North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-04

mode Of distribution IS upon the whole, perhaps as
just us any that could be adopted. The difference
in the amount received by the larger number of Coun
ties in the Staes whether the distribution be accord
ing to federal or white population would be very
inconsiderable. Slaves owned in every part of
the State, and each County shares alike in the dstr
button in proportion to its federal population. Fed.
eral population is not made the basis of education,
but of the distribution of the fund for that purpose
This principle of distribution has, in commemorate
spirit of compromise, been time after time settled by
the Legislature IL the agi tation of this question
never to cease2 The grea: Inconvenience we have
to encounter in relation to system OF Common
Schools, apprehend is not to be found in the mode
of distribution but in the inadequacy OF the fund and
in the imperfect manner ia which the Schools are
regulated. And 1 submit whether, instead of con-
tnuing this agitation which is calculated array one
portion of the State against the other our attention
may not more properly directed to the enlargement
of the fund and its proper investment and to the inn
provement and better regulation of the Schools them
selves.
The question of Equal Suffrage has for some time
past engaged public attention. and it is believed that
large majority of the people demand this Consti-
iutional reform. The ubject embraces the plain pro-
position, whether the right to vote for the Senate
shall be extended to such persons are at present
entitled to vote for the House of Commons. 1t is
not doubted but such voters fully competent to
exercise the right of Suffrage in choosing both branch
es of the General Assembly. To withhold this in
valuable privilege from those whom it is proposed to
place upon terms of equality at the ballot box, upon
abuse it, is unjust reflection upon their virtue and
intelligence, and is denying the fundamental prnci-
pie upon which all free governments are based This
question embraces no proposition to encroach on the
rights of the andholder, but to extend
and meritorious class of fellow ciIizens one of
the dearest rights of American freemen 1t is graft
Tying to know that this question of extending the
right of Suffrage has not arrayed the andholders
against the Observation-Disclosures, for such is the love of
liberty and of equality among our people, that both
classes found actively cooperating 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 public policy demands
| such change. The Convention of 1885, in a spirit
| of compromise and concession, adopted taxation as
the basis for the Senate and federal population the
basis of representation for the House of Commons.
The Abolitlonsts at the North wish to destroy the
basis Of federal population upon which we are rep
resented in Congress. Their course this subject
Is viewed as dangerous and mlschievous and regard
similar movement in relation to our representation
in the State Legislature, however we'll intended, as
fraught with equal mischief and danger. The fed
era basis consists of three6hs of the slaves add ed
! to the whole number OF free persons. The white
basis would wholly exclude the computation of slaves
in representation. Persons other voters are pro-
pery represented. Although federal population pre-
walls basis, yet slaves do vote, do white
females and minors; still they are represented
Slaves, although property, persons, and subject
| to legislation In that two-fod character.
Every county in the Stale is interested in the slave
question, and the State should have but voice
this important subject. Experience has but too
Gently shown the sad consequences resulting from
the agitation of the slavery question between the eff
ferent States of the Union. Ale these exciting
| to be brought nearer home to us-to array
tor of the State against another, and destroy the
good feeling, the peace and friendship which it is
desirable cultivate between the various portions
of the State Let forget that parzans, and
bury this dangerous element of agitation with the
determination TO unite our earnest exertIons to pro-
mote the honor and prosperity of the Stale Engraft-
ing the white basis Equal Suffrage would be an
INDIRECT but certain and efectuaI mode of de-
featng the latter question This must be obvious TO
every rejecting mind. Equal Suffrage, connected
with a change of the basis, fail standing by
itself, it prevail. This amendment to the Con-
stitution may be passed by the present and succeed
ing Legislatures, and submitted the people for rdti-
hcdton in the manner provided in the Constitution,
without iEcurring the expense of calling Conven-
ton. In the inltlatory STEP requires larger number
of the members of the Assembly to call Conven-
mode of efecting this reform weakens the question,
while the Legislative mode does not and therefore the
latter is preferable. IL is believed that the
of this measure will be promoted by being submitted
and voted upon isolated question, without be-
ing connected with any other Constitutional amend
ment.
The election of Judges and Justices of the Peace
by the people, and for less than for life
questions of Constitutional reform, which recon-
mend to the favorable consideration of the General
Assembly. There other amendments to the Con-
stuon that have attracted public attention. which,
doubt not, you will give that degree of consdera-
ton which their importance demands.
J In conclusion, permit me to remark that the Gene
raj Asse mbly may rely upon my hearty coopera ion
in such measures may tend to the prosperity and
happiness of the people Of the State.