Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-11
DEFE.T Or FREBs sUFFRAGE.


It is with sincere regret that forced TO
nounce the defeat of the Free Suffrage Bill in the
Senate oil North Carolina on Friday last, upon which
day it came up on Reconsideration moved by Mr..
Hoke, of Lincoln, who had voted against it on Tues
day preceding. By the vote as given in the letter
of Raleigh Correspondent, it will be seen that
every Democrat in the Senate voted in favor of the
Bill with the exception of Mr..Speaker Edwards. Ii
appears that six w higs and twentyseven Democrats
voted for the Bill and fifteen Wings and one Dem
ocrat against it.. The Democrat is Mr.. Edwards.
We had hoped that this amendment, eVidentlH de-
sired by the peepe of the State, would have been
passed into law by the present General Assembly;
and its ratification by the people al the cleo
ton, would have become portion of the Constitu-
ton OF North Carolina. We have been
The whole question is again sea, and n4fess some
thing yet be done al the present session, all the
progress that has already been made will have been
lost, and the whole quest ton have to be gone
with al initio.
The responsibility of the defeat rests with those
who produced it; and the people will hold them ac-
countable for the consequences of their aci and SUBJ
ject that displeasure which they have incurred by
paPable disregard Of the wishes of their constitu-
ents. AS aPariY the Dem ocrats have done their du-
ty in the premises. Their opponents could have
passed this bill, thus cosingan agitation which they
affect to depreeate BUT they have not; and they as
party, are entitled to the credit amenable the
censure which the voters of North Carolina may
choose TO award othe killers of Free Suffrage. Of
course, Mr.. Edwards feel, that in his solitary
position he stands isolated from his party, and
direct antdgonlSM to lis principles and policy upon
this point. While the public large will hold the
Wing party responsible for the defeat of Free Suf-
frage, Mr.. Edwards will be held an especial ac-
count by hiso party, whose Partially has award
ed him position and honor only TO receive opposition
and defeat in return.
1t is not wish indulge in feelings or express
sons of bitterness at this time, and therefore
press much that might be in accordance with the
dictates of impulse, and perhaps also in pursuance
strict party duty. We presume Mr.. Edwards mo.
tves were dislnteresed, and that he sincere in
his opposition to Free Suffrage. He has no doubt
committed himself at some time against the measure
perhaps without due examination, and with the pride
of fancied consistency or the stubbornness of Old
Fogy PREJUDICE he still refuses to see with any other
specacles than those falsely coored and distorted
ones through which he received his first views and
impressions of this subject Wedo not want TO CEN
sure MIR. Edwards of Warren, but it seems to us I'M
fortunate that Democratic and Free Suffrage Senate
should have chosen him its head and front by elect
ing him the office of Speaker. ANY person has a
perfect right to be Democrat w hig Free Suffrage
man Anti-Free Suffrage man as his feelings and
judgment may dictate. but it to hardly fair
sor man to claim to be of organization and not
with ito receive its honors and preermens and vet
thwart its objects. Such, however, is Mr.. Edwards
position. He claims to be of the Democratic party,
and yet refuses to act with it upon question which
has formed prominent and distinctive feature in its
State policy.
We hear great deal about independence, freedom
from dictation and all that of things ninetenths
of which is preached up for the purposes of humbug
The whole thing is species of political bankruptcy
repudiation-an attempt to grasp the rewards and
honors of party without honestly discharging the
corresponding obligation thereby ncurred-to labor
for its success, and strengthen its organization.
| If Mr. Edwards could not act with the Democratic
party, he should not have allowed himself accep,
an election at its hands.
! We learn from Raleigh that the Wing members
had held in regard to the of that party
toward Free Suffrage. Was it part of the plan to
give just sufficient throw the responsibility
of its defeat upon the Speaker
ITilmington Journal.