Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1851-04-23
CONVENTION MEETINGS.


of Meetings held in Henderson and Buncombe Coun-
ties. in favor of an unrestricted Convention. Mr..
n. ". Woodfn, who made himself SO conspicuous
AT the late session by his violent advocacy of the pro-
iect appears to have been the ruling spirit on both
OCCASIONS He explained the objects" of both
Meetings; but soAat he really said. and all he said,
is of cou Sc not reported. The following, among
other Resolutions, were adopted by the Henderson
Meeting:
"Resolred, That we regard unrestricted Conven-
ton of the people the only proper republican me-
thod of amending our constitution.
Resolred, That we will not support any man for
the Office of Governor, any other State Office who
who will not pledge himself advocate the call Of
free and unrestricted Convention. !"
Both these Resolutions will attract public atten-
,ion-the first, because it passes Judgment on our
present Constitution and pronounces one OF It's pro-
visions anti Republican; and the second, on account
Of the test which establishes for office. If 9 un-
restricted Convention - be the only "proPer Repub-
,icau method Of amending the Constitution, it fol-
lows as matter Of course, that the provision in that
instrument for amendments by Legislative enactment
and the subsequent sanction Of the people. is improp
er and contrary to Republican principles. This is
large anu strong OeCidTdtOtIs ouS" po''-
iicians against the work Of Fisher. CASTOR, Swain,
and Daniel. The peopae of the West, We feel conf
dent, will never either think or say any such thing
But these gentlemen, il seems, will not support
"any man for the Office Of Governor, or any other
State Office who will pledge himself to advocate
the call of free and unrestricted Convention The
Wings of the State will think Of that.
We are grati6ed to perceive from the proceedings
Of the Henderson Meeting. that Newton Coleman,
Esq. rose and opposed the Resolutions He showed,
in this. the true ire of the flint We commend
him for his 6rmness on the occasion.
The following, among other Resolutions, were
adopted by the Buncombe Meeting:
Resolred. That with view Of securing this para
mount object. we will, without reference to former
party distinctions. nominate candidate fr tie .ce
Governor and request him TO canuass s entire ate,
placing his election this ISSUE in order that the
people generally may be fully enlightened and aroused
to the Importance of this movement.
Resolued. That those who favor a free Convention
are the tue Republican party-ihe party of equal
rgh,s-,he party of the peope-that they are opposed
monopnlies-against the exercise of the moned in
fuence of the State in derogaon of the rights of the
people-that they are opposed to restrictions upon
the free expression of the will of the people, and be-
leve that that will should, when fully expressed. be
Oucycus dnO u1dt therefore VIC pIOpOSc W
ourselves as the Republican party of North Caroii-
na." r-. .sE aa Id @. ,s-s.
This candidate for Governor, we suppose, s TO take
the stump against the "negro power, and ''<nhght.
- the people Of the State on the subject Of the
basis Of representation. We have fears to the
result. -i. 90 rt.t -f... So. a.t g.. 81
The second Resolution, above quoted, is a strange
and funny jumble of assumptions and generalities.
These politicians, it seems, are against the exercise
Of the moned influence o: the State in derogaon Of
the rights of the people that is, they are in favor
Of such mode Of representation and such system
Of taxation as will subject those Counties paying the
most taxes to the absolute control of those paying
the least; and when this sh1li have been brought
about, we shall witness the passage through the
Assembly of Mr.. Wood6n's appropriation Of three
millions, to construct Rail Roads beyond AshevilIt
and bore'' through the Blue Ridge. FOB 90
But these gentlemen " propose to designate y
themselves t" as the Republican party of North Ca
rolina." Their principles and purposes. then. viii
not do, of themselves; they must have some nam.
calculated to catch and tickle the popular ear. THAI
Is so much like Federalism. They "propose !" t
eau themselves the Republicans Of North Carolina
very we'll. They may call themselves the IS Going
onake Temperance Society,"" if they choose, or they
'"'y " designate" themselves by any name theJ
may think proper to select-e people wiA judge then
" ne" principles and their acts. -. =.
oot Is not our purpose to argue this question
now. We have made these extracts for the simple
purpose OF putting readers in pos session of the
facts.
We believe the Raleigh Register, the Star, and the
"'e'' are all in favor Of this unrestricted Conven.
~ '"e object Of which is to break down and destroy
"e present basis Of representation. What do they
'as to the above ResoIuonsf Are slev eor cspdi.
.a..s.n.--- ~ IL