Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-07-28
GOV. REID ON FREE SUFFRAGE.

Eriract from the address of Gov. Reid to tie people Of
North Carolina, dated June 29tA, 1850.
trust l shall be pardoned for alIuding to the
ner in which this subject was made an issue in the
canvass of l949, for think 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 permitted vote for the Senate and others
were not, no new discovery to me or to any
body else. At any rate. l well remember my atteR-
ton directed to the inequality and injustice of this
feature of our Constitution even before became vo-
teri and presume there but few in the State
who could not say much My attention was fire.
quentIy 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 member Of the Legislature, determined at
time to present the subject the consideration
of that body, but met with no encouragement from
those to whom l communicated my intention. Oc-
cupyIng an humble position and possessing but lit
tie influence, was fearful that failure then might
prove prejudclal to this question of Re-
form, which, believed, could some day convince
the people they ought to adopt The time and state
of public opinion then appeared unproptious, and
abandoned my determination. Early in the year 949,
determined to press the subject to the consideration
of the people of the State AS federal politics had
governed almost everything in State for years,
Oresaw that 1t would be difficult procure for this
subject that consideration which its importance de-
manded, unless it was adopted by ct the Politi-
cal parties. With this view / determined to attend
the Democratic Convention TO be held that Spring and
urge its adoption as an issue; and that if the Con-
venton would adopt it, would seek some suit
able occasion to make Speech the subject in
my County, and write 1t out for publication and
that would publish essays on the subject, urging
the consideration of this question to the people. lit
health prevented me from attending the Convention.
When heard from that Convention, l surpris- !
ed to learn that had been nominated for Governor.
Before | received official information of my nomina-
ton wrote Mr. Holden a letter stating that should
probably decline, but if l l desired to make
Equal Suffrage an issue. Believing the state of my
health was such that canvass OF the State would
be hazardous TO my life, subsequently let
ter declining the nomination This letter not
published, and my friends prevailed upon me with
draw it and accept the nomination. The next day
after | accepted left home to my competitor,
who 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 TO several ofmy friends there
and MIR. Holden assured me, if L carried out my
intention, that the Standard would zealously advo-
cate the measure. At Goldsborough l mentioned
the subject TO friends met there. When arrived |
Newbern consulted friends there on the subject
and Mr. Guck promised me that the Republican |
would zealously advocate the measure. My friends |
will recollect that in all these conversations that to
make this issue was favorite object with and
that these conversations. and consultations on the
subject brought about by my own suggestions.
had no consultation or conversation the subject
of making this issue with any living out of the
State; neither-dd [ receive from Washington City
OF ELSEWHERE any SuSSSSHoH, NIItteH OF
in relation to making the issue.
The Democratic party had nominated me without !
my knowledge or consent and although they had not
authorized me to make Equal Suffrage question in |
the election, yet believed they would sustain inc if
did rights and therefore took the responsibility to
put " that ball in notion on the 10th of Nav, |
1913. This is the way in which the subject was in.
troduced into the canvass of IS49.
What is the dearest privilege of an American citi- |
zen 1t is to exercise the great and nestimable |
right OF suffrage. In advocating this reform | do |
not now, nor have at any time, proposed to change
The basis OF Representation for either the Senate or
House OF Commons. Let that remain as it is What
propose is, to permit every o0ho entitled
10 cote for The Commons, to UOte also for the Senate
Is this right! might call your attention to the fact
NAT this odlous distinction does not exist any other
S'ae OF this Union. AS the Constitution now stands
man cannot vote for the Senate unless he holds
ireehold OF nifty acres of land. This is unjust even
between landholder and landholder One man owns
MY acres worth $25; he vote for the Senate, |
%nle announcer may own one acre worth ten thousand
dollars, yet the latter cannot vote for the Senate II
Is sui more unjust between those who own land and
nose VINO do not Ii is not TO take the roht of vo
s Lao le iandholder but it is to extend the right
OF suHrae 10 another meritorious and virtuous class
OF our own fellow-ctzens All exnerience bos
SHOWN that the mere fact that man owns land does
~ "ioHo hii" Iioie "lse' more pure more patri-
otto. 1t is slander upon the merits and character
Vi Inls VlrtuouS class of our cttzens to saw thew
would enact lnquitious laws plunder the landboId
CTS. mere are many of our citizens who own oron-
elty and yet are not landhoders; and no men would
+" utaer to protect the rights of property of every
description. Alarge portion of our enterprsinp vouno
men, and of our industrious farmers and mechanics
W not own fifty acres of land. These men will new.
Ct attempt to impose on the landed interest because
lucy lntend as soon as 1t is compatible with their
convenience or ability, to possess themselves of l.nd
mot by the unholy means of pundernp their neigh-
SoS but by purchase with the proceeds of their hon
Hst Industry. During the last canvass, willie dis
FnSslpg this question IN the West, Gov Manlv ;nais
could he tha nf 6,
did not go for changing the basis of Repre-
ban;aE, by which of The Eastern Counties.
tar aless number Of voters than some of the WAes
IN he Ipntes yet they had the same representation
90 fa ngIS;ature and why, he would ask, did not
gH.OI equaIlzng them1 do not know whether he
sec :" use ms arguement in the present canvass
WIZ @Swever, In his Speech lately made before the
00"'e"''0n' and which presume was pub