Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-09

| Congressional Globe, LIST Ses. 29th Congress, page
1904 This bill was not passed that session; did
it become law until Is46 or '49, when Gov. Reid
was not a member of Congress.
| It did. however, then become law, and received
the sanction of President Polk Notwithstanding, it
provided for the exclusion of slavery. "The terrific
ry,'' said Mr.. Polk, in his message, lies far north
of thirtysx Degrees 80 minutes, the Missouri Com
promise line-its Southern boundary being the par
allel of 4s, leaving the intermediate distance $50
miles,. And it was because the provisions of the
bill were not inconsistent with that line of Compro
mse that he did feel at liberty to withhold his
sanction; otherwise he declared, he would have
promptly vetoed it.
But who doubts Gov. Red's fidelity to the insti-
tutions Of this State, and of the Southern States
Mr.. Kerr does not-so he declared; and if he did,
Gov. Reid's the question referred to, his
well known and often times expressed opinions, his
unsuled patriotism, and the uniform conduct of his
life is full guaranty against the doubts of all Others
disposed to do justice to opponent.
The Presidency. Mr.. Kerr was understood to de-
clare that he would be in favor of Mr.. Clay, if his
health permitted him to run again. And next to him.
Messrs. Fillmore and Scott his favortes both of
whom he commended as safe and sound. The people
in the low country will be somewhat surprised to
learn that Mr. Kerr did not say that he would GO for
Fillmore with or without nomination-as
informed by correspondent, he said in Halifax.
Since his arrival in Raleigh he has doubt receiv
ed more favorable assurances respecting Gen. Scott.
We heard it remarked once, that circumstances al
ter cases." and it may be true also, for aught
know, that moving from one place to another, and
change of associations, may sometimes alter opinions.
We of opinion that Mr. Kerr would support
! Gen. Scott.
| In reply to some disparaging remarks of Mr..
kerr's on Douglas and Cass, Gov. Re i'd read some
Resolutions passed by Meeting of citizens, without
distinction of party, in Rockingham, in November,
1851, highly complimentary to the patriotism and
ability of these distinguished statesmen and asked
Mr.. Kerr with much good humor, if he was not the
author of them? Mr.. Kerr answered that the Reso-
lutions were the joint production of a Committee,
[naming them) but IS he dad the wJiting.'')
Free Suffrage On this great question of constitu-
tional right. Mr. Kerr not quite so bold, and did
not, assuredIy make good his avowal in the begin
ming, that 6 he had conceaments -; and consid
ering all things think it had been better for him,
if he had not avowed as much as he did. He made
a furious onslaught Gen. Saunders account of
his having called on him, he stated, to answer
whether not he held the doctrine that under the
Constitution of this State, majority of the people
had right to cali Convention and amend the Con-
sttution He answered emphatically in the afirma-
tire; and read as authority for the position, Crcu
lar signed by w. H. Haywood. jr, R. M. Pearson,
Gen. Saunders and Thomas Dews in 1885,
Mr. Kerr did not notice the argument of General
Saunders in the State Convention, in which he clear
Y set forth the position of this question: before and
after 1885. In his remarks General S. then stated {:
! 'If asked if he did not recognize the right of
ma GRITTY to pass laws, he answered yes-to prevail
at the ballobox in elections, yes-to change the COM
promises and checks in the Constitution, he answer
! ed emphatically no. These compromises and checks
had been placed in the Constitution by schema COM
pact, for protecting the rights of minortes-majori-
ties could protect themselves The Wings claimed
to be conservative-he wished they would show it.
The Constitution of 76 had stood for neay 60 years,
when in 1885 it amended by Convention call
ed by the Legislature, being the only mode then
thorized. County representation in the Senate was
changed to the basis of taxation, and in the House
of Commons to that of white population and slaves,
the whites counting their full number, and three
ffths of the slaves being added. This amended Con-
stitution had been voted for and accepted by the Wes
tern Counties. with the exception of four and against
by every County east of Raleigh.
In the Convention of '35lt was proposed by Com
mittee that. in future, amendments should be made
to the Constitution on the majority principle, through
the Legislature, and only requiring majority of one
Legislature to propose, and that of succeeding one
to approve. This amended on motion of Mr..
Meares from the East, to require three-ffhs in
the Legislature to propose, tWo-thIrdS to approve,
and majority of the people to ratify. So in regard
to amendments by Convention-no such Convention
could be had unless By the of taOotirds Of
both Houses Of the General assembly. These provis
ions inserted in the Constitution, restrictions,
by Uote of LOG to 1S-they supported by Meares
Branch, Daniel, and CASTOR from the East, and by
Swain and Fisher from the West. Without these
restrictions on the will of the majority, Mr.. CASTOR
said g he had been deceived in agreeing to call
Convention, and that the West would have " bound
the East hand and fool" He Gen. s., now charged
the Wing Convention, composed of two-thirds of
Eastern men, with making proposition which, if
carried out, would in the language of Mr.. Gaston
s. bind the East hand and foot,' and would place the
property of the slave-owner at the mercy of maj
ity, whether slave-owners or not. "
And this position strongly and conclusively
enforced by Gov. Reid. And how did Mr.. Kerr meet
the difficulty 2 We have desire to misrepresent
him. We wish his position and his argument dis
tnctly understood by the people. His doctrine was,
if majority of the people should vote that they de-
sire Convention, the Legislature is bound by such
expression of the popular will, to call So thas
according to Mr.. .Kerr's argument, a member from
Pitt or Halifax (for example) who goes to the Gen.
eral Assembly representing constituents opposed by
twenty to one to Convention IS bound, notwlth-
standing, to vote for such measures and therefore,
he might logically enough have added, in such case,
the Legislature is bound to vote 6 Convention, !"
unanimously
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