The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-13

them. 1t Is public burden, from which the peopl'
derive no corresponding benefit. And it is grossly
unjust that a hundred people, because of the mer'
circumstance that they reside within the bounds of
vilage, should be permitted to send Representative
to the Assembly, who may out vote the organ o
thousands residing in the county. Consmercia! cities
may have population, that would, when taken into
connexion with their peculiar interest," Justify this ex
elusive right. But in some Of the Borough towns
there are not many more than 100 voters an they
enjoy no they cannot lay any claim to its
peculiar rights.
Experience has demonstrated that some mode oa
AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION, should be pointed ou'
by the instrument itself.
All will agree. that this should be made certain
and economical, and few will dissent from the pro-
priety of modelling it, that while does not invite
spirit of innouation, it may not exclude the hope oi
Reform. Such considerations recommend the amend
ment that has been proposed, viz. that amendments
to the Constitution shall first be sanctioned by two
thirds of both houses of the General Assembly, and
subsequently ratified by majority of the People.
Other States have adopted it, and it has been found
to be neither mischievous nor defective.
While few men, Fellow Citizens, can be found,
who have the temerity deny that our representation
is unequal, and the Legislation of the State exrava
giant and unwholesome, yet, some will seek retreat
behind tho position, that it is impossible to arrive at
perfection In any government. This is position
that do not deny. 1t is true, of the exertions of
human creatures, in their lives as well ther gov
ernments, that they cannot attain perfection. But
shall this prevent them from coming near to it
they can? 1t may very satisfactorily account for the
gross inequality in the government, which has arisen
from change of circumstances, that 1t could not be
of this injury upon the rights of majority. but it
cannot be successfully urged as reason for its con-
tnuance. Is he regarded with appreciation by good
men, who withholds the acknowledged right OF an
other upon the sophiscal subety that he cannot do
him perfect justice, and therefore he must be excused
do foU2 had1
to be tolerated, they tolerated without change.
upon the pretext that no system of human laws
be perfect! Are all good governments abolished,
because men cannot frame one without fault!
But it has been said, that the objections against
our present Constitution, theoretical only-,hat
the State labors under practical evils-that the
majority suffers no practica! Inconvenience. And is
it practical evil the State, that her councils
divided by sectional strife-that by the form of her
Constitution, the expenses of the Legislature have
ry revenue Is it practical evil, that in IS years,
she has expended million IF dollars for her annu-
al Assemblies, when a prudent economy would have
saved more than half the sum-and tha for all time
TO come the same exhausting operation must be ex-
perenced, and yet endured? Is it practical evil
that majority of the People disafec,ed towards
the Consttuton-that they complaining, and will
continue to oppose system, which is runous to the
whole State and obges t,oo thirds of the people to
submit to taxation imposed by one third? Is it no
practical evil that those taxes are, and must continue
to be, expended, not for the common good but most
y in paying the delegates of minority for exercis
ing this control over the rights and property of ma
ory ;! II indeed, these are not practical evils, it
will be difficult to find them in any free government.
They are those evils which have mainly contributed
towards keeping US back in developing the internal
resources of the State, and shall put forth e
forts TO cure them! They are those evils which
nave destroyed the harmony of the State. and if not
Temeded by liberal concessions OF power to the just
demands Of right, probably, rend the peace of
North Carolina. And will not moderate men, in all
sections, forward in spirit of amity and
:iliaion, and help to remove them! They evils
similar to those which induced sister States to
evise and reform their Constitutions, and do we
ind that we are happy, more prosperous, more
rec, than they are? Alas it is but too melancholy
TRUTH and but too evident to the Of ALL that
We ARE NOT.
RIO be concluded in our nerr.