Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-08-04
GOV. REID ON FREE SUFFRAGE.

canvass OF 1915, Tor the part acted enables
me to know more about this matter than any other
human being upon the face of the earth. That some
men were permitted to vote for the Senate and others
were not, was no new discovery to to any
body else. At any rate. l we'll remember my atteR-
ton directed the neq quality and injustice OF this
feature of our Constitution even before became vo-
ter; and presume there but few in the State
who could not say much. My attention was fire.
quently called to the subject when candidate for
the Senate, by persons who desired to vote for me-
but expressed regret that they could not do for
the want of the land qualification Many years ago,
while a member of the Legislature, I determined at
one time to present the subject to the consideration
ot that body, but met with encouragement from
those to whcm communicated my intention. Oc-
cuPylng an humble position and possessing but lit
tie influence, fearful that failure then might
prove Preudlcal to this question of Constitutional Re-
form, which. believed, could some day convince
the people they ought to adopt. The time and state
OF pubic opinion then appeared unproptious, and
abandoned my determination. Early in the year lS4S
determined to press the subject the consideration
OF the people of the State. AS federal politics had
governed almost every thing in our State for years.
foresaw that it would be difficult to procure for this
subject that consideration which its Importance de-
manded, unless it was adopted by OF the pol-
cal Parties With this view l determined TO attend
the Democratic Convention to be held that Spring and
urge its adoption an issue; and that if the Con-
vention would not adopt it, l would seek suit
able occasion to make a Speech the subject in
my own County, and write it out for publication and
that 1 would publish essays the subject, urging
the consideration of this question to the people. Ill
health prevented me from attending the Convention.
When heard from that Convention, was surprs-
ed to learn that had been nominated for Governor.
Before received official information of my nominal
ton wrote Mr.. Holden letter stating that should
probably decline, but if l 1 desired to make
Equal Suffrage an issue. Believing the state of my
health such that canvass OF the State would
be hazardous to my life subsequently wrote let
ter declining the nomination. This letter
published, and my friends prevailed upon me TO with
draw it and accept the nomination. The next day
after accepted left home to meet my competitor,
who was then engaged in the Canvass. Before leav-
ing home apprsed some of my friends of my pur-
pose to make this issue. When / reached Raleigh,
mentioned the subject several of my friends there
and Mr.. Holden assured me, if l carried out my
intention, that the Standard would zealousy advo-
cate the measure. At Goldsborough l mentioned
the subject to friends met there. When arrived
at Newbern consulted friends there on the subject,
and Mr.. Gulick promised me that the Republican
would Zealously advocate the measure. My friends
will recollect that in all these conversations that
make this issue was favorite object with me and
that these conversations and consultations the
subject were brought about by my own suggestions.
had consultato or conversation on the subject
Of making this issue with any one living out of the
State; neither did receive from Washington City
or elsewhere any suggestion, either written ora
in relation to making the issue.
The Democratic party had nominated me without
my knowledge consent and although they had not
authorized me to make Equal Suffrage question in
the election, yet believe they would sustain me if
did right; and therefore took the responsibility to
v,
ls4s. This is the way in which the subject was in.
troduced into the canvass of 184S.
What is the dearest privilege of an American citi-
zen! 1t is to exercise the great and inestmable
right of suffrage. In advocating this reform do
not now, have at any time, proposed to change
the basis of Representation for either the Senate
House of Commons. Let that remain as il is. What
propose is, to permit euery ,vho n0v entitled
10 vote for the Commons, to Uote also for the Senate
Is this right! might call your attention the fact
hat this odous distinction does not existn any other
State of this Union. AS the Constitution stands,
a cannot vote for the Senate unless he holds a
freehold of fifty Of land This is unjust, even
between landholder and landholder One man owns
fifty acres worth $25 he for the Senate
while another may own one acre worth ten thousand
dollars, yet the latter cannot vote for the Senate 1t
is still unjust between those who own land and
those who do II is TO take the right of vo-
ting from the landholder but is extend the right
Of suffrage to another mertorous and virtuous class
of our fellow -citizens. All experience has
shown that the mere fact that owns land, does
not make him more wise, more pure patri-
otic. 1t is sander upon the merits and character
of this virtuous class of our citizens say they
would iniqutous laws to plumber the landhold-
ers. There many of our citizens who own prop
erty, and yet are not landholders; and would
60 further to protect the rights of property Of every
description large portion of our enterprsing young
men, and of our industrious farmers and mechanics,
do not fifty acres of land. These men will nev-
attempt to impose the landed interest, because
they intend, it is compatible with their
convenience ability, to possess themselves of land
mot by the unhoy means of plunderng their neigh
bors, but by purchase with the proceeds of their hon.
est industry. During the last canvass, willie dis
cussing this question in the West, Gov. Manly insis
ted that could not be the friend Of Equal Suffrage
because did not go for changing the basis of Repre-
sentat;On, by which some of the Eastern Counties,
having less number Of voters than of the Wes-
tern Counties, yet they had the representation
in the Legislature and why, he would ask, did not
go for equaliziDg them? ! do not know whether he
intends to this arguement in the present canvass
see, however, in his Speech lately made before the
Whg Convention, and which presume was pub
lished be circulated oil the Slate, that he does
not aude TO this point. Our basis of Representa-
ton for branch of the Legislature is taxaton for
the other it fearled population. The Abolitionsts
the North wish to destroy the basis of federal pop
uation upon which we are represented in Congress.
| regard their course on the subject mschevous
| and dangerous, and should regard similar move.
ment in relation to representation in the Legsla
ture, fraught with equal mischief and danger.
presume there at this day, fifty thousand of
free white citizens, of the age of twenty-one
years, who cannot vote for the Senate. And why
is it so! 1t is not because they wanting in vr-
tue, intelligence, or patriotism; but because of an
arbitrary feature in Constitution which withhods
from them one of their dearest rights. In vain may
we boast of equal rights while this feature remains
in our Constitution. Although these not
placed upon terms of equality at the ballot-box, ye
when taxes are 10 be paid, when the rights and
honor Of the country are to be defended against the
attacks of foreign foe, these men-yes, these men,
are among the first to contribute their and
their blood to the cause of their country. . I'D.
would like to the brave who perilled
fho1r L. Hho w ainof