize the
Governor to send supplies to the citizens of Wil
mington. The rule was suspended, and after some
discussion the resolution passed its 2d and 3d read
ings. Mr. Bagley, a' resolution to authorize B. F. Bag
ley, former Sheriff of Perquimons, to collect arrears
of taxes.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Senate proceeded to vote for an Engrossing
Clerk, as follows: Uuse 18; Hill 9; Pfohl 6; Da
vis 7.
The Committee reported the whole number of
votes cast 134, as follow : Huske 42 ; Hill 41 ; Da
vis 45 ; Pfohl C. No election.
The Senate then adjourned to 10 o'clock Monday
morning.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The nouse was called to'order at 10 o'clock A M.
The Journal of yesterday was read and approved.
Mr. McGehee asked leave to change his vote on
the question of laying on the table the resolutions
introduced by Mr. Hanes on yesterday. He had
not heard the remarks of Mr. Hanes in exposition
of the' resolutions and voted in the negative not
perceiving at the time that a vote in favor of a gen
eral Convention of the States necessarily involved
a vote for calling a State Convention, to which he
was opposed.
Mr. Fowle said that he should not oppose the
motion of his friend from Caswell, that he agreed
in the main with that gentleman in' regard to his
views upon this subject, but did Dot consider them
as applying to this resolution. During the last
summer the subject of a Convention was before the
people, and was argued at some length in. Wake
county that he had taken ground against a Slate
Convention, and bad endeavored to show what evil
would flow from separate State action, but at tb
same time he had taken position in favor of a Gen
eral Convention of the Southern States, in case tba.
times should demand any action. No evil certainly
can result from a Convention called in accordance
with the Constitution of the Confederate States, in
which Georgia, Virginia, South-Carolina and the
other Southern States would be represented, but on
the other band much good to the whole country
may-result As to the objection that a State Con
vention was necessary before a General Convention
could be called, this matter he had mentioned before
his constituents, at the same time informing them
that tne Legislature bad the power to restrict the
Convention to the consideration of that subject
only. He would vote to allow the gentleman to V
change his vote.
Mr. Caldwell believed the resolutions right and
proper, but thought they had not been fully under
stood. Proceeding to discuss them, he was called
to order by Mr. Baxter, the chair sustaining the
technical point raised.
Mr. Perkins was permitted to record bis vote in
the negative on this question, and Mr. Strong was
f allowed to vote in the affirmative.
Mr. Polk presented a statement of the Bank of
Wadesboro, which was sent to the House with a
proposition to print
. The following bills passed their 2nd and Sid read
ings, viz : An act to legalize an election of Inten--
dant and Commissioners of the townot Jdonroe,
: and a bill in regard to the holding of Courts in the
; county of Brunswick.
A bill te provide metns of supplying the State
Treasury was laid on the table Ayes 48, Nays 47.
The House concurred in a message from the Sen
ate proposing to go forthwith into an election for
Engrcsing Clerk. There was no election on this
ballot Mr. Davis received 45 votes, Mr. Huske 42, (
'Ua.ll.Hy1I U K Lln .1 I FT
JUL UUI Vl JUL & IVIil J.
. The hour having arrived for the appoinment of
Justices of the Peace, Mr. Pool introduced the fil.
lovjpig resolution which was adopted Ayes 56,
Noes 29.
" Resolved, That the Secretary of State be in
structed to prepare and submit for the information
of the House, a tabular statement of the counties of
the State, wi.h the number of Justices oi the Feace
ic each, who have qualified and whose resignations
have not been tendered; and that time may be giv
en to prepare this statement and in order tha
members may vote undei-standingly, tbe further
consideration of this SttbicA be poBtngued, t, Sate
I urday, 28th inst'"
Mr. McAden offered a resolution proposing that
tbe two Houses adjourn on Saturday next to meet
again oh the third Monday in November. - ;
Mr. Waugh moved to lay the resolution on the
table. Not agreed to Ayes 14. Noes 64.
Mr. Fowle proposed, by way of amendments
resolution raising a joint select committee on ad
journment to which Mr. McAi'en's and kindred
resolutions might be referred. This resolution was
adopted. The House then adjourned untill Monday-'
morning ten o'clock A M. .
WAR NEWS. t
From AViluiinvlnB.
vui iiuai ti iiiuiuiuu ymyci m VI lae ZUin. A US
Journal says our looses in the late fight were
heavy, being about one hundred kills! and four or
five hundred wounded. Tho total loss, including
prisoners, is not less than three thousand. No list
of the killed and wounded yet published.
Th& Journal stuff that thn Aiif-mv wam f fartr-
ing Fort Anderson and other works below Wilming
ton. The fort is gone, but that paper does not
think that the town -must necessarily be captured.
It was reported that the enemy attacked Gen.
Hoke'a forces on Thursday evening last Heavy
cannonading was going on, but it may have been
the enemy's gunboats firing at our forces at or near
Sugar Loaf. We have a rumor that some of the
enemy's gunboats were blown up in this engage
ment, and that Gen. Hoke repulsed the land forces
of tbe enemy. We give the rumor for what it is
worth.
We do not know what forces we have at Wil
mington, but the fear seems to be that, in the end
the place will be captured. We hope, however, for
the best If we should receive any further news
from Wilmington before going to press we will add
it to this article.
From Sherman.
Gen. Sherman has commenced active operations,
at the head, it is said, of; 80,000 men. He is sup
posing to be aiming at Branchyille, where it is stat
ed a considerable Confederate force is awaiting his
approach.
We have no Augusta papers later than the 14th.
