The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-10
EQuAL SUFFRAGE.

This is the only State in the Union that keeps in
its Constitution this odious provision. Let it be
blotted out Say we, and when a man shall present
himself at the polls 10 vote for his rulers and legsa-
tors. let not the question be asked insulting to the
dignity of and destitute of Of right,
6 have you got fifty acres OF land"? Let US see
how it works. Yonder approaches an old revolutio-
nary soldier, his head bowed down with age and his
hair silvered with the frosts of many winters The
crowd gives way he approaches the baot-box .and
many hand is stretched forth to render him assis-
tance. He votes for Governor, for Commoners, for
Sherif-but when it comes to the vote for Senator
| the pol!-keeper tells him g No o!-you may have
| fought and bled for iberty-you may have tracked
uncovered head-you may have slept by the side of
Washington or Marion Greene-you may now
have your mind clear and your may be good
-butall this avaeth nothing, you have not fifty acres
J land. Stand aside, you are not qualified to vote
for SENATOR Fifty of land indeed AS if
they were to be weighed in the balance wi,h the fifty
scars that that old man could show on his body-with
his noble deeds, his lofty patrotism his pure and
stainless character and his courage in the dark hour
of the revolutionary struggle.
Again the crowd gives way as that old soldier re-
tires mortified that he should not he free-that he
should have fought for liberty and yet be equal to
yonder spndleshanket loafer who may have purchas-
ed for song some fifty acres Of old field, filled with
gdllies and covered with broom-straw. But mere
comes another voter-he is perhaps Supreme Court
time of Moses-is wise, prudent, discreet, patriotic
and learned-but he too has not fifty acres of land
and cannot vote for an officer upon whose acts he
may hereafter sit in judgment. How perfectly abb
sura in country that pretends to be free and nde
pendent! Look again and see young man ap-
proaches the ballobox. He has just arrived at twe-
y-one years of age, has graduated at College with
credit to himself and honor his family, is talented
and we'll acquainted with the politics of the country.
and is we'll qualified to judge as to the proper man
to elect Senator for his county; but he does not
own freehold in fifty acres Of land, and therefore
he has not voice in the selection. The question
very naturally presents itself to his minds am
not man. and not all men free and equal?:, But
the above section in Constitution denies this, and
man is equal in his rights with all others, unless
he owns fifty of land. The inference is nevi-
tably drawn and there can be no contradiction, that
propery-land in this State is necessary to make men
free and equal HHisborough Democrat
New ORLEANS, July LIST 1850. Cotton has declined
one eight under the Niagara's news.
The British Steamer has arrived at Mobile with
Havana dates to the 9th ultimo.
The American prisoners were still confined. Their
condition and fate unknown by the Consul or people.
The greatest excitement prevailed against the Con-
sui and his assassination threatened. Mr. Gerard,
the New Orleans merchant who arrived at Havana
has been released and returned. Twenty-six Span.
sh deserters have arrived here from Key West.