Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-02-25
For the Standard.
RANDOM SHOTS AT sou TGz ri 'i REFORMS

above view of il that has perhaps occurred TO many
others, will be out of place, further introduce
tory calculation Of 1t of more practical nature
| intended hereafter to be given.
All governmental acts have for their object either
one the other of two cardinal designs, to benefit
the governed advance the name, fame and repua-
ton of those who govern When the governed nave
no voice in the making Of laws, it is presumabe that
tie Of these objects can but rarely be had in view
When the rule is based upon natural right as in a
patriarcha form of government the governed rely
anG his subjects for exact and impartial justice.
When it is claimed to be by IS divine right " that a
ruler exists, the subjects may trust to that DIVINE
| ty which shapes our end" to shape the course of
the only chance is to take up their and fol-
low him." or fling themselves into the nearest
stream that affords sufficient depth give them clas-
| sic seputure like Ophelia.
Where the governed make the laws and select their
executive agents, they rely upon their own judgment
and ability to make. and the same ability to bear and
abide by the laws self-imposed In this latter case
the first named object is Of paramount importance and
looms up in the foreground of all legislation If there
be evil in their government. the remedy is found
in the originating it. In this respect, having
the advantage Of those under the first named govern.
menls, of democratic America, and or democratic
North Carolina especially. are 10 position to be rldi-
culed if when evil is palpably present, do not
apply the remedy and amputate it stricken limb
no longer to be endured.
1t has been proved by election and the action
Of one session of the legislature that have labor
ed under evil in regard to the qualification for
the Senator's box Our pregnant behoof is to APP
ply the remedy in continuance. Whether the reme-
shall be continued to the period Of convalescence
(for the application has been commenced) is now
under discussion in the State, and it remains to be
seen whether the physicians will heal themselves or
desst, and permit the disease to become chronic
ncurab lie. If we lived under either of the two gov
ernments to which some emphasis has been given
in the above, mil ht murmur, grUn groan and bear
WI would he
the i'll is the growth and orgnation of what lies
petey under the control of the injured. the injured
should bear with smiles instead of signs their self
acquired legacy, if they DO not by their good
means and in their own good time dispose of it.
Let another illustration be drawn from the field
already opened. Take again the simple and print
tive form of governm ent-tEe patriarchal. The head
of that government is be spplauded when he makes
any change in his rule resulting in the improvement
Of the social political condition of his tribe or FAM
lily. In proportion TO the amount of benefit expert
proves the change 10 be faught with. is the need
of praise he receives. 1t is not asked if some old
fiat pQtris is give place to the order and then,
after satisfactory reply is obtained, the old adhered
to, simply because has the saHctity of age-the hoa
~ dignity of ustrums-atached TO it.. The only
sonable enquiry could be, does the new obviae the
difficulties and avoid the errors OF the old And when
the people simple in manners, just in action,
and upright in principle. they accorded with op-
posed their patrarcha guide, just as this latter test
delerm ined them.
ernmsnt with the patrarchal we that the people
themselves occupy the place of the patriarch; they
give themselves laws, they are law unto them
selves, and to quote quaint old writer of about
half century back, " they determine the whole
someness or EMBELLISHMENTS ofther laws from facts
and arguments, reasoning pri0ri, from experience
and observation, reasoning Poserfori or from alto
gether summing up for!iori.' To drop the quaint,
however, our government, while resembling the pat
archa in its simplicity. hath this advantage and su-
periority Our patriarch is the twin principle Of JUS
tce and right, is the urina and Mmmmins - of our
political breast plate, the light and truth that guide
Us into safe port and fast anchorings We modify
government in any particular found to bear
ously unjustly, without appealing to the Justice of
leader, or the clemeDcy of King. But more. our
applause extends not so much 10 governors and ru-
ers as it does to measures while by species of On
avoidable association the friend and supporter Of
commended and approved measure, though identified,
is not much applanded for any excellence resident
in himself, as for exceences residing in the thing
advocated.
This brings these remarks to bear with their two
fold application upon the great question before
the people Of North Carolina. If patriarch or alb.
soue monarch, even, give restricted portion of his
tribe or nation privileges Equivalent TO those
braced in the contemplated extension of our elective
franchise) which they previously had not enjoyed.
and do this with greater injury to the rights of
those previously favored than the reform in question
do to the interests Of others here, such patriarch
or monarch would secure and receive the applause of
his people, In case, the measure itse lshas al.
ready ELECTED our applause and commentator, and
its able and fearless advocate been placed in stu
alton, expressive of and appreciation of his
great services; and will be considered beref Of
our ordinary consistency and frmness to allow the
measure in the midcareer of success languish for
the want Of continued interest and increased and
Jealous labors in its behalf.
Our brief experience in the liberty and equality we
have heretofore enjoyed, has taught orcibly and
clearly that restriction in any part Of our Constitu-
tonal guarantees is inconsistent with the spirit that
should breathe through and animate the whole. Those
restrictions, by natural consequence, peculiarly
odious that find s. no friend so poor as 10 do
their Justice reverence" Doubly odious are those
which have argument preached in their defense,
the - nrgune,Itm ad antiguarioruns Of ances-
trail parchment. Yet, this is the character of that
clause in the Constitution, which denies to me right
vested in the fifty acres of any beefnecked, obese,
dull eyed, duller headed. wealthy neghbor, who has
land and negro dignity attached to his name.
True Democracy in its progressiveness, seeks to
discover and remove unjust restrictions and this
ed majority of voters in this State are engaged in
now. In this labor. the parchment argument and all
others of similar tenuty, left t. superanuated
politicians, attenuated Office hunters hackneyed and
obsolete hangers around the public crib.
When Democracy commenced this work, dire was
the opposition and awful the anathemas that com.
mingled to its overthrow. The opposition was suf-
cient to daunt the boldest and make the stcutest
hearted quail. 1t was such might have given to
roseate ardor the pale hue and yellow tnge of hu-
initiation and shame. When the warfare commence
front with an assumed yisage Of power and indgna-
ton not excelled by the aggregate frowns and I'M
earthly grimaces put on by the forces of Apoyon
| hen called I'D in 4" the court bellows and with a