The southerner., 1852-05-15

ell, you Culnh you dio Chi NV
do YOU? Not exactly; there is still
small remnant of "aristocracy," to be
Of, fan "odious distinction" to
be reformed! The "text" is, "that all
men are created equaz," without regard
to coHor; you must therefore "abollsh
negro slavery" and give to all the males
of sixteen, "equalsufrage." BY this
time, you will have made matters pretty
"equap' and "levez," but whether
smooth, remains to be seen. Thus 1t
appears to be an "aboluion" business,
throughout.
But, may be asked, if [ believe all
this ecW follow?-that as most of the
States of this Union, have adopted
.frce-sufrage" without running into all
these extremes, we not only couM do
likewise, but it proves that we should do
SO. | certainly do net believe, that the
people of North Carolina will ever, eth
er agree, or submit to all of the above:
I do however, believe, that an alteration
Of the "basis of representation" will
soon follow the adoption Of "frce-suf-
fragc," and probably, the abolition of
the property qualification, in the Rep
rcscntatives: And [ believe our northern,
not "brcthrcn," but enemies, would
any day, paint the worst part of the pic
turc, if they possessed the means;-pro-
vided, it would not shattcr this "Union'
to atoms; and if we insist on the adop-
ton of "frcc-sufrage," as being consis-
tent with the said "Dcclaration," all
the balance being equally CONSISTENT
to practice what we "preach," We would
be bound to acquicsce, if not assist, in
its fulilment. AS regards the course of
other States; they possibly did not
"preach' from this text, if they did
they have been wanting, in consistency;
and the ridiculous figure, which some
of them cut, on the "basis' question
does net challenge, either our admira
ton or imitation. You are certainly a
ware, that portion of the northern
people, rely on this very "tcxt," to au
thorizc, or at least justify, their inter
ference, in our domestic matters.
The doctrine of ''precedent," is {
dangerous one; consequently, an unsafe
guide. If the fact, that majority Of
the United States believe "frec-suf
fragc," to be yIWt, proves that We
should adopt 1t; does not the belief of I
najority of said States, that .'slavcry'
Is 'erong, prove that We should "abol
'Sh" it? Ny more; five are So anx
ious for others to determine, what W,
should do, rather than judge for our
elves, we may learn that majority, O
Ill the people AMI governments too, OIL
2arth, arc opposed not only to "ncgrC
slavery" but also to a Republican form
IF government. Would not the man
who should contend, that because of this
predominant opinion, we should disre.
gard all the lights, which the experience
of sevcnty-six years (and more, in rela-
ton to slavery) has furnished, US, and
proceed to change our institutions, SO as
to conform to said opinion, be deemed
worthy of a "leathcr medal" Or "a cell
in the Lunatic Asylum?
! Sir, l respectfully, but earnestly cal
on all, who may read these crude
thought to pause, before you take the
first, but irremediable step;-for you
must know there is no retracing. Why
abandon the best Constitution, man ev-
er behold? In it is ample provision
made, for both rich and poor;-nelther
can encroach, on the rights Of the other;
each House IN legislation, to act as
check on the other, if necessary.
A large majority, in the eastern part
of the State, who are in favor of "frcc-
suffrage" are opposed to "equal-suf-
frage.7
Indeed, some profess to support the
one, to prevent the other. This, [ be-
heve, to be not only inconsistent and
untenable, but a fatal mistake. IF it
is right for all the voters of Edgecombe,
to possess "equaP' political power; it is
also right for all those of Buncombc, to
possess the same "cquality" of power,
as those of Edgecombe. This "free
suffrage" will not accomplish, but
'equal suffrage" will; and 50 far from
the adoption Of the one, having any ten
dency to prevent the other, it is the We
ry means Of securing it;-the one will
follow the other, just as certainly as
day follows night.
Now lam willing to stake this ques-
ton of "free suffrage" on that of
''equal-suffrage"-a change in the "basis
OF representation" from "taxation" in
the Senate, and "federal numbers" in
the House of Commons;-to "free per-
SoOSo ~, Io4l