Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-29

of my constituents. Ieei iully au'holiAee ~
make this declaration in their BEHALF because pub
lcIv ayowed before thenf when the basis OF repre-.
sentation put directly in issue, my determination
to abide by the compromises OF the Constitution ana
sustan them in rood faith, and they manifested their
approval of my Views by giving me warm and gen.
erous support. The position then assumed am pre-
pared to adhere am not called pom to DE-
clare what would be my course. 1t new Constlu'
lion was to be formed, independent Of any contract
agreement, understanding between dlHerent Sec
tions. Upon attaining my majority, ana examining
the fundamental law of the State, l found certain
PRINCIPLES of representation incorporated tneIeIh'
which the history of the times taught me, had been
inserted as the result of compromise between some
what conflicting interests in the State; and' was al
so informed, that the representatives OF the people VINO
agreed upon and framed that feature soemniy Peogeu
heir faith and the sacred honor of their constituents
that the promises then made should ne KEPT IN
violate and should continue and remain as mmutabe,
cumstances which conspired bring about this ar
rangement can be comprised in a very few WORDS.
The first settlements formed in North carolina were
upon the seaboard, and the Counties laid OIL In the
first instance were all small. AS population lncreas'
ed emigration to the interior commenced, and very
soon other Counties were formed but OWL: to the
sparseness of the population greater size was given
to the Counties and little complaint was heard whilst
population anything like equal. In process OF
lime however, the western Counties, owing to ex-
tent of Territory became most populous, and as the
representation arranged with reference to Coun-
ties, and therefore unequal, the West grew clam
orous tor equality OF The Eastern Coun-
ties comprised among its population twothrds oil the
slaves in the State, and whilst the white population
was much greater in the West the aggregate total
population was nearly the Our Eastern breth-
rem had the power, by of the number of their
representatives by Counties, each County being
entitled to one Senator and two Commoners. Much
discussion and great bitterness was engendered
between the two extremes OF the State. The East
finally agreed to make concessions. but insisted that
slaves were entitled to weight III representa-
ton, as they protected by the laws from inhu-
man treatment, by their masters, and were enti
tied to the right of trial by Jury other reasonable
creatures, and moreover, subjected to taxation
per capita, like free white persons-that if slaves
were be considered property, there exist
ed no stronger for jectng them to tax
capita, than horses, mules, other live stock The
controversy ultimately djusted, by compromising
upon what is termed the Federal basis, which is as
certaned by adding the aggregate white TO three
ths of the slave population in order to nix the ratio
in the House Of Commons; and twas further agreed,
that slaves should pay poll tax, commencing earlier,
ard extending later period in life, and that the
Senate should represent taxation, upon the principle
that representation and taxation should 60 together
This arrangement was hailed with reclamation by
our citizens west of Raleigh, and the only opposition
it encountered in portion of the East, where it
supposed that the tendency and effect of the Fed
eral basis would be, to give the West the pre-
ponderence eventually. The apprehension thus en-
terained and acted upon, will prove to have been
we'll founded at an early day. The census returns
show, that both white and slave population in the
w
and if wise and judicious system of Internal I'm
provement shall be adopted, develop the re-
of that section, and invite slave labor to
gage extensively in the cultivation of our lands
a change of the basis, unless effected very soon,
would not materially change the relative weight of
sections.
But, aside from all the reasons above enumerated
as influencing my this question of the basis
there is more powerful and weghty consideration,
which should deter every true of North CARROLL
ma, from discussing the white and federal basis at
this time. The federal compact is founded upon the
basis of representation embodied in own Consti-
tuition, and is this the period when should furnish
to Northern fanatics who laborng destroy this
feature of that compact, the argument in support of
their nearious designs that North Carolina had fully
tried that system of representation and its operation
was unequal-that the people were resisting it, even
at the risk Of creating proslavery and anlslavery
factions in the State Is this the time for arrayng
the non-saveholder against the slave owner, and
genderlng among our people hostility TO nstitu-
ton, in the existence and permanency of which
every man in North Carolina is deeply and vital
ly Interested! No sir no sir Instead of weaken
ing the ties which bind people to that institution,
it is the part of wisdom and patriotism to enlist their
feelings IN its behaif-to impress upon heir minds
the importance of its preservation, and whilst mad
and reckless fanaticism is assang it from without,
their peculiar and especial duty should be sustain,
foster, and protect it from within.
The slaves of the South are of greater value than
all the capital and property in New England, yet the
institution of slavery has received from the
hands OF the Federal Government the slightest pro-
tectlon Even the common guarantees secured to all
property by the federal compact has been refused
those direct y interested in slave property and whilst
The fostering aid of federal legislation has been lber-
ally extended to every other great industrial interest
IN the country, negro slavery slave labor has
gone wholly unprecedented only so, but that Iegis-
ation has been directed, force the States den
lifted with the institution of slavery, pay tribute to
great interests elsewhere and This tribute collected
under the plea OF encouraging domestic Rlanunct, es
has contrIbted to build up and enrich those lords of
inc spindle and loom, who are now engaged in a
entess war OF determination, against the homes and
lresdes OF their own countrymen, and against the !
real source of their own wealth, prosperity and pow
Dr. Under these circumstances, Mr. Speaker, can
engage In no controversy, and countenance no move
nent which may tend to ALLEVIATE the affections of
my portion of people from the institution of slav
cry; on the contrary, my humble efforts shall be devot
ed to the more patriotic duty OF impressing upon the
hopes for the future and salvation as organ
zed community, depends upon unity of sent- /
nent In relation to that institution. do not fear nv
constituents under any discussion or any issue that
nay be made. Whilst the aggregate number of slaves
nay be less than elsewhere, the number of slave
owners Is as great if not greater in my than
my other portion of the State and can safely pledge
heir support of Southern rights and Southern nstitu-
ions in any and every emergency.
have not regarded it necessary to devote any !
line to the discussion of the principle involved in the
original bill An elaborate argument in support of
he doctrine of Equal Suffrage, would be an act of
upererrogalIon In this age and at this time. 1t can
not meet with serious opposition in this State, or
government, where proper notions of liberty and |
equality prevail. The idea of freehold qualification
Unfnr hFOInr