Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-02-14
Western Adtlre.a.

fishing long sectional address, signed by thirty
seven Western members of the late Legislature on
the subject of Free Suffrage and State Convention.
The address is we'll written. but perhaps its moral
power would not have been diminished hud it COM
mcnced with true statement instead of most pal
pable falsehood. 1t purports to come from Western
members of the Legislature, without distinction of
party; whereas the fact is that there is the
names of only three Democrats attached toit. Ofthe
81 names, "a are open and avowed Wings. One of
the three Democrats is Mr. FLEMING, of Yancey, who
is in fact Free Soiler, something of that kind
although he pretends to be Democrat The other
two are from Wing counties and directly under Wing
influence. 1t is a sectional Wing movement, and
should be known such. The whole scope of the ad
dress against the present basis of representation in
the Senate and in favor of Convention for the pur
pose of having this changed. Other things are slight
ly referred TO, but without any peculiar interest.
Convention to change the basis is the real object in
view. The East will not consent to the calling of
such Convention. 1t would be suicide in her to do
so neither will many of the Western countless
What, then is the party object in agtating for it
for party movement it is Is it in the hope of af-
fecting anything? 1t would be an insult to the in
telligence of the Wing leaders to suppose so. The
real object is party efect-a taking humbug-a
grand trap, to be worked at the next Presden
tial and Gubernatorial elections. The good Wings
very anxious to serve the people in a way in
which they kno1C their services will not be accepted
and very reluctant to join in procuring changes in
the organic law in the only feasible manner. The
objects in this cutlery for Convention, evidently
the defeat of Free Suffrage, and other kindred meas
ures by agtating for impossible proposition and
also the restoration of Wing ascendency by quilting
the people under show of devotion to the popular in
terests.
But supposing for moment that these people
sincere-that they really believe that they can
complish what they propose-how are we to judge,
what opinion to form, of politicians in this
section, who, for party purposes are found aiding
and abetting them = What where is their fidelity
to their section or to their State Cut up as our
State s-sepArate and sectional its interests and
prejudices are-the ruin of the equal power which
the East possesses in the councils of the State must
forever prevent the growth Of anything like State
PRIDE the construction of public works of State
character We have every respect for the people of
the West, but we must say, because we know, that
their views interests and preudces against the
East and its markets. and in favor of those of Vir-
gna and South Carolina and similar spirit actu-
ates powerful and influential party in the centre
aud around the seat of government. We repeat, if
We want to have public works. having North Caro-
lima terminus, thus remunerating the Treasury by
increased value and consequent taxation of pro-
perty-f We do not wish to the resources of the
State squandered in constructing works to carry pro-
duce to markets of her bordersthen tits essential
that such change the basis should be made that
contemplated by the Western friends of unlimit-
ed convention. The convention polticians-at least
in the East-are either nsincere else enemies tc
the interests of their neighbors and of the State.