Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-09-21
AN ADDRESS
To the Freemen and Voters of
North Carolina.
FrLLoW-CITlZENs :

NOFIh ONTO4Auas
FELLow-CITIzENs:
A solemn conviction that the lasting inter-
ests of our beloved country is in great de-
gree dependent upon the approaching Presi-
Dental Election, forms our apology for this
address. The contests of parties have driv-
en- the leaders of that one which advocate the
cause of Henry Clay, to a position which is
dangerous to the safety Of the Republic; and
course which the actual people surely do not
realize, or in North Carolina, the ''Southern
land of steady habits" there would hardly be
division OF opinion as to the propriety of
making resistance to Mr.. Clay and his partv
before il is too late. Those questions of mere
policy, in which the theory Of to-day may
Weld to the experience of Tomorrow, without
any permanent injury, are not the only ques-
tions about which the candidates for Pres-
dent are disputing, and upon which the vote
of the people will be regarded as decisive Of
their will. Such questions, though some OF
them are confessediy important in themselves,
yet sink into insignihcance, when contrasted
with the momentous consequences Of AL
TERING THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE UNITED STATES--consequenc
which no human wisdom can foretell.
Feilow-Citlzens of North Carolina, are we
mistaken in supposng that thousands Of you
have been led into error or are kept in ignor-
ance ofthe design of Mr.. Clay and his party
TO ALTER YOUR CONSTITUTION !?
We cannot believe that party excitements
iflve so blinded you to the peril Of tampering
with the sacred Charter of orr Union and our
Liberties, that serious W 4rnng will be cen
sured, and a candid appeal to your understan-
dings despised; and if We did, it should not
prevent us from making one more effort to
reason and to demonstrate with such Of ouI
countrymen as own no fealty to party that SUI.
percedes their allegiance to the Constitution
We approach you upon the subject with q
manly sincerity, and shall address you in thai
plainness Of speech which the occasion re.
qulres.
To the various propositions which have
been made from time TO time for more than 4C
years past, 20 alter the Constitution of the u
nited States, North Carolina has heretofore
replied No, irrs very good as it is, and
we do not wish to change the Charter of our
p Udon." And are you ready to reverse that
answer now, by electng MIR. Clay President,
when he stands pledged to exert all the pow
ers of that high station to effect an object you
have hitherto so constantly and so wisely dep
recated you would, under circumstances
more favorable to harmonious and wise coun-
sells, give your countenance to this spirit of
innovation, will it be quite prudent or entirely
safe to disturb the holy bonds of our Union
10 touch the sacred legacy Of our fathers with
the rude hands of Party! Think you the lea
ders Of the Clay Party of 1914, OF the leaders
ofanT party maddened as they are by political
animositles, will be exactly qualified to Reform
the noblest work, of the IS Wing statesmen OF
1776,' and to s. amend the Constitution
which WASHINGTON and his compatriots
bequeathed to us with their blessing! True
it is ahuman work, and ofnecessity therefore,
it must partake Of the imperfections belonging
to allGhat man can do. Still the ''amend.
ments' to it must also proceed from human
hands not more infallible than those which
formet it. The illustrious body of Patriots
who famed the instrument were as wise il
not wiser, and as pure if not purer. than the
Partiz;ns of our time. American Statesmen
Of the past age loved each other, and their
whole country as well, if not better, than the
politicians who have succeeded them. Hap
Ply would it be for our common country, ifthe
present generation felt the same affection and
practised the same loyalty to the Union and
the Constitution that our Fathers felt and
practised.
With the exception of an amendment made
with the concurrence o. all the States in
1903, and clause introduced in 1898, to pro-
h'bit suits against STATES, so as to pre-
vent collision between them and the Courts
OF the Union, the Federal Constitution re-
In~'Ss just what it was when it was adopted
iEy North Carolina. So let it be. We have
1 Nv" - oAder it free, united and happy peo-
Plo' lot FhcY years. During all that time,
as wen as mus wisdom can do it. it has
guarded poPuiar<ights against the encroach-
men's OF rover and protected the rightfnl
authority Of Government from the turbulence
OF unregulated liberty. What more could
We expect! What more can we want, W.
nave the best Government in the world, and
why should it be altered Let DOT the am.
elton of Demagogues nor restless desire
'or change. nor the frantic delusion of a Par
struggling for Offices, though backed by
the strength of associated wealth, tempt you
put In peril all or any of the blessings we
ENJOY under it. by making experiments upon
your CONSTITUTION. We had better
oear the ills we have, than fly to others we
~"O" not Of" You had better say at once.
IS any and every aspirant for the high Offices
government, when they solicit your sup