The North-Carolina standard., 1848-07-26
From the North Carolinian.
EOTJAIp STTFFRAGE

Mr.. yEp1ToB3 Unlocking over the North Cafolinian
of the 10th inst, was much gratifed to find that
you had touched the subject ofts Free Suffrage -
and was much pleased with your remarks. I am
happy to learn that of our candidates fof Cover
nor (Mr Reid) has come out in favor of universal
sufrage'-of the freeTnans's right to vote for both
branchesofthe Legislature, independent ofahy federal
humbug OF property qualification, ~
How any man protesting to believe in the doctrine
of "Man's, capacity for self governe scan with
any show of consistency support this federal system
OF halfway suffrage can deny bis fellow man that
boon which Heaven itsefhas intended that he should
enjoy, to-wit t' Equal privileges it impossible
for me to conceive. And will boldly say, be the
profession of such what it may, he9is feder-
als at heart, and is utterly unworthy the support of
Tree people, because he is an tege-
ntIsn al - a.r.+ .'-''''- @''''' 3i.7 "' "-'7-
Sir, it is astonishing to me that should here
totore have had so many men canyassing our State
for Governor, all protesting to bear the standard
the freeman?s CHAMPION and not one of them nnur-
ling his banner to the popular breeze of North Ca
rolna in opposition the federal feature in her
stltution, ofrequirng property qualification to vote
Tor member of her Senate. a.ii r. -y' ...r ~ .-
'Solitary and alone' has David s Reid, the de-
mocratic candidate for Governor, set the ball in
ton and doubt not it will roll onward and gather
magnitude it rolls, until it becomes standing
pillar of the constitution. of the good Old North
State. --.
This movement of his, endeavoring to awaken the
sons of Carolina to of their duty in respect
to their rights, must be the promptings of honest
hearted politician, and shows that he is the man for
the people, and that he is competent to govern the
whole State, because he has regard for the rights
OF all her members Mr. Reid has, by this move
ment, added a laurel to his brow which the foul
breath OF federalism can never blight. And hum
bly, trust, for the sake of that be has noby
espoused, his efforts will be crowned with success
In 6 well done'' accamation part of ma
orty of the free voters of North Carolina in August
next calling him in triumph toher GubernatorIal
chair. -
1t is my humble opinion that merit alone should
be the test Capitalization the exercise of free
mans right to for those who to make laws
for him, for those who are administer them.-
And further think merit alone should constitute the
proper qualification to make eligible to fill these
respective posts. know it is argued that tho land
ed interest should be represented, and that the land
holder has interests separate and distinct from the
non-landholder But would ask on the other hand,
where is the fair play to those thousands of freemen
among US, who, although they do not own one inch
OF land, nevertheless held bound to protect and
defend the property of others, and in which they
have no more right title, interest, than they have
to the crown of Great Britain. Surely: it is time,
high tIme that the honest yeomen of State should
awaken to knowledge of their duty, and knowing,
dare perform it. 20 - $751; --+' '''
In order throw some light on the sub biect, will
ma Ike use of the following Illustration, which have
understood was made by DR.. Benjamin Franklin,
whom we all know was wise philosopher, true
patriot and statesman: '-'
The Doctor it appears was in favor of st universal
Suffrage. On one occasion he arguing with
learned gentleman to the merits or dement's of
property qualification for voting. To show how
ridiculous such requirement was, the Doctor sup
poses case: s. For example that b, freeman is
required by the constitution of State to own fifty
dollars worth of property before he can vote for
member of certain branch of the Legislature of that
State-suppose that his fifty dollars is vested in
Jackass; that to-day the polls to be opened but
minute before the polls opened the ackass dies
Is therefore constitutionally deprived of the right
OF suffrage. Now in whom vested the suffrage,
b or the ass ! certainly not in Is, for he was, only
acting agent for the beast while living which agen
cy ceased on the death of the said beast" Can any
thing be forcible than the Doctors Illustration!
But then it is said the requirement of constitution
is different; that the interest land not beasts
that the land cannot die. This is all true. The
ture however, of the princp pie has not changed be-
cause all liable to in their condition
OF llte A man may own thousands of acres of land
to-day, but Tomorrow he may be under the necessity
OF selling his lands; he has been unfortunate and
honestly SO; still on the sale of his lands he is de-
prlved OF portion of the suffrage which he enjoyed
an hour before tho said SALE He was therefore act
ing as the agent for the land for. stocks and
stones, and not for the reasoning and the every way
suitable man. "
We profess to live in republican State. This is
not so-lt is only half-republican. The mark of
that beast, federalism, is still the face of her
constitution. Let not therefore, talk of republican
North Carolina until this mark is totally erased from
its page Let every free man cry out for reform in
the constitution in this particular The Legislature
OF North Carolina cannot now, as such, reflect the
popular will The whole is not free representation.
Let us no longer have assembly of men to make
laws for US to be governed by, which the people
In general cannot control. l, for one, cry out for
amending the constitution. My voice is now and
still will be for against the 'sExcluste Systen'
until it is banshed from the realms Of our State and
from our common country. ,<-. .. ~.t b. :, |
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