The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1851-01-11

DeODIc
form. The subject embraces the plain
proposition, whether the right tn vote for
the Senate shall be extended to such per
sons as are at present entitled to vote for
the House Of Commons. 1t is not doubted
but such voters are folly competent to ex-
ercise the right of Suffrage in choosing both
branches Of the General Assembly. 10
withheld this invaluable privilege from
those whom it is proposed TO place upon
terms of equality at the ballot box. upon
the ground that if they enjoyed the right
| they night abuse it, is an unjust reelection
upon their virtue and intelligence, and IS
DENYING the fundamental principle upon
which a II free governments are based. This
question embraces no proposition TO en-
croach on the rights Of the landhol.ler, but
to extend TO a Dumcrnus and merstOrIOus
class of our fellow citizens one ot the dear
| est rights of American freemen. 1t IS
gratifying to know that this question OF ex-
tending the right Of Suffrage has not array
ed the landhotlers against the non-fand-
holders. for such is the love Of liberty and
OF equality an"ng our people. that both
classes are found actively Co-operating'n IN
their efforts to carry out this question: OF
Constitutional reform. Efforts have been
made to connect with this question
change of the basis Of representation.
, do not think that either justice or public
policy demands such change. The Con-
vention of 1855, in spirit of compromise
and concession. adopted taxation as the
basis for the Senate and federal population
, as the basis of presentation for the House
of Commons. The Abolitionists at the
North wish to destroy the basis os federal
. population upon which we are represented
in Congress. Their course on this subject
is view ed as dangerous and mischlevous
Z ont IN
|. tion to our representation in the State
> Legislature, however we'll intended. as
. frausht with equal mischief and danger.
Il The federal basis consists of three-hfths OF
n the slaves added to the whole number OF
10 free persons. The white basis would
J. who'll exclude the computation of slaves
in representation. Persons ether than
voters are properly represented. Al
: though federal population prevails as
basis. yet slaves do not vote. nor do whitc
- females and minors +; still they are repre-
~, scnted. Slaves. although property, are
~ persons, and subject to legislation IN that
- two-folh character.
;. Every county in the State is interested
-, in the slave question, and the State should
~ have but one voice on this important sub
Is icct. Experience has but too recently
~ shown US the sad consequences resulting
80 from the agitation Of the slavery question
:, between the different States OF the Union.
r Are these exciting scenes to be brought
.,t nearer home to us-tO array one section Ot
-, the State against another, and to destroy
III, the good feeling, the peace and friendship
-. which it is SO desirable to cultivate be-
~ tween the various ortions Of the State
~ Let US forget that are partizans. and
q bury this dangerous element Of agltat ION,
! | with the dcterminatiO to unite our earnest
H. cxertionx to promote the honor and pros
raj perity of the State.
,G Engrafting the white basis on Equal
ns Suffrage would be an Indirect, but most
al certain and effectual mode of defeating the
~. latter question. This must be obvious to
..1 every rejecting mind. Equal Suffrage,
al connected with change OF the basis. mus
nt' fail; standing by itself, it must prevail
NJ. This amendment to the Constitution may
ls. be passed by the present and succeeding
&C., Legislatures, and submitted to the people
tha for ratification of the manner provided II
nd the Constitution, without incurrins the ex
,aj pense of calling il convention. In the m
ooI itiatory step. it requires a larger number
MI of the members Of the Assembly to call I
Tho Convention than TO pass the amendment
t The Conventional mode oi eh'ecting th
.an reform weakcns the question, while tn
h;s Legislative mode 4 not, and therefore
hIv the latter is preferable. It's believed tina
,ch the success Ol this measure Will Oe pTOmOt
ion ed by being submitted and voted upon
the an isolated question, without being con
the nected with any other CONSTITUTIONS
MD amendment.
unt The election Of Judges and Justices c
lies the Peace by the people; and for term
he less than for life, are questions OF Con
On stitutional reform, which | recommend
,ra the favorable consideration of the Genera
ach Assembly. There are other amendment
, ~ to the Constitution that have attracte
'eI. public attention, to which. l doubt 40
: of you will give that degree of considerable
the which their Importance demands.
of In conclusion. permit me to remark tn;
,irit the General Assembly may rely upon I"
Iled hearty cooperation in such measures a
this may tend to the prosperity and haPp'ncs
con- of the people Of the State.
ton "--= "---...
pre- 4 person suddenly fell dead IN tn
e of streets of Bath. He was healthy. temps
the rate and respectable person. 1t was a
hicb certained by examination ana 'nqur.
,,,,;, that he had been in the habit OF takin;
,,.. for sixteen years. two ounces oil bicarb
na-. nate of soda daily, for dyspepsia. III
po constant use of alkalis is said to contra
ct and obstruct the functions Of the live