The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-07-13

OF all that attaches itself to Equal Suffrage.
is the smell Of defeat and in despite of all
his abuse OF the measure, the SMELL will be
borne to him on evcrv breeze till this great
work is consummated.
trust shall be psrdoned for a'luding
to the manner in which this subject was
made an issue in the canvass Of le4e. for
think the part acted enables me to
know more about this matter than any
other human being upon the face ef the
earth. That some men were permitted
to vote for the Senate aud others were not.
was no new discovery to me OF to any
body else. At any rate, we'll remember
my attention was direo ted to the inequality
and injustice Of this feature Of our Con
stitution, even before became voter
and presume there are but few men in the
State who could not say ss much. Ny
attention vas frequently called to the SUBJ
ject when Candidate for the Senate, by
persons who desired to vote for me. but
expressed a regret that they could not do so
for the want Of the land qualification.
Many years ago, while member of the
Legislature. / determined at one time to
present tine subject to the consideration of
that body. but met with no encouragement
from those to whom l communicated my
intention. Occupying an humble position,
and possessing but little influence. Twas
fearful that a failure then might prove
prejudiciai to this question of Constitutions
al Re form, which, believed, | could at
some day convince the people they ought
to adopt. The time and state of public
opinion then appeared unpropitious. and
abandoned my determination. Early in
the year 184s. determined to press the
subject to the consideration Of the people
of the State. AS federal politics had
governed almost every thing in our State
for years, l foresaw that it would be diff
cult to procure for this subject that con-
sideratiou which its Importance demanded.
unless it was adopted by one Of the politi
cal parties. With this view | determined
to attend the Democratic Convention to be
an issue and that if the Convention would
not adopt it, would seek some suitable
occasion to make Speech on the subject
in my own County, and write it out for
publications; and that would publish es-
says on the subject. urging the considera-
ton Of this question to the people. III
health prevented me from attending the
Convention. When l heard from that
Convention, | was surprised to learn that
had been nominated for Governor. Be-
fore received official Information of my
nomination I wrote Mr. Holden letter
stating that should probably decline. but
if run desired to make Equal Suffrage
an issue. Believing the state Of my health
was such that canvass of the State would
be hazardous to my life, l subsequently
wrote 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 competitor, who was then engaged in
the Canvass. Before leaving home ap.
prised some of my friends Of my purpose
Raleigh, mentioned the subject to several
Of my friends there and Mr. Holden
assured me, il carried out my intention.
that the Standard would zealously advo-
cate the measure. At Goldsborough /
mentioned the subject to friends met
there. When | arrived at Newbern !
consulted friends there on the subject. and
Mr. Gulick promised me that the Repub-
iican would zeaIcusiy advocate the mca-
sure. My friends will reco!iect that in all
these conversations, that to make this issue
was favorite object with the /; and that
these conversations and consultations on
the subject were brought about by my own
suggestions. had no consultation or con-
versation on the subject Of making this
issue with any one living out OF the State
neither did receive from Washington
City, or elsewhere any suggestion. either
written or oral, in relation to making the
issue.
The Democratic party had nominated
me without my knowIeds &c or consent, and
although they had not authorized me to
make Equal Suffrage a question in the
election. yet believed they would sustain
responsibility to put ''that ball in notion
on the 10Th Of May. lo4s. This is the
way in which the subject was introduced
into the canvass Of l848. Whether Gov.
Manly's ..thunder" is imported from the
- 'charnel house tactics Of Washington
City," know not. and l care not. If.
however. l might be permitted to Judge Of
this fact from his antiquated notions aud
encornpro'nsins hostility to popular rights.
| would sooner suspect that his ''thunder''
came from the sscharneI house tactics" Of
ancient European monarchies. If he
draws his supplies from this source. do
not wonder that proposition to extend
the right Of suffrage came on him. as he
says. '.l;ke clap Of thunder in a clear
sky"
What is the dearest privilege o; ar
American citizen2 1t is to exercise the
great and inestimatAe right Of suffrage.
In advocating this reform do not now. Or
have at any time proposed to change the
basis Of Represents ton for either the SEN
ate or House of Commons. Let that re-