The North-Carolinian., 1850-07-06
n
HON. DAVID S. REID AND EQUAL
SUFFRAGE

MIR Bayne: 1t is with joy and gratula-
ton that the nomination and acceptance
Of the Hon. David S. Reid as a candidate
Tor Governor Of North Carolina, is hailed
by many voter in old Cumberland. Yes,
sir. for one am proud to see him thus
nonored. If there is an individual who
deserves to be crowned with success ire
spectlve Of party bias more than another.
Hon. David S. Reid is the man. There is
not another son of the old North State.
who, like him. has endeared himself to
the great mass OF the people. The first
to promuIgate during an electioneering
canvass that there is an elective franchise
which many Of them ought to exercise at
the ballot box, but were denied it by the
constitution and the first to cry out for
reform in this respect. Read in the fol-
lowing extract his independent and patri-
| otto sentiment, advocating the doctrine of
equal suffrage or the abolishing Of Z" the
landed qualification for senatorial voters -
"In the last Canvass. took the responsibility
to urge to the consideration of the people OF
North Carolina the justice and policy of Equal
Suffrage. l then predicted that, whatever might
be my fate, the triumph Of my views this
| subject was certain. My opinions and motives
unsenerously assailed. Time has, if possible,
| more fully confirmed the opinions then ex-
pressed; and, when this great question of Con-
stitutonal Reform is consummated (as it is des-
tined to be at no distant day,) by which upwards
OF fifty thousand Of the patriotic and intelligent
men of North Carolina shall be enfranchised and
restored to their rights at the ballot-box, shall
cheerfully abide the judgment of the people OF
my State to the justice cfthe measure and the
rectitude Of my motives in advocating it."
Can that man who has been denied this
right read those sentiments and refuse to
Il
| the land-qualitied voter be SO selfish as not
to desire to see the degrading feature eras-
ed from the constitution, and have extend
ed to his poor neighbor and fellow citizens
the sound, civil, political, aud religious
liberties which he himself enjoys AS
one Of the after class. | spurn the idea of
such selishness. Full we'll do know
there is many an intelligent voter who owns
not an inch of land, yet the blood Of his
sires as poured out as freely and uncondi-
tionaily on the altar Of his country for the
privileges which | now enjoy. and part of
which that voter is now denied. And
further, when that voter is called upon to
fight the battles Of his country, the inter
gatory is never made. how many acres Of
land he owns, or how many dollars worth
of property he has in possession. Has he
brave heart Does he love his country:
are the only acquisitions necessary to
make him faithful soldier and manfully
to defend that soil for which he is ever
ready to bleed and die.
Sir, we have heard it rung in our ears
that the Old North State is far behind her
sisters in schemes of Internal Improve
ments. Would to God that those who are
so busiIy engaged in pointing out her de-
fects in this respect, were equally as in
dustrlous in showing that she is still farth-
er behind three fourths of the Union in
granting equal rights to the people by he.
constitution.
But there are many who endeavor to
excuse themselves in one way or another
fox not coming out heretofore in favor of
equal suffrage, and among them is Gov
ernor Manly. He hatches up some mis-
cradle baIderdash to impugn Mr. Reid's
motives tor advocating it on the one hand,
and to exhonerate himself on the other,
for not participating in its discussion.
Governor NJ says that neither himself nor
Reid were authorised by the respective
conventions which nominated them, to
discuss the question before the people, and
that he did not feel like taking the respon-
sibility upon himself to call tor reform in
the constitution. He further says that
the idea of abolishing the land qualifica-
tion for senat atorial voters was sent from the
city Of Washington to Reid for electioneer-
ing purposes.
Now. sir, cannot think auy voter of
common sense can be made to swallow
all this f1ummery which has been set forth
BY his excellency.
Mr. Reid has been a much abused man
for the noble stand he took during the last
canvass and is now taking for popular
rights but he has brave heart and will
not flag. The course he has undertaken
is of truth and justice, and it must and
will prevail. His firm independence in
standing up for the poor mans rights has
placed laurel upon his brow which will
never fade.
In conclusion, let me remind all those
who are in favor Of s. equal suffrage" to
bestir themselves with double diligence
in behalf of David S. Reid. For should
he be defeated, the opposers Of the meas
ure will then proclaim that it has been re-
jected. Judge ye what l say and act
wisely.
A VOICE FROM CUMBERLAND.