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

atte nt.on to the fact that this od,ous dis
,inction does not exist IN ans other States
Of this Union. As the Constitution now
stands. man cannot vote Tor the Senate
unless he owns 4 freehold ot fifty acres ot
land. This is unjust. even between land
holder and landhofier. Ore man owns
fifty acres wvr,h SIS ;hc can vote for the
Senate, while another NAV own an acre
worth $4,000, vet the latter cannot
vote for the Senate. 1t is still more un Just
between those who own land. and those who
do not. tits not 10 take the right of voting
from the landhoider. but it is to extend the
right Of suffrage tn another meritor!ous and
virtuous class OF our own tei.uw.o;i:
All experience mas shown that the mere
fact that man owns land. does uot make
him more wise, more pure, Or mere Patr:o-
tic. 1t is q siander u!,on the merits and
character of this virtuous class Of our cti-
zens to say they would enact iuiuuItous
laws to p!under the Iandholtlers. There
arc many of our citizens who own proper
ty and yet are not landho!ders : and no
men would go farther to protect the rights
Of property Of every description. 4 large
portion of our ent.rpr:sing young me".
and Of our industriou farmers and ,nechau-
les, do not own fifty acres of land. These
men will never attempt to impose on the
landed interest. because they intend. as
soon as it is compatible With their con-
venience or ability. t" possess themselves
Of land-n"t by the unhoiy means 0f
piundering their nei ghburs, but BY purchase
with the proceeds OF their honest Industry.
During the last canvass. while discussing
this question IN the EIesf, Gov. Manly
Equal Suffrage because did not 90 for
changing the basfs Ct Representation, by
which some Of the Eastern Counties. hav-
ing less number OF voters than some of
the Western Coualies, vet they had the
same representation III the Leg sslature
and why, he would ask, did | not go fer
equaIizing them do not know whether
he intends to use this argument IN the
present canvass. / see, however, in his
Speech lately made before the Whis Con-
vention, and which presume was publish
ed to be circulated ali ousr the STATE, that
he pdoes not a!lud to this point. Our
basis of Representation for one branch of
the Legislature is taxation, for the other
it is federal population. The Abolitionists
at the North wish TO destroy the basis Of
federal population upon which we are
represented in Congress. l regard their
course ON the subject as mischievous and
dangerous, and should regard a similar
movement in relation to our representation
in tn" Legislature. traught with equal
mischief and danger.
l presume there at This day, fifty
thousand of our free white citizens, of the
age OF twenty.cne years, who cannot vote
for the Senate And why is it so? 1t is
not because they are wanting In virtue,
intelligence. or patriotism but because
of an arbitrary feature IN our Constitution
which withhotds from them one of their
dearest rights. In VAIN may we boast of
equal rights. while this feature remains i'll
our Constitution. Although these men
are not placed upon terms Of equality at
the ballot t-box, yet, when taxes are to be
paid. or when the rights and honor .: the
country are TO be defended against the
attacks of foreign foe, these mcn-y-s,
these men are among the first to cnn,ri
butte their means and their blood to tine
cause Of their country.
would like tn see the brave men who
periIled their lives in the War against
Mexico, received at the ballot-box upon
terms Of equality. Yes. desire to sec
the grey headed Revolutionary soldiers who
stand tottering over the grave-the very
men who fought for the liberty we enjoy.
placed upon terms Of equality when they
ccme up to the ballot box
ain in favor of e,ecting Judges BY the
people, and for term less than for life;
and | doubt not there are other Constitu-
tional amendments Of minor Importance,
that mi sht well be made. But do not
wish to see this great question Of Equal
Suffrage clogged or loaded down with other
things ldesire to see it stand ON its own
merits.
In defence Of Equal Suffrage. l have
had to encounter violent abuse, personal
ISLANDERS, and bite. denunciation yet I
have stood by this great question in its
inception and ia its infancy, and hope to
have the proud satisfaction Of rejoicing
with you in its triumph. When City thou
sand Of cur intelligent and patriotic men
shall be enfranchised and restored to their
rights at the baliot-box, do thin.: we shall
have cause to feel proud of suc., glorious
triumph. To morrow start into the can
vass, anal the larger number Of you can
not see before the election. 10 you
commit the fate Of this question.
In conclusion. permit me TO repeat what
have said elsewhere. that the history Of
the past affords me 10 cause to distrust
nv friends. If their efforts shall be crow
ned with success, in eleciing lne to the
distinguished cffice FOR which l have been
| nonlin nated, my earnest exertions shall be
directed to the advancement of the
prosperity and happiness of the people
Of the State, aud to give to North Caro-
| lima that rank. Influence. and Eonsidera-
ton among the States of this Onion, to
| which she Is justly entitled.
Your Oisedieat Aefva0t.