Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-06-09

PAID these soldiers" as by putting his finger on his
nose, and accom- panying that action by theatrical
and contemptuous gestures. Not only no objection
to Free Suffrage had he, if the people wished it, but
he went for other reforms in most perfect Con
stItutlon - Wis for blotting the property quail
hcatlon for Governor and members of the Assembly.
And he spoke too of the dangers of making amend
ments to the Constitution and declared Free Suffrage
to be the origin of them all. Poor Free Suffrage
how troublesome you are to Whiggery-so danger
Gus to the people, you and Gov. Red-so says Mr..
Kerr; and he advises the people to " run to him, -
to get out of danger Mr. Kerrs course demonstrates
one thing ncontestibly-Free Suffrage is the cause
of some danger to has prospects, and hence the diff
Guilty ne gives his friends in reconcng his on
this subject, with any regular notions of his being
candidate without concealments. - The truth is,
his position the question is perfect curiosity,
and so is his argument. Both text and comment is
rddla, which it would take three Philadelphia law
yers, with the Register and Commercial help them,
to solve-it being still unsettled, whether he is one
way or the other, both ways, ways, on the ques-
ton. 'Without concealments''-mercyo on conceal
ers then
On the question of Convention or no Convention
Mr.. Kerr equally explicit, and without conceal
ments-yet not more so. Again, this question, he
puts the people between him and all responsibility for
individual opinion. He is willing for them to say
whether they wish Convention or not; but he
would it seems, prefer either to vote himself,
to vote folded ticket, this issue. But can't his
position be argued out? Let He thinks the
" Constitution the most perfect very well, so
far, good: Free Suffrage is the cause of all our
danger-good : People desire Free Suffrage-all
right: Legislative mode of amendment, bad-go {:
Convention mode proper, if people desire it-plan
enough: therefore, Mr.. Kerr is for Conven ton
or against it., else he is not. " Without conceal
ments''? Take back the boast, Mr.. Kerr.
Mr.. Kerr was furthermore understood to say that
he had never, till lately, heard that the white basis
question had been agitated in connection with the
Convention movement; and it will doubtless be some
consolation to the Greensborough Patriot and the
AsheVille Messenger, to know that he declares his
decided and unqualified opposition to any such nom
sense all that and no less the proposition dis
tribute the School fund according to the whit popu
lation.
Gov. Reid's position on these questions, and each
of them, so important to the people Of North Caro-
lima, is perfectly well understood. He believes that
the principle of Free Suffrage is right IN itself, and
should be incorporated into the fundamental law of
the State. He believes that the cheapest, and
most expeditions, and most satisfactory mode of eff
fectng the amendment (now pending before the Lee
gslaure) is by means of Legislative enactment; and
that the dangers, if any exist, of unacceptable chang.
ges and of" tinkerng with the Constitution would
be multiplied by the call of open Convention and
if the right of Free Suffrage cannot be engrafted in
the organic law by the Legislature, it cannot and will
not be accomplished by Convention. He believes
that the effect if not of the objects of those who
most strongly insist Convention, is the defeat of
Free Suffrage; and occupying these grounds, he did,
in our humble judgment thoroughly and triumphant
ly expose the sophstries Of Mr.. Kerr, and acquit
himself TO the entire satisfaction of his friends and
the discontinue of his competitor.
And how could the issue of such contest be 9TH
erwise! The people of North Carolina have de-
in its recognition and establishment; nor can Mr..
Kerr and all the Wing leaders and presses in the
State, by any appeals to the preudices and pockets
of landholders, change their fixed and settled pur
poses, to sanction reform just in principle and
so entirely accordan with the spirit of Republic
in all sections, that Gov. Reid has nothing fear
his plain and direct manner-his open and cand i'd
bearing all questions-and the manifest, radical
justice of his cause, will inspire public confidence,
and make douby sure the already suspicious pros
poets of his triumphant reelection. Such is the feel
ing here; nor entertain we a single doubt, but that
Wake County will do her full share in rolling up tor
him an increased majority, upon her former vote.
cnNcpESS