Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-16
MR.. KERR,S DoRRIsM.

1t will be'seen, by the account given by our Cor
respondent Of the discussion at Weldon, that Mr..
Kerr has taken two positions in relation to Con-
venton, first, that majority of the people have a
right to call Conventions and secondly, the ques-
ton ought 20 be submitted to the people, and if
majority vote for it, then the members of Assembly
are bound to call it. This is where Mr. Kerr is now
or ,cas at Weldon; and we learn he took the same
ground here but how long he will hold it remains
to be seen.
The assertion that majority of the people have
right TO call Convention, is assertion directly in
the face of the Constitution, and would if pressed
and carried out by the majority, be nothing less than
revolution. The people, unless they intend to revo-
lutionze, can call Convention in but one way, and
that is by twothiris of their Senators and Rep
resentatves in the Legislature. The Constitution
which contains this provision, is the peoples Con-
stution-they made it for the protection of persons
and property and the preservation of their liberties
and any attempt to evade its requirements, or destroy
its vitality, whether in letter or SPIRIT is blow aimed
be broken down. in respect, it may in another ;
and if broken at ALL there be no safety thence
forth to the peoples rights and liberties.
We have doubt that Mr.. Kerr first took the
ground that bare majority might call Conventions
but we have believe he was told at Weldon,
by distinguished Eastern Wing, that this doctrine
would not d. and that if he persisted in holding it,
he, the Eastern Wing alluded to, could not support
him. Hence his change to the position that the As
sembly would be bound respect the opinion of the
majority SO far as to give the necessary two-thirds
vote; and this was just dumping out Of the frying
pan into the fire." For suppose threefourths of the
Western Counties, under the influence of Mr.. Kerr
and Wing leaders, should vote for Convention at
the polls, with the view and in the hope OF thereby
striking down the taxation basis of the Senate, would
such vote bind the members Of Assembly from
Halifax, Wake, Berthe, New Hanover, Nash, Cas-
well, or Arson? Is not a member of Assembly first
bound TO his constituents2 Is member from New
Hanover to disregard the wishes of his constituents
and their vital interests, and consult the wishes of
Macon or Cherokee and carry them out! If SO, then
is representative government absurdty if SO, then
might the people just well abolish their Counties
and elect their members of Assembly by general
ticket But this, be it remembered, is Mr.. Kerr's
position-this is the substance of his craftsmanship
this the extent of his regard for the Constitution,
Its checks, limitations, and sacred compromises Is
such man fit to be Governor1 If in earnest in hold
ing these doctrines. would the Constitution be safe
in his hands? If he would have the people disregard
it, what might he not, if clothed with power, do
himself? But if not in earnest-if he be only dema-
goguing speaking for effect, what shall say of
him !!
The truth is, this doctrine of Mr. Kerr, that bare
majority of the feople at the polls have right TO
force two-thirds in the Assembly, is worse than
Dorism, for the plain that the Constitution
of Rhode Island contained provision for its own
amendment whereas, the Constitution of this State
provides two modes for its amendment and prescrbes
the vote by which Convention may be called, or
amendments made. And this Mr. Kerr, be it re-
processes to be Conservative, and is
the candidate for Governor of the great Conserva
tive Wing party of North CaIolina!''