Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-06-18

ent parts of the State shall make an eHort 10 e4teho
our sphere of usefulness, by adding to circula-
ton.
COUNTY CoNvENTIoN.-The proceedings OF The
Democratic Convention. of New Hanover County,
which body assembled at the Court House in this
place on the 18th inst, will be found in our columns
to-day. We are authorized to say that the nominees
of the Convention have accepted. They are, there
FORE before the people for seat in the next Legs-
lature of North Carolina. For the Senate JOHN A.
SANDERS Esq. For the House of Commons, Col.
ROBERT STRANGE, JOHN A. CoRBETT, Esq.
North Carolina.-Thc Candidates and the Canvass.
We have before US large number of papers both
Democratic and Wing, giving sketches of the vari-
Gus discussions which have been had between Messrs
Reid and Kerr, Democratic and Wing candidates, re-
Spectivey for the Office of Governor of North Caro-
lima We prefer at present to quote from the Fay
ettevlle Observer its account of the discussion in
that town. preudiced and one-sided as it evident
" is gives us all we want. 1t contains the follow
ing to begin with:
mir. Kerr argued that it necessarily takes or
years to get amendment through the legislature
and that there were plenty more such issues kept
behind to be presented year after year. and to keep
the State in u turmoil. The Convention would more
easily, speedily and cheaply settle them all. And L
shall vote for a Convention said he"
Let our Wing friends in this part of the State.
who opposed to a Convention. bear this il mind
MIR. Kerr is not simply, they will be told, in ia
yor of submitting the question of Convention no
Convention to the people. He is out plainly and d.
recily for Convention. 1t is there in black and
white from no democratic paper, but from the Fay
ettevlle Observer the editor of which is Grand High
Priest of Mr. Kerr's party Let this speak for it.
self
4 gain, MIR. Kerr advanced and. asserted the posi-
trs4 Fayetteville that the majority of the people
have the right to amend the constitution. He said
= The we'll considered will of the ma orty should be
carried outn These are his words, used in refer
ence to the cabling of convention. The constitu-
tion says:
- No convention shall be called by the General
Assembly. unless by the concurrence of two-thirds
of all the members Of each House of the General AS
scmbly''
Mr. Kerr admitted this, but contended that no
Legislature ought to refuse call convention if a
majority of the popular vote for it, 1t is evil
dent that the constitutional provision which requires
the concurrence of two-hrds of the Legislature
Intended to operate conservative check upon
hasty action and to prevent the calling of conven
tion. unless demanded in such an imperative man
by the public necessities as would induce two
thirds vote in its favor. Such was certainly thu
view taken of it, and the object inte 1ded to be
cnred by Meares and Castor, and others, when the,
procured its insertion and yet MIR. Kerr would
make the Constitution virtually dependent upon tn
will of bare majority. .,.,...
Il is but fair to state that Mr.. Kerr avowed him
self opposed to any change in the basis of represen
tation He also expressed his opinion that Stat
Constitution was one of the best ever possessed b.
any community, and our people living under it,. tn
happiest earth. But the people have asked for
change in favor of Free Suffrage, and he willin
to grant it, He is willing to do more, it seems. H
rs willing to vote for calling unlimited Conver
tion and asserts that the Legislature should obey tn
will of majority, and at the dietaton
such barre majority, eaA Convention into who's
hands wnald be implicitly submitted the whole scop
and volume of this perfect Constitution. to be char
ged in any manner which sectional feelings migt
demand, or temporary inpxise dictate. And "
Mr. Kerr is the candidate of the conservative part,
Where we would ask, the Safeguards of tn
Constitution-whe the principles of sober delib'
ration embodied in that ppeEiso of the consttatio
which requires two thirds vote TO effect any chang
in that instrument if it is thus to be GRADED and tt
2unQdWenIaI law HldQe SuUJeCt 'bS t2c Ca{I1CS 81
mere numerical majority?
In defence of his doctrine of the power and rigi
of bare majority to alter the constitution, or RI
Their to be obeyed in regard to altering the consti
tion Mr.. Kerr quoted from circular issued in Is:
by Wm. H. Haywood, R M. Pearson, Thomas Dey
and B. NJ. Saunders, Wherein in the absence of ar
clause in the constitution providing for its on
amendment, the doctrine is asserted that the Leg
lature should .cah a convention for that purpose,
obedience to the will of majority Of the people.
Convention teas called in 1885, and in the amend
constitution then formed, one Of the most importa
features was provision for its own amendment.
twothirds vote of the Legislature is there express
required for the call of Convention or for t
of tho constitutions hv le9Slafirn anat