Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-16
For the Standard.
THE DISCUSSION AT WELDON.

| zs-....- 5000. --.. For the Standard.
THE DISCUSSION AT WELDON.
j In the discussion at Weldon Mr.. Kerr took the
ground that majority of the people had light to call
quoted from Mr. Jefferson and Bartlett Yancy for
tfy his position. He declared that the avowal of Gov.
Reid that majority of the people of North Carolina
could not call Convention to amend the Constitu-
ton, was the most hgh-handed federal doctrine he
had ever heard. ...... ~. ...
Gov. Reid replied there were two modes by which
people might change their fundamental law or Con-
sttutlon The one was the inalienable right Of Rev.
olutIon, which mig ht be resorted to when people
felt themselves oppressed by the shackes Of tyranny
and had no other remedy left. The Revolutionary
the leaders of the Wing party proposed to pursue.
At any rate he (Gov. Reid) was opposed this mode
OF amending our Constitution. The other civil
mode and when this pursued it must be strictly
IN conformity with the existing Constitution and laws.
Gov Reid said that in 1885 the following clause
engratted in the Constitution "No Convention of
the people shall be called by the General Assembly,
unless by the concurrence of two.thirds of all the
members Of each House of the General Assembly. -
Now, he challenged Mr.. Kerr show that Mr.. JEFF
ferson ever took the ground that bare majority of
TIM people had cirl right to change written Con-
stltutlon where that majority had expressly declared
in the Constitution that they had parted with the right
to make such change. AS to the quotation from Mr..
Yancy, Mr.. Kerr knew ought to know, that this
clause was engrafted in our Constitution since the
death OF that distinguished gentleman, and that there
fore the quotation had application whatever the
subject. Gov. Reid said that Mr.. Kerr had quoted
these distinguished authorities, with Others to prove
the position that bare majority of the people had
right to call Convention and to amend the Const-
tuition, and this doctrine he avowed without any quail
cation restriction Gov. Reid denied that either
Mr. Jefferson, Mr.. Yancy any other distinguished
statesman ever avewed that a bare majority of the
people could either change the Constitution of the
United States or the present Constitution of North
Carolina. He was aware that the Constitution of
the United States was formed by the States, while
tnfIAp ST cd hr
the people of the State. No government could be
formed without concessions. When the Constu-
ton of the United States formed it stipula
ted that it should not be amended except by three
fourhs of all the States. This provision put
in the Constitution to enable the minority rule the
majority, as Mr.. Kerr and the Wing leaders would
have the people to believe but to protect the rights
of the minority. Now did Mr.. Jefferson ever say
believe that bare majority of tke people of the Uni
ted States could amend the Constitution of the Uni
ted States In violation of this express provision
No; and why For the obvious reason that they
had solemnIy and expressly pledged themselves in
written Constitution not to do so. Gov. Reid said
that in 1885 the Convention of North Carolina inser-
ted in the State Constitution provision declaring
that i" No Convention of the people shall be called
by the General Assembly, unless by the concurrence
OF two-thrds of all the members of each House of
the General Assembly," Now he utterly denied that
bare majority of the people could call Convention,
for the plain reason that they had expressly agreed
in written Constitution that they would not do 50.
He commended that if bare majority disregard
ed this provision and called Convention, such
ton would be pa pa5le usurpation of power and
fragrant violation of the Constitution. What had
become of the fears of Mr.. Kerr and the W hig lead
ers of Dorrism 2 What had become of the Constitu-
| ton-abiding and law-loving Wing leaders who Fad
made such loud professions!
Mr.. Kerr asked leave to explain, and Gov. Reid
replied certainly, with great pleasure.
Mr.. Kerr then said that he did not intend to be
misunderstood on this point. His position this
He did not intend TO be understood that majority
of the people could call Convention, but his ground
was that the question Dug int to be submitted to the
people, and if majority voted for Convention the
public functonaries were bound TO carry out the will
of the majority and, who, he would ask, could dis
regard it!
Gov, Reid said it was strange that Mr.. Kerr would
condemn him, when he (Gov. r. took the ground
that majority of the people had the constitution
al right to call Convention, and Wing partiZans and
Wing newspapers were proclaimng "Keep it before
the people that the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor and the Democratic party deny the right of
majority of the people 10 call Convention, when
Mr. Kerr when brought to the test had been compe-
ed admit that bare majority OF the people had not
the right under the Constitution TO call Convention.
They had better Keep it before the people that Mr..
Kerr had repudated his own argument and the posi-
ton of the newspapers and leaders of his party
Gov. Reid renal. ID that Mr.. kerr's PLANTATION
made his position, if possible, still absurd.
According to his explanation that which he admitted
could be directly done to be indirectly efec-
ted Through his doctrine just expressed the will
of bare majority is to come in as "hgher LaU" to
govern "public functonaries - and without regard
10 the views of their constituents, and thus
ride an express provision of the Constitution.
Gov. Reid said that he respected the will of
the majority much any upon subjects
which that majority had the legal and constitutional
right TO control. Now Mr.. Kerr had said that if
Equal Suffrage is adopted it must be done by Con-
vention and that he, Mr.. Kerr, would for Con-
vention when that subject is submitted to the people,
He, Gov. Reid. opposed to change of the basis
of representation and Mr. Kerr had emphacally de-
clared the same. Upon that point there is
sue between them. The people had discussed Equal
Suffrage and had by bare majority only, bnl by
a Constitutional majority of the General Assembly
declared not only in favor of the measure but of per-
fectng it by the Legislative mode and against Con-
Venton and yet MIR. Kerr and the Wing Partzans
with all their professions Of Difference the will of
the people opp osing the voice of the Constitution
al majority thus solemnly and deliberately expressed
He, (Gov. Red) and the friends OF Free Suffrage !
majorities. but whenever majority should
attempt violate and disregard the express provis
ions of the Constitution, he would not be found act
ing with them. The friends of Equal Suffrage pro- +
posed to carry out that measure in peaceable and
legal and constitutional way, and in conformity with
the will of the people too. Gov. Reid said, for HIM
self he gloried more in being right than in being
with the majority but that he gloried most, in this
case, when he felt sure he right and also |
sustained by the people. o. p.
For the Standard.
SUMNER DELIGHT, May 81, 1852.
To my feLO,U-citizens of the County Of Rockingham
take this method of saying to you that have de-
.lined being candidate for seat in the House of
Of he Y m