Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-01-15
RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING. JANUARY B 1884,

paid into the Public Treasury, to be divided by
so, the number of Senators; and the average of FIVE
years be taken the basis Immediately preced-
ing the year in which the Districts 10 be laid Off
say, for instance, the year 1852. What will this give
to each Senatorial District? About the sum of So OOO
Now, Mr.. S. demanded to know who paid this aggre-
gate of $4,000! Was it the man who owned his
fifty acres of poor land, the common laborer, who
in the hour Of danger called to fight the battles
of his country? Again. How unequal and unjust
it that the who paid his tax on his fifty acres
of land, not worth than fifty dollars, should have
the right to vote for Senator, whilst the inhaatant
of this any ether town. who owned lot worth
$4,000, could not VOTE though ie had to pay that
his share Of the 81, 900 Ohich gare the right tn
Ssnator Away, said Mr.. S., with such gross injus-
tice!
But, said Mr.. S., this freehold qualification is in
principle an-repubIican it is unjust. TO prove
this, he should refer to the expression OF Dr..
Franklin about the ackass, but to still higher
thorty-Thomas Jefferson. He is speaking of his
objections to the Constitution of Virginia; lastly"
he says he objects to the restriction the right Of
suffrage freeholders, saying that ene-,alf Of
brethren who fight and pay taxes, are excluded like
Heots from the right of representation, if society
were Instituted for the soil, and not for the men in
habiting it, and that onehaf of these could dispose
of the rights and the will of the other half, without
nutshell, and that expressed in the most beautiful
tems-that the soil was made for the man, and not
for the soil. If we all for free suffrage, said
Mr.. S., why not at once adoptit! Every one speaks
for it as abstract ght and yet gentlemen over
the way say it should not be granted and one gem
teman (from Burke) has had the frankness TO admit
his constituents for it, and yet he will vote
for it, unless give him general Convention.
For this We OF the East cannot vote, unless we are
to understand what it is that is proposed to be done.
A. n~h~- sc hOcS~ ~~f. ~l~-
should not be asked for even expected at this time,
when We of the South contending for this slave
representation which the A5olitionsts would take
from us Tomorrow if they had the power. He. Mr..
S., held in his hand table, taking sixteen of the
largest tax-paying Counties from the East, and like
number from the West-from which it appears the
former pay SIS, ,OOO-to which should be added Gran
vile and W axe, $lO, O,l27-and the latter only $3.50 900.
Can it be expected, then that those who pay for the
support of your government should surrender the
power of protecting their interests! The true prin-
cple of representative government is that of popu
laton and taxation-ours is based on this principle,
and should not be changed. The progress of the age
is in favor of the change now proposed Virginia is
the only State which adheres to the freehold, and
there it will doubtless be given up in less than
month. In South Carolina, whilst the freehold en-
titles man TO vote, yet he may do without
residence and taxation. Why should we be the last
cling this freehold qualification! Because say
gentlemen, the people have not been consulted! Is
as fair idea of the popular will would be that
of a Convention! The same people are to elect; and
Mr.. S. thought he could represent the people Of
Wake just as faithfully in the House of Commons
as in a Convention.
We heard much talk in this House and out of it,
about political demagognes using the question of free
suffrage to gain their political ends. These gentlemen
seem to me, said Mr.. S., TO pay but poor comp-
to the understanding of the people in supposng
them so easily imposed upon. They deceive them
selves. Now, said Mr.. s., will gentlemen tell US
how it is that we who advocate this change by leg
islation 10 be treated demagogues whilst the
gentleman from Hertford is to be treated patriot
and statesman when he proposes to do the very same
thing and nothing else, by the call of Convention
Let the friends of the measure be frightened by
such denuncia'lons. They have in them much more
Of impertinence than of truth. les, said MIR. S.,
call upon the friends of the TO stand firm
be not deceived or mised. Those who are not for
Us against us. This cry of Convention is all
parliamentary trick-be not deceived by it. The
people are with us, as will be shown when they come
10 pass :his measure at the polls, in voting for
those who will stand pledged to ratify and confirm
what We have done. Let not be frightened by this
cry against all changes. The Constitution itself is
in danger, and it never can be while the people
are left free to guard it, He. too, reverenced the
Constitution, and should stand ready to defend it
whenever assailed. He admitted it had given US
many blessings an he trusted that in the FUTURE as
we'll as in the past, should find under it every pro-
ecton:
Health in the breeze, and shelter in the storm.''
CONGRESSIONAL. In the Senate, yesterday, Hon.
T. Barnwel Rhett, elected senator from the State of
South Carolina appeared, was qualified, and took his
eat. Many petitions were presented. MIR. Borand,
rom the Committee on PRINTING! reported resolution
revive prior resolution directing the Presidents
Message and documents accompanyngitto be stitched
md bound in two volumes and it was agreed to. On
notion by Mr.. Smith, the French spolation was made
special order for Thursday week. The resolution
heretofore offered by MIR. Bradbury respecting remov
lis from Office, was taken up, and Mr.. Mangum spoke
It length, vindicating,the removal of General Lane
IS governor of Oregon by General Taylor. MIR.
GIVING took the floor, and the Senate adjourned.
In the House, Mr.. Holmes asked consent to offer
resolution directing the Committee Military AZ
airs to report bill comforting the rank of lieutenant
,enera upon Major General Winfield Scott for his
!allant services in the late war with Mexico OBJ
ection was made, and the rules were not suspended
Mr.. Robinson, from the select committee appointed
inquire what legislation, ii any, is necessary to
AIRY into effect the land bounty act, and expedite
he issue of warrants, reported bill to insure the
prompt execution Of the act. The report was read,
md Mr.. Robinson explained the object Of the bill ;;
md it made the special order for Thursday week.
Mr. Julian asked leave to present petition from the
society OF Friends in Indiana, for the repeal of the
ugitive-slave act, and with view to move its refer
nce to committee, with Instructions to report
ill accordingly. Leave to offer the petition was re-
used-yeas 65, nays 1l9. Mr.. Strong moved that
he bill establishing board of claims be made the