Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-24
For the Standard.
DISCUSSION AT YADk1N COURTHOUSE.


the people at Yadkn Court House. A large number
OF persons were convened and great interest
ken by both parties in the discussion Mr. Kerr, ac-
cordlng to the arrangement made between himself
and Gov. Reid, opened the discussion. The princi-
pal topics were Convention Convention, the
Tariff and the candidates for the Presidency. Mr..
Kerr, in speaking about Convention said, that he
would vote for one; commended that he stood upon the
old American principle that the majority should rule,
thus Indirectly admitting that the minority should
be heard, but must yield implicit obedience to the
majority. Now letus examine this principle and
where it will lead us. His position will lead US to
this conc usion, that the people who made the Con-
stitutlon have right to change it whenever bare
majority wish it. Now, in my humble opinion, the
people of the whole Union bear the same relation to
National Constitution the people Of North Ca
rolina TO the State Constitution If then the Const
tuition of North Carolina is creature of the people,
and majority can change it at their pleasure, the
National Constitution being Gas is recognized in the
Preamble) creature of the people, is under their
control. Now if Mr.. Kerrs doctrine is true in one
case il is true throughout. Suppose that his princ
pie was put practice, what would be the consequent
ces This is dangerous doctrine to the South,
and the people of North Carolina should look to it
on the fifth day of August.
Gov. Reid took up the Convention doctrine, and
very plainly showed to the people that it would not
do. He told them and proved it too, that if they de-
pended upon Convention for Equal Suffrage they
never would get it. He said that Legislative enact
ment was much the Speediest, surest and cheapest
way alter the Constitution; because two thousand
dollars had already been expended in publishing the
Act of the last Legislature on Equal Suffrage, and
that if a Convention was called we should have to
begin anew, and rescnd all that had been done and
lOse t1UO thousand dollars besides and by this it
would be nearly three years before could get Free
Suffrage Uhere1s the Uery cote that ao0ud call
Contention would give US Free Suffrage if is done
by Legislative enactment, and all the delay and ex-
pense Of Convention would be avoided, as well as
the uncertainty of getting Equal Suffrage through
Convention at all, getting it through coupled with
some odious measure, in order to avoid which we
will have to repudiate ALL He cited example of
the danger Of Contention thai Of Tirginia, WHICH
SAT EIGHT MONTHS at an erpense If OVER TWO HUM
DRIED THOUSAND DOLLARS; and the most Of the time
spent TN discussing the basis question. Governor
Reid's arguments the Tariff were copious and lu-
cid, showing the error into which the Wing party
and consequently Mr.. Kerr had fallen in advocating
the Tariff of 1912 instead of 1896 Mr.. Kerr, In the
of his remarks, accused the Governor Of rec
commencing bankrupt alD 10 the Legislature, 1chen
HE RECOMMENDED SOME RELIEF FOR THE CHEROKEE
PURCHASERS. l am in hopes that the people OF Che
rokee will remember, that the man who calls them
bankrupts is soliciting their votes In August to place
him above the man who favored their rights and the
cause of Justice. l hope that the Governor will also
inform the citizens of Cherokee of the facts about
this charge. Mr.. Kerr closed his remarks with an
eloquent harangue Scott and gunpowder.
In his reoinder MIR. Kerr said that the Democrats
were nuliers and disunionsts and to prove cited
John G.. Calhoun but Gov. Reid proved TO him that
Calhoun was Wing at the time South Carolina null.
lifted. Mr.. Kerr condescepded to say things about
Gen. Pierce, that standing In the position that
lie was should not have said he asserted that" Pierce
had not any honor in Mexico, except that OF
fainting when the enemy approached which ne well
knew to be an infamous fasehood proclaimed to In
lure the fair fame of New Hampshire's noble son.
If he will but put himself to the trouble to read the
biography OF Gen. Pierce, written and published in
1919 two wears before his name came before the good
people of this land their candidate for the Presi-
dency, he will find the following facts, viz: "That he
was commissioned in March, 1S47, and Immediately
repaired to the of action, THAT " he,' in
stead of fainting when the enemy approached, "sig-
nally defeated them at the National Bridge on his
march from Vera Cruz ''-that g he was one of the
first in the action CT the filth of August Contreras,
and that g whilst bravey leading his brigade amidst
d shower of musket balls and shells his horse Stun
bled and fell by which he received severe sPrain in
the knee mounting another horse, he continued on
the field until mid night and IS on the succeeding
day, contrary to advice and will of the Physician of
the Army, under whose care he had been placed, In
consequence of the fall of his horse. he persisted in
leading his men, and Old so tor WHILE pressing on
with the most heroic - but being ordered by Gen.
Scott to occupy certain position, he gained it, and was
ad vancing upon the enemy they standing still IN the
neantine not Sc approacting, - when 1t became ne
cessary for him to dismount to cross ditch, over
which his horse cond not leap. and forgetful of his
hurt and every thing else except the honor of his
country and her cause, " he pressed on until sudden
Iy turning upon his knee he tainted and fell, not from
his horse or from fears of the enemy John Kerr
would have you believe, but from off OF his feet brave
ly advancing upon his country S enemy.
And if Gen. Pierce did not gain any honor, which
cannot, with the evidence before me, admit, 1t was
not his fault because he faithfully performed every
dutv assigned him by Gen. Scott to the entire salts
faction of that officer. Thus proving himself worthy
of the most unbounded and confidence, whether
in the Council Halls of the Nation, (where he had
been faithfully tried or the field of battle; and
placing the brand of falsehood upon every man who
dare say aught derogatory to his honor his capaci
y to fiji the highest Office in the power of his coun-
trymen to bestow. HO DEMOS.
CONGRESS.
+I,o