Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-07-12

of that body but met with no encouragement from
those to whom communicated my intention. Occu-
plying humble position, and possessing but little
influence, was fearful that failure then might /
prove preiudical to this question of Constitutional
Reform, which, believed, could at some day con-
vince the people they ought to adopt. The time and
state OF public opinion then appeared unproptious
and abandoned my determination. Early in the year
l840, determined to press the subject to the con-
sideraton of the people of the State AS federal pol
tics had governed almost thing in State for
years, foresaw that it would be difficult to procure
TOR this subject that consideration which its impor-
lance demanded, unless it adopted by OF the
political parties With this view determined to at
tend the Democratic Convention to be held that
SPRING and urge its adoption issue; and that
If the Convention would not adopt it; would seek
some suitable occasion to make speech on the sub
Ject in my county, and write it out for publica-
ton; and that would publish essays the subject
urging the consideration of this question to the PEG
pie Ill health prevented me from attending the
Convention. When heard from that Convention. l
was surprised to learn that had been nominated for
Governor Before received official information OF
my nomination, wrote Mr.. Holden letter, stating
that should probably Decline but if run desired
to make Equal Suffrage issue. Believing the state
of my health such that canvass of the State
would be hazardous to my life subsequently wrote
a letter declining the nomination. This letter was
not published, and my friends prevailed upon me to
withdraw it and to accept the nomination The next
day after accepted left home to meet my competi-
tor who then engaged in the canvass Before
leaving nome, apprlSeO some OF my lrlenuS Vi NY
purpose to make this issue. When reached Raleigh,
[ mentioned the subject to several of my friends
there; and Mr.. Holden assured me if l carried out
my intention, 1.-THE Standard would zealously ad-
the Is At arrived
at Newbern consulted friends there the sub ject
and Mr.. Gulick promised me that the Republican
would zealously advocate the My friends
will recoect that in all these conversations that to
make this issue favorite object with me- and
that these conversations and consultations the
0hot
had no consultation conversation the subject
of making this issue with any living out of the
State, neither did receive from Washington City
elsewhere any suggestion, either written or oral in
relation to making the issue.
The Democratic party had nominated me without
my knowledge consent, and although they had not
authorized me to make Equal Suffrage question in
the election yet believed they would sustain if
did ri ht; and therefore took the responsibility
to put that ball in motion" on the 10th of May
1913. This is the way in which the subject was in
} troduced into the of l848. Whether Gov.
y Manlys thunder is imported from the g charne
house tactics of Washington City, know not, and
I care not. If however, l might be permitted to
judge of this fact from his antiquated notions and
compromising hostility to popular rights, | would
sooner suspect that his thunder" came from the
charnel house tactics" of ancient European mon
arches. If he draws his supplies from this source
do not wonder that proposition to extend the right
of suffrage came on him. he says, " like clap of
thunder in a clear sky"
What is the dearest privilege of an American citi-
zen 1t is to exercise the great and inestimable
right of suffrage. In advocating this reform, do
not now nor have at any time proposed to change
the basis of representation for either the Senate
House Of Commons Let that remain as it is. What
propose is to permit eUery qchO entitled
to cote for the Commons to rote also for the Senate Is
this right might call your attention to the fact
that this odious distinction does not exist in any 9TH
er States of this Union. AS the Constitution now
stands, cannot vote for the Senate unless he
q fraahOl6 of Of
even between landhoder and landholder One man
owns fifty worth S25 he vote for the SEN
ate, while another may worth ten
thousand dollars yet the latter cannot vote for the
Senate. 1t is still more unjust between those who
own land, and those do not. 1t is not to take
the right of voting from the landholder but it is to
extend the right of suffrage to another meritorious
and vlrtuous class of our fellow-ctizens. All
experience has shown that the mere fact that man
owns land does not make him WISE more pure,
or more patriotic. 1t is SANDER upon the merits
and character of this vrtuous class of our citizens to
say they would enact ubiquitous laws to plumber the
landholders. There many of our citizens who
own property and yet not landholders and no
men would farther to protect the rights of proper
ty of every description. large portion of en-
terprising young men, and of industrious farmers
and mechanics do not own fifty acres of land
These will never attempt to impose the land
ed interest," because they intend, as it is
: compatible with their convenience or ability, to
possess themselves of and-not by the unholy means
of pundering their neighbors, hut by purchase with
the proceeds of their honest industry. During the
last canvass while discussing this question an the
Vest, Gov. Manly insisted that could not be the
! friend of Equal Suffrage because did not go for
changing the basis Of Representation, by which
of the Eastern Countries having less number of
voters than of the Western Countless yet they
had the representation in the Legislature and
Why he would ask, did not 90 for eqralzing them
do not know whether he intends to use this argu-
ment in the present canvass. see, however, in his
l speech lately made before the Wing Convention,
and which presume published to be circulated
all ouer the State, that he does not alude to this
point. Our basis of Representation for one branch
of the Legislature is taxation, for the other it is fed
e eral population. The Abotionists at the North
wish to destroy the basis of federal population upon
t which we represented in Congress. l regard
their the subject as mischievous and dam
S gerous, and | should regard similar movement in
relation to representation in the Legislature,
J fraught with equal mischief and danger
presume there are at this day. fifty thousand of
free white citizens, of the age twentyone years,
who cannot vote for the Senate. And why is it so
1t is not because they wanting in virtue intel-
gence or patriotism: but because of an arbitrary
e feature in Constitution which wthholds from
: them of their dearest rights. In vain may we
boast of equal rights, while this feature remains in
our Constitution. Although these men are not pla-
ced upon terms of equality at the ballot-box, yet,
when taxes to be paid, or when the rights and
honor of the country to be defended against the
attacks of foreign foe, these men-yes, these men
are among the first to contribute their means and
their blood to the cause of their country
y | would like to the brave who perilled
their lives in the War against Mexico received at
the ballotbox upon terms of equality. Yes desire
to see the grey-headed Revolutionary soldiers who
o stand lettering over the grave-the very who
rhf foPf no WOO pla