Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1852-11-24
MINORITY REPORT.


tee Constitutional Reform, to whom was referred
the bill to amend the Constitution of North Carolina,
do not concur in the report submitted by majority of
that committee; and beg leave enter their unqua-
led dissent thereto and to express their most hearty
approval Of the amendment proposed by the BILL and
OF the mode therein adopted for effectng it.
The right of an eector, when qualified, to vote
for candidates for all elective officers lies at the very
foundation of American ideas OF liberty and equality,
and no one can oppose it, who believes in the eapac
iiy of man for self:government.
The statement of the proposition amounts in itself
to demonstration, because equality at the ballot box
must be an axiom in the political faith of every gem
uine advocate and supporter of republican principles
An elaborate argument, therefore, to support the
principle of equal suffrage. as involved in the bill, is
unnecessary. and would be act Of supererogaon at
this time. The patriotic and intelligent voters of
North Carolina have demanded change in our fun
damenta law, as TO incorporate therein this prin
ciple of equality, with unanmiy unparalleled and
in voice which cannot be disregarded. The people
have not only settled the question regards the BILL
under consideration, by emphatic approval of
the principle it involves, but they have approved, in
terms alike decisive, the mode therein adopted. of
amedng their constitution, least far regards
tbe amendment as embodied in the bill.
The only enquiry, therefore, which should have
engaged the attention Of the committee, was wheth-
the requirements of the Constitution in relation to
amendments thereto by the Legislature, had been
strictly complied with. Upon this latter point there
was no difference OF opinion among the members of
the committee. AT TIE las, session Of the General
Assembly. the present bill passed both Houses. by
the majority prescribed by the Constitution, and all
the soemnities required in its enactment were duly
observed at that session. The committee likewise
concurred in opinion, that this bill. agreed to. at
the last session. had been published six months pre-
vous 10 the election of the members of this General
Assembly. 1t is much to be regretted that dfferen-
ces of opinion among the members Of the committee,
either the principle involved in the amendment
itself, to the mode Of effectng it, should have
resulted in report adverse 10 bill which meets the
approval Of nineten;hs of the people of the State
and indignant would have been the popular response
from all sections, if the repor, Of majority of the
committee determined the question bot fortunately.
it still remains for this Legislature to decide whether
they will. by two-third vote, efectuate the object
so wisely begun the last session, by reenacting
this bi and submit the great and important question
it involves to the people for their ratification, or
whether objections, merely formal shall fores,a the
wshes of the people, and debar them the enjoyment
of essential political privileges. Hoping that all the
members of the House may ultimately agree to unite
with the undersigned in responding to the demands
of the people in relation to equal suffrage, they ear.
nestly recommend the passage of the present BILL as
the most efectual and speedy mode of consunmating
the wishes of the people on that subject.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL A. WILLIAMS,
| 10. DOBSON,
c. M. STILES.