The Chronicle & Sentinel of that date says, the re
fugees from Savannah all concur in the statement
that the general treatment of the poople of that place
by the federals has been mild. Thexe refugees say,
that Sherman, with Foster's reinforcements, has
about 80,000 men, and that he began bis movement
against Branchville and Augusta on the 11th. One
of tbe correspondents of an Augusta paper says the
fate of Charleston will be decided in the course of
thirty days.
In Savannah market, apples are selling at $12 per
bushel ; cavalry boots $8a25 per pair ; butter 75c
per lb ; cheese 50c per lb ; adamantine candles 40o
per lb, Havanna cigars $1Qa15 per doz, potatoes $9
per bbl, mackeral $1 per lb, mustard 50c half pint,
lemons and oranges $40 per bo Of course this
in greenbacks.
From Petersburg.
Every thing quiet around Petersburg and Ricb
mond. Profound quiet," says the Express of
Thursday, "now reigns throughout the Irostifo
camps."
Congressional.
On the 19th inst, the Senate passed unanimously
the House bill concerning the Cherokee Indians p
also the House resolution to prepare an address to
the people of the Confederate States.
In the House, Mr. Marshall's resolution relative
to pressing cotton and tobaccoo was adopted yeas
43, nays 31. A Senate joint resolution of thanks to
Gen. Standwaite, Col. Gano and Geo. John S. Wil
liams, was passed unanimously.
Mr. Foote, rising to a question of privilege, ad
dressed the House for two hours. He asked leave
of absence for two months, but afterwards with
drew the request
air. aneeu introduced a resolution to expel Mr.
Foote, which vas referred to the committee on Elec
tions, yeas 44, nays 36.
On the 20ih the Senate passed tbe House bill au
thorizing the establishment of an office of deposite
m connection with the treisury. The bill to con
solidate the army passed by the House, was dis
cussed. In tbe House, J. M. Leach submitted a resolu
tion declaring' that no exigency exists justifying the
suspension of the writ of habeas corpus. Reject
ed yeas 26, nays 43. The Senate bill authorizing
reserve troops to be removed from one State to
another, passed yeas 63, nays 16. The exemption
bill was further considered with any result
The Examiner asserts that the Senate in secret
session adopted resolutions creating the office of
commander-in chief of all the armies of the Con
federacy, and recommending the reinstatement of
Gen. Johnston by a vote of yeas 20, nays 2. And
that the House in secret session concurred in said
resolutions yeas 62, nays 14.
Front the United States.
Papers of the 18th contain reports of the cap
ture of Fort Fisher.
The Baltimore American says the fleet sailed
from Beaufort arrived 62 Wilmington on Friday
and landed the troops promptly without opposition.
The bombardment on Friday and Saturday was un
precedently heavy. On Sunday the land troops
aided by 2000 seamen and marines assaulted the
Fort at half past three o'clock P. M. Uen. Terry'
commanded. Possession of the works was obtained
by ten o'clock after a desperate fight
The Federal loss was heavy especially in officers.
Geo. Curtis was wounded. The garrison fell back
to the extremity of Federal point and were there
captured. The American claims the capture of
2000 prisoners, (including -Whiting and Lamb,
both wounded) and seventy-two guns.
Two hundred Yankees were killed and many
wounded, in the Fort by the accidental explosion
of its magazine. The Yankee loss in the fight is
estimated at 900 killed and wounded. Confederate
loss, 500.
On the 16th inst, Mr. Blair spent several hours
with President Lincoln. Mr. Blair says he bad an
interview with Mr. Davis that his expedition was
highly satisfactory, and ajl would be known in pro
per time.
In the U. S. House of Representatives, Mr. Cox
offered on the 16th a resolution looking to the ap
pointment of Peace Commissioners, which were
laid on the table, yeas 84, nays 61.
The Hon. Edward Everett died suddenly at Bos
ton, on the lClh, of apoplexy. He had addressed
the people a few days before, in Faneuill Halk iav
favor of sending provisions to the people of Savan
nah. His death bad occasioned much sensation.
Under orders from President Lincoln, the "several
executive departments will cause appropriate- hon
ors to be rendered to the memory of tho deceased
at home and abroad, wherever the national, name
and authority are recognized."
The Tennessee Union Convention-has nominated
William G. Brownlow for Governor of that State.
He accepted the nomination. Some three hundred
delegates were in attendance.
The Very Latest Wewa.,
The Wilmington Journal of the 21st, just receiv
ed, states tbat on Thursday evening ' las in a
akirmifah near. Sugar Loaf Clwgmao's brigade re
pulsed the enemy. No important movements io the
river below Wilmington. The Journal. states that
the railroads are open, and that communication is
had between Wilmington and Kingsville and
Charleston.
The enemy's loss in, the assault en Fort Fisher
is put down at one thousand killed and wounded.
The Petersburg Expreu of ihe 201b. says there
was some cannonading near that place on tbe 19th t
but it aroounUed to little or nothing:
Tho Riclunond Jispatc bf the 19th has North,
ern dates to the 17th. Gold was 218. The New
York Tril-une says Mr. Blair was courteously treat
ed by Mr. Davis, but he accomplished nothing.
The Hlninjradds " that Yjje Union is not practical
ly rest jredj But that if Mr. Blair 44 should fail to
effect a pacification as we deem roost likely he
will yet havo done bis country a signal service by
aftsuruig tho South that our government is not vuv
dictive, and does not insist on an unconditional sar
render, but is ready and eager to co operate in tho
restoration of an honorable and lasting pe?ce."
We have iust received an Augusta Chronicle &
Sentinel of the 21st It contains nothing definite
as to the movements or Sherman. It says the fed
eral Secretary of War had issued an order to 6end
out of Savannah tho femilies of Confederate office.
but Sheioan said thj order waa inhSi11- t'J'
wqukjDot obey it. "" " lie