North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-03-22

ana COHSteIudtiUu.Ol nome, passed
the Alps, and having quito flight the armies OF
the mistress of the world and stripped three BUSH
els of golden rings from the fingers of her saught
cred knights and made her very foundations quake
fled from his country, being hated by those who
once exnltinglv united his name to that of their
God, and called him Hanni Baal, and died at last
by poison administered by his own hands, unla.
mented and unwept in foreign land.
Look at Caesar, who. alter having conquered
eight dred cities, and dyed his garments in the
blood of one million of his foes, after having pur-
sued to death the only rival he had on earth, was
miserably assassinated by those he considered his
nearest friends, and in that very place. the attain
ment of which had been his greatest ambition.
Look at Bonaparte, whose mandates kings and
popes obeYed after having filled the earth with the
terror of his name-af:er having deluged Europe
with tears and blood, and clothed the world in sack
CLOTH closed his days in lonely Punishment, almost
literally exiled from the world, yet where he could
sometimes see his country's banner waving o'erthe
deep. but which did not or could not bring him aid
Thus these four men, who, each in turn, made
nations :remble, by their simple tread severally
dIrd-one, some suppose, by poison mingled in
his wine-one suicde-one murdered by his
friends-and one in lonely exilel
But will not further indulge in depression
from the question now before the House. The
history of other States will show that many ofthem
have reformed their respective Constitutions. AL
most all of,he original thirteen States of the Union
have amended their Constitutions; and several of
the States which have been admitted into the
Union long since the National Constitution was
adopted. have reformed their fundamental codes.
Within the last four years of our sister States
have amended their Constitutions; and it may be
said that every other State, whose Constitution has
been amended since its original adoption has aboI-
shed all property qualifications for the exercise oil
the elective franchise, if any such existed and
all free white citizens, who have paid public taxes
enjoy perfect equality at the ballot box.
The Constitution of the United States has been
amended since it was adopted in 1887 At the
first session of the first Congress, assembled after
the formation of the National Constitution, in the
city of New York. on the 4th of March, 1899
Congress proposed to the Legislatures of the sew
eral States twelve amendments to the Constitution
ten of which, only were adopted. These amend
ments were severalIy ratified by the constitutional
number of States on the 18th day of December
1871.
The eleventh amendment, which was proposed
at the first session OF the third Congress, was de,
clnred in a message from the President of the Uni
ted States to both houses Of Congress, dated 9Th
January, 1898, to have been adopted by three
fourths, the constitutional number of Staes. The
twelfth amendment, which was proposed at the frs
session of the eighth Congress, adopted by
three fourlhs, the constitutional number of States
in the year 1904.
Another amendment was proposed at the second
session of the eleventh Congress but not having
been ratified BY sufficient number of States, has
! no: yet become valid part of the Constitution
Of the United States stat, these facts for the pur
pose of showing that twelve separate amendments
have beer adopted as part of our National Consli
tuition.
The Constitution of North Carolina prescribes
he 1n0de Of aTnend h,t he Il A
bly,. lam therefore in favor of the bill 10 amend
the Constitution by legislative enactment. Tha,
part of our Constitution concerning the manner il,
which it may be amended by The Legislature, says
"No part of the Constitution of this State shall be
altered unless Bill to alter the same shall have been
read three times in each House of the General AS
sembly, and agreed to by three-6fths of the whole
number of members of each House respectively MOI
shall any alteration take place until the Bill agreed
to shall have been published six months previous to
new election of members to the General Assembly.
1t, after such publication the alteration proposed by
the preceding General Assembly, shall be agreed to
in the first session thereafter, by two-thirds of the
whole representation in each House of the General
Assembly, after the same shall have been read three
times on three several days, in each House, then the
said General Assembly shall prescribe amode by which
the Amendment or Amendments may be submitted to
the qualified voters of the House of Commons through.
out the State; and if, upon comparing the votes Civ
in the whole State it shall appear that majority
of the voters have approved thereof then, and not
otherwise, the same shall become part of the Con-
stitution."
Here is the mode prescribed in the Constitution
by which it may be amended. Here is sufficient
evidence of the wisdom and prudence of those
who formed it. The restraints inthe Constitution,
in relation to the manner in which it may be amen
ded, intended to protect it against any hasty
alteration.
feel incompetent to give better exposition Of
my opinions n reform of our Constitution, than
is contained in Governor Reds admirable and
truthful address to the people of North Carolina,
dated June 2sth. 1850. will make concise
quotation from this patriotic address:
What is the dearest privilege of American
citizen 1t is te exercise the great and inestmable
right of suffrage. In advocating this reform do
now, nor nave at any time. proposed to change the
basis of Representation for either the Senate the
House of Commons. Let that remain as il is What
propose is, to permit euery acho IS entitled
10 vOte the Commons, to uote also the Senate. Is
this right? might call your attention to the fact
that this odiou distinction does exist in any 9TH
er State of this Union. AS the Constitution now
stands, cannot vote for the Senate unless he
owns freehold of fifty of land. This is uu-
just, even between landholder and landholder One
man owns fifty worth $35 he vote for the
Senate, while another man may own one acre worth ten
thousand dollars, yet the latter cannot vote for the
Senate. 1t is still more unjust between those who
own land. and those who do not. 1t is to take
the right of voting from the landhoder, but it ia to
extend the right of suffrage another meritorous and
virtuous class of our felow-citizens All expe-
rience has shown that the mere fact that owns
land, does not make him more wise. more pure, or