Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-11-24
FREE SUFFRAGE. /

The majority Report of the Commons Commit
tee, to which called attention in our last is not
directly against Free Suffrage but in favor. Of a
Convention # the organic law % is to be amend
ed at all, and against innovation, &c. &c. In
other words, this document is rehash of the old
Wing doctrine on the subject for several years past
1t admits that the Legislative mode of amending
the Constitution is strictly Constitutional, but at
the same time contends that the Convention mode
IS " most strictly in accordance with the ancient
republican landmarks. 1t expresses fears that the
people will do themselves and their Constitution
serious injury, if they persist in demanding their
rights Il" a certain aOay, though that way is ex-
pressy sanctioned in the Constitution itself, and
though the General Assembly, which is looked to
to perfect the present amendment and submit 1t to
the people, is appealed to in the same breath
which giyes utterance to these fears, to devise
"some more speedy and satisfactory plan for set
ting various questions of reform. 1t is wrong, 1t
is dangerous, is the argument of the Committee,
for the Legislature to pass the Free Suffrage bill
bv q three-ifths and two-thirds vote, and submit
it to the people and it is thus wrong and dan g.
erous for that body to pursue this course, for the
reason that the Legislature ought not to tinker
with the Constitution, and commit the people to
mode of amendment, (which the history of the
two past Legislatures demonstrates to be both ex-
pensive and precarious -; and yet it is right for
this very Legislature thus forbidden to touch
the Constitution, to authorize Convention-a free
Convention, i'll which this Constitution may be
thoroughly and radically changed!
The above is specimen of the arguments and
positions of this document.
We shall not go at length into examination
of this document, reply to it point by point,
for the plain reason that perceive no particular
necessity for so doing We apprehend that no
one, who reads for himself and thinks for himself,
will be msled by it; and besides, we prefer to de-
fend and urge the great measure of Free Suffrage
in our own way. We do not choose to be divert
ed from leading and material points by the special
peadings or evasions of the opposition; and we
SHALL therefore, notice these special pleadings and
evasions only when we believe that good will come
of it to the cause we have in hand.
1t is idle, after what has taken place, to contend
that the people of this State desire Convention.
They have, time and again, in the most emphatic
manner declared against Convention for any
purpose whatsoever; and it is not likely that any
thing will soon occur to induce them to change
their opinions or their will in this respect. The
members who have submitted this majority Report
are, ought to be, aware of this fact; and being
thus of it, the only reasonable inference from
their course is, that they are opposed to any and al
amendments of the Constitution, and, as a conse-
quenee, opp ,sed to Free Suffrage.
should be called-what security would Mr.. Perry
have that the basis of representation would not be
changed? And yet he represents, in part, the
largest slaveholding and nearly the largest tax
paying County in the State Is he quite certain
that the nonIandholders of Granville-aye, the
for he represents them as we'll as
the landholders-are SO bitterly opposed to Ere
Suffrage that, rather than have it now, they are
willing to run the chances of a Convention Is |
he indeed, certain that maj ority of the lsndhol
ders of his way. of thinking?
The Free Suffrage bill has already passed one
Legislature by the necessary three-ftths vote and
all that is required is that it shall be sanction
ed by two-thirds of the present Assembly, and
submitted to the people for their approval at the
baot-box. If the masses to have this privil-
eye at all, why not giUe 1t to them now : Why
undo all that has been heretofore done, and resort
to the responsive and precarious mode of Con-
vention? Must the Free Suffrage crop, already in
fine condition and doing well in every respect, be
ploughed up and new one planted merely because
it was not put in according to particular plan ?
Are the people to be told when they demand an
right, that they shall not have it
because they did not call for it in certain way |?
Away with these fimsy objections away with
this pretended regard for popular rights away
with this lone for the people, which assumes that
they are enemies to their Constitution, and in
capable of taking care of and governing them
selves
This important measure WILL we think most GER
tanly pass the Commons, and we have strong hopes
of its success in the Senate still it may be defeat
ed in the latter body. But its defeat will be only
temporary. 1t aOiU prevail-it wiU force its way,
over all opposition into the very heart of the State
G institution. So far we are concerned, we shall
stand by it, and that to the end. If stricken down
now, shall be among the first to rally its friends,
to raise its flag and to make preparations for still
further struggles in its behalf
More hereafter.
e t.