Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-14
GOV. REID ON FREE SUFFRAGE.

me to know more about this matter than any other
human being upon the face of the earth. That some
men permitted to vote for the Senate and others
were not, was new discovery to to any
body else. At any rate, well remember my atteR-
ton directed to the inequality and injustice of this
feature of Constitution even before became vo-
and presume there but few in the State
who could not say much. My attention was fire.
quently called to the subject when a candidate for
the Senate, by persons who desired to for me,
but expressed regret that they could not do for
the want of the land qualification. Many years ago,
while member Of the Legislature, determined
time present the subject to the consideration
! of that body, but met with ouragement from
those to when communicated my intention Oc-
Copying an humble position and possessing but lit
tie influence, fearful that a failure then might
prove prejudcal this question of Constitutional Re-
FORM which, believed, could at some day convince
the people they ought to adopt The time and state
of public opinion then appeared unpropitious and
abandoned my determination. Early in the year 1s4s,
determined to press the subject to the consideration
of the people of the Staie AS federal politics had
governed almost everything in State for years,
foTesaw that it would be difficult procure for this
subject that consideration which its importance de-
handed, unless it adopted by one of the politi-
cal parties. With this view determined attend
the Democratic Convention to be held that Spring and
urge its adoption as an ISSUE and that if the Con-
vention would not adopt it, would seek suit
able occasion to make Speech on the subject in
my County, and write it for publication and
that would publish essays the subject, urging
the consideration of this question the people. Ill
health prevented from attending the Convention.
When ! heard from that Convention, was surpris-
ed to learn that had been nominated for Governor.
Before received official information of my nomina-
ton wroie Mr.. Holden letter stating that should
probably decline. but if l run l desired to make
Equal Suffrage an issue. Believing the state of my
health was such that canvass Of the State would
be hazardous to my life subsequently wrote let
ter declining the nomination This letter was not
published, and my friends prevailed upon 10 with
draw it and accept the nomination. The next day
after accepted left home to meet my competitor,
J h0 fhono inf tho Rofor
ing home apPrised some of my friends of my pur-
pose to make this issue. When I reached Raleigh,
mentioned the subject several of my friends there;
and Mr.. Holden assured me, if l carried nv
intention, that the Standard would zealousIy adyo-
cate the measure. At Goldsborough l mentioned
the subject friends met there. When arrived
at Newbern consulted friends there the subject,
and Mr.. Gulick promised me that the Republican
would zealously advocate the measure. My friends
will recollect that in all these conversations that to
make this issue was faVorite object with me and
that these conversations and consultations the
subject were brought about by my suggestions.
had no consultation or conversation the subject
OF making this issue with any living Of the
State; neither did receive finn Washington City
or elsewhere any suggestion. either written oral,
In relation to making the issue.
The Democratic party had nominated me without
my knowledge or consent, and although they had
authorized me to make Equal Suffrage question in
the election, yet believ ed they would sustain if
did right; and therefore took the responsibility to
put IS that ball in notion the 10th of May.
l946. This is the way in which the subject was in
troduced into the canvass of 1913.
What is the dearest privilege of American citi-
zen! 1t IS to exercise the great and inestimable
right of suffrage. In advocating this reform do
not now, nor have at any time, proposed to change
the basis OF Representation for either the Senate
House of Commons. Let that remain as il is. What
propose is, to permit eUery ,OhO entitled
TO cote for the Commons, to rOte also FIR the Senate
Is this rghtz might call your attention 10 the fact
that this odous distinction does exist in any other
State of this Union As the Constitution stands,
a man cannot vote for the Senate unless he holds
freehold of fifty of land. This is unjust. even
between landholder and landholder. One man owns
fifty acres worth $25; he can vote for the Senate /
while another may own one acre worth ten thousand |
dollars yet the latter for the Senate. 1t
is still more unjust between those who land and
those who donot. Is Is not TO take the right of
ting from the landholder but it extend the right
of suffrage to another mertorious and virtuons class
of our own feliow-citizens. All experience has !
shown that the mere fact that owns land, does
not make him more wise, more pure more patr- ;
otto. 1t is SANDER upon the merits and character
OF this vIruous class of our cttiZeEs to say they
would enact UBIQUITOUS laws to plumber the landhold
ers. there are many OF our citizens who own prop
eTty, and yet not landholders; and men would
further TO protect the rights of property of every
description. Alarge portion of our enterprsing young
men. and of our industrious farmers and mechanics
do not own fifty acres of land. These men will new
er attempt to impose the landed interest, because
they intend as soon as it is compatible with their
or ability, TO possess themselves of land
bors, but by purchase with the proceeds of their hon
est industry. During the last canvass, willie dis
cussing this question in the West, Gov. Manly inss-
led that could be the friend of Equal Suffrage
because did not go for changing the basis of Repre-
'entafiOn, by which of the Eastern Counties,
having less number Of voters than of the Wes-
fern Counties, yet they had the same representation
in the Legislature and why, he would ask, did
go for equazing them! do not know whether he i
intends to this arguement in the present canvass.
see, however, in his Speech lately made before the
Wing Convention, and which presume pub
ished TO be circulated all the STATE, that he does
not allude to this point Our basis of Representa-
ION for one branch of the Legislature is taxation for
he other it Is federal population The Abolilionsts
It the North wish to destroy the basis of federal pop
llatlon upon which represented in Congress.
regard their course the subject mischievous 6
ind dangerous, and should regard a similar move
nent In relation to representation in the Legisa-
ure, as fraught with equal mischief and danger. =
presume there at this day, fifty thousand of =
'ur free white citizens, of the age of tweRty-one e
'ears, who cannot vote for the Senate. And why
1t SO! 1t is not because they wanting in vr- g.
ue, intelligence, patriotism; but because Of an
rbitrary feature in Constitution which withhods
rom them of their dearest rights. In vain NAV -
We boast of equal rights, while this feature remains
n our Constitution. Although these men are not e
laced upon terms of equality at the ballot-box, vet
7hen taxes to be paid, when the rights and :;
onor OF the country to be defended against The -
ttacks of a foreign foe, these men-yes these men,
re among the first to contribute their means and q
lelr blood to the cause of their country. -
L wOuId Ike In he hravo uho nj