North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-11-06
From. the Hornets Nest and True Southron:]
THE GERRYMANDER.

To the Editor Of the North CarolinG Standard. -
Dear Sir:-What will the coming Legislature do in
regard to the constitution of the Congressional Dis
trcts I? Will they permit them to remain IN their
present uitous shape, will they repeal the pres
emit law axing their limits and boundaries and let
them fall back upon their constitutional adjustment
de ermined IN the constitutional and regular
way?
You will remember that at one time. when the
proper tine'-the legal period-had arrived for re-
districtng the State that the N. e. Legislature,
majority of Democrats then constituting it, laid 1t OFT
into convenient Districts and made what they beev-
ed an equitable distribution, far as could be 10 the
parties interested exerons were made
by the Democrats afterwards who had able men In
the field, and jority of Democrats were returned 10
Congress. What did the Wings do upon this result!
At the first session in which they had majority tney
gerrymandered the State into such an unseemy, 3d.
fantastic arrangement of Districts that their outlines
have been patterns for all the boys draw grotesque
figures from ever SINCE All this done IN pal
pabe violation of constitutional right, at time not
warranted by law precedent, and against popular
opinion which from it at the time and all,
thattw an-southern Wings might MtS-represent the
State in Congress.
1t is known 10 you that the Democrats opposed the
igh-handed act with all the force of TRUTH the per-
suasiveness of oratory and with the full endorsement
of the law and testimony They warned the Wigs
of the danger of the precedent. They told them in
language which positive and in terms which were
clear and explicit, that if they did pass the Infamous
gerrynander, they (the Democrats) would upon the
first fortunate opportunity, redress themselves ynd
cate the law, and appease outraged community. l
ask you, Mr.. Editor in all seriousness, has not the
time arrived for the Democrats to fulfill the righteous
promises thus made! Has not the hour for Just and
impartial retrbution arrived
80 ! how glorious tits st-
For tn oppressed. to bring the-vie /
To just disgrace
1t is principle of our nature, implanted there for
wise purposes, to wish to avenge wrong. and he
churl who does not cherish it. One of the greatest
writers known to the world. has truthfully said
"There are things which make of wrongs redressed
virtue by reflection, and not impause of mere an
ger" Now would ask in view of the facts, and
the truth of our homey reflections, what the coming
Legislature will do9 Will not its Democratic mem
bers repeal the gerry nander, and let the Districts fall
into the shape they bore when they constitution
ally recognized, will they let the inquity remain
blot upon the aws2 think it entirely just the
law should be repealed The Wings pretended they
had right to violate the constitution and all esab-
shed usages because they had majority in the State
The Democrats now have undispued majority, and
certainly the argument is tenod strong in their
with the additional fact that they would be making
ne,o law, but simply repeating unconstitutional one
trust sir the Legislature will do its duty in the
matter. Yours respectfully.
... A REID VOTER.
MecEI.nburr 1870