Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-05-19

THE STAR-THE BASIS, &c.
ThS Raleigh Star. in replying to of our articles

THE STAR-THE BASIS, &c.
ThS Raleigh Star. in replying to Of our article.
Of LAST week, says: H..r.
The Standard knows. or ought to know, that We
are also opposed to disturbing the present basis.
Some time last year, we had cause more than once
to correct the statements Of that print this subject
On one occasion We said distinctly, We have re.
peatedly expressed our irm and decided opposition
to any and every attempt to disturb the great
misses of our Constitution We strictly adhere to
this opinion every days experience serving but to
strengthen the convictioa that it would be both
just and unwise to make any material change in the
present basis Of representation in either branch of the
Legislature"
The STAR ,hen 10 for the basis az it is or rather is
against any material CHANGE therein but then the
Star is, at the same time in favor Of submitting it
to the people to say. by oare majority at the ballot
box, whether not they will have an open Conven.
tion-a Convention to be called upon the Federal
basis. and with the view Of making certain changes
in the Constitution. Will the Editor of the Star
vote for this Conventions provided the question should
be submitted to the people! Is he in favor Of or
against it If against i.9 and if he believes the peo-
pie would vote the proposition down, how can he as
as an Editor protesting to deal fairly by his readers,
advocate the plan Of taking the vote of the people
thereupon9 Does he wish to 90 through this mere
form with the view Of defeating Free Suffrage But
for Convention, why does he not say so, and ad-
vocate it boldly and openly.
The friends of the present basis will be very slow
to believe that any is sincerely cooperating with
them. who will lend himself to agitation the result
of which. If any given result be anticipated from
it. to call Conuention clothed ,oih o,oer change
the basis, and to substitute for taxation and tie three
6fihs principle tie principle of white population.
But who authorized the Wing leaders to say, that
the people may, if they choose. call Convention
to alter their fundamental law These gentlemen
ready permit-to allow the people upon the
question at the polls! What condeseension! If the
people wan, Convention, they ,oiN let them say so
But suppose majority should vote Convention
what then! Why these leaders would have to come
back to the Constitution, which declares that such
body shall be called unless by the of two
thirds of all the members of both houses of the Cen
eral Assembly and how is this twothirds vote to be
obtained Is the Constitution in this respect to be
disregarded. to make way for the expected result Of
this majority vote Is it be ruled and held, by the
conservative Wing party of North Carolina, that
the voice of bare majority at the polls shall force
into action in accordance with that voice. twohirds
of tho General Assembly! And if so, what is this
thirds requirement worthl Is It not thereby SUBJ
stanay abrogated, and rendered useless tor all prae-
teal purposes in all time to come? The Constitution
says two-thirds, but bare maoty of the people say
otherwise and then the substance changes to snad
ow and tha reality becomes a mere form! Is not
this SO! We have as much respect as any one for
the will of the people, and We will 60 far as
any one in carrying out that will, when fairly and
clearly ascertaned but we could not, under any cir
cumstances, pursue course directly or indirectly in
conflict with the provisions of the Constitution, which
the people themselves have ordained and established
We look to that Constitution for guidance and in
struction in all times of difficulty and trial and we
in II, than in any thing below or beyond it,
the embodied majesty and power Of the people
themselves. We seek to amend it only in accordance
,uith its provisions and forms and we can find
in it authority for making any amendment, or tor
taking any steps towards amendments, by bare ma
jority of the people at the polls.
But it is almost useless it seems to Us, to argue
these points they are so plain and clear that be
who runs may read"
We are satisfied that this movement of the Wing
leaders is only device to defeat Free Suffrage and
to obtain possession of State and Federal Offices and
honors Party is the bottom Of their action in all
this matter; the West is promised great things. pro-
vided Convention should be called, while the East
is expected endure agitation for the especial bene-
fit of partizans and demagogdes.
YANCEY COUNTY.