North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-01-11

franklin about the ackass, but to still higher au-
thority-Thomas Jefferson. He is speaking of his
objections to the Constitution Of Virginia lastlys
he says he objects the restriction on the right of
suffrage freeholders, saying that one-half of our
brethren who fight and Jay taxes, are excluded like
elos from the right Of representation, if society
were Instituted for the SOIL and not for the men in
habtng il, and thai one-haf of these could dispose
of the rights and the will of the other half, without
their consent" Here we have the whole thing in a
nutshell, and that expressed in the most beautiful
tefms-that the soil was made for the man, and not
man for the SOIL If all for free suffrage, said
Mr.. S., why not at once adoPtit1 Every one speaks
for it mere abstract right and yet gentlemen
the way say it should not be granted and gen.
teman (from Burke) has had the frankness to admit
his constituents are for it, and yet he will not vote
for it, unless we give him general Convention.
For this we of the East cannot vote, unless We are
tn understand what it is that is proposed to be DONE
AS 10 change of the basis of representation tina,
should not be asked for expected at this time
when we of the South contending for this slave
representation which the A5olitionists would take
from us Tomorrow If they had the power He, M..
S.. held in his hand a table, taking sixteen of the
largest tax-paying Counties from the East and a like
number from the West-from which it appears the
former pay $55,000-so which should be added Gran
vile and Wake, $l0,l27-and the latter only $50 900.
Can il be expected, then that those who pay for the
support of your government should surrender the
power of protecting their interests The true prin-
cipe of representative government is that of popu
laiion and taxation-ours is based this principle,
and should not be changed. The progress of the age
is in favor of the change 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 10 vote, yet he may do without
residence and taxation. Why should we be the last
to cling this freehold qualification? Because say
gentlemen, the people have not been consulted! Is
not, he would ask, the representation this floor
as fair idea Of the popular will would be that
of Convention! The same people are to elect; and
Mr.. s. thought he could represent the people of
Wake just faithfully in the House of Commons
as in Copvention.
We heard much talk in this House and out of it,
about political demagogues using the question of free
suffrage to gain their political ends. These gentlemen
seem to me, said Mr.. S., TO pay but poor compli-
them easily imposed upon. They deceive them
selves. Now, said Mr.. S., will gentlemen tell us
how it is that who advocate this change by leg
isation 10 be treated as demagogues, whilst the
gentleman from Hartford is to be treated as patriot
and statesman, when he proposes do the very same
Let not the friends of the measure be frightened by
such denuncialions. They have in them much more
of impertinence than of truth Yes, said Mr. S., /
call upon the friends Of the measure to stand firm
be not deceived misled. Those who are not for
US against This cry of a Convention is all
parliamentary trick-be not deceived by it. The
people with us, will be shown when they come
to pass :his at the polls, in voting for
those who will stand pledged 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 10 defend it
whenever assaulted. He admitted it had given US
many blessings an! he trusted that in the FUTURE as
well as in the past should Fl nd under il every pro-
lection:
Health in the breeze, and shelter in the storm"