Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-05-26

Ibans a. inst any that could be adopted. The dill
ference in the amount received by the larger numpe
of Counties in the State, whether the oiSuiou'lo"
according to federal white populallon, Wouio "
verv inconsiderable Slaves owned in every par
of The State, and each County shares alike In I'M
distribution in proportion to lis feoeIa Popudt!on
Federal population is made the basis OF education
but the distribution of the fund for that purpose
This principle of distribution has, in commenda6le
spirit of compromise. been time after time settled oy
the Legislature. Is The agitation of this question
never to cease ? The great inconvenience we have
10 encounter in relation to our system OF common
Schools, appprehend, is not TO be found In he nooe
of distribution, but in the nadequacy OF the uno anu
in the imperfect manner in which the SCHOOLS are Ie'
0uIated. And submit whether instead OF conlihu'
ing this agitation, which is calcua to array one
portion Of the State against the other, our aleh'"
may be properly directed to the enlargement
of the fund and its proper investment, and TO me I'm
provemen and better regulation OF the Schoois 'ie'h
selves.
The question of Equal Suffrage has for some time
pasl engaged public attention, and 1t is believed 'ha'
large majority of the people demand this Constr
tutional REFORM The subject embraces the PLAIN pro-
position, whether the right TO vote for the Senate
shall be extended such as are at present
entitled to vote for the House of Commons. 1t is
not doubted but such voters are fully competent 10
exercise the right Of suffrage in choosing both branch
es of the General Assembly. TO withhold this In
valuable privilege from those whom Is proposed 10
pace upon terms of equality at the balot-boX up on
the ground that i: they enjoyed the right they might
abuse it, is unjust reflection upon their virtue ana
DENYING
pie upon which all free governments are based ms
question embraces proposition to encroach on the
rights of the landholder but to extend to numerous
and merorious class of our fcllow-cltIZenS one OF
the dearest rights of American reemen. 1t is grail
flying to know that this question of extending the
right of suffrage has not arrayed the landhoders
against the nonlandholders, for such is the love OF
liberty and of equality among our people, that both
classes found actively cooperating In their efforts
to carry out this question of Constitutional reform.
Efforts have been made TO connect with this question
change of the basis of representation. L do not
think that either justice or public policy demands
such d change. The Convention of 1885, ina spirit
of compromise and concession, adopted taxation as
the basis for the Senate and federal population as the
basis of representation for the House OF Commons
The Abolitionists at the North wish to destroy the
basis of federal population upon which we are rep
resented in Congress. Their course on this subject
is viewed as dangerous and mischIevous; and regard
similar movement in relation to our representation
in the Stale Legislature, however well intended, as
fraught with equal mischief and danger. The fed
era basis consists of threeilhs of the slaves added
to the whole number of free persons. The white
basis would wholly exclude the computation of slaves
in representation. Persons other than voters are pro-
perly represented Although federal population pre-
walls basis yet slaves do not vote, nor do white
females and minors; still they represented.
Slaves, although property are persons and subject
! to legislation in that two-fod character.
Every county in the State is interested in the slave
question: and the State should have but voice on
this important subject Experience has but too re-
the agitation of the slavery question between the diff
eren States of the Union. Are these exciting
10 be brought nearer home TO us-to array one Sec
ton of the State against another and 10 destroy the
good feeling, the peace and friendship which 1t is
desirable cultivate between the various portions
of the State! Let forget that partzans, and
bury this dangerous element of agitation, with the
determination to unite our earnest exertlons TO pro-
the honor and prosperity of the State. Engraft-
ing the white basis on Equal Suffrage would be
indirect, bu, certain and efectua mode of de-
featng the latter question This must be obvious to
every rejecting mind. Equal Suffrage, connected
with change of the basis, must fail standing By
ITSELF it must prevail. This amendment to the Con-
sttuon may be passed by the present and succeed
ing Legislatures and submitted to the people for ratl-
hcation in the provided in the Constitution,
without mourning the expense of calling Conven-
lion. In the natory STEP it requires larger number
Of the members of the Assembly to call Conven-
ton than to pass the amendment. The Conventional
mode of effecting this reform weakens the question:
while the Legislative mode does not and therefore the
latter is preferable. 1t is believed that the
OF this measure will be promoted by being submitted
and voted upon isolated question, without being
connected with any other Constitutional amendment.
The election OF Judges and Justices of the Peace
by the people, and for terms less than for life,
questions OF Constitutional reform, which recon-
mend to the favorable consideration of the General
Assembly. There other amendments to the Con-
slitution that have attracted public attention, which
doubt not, you will give that degree of considera
ton which their importance demands.
In conclusion, permit me to remark that the Gene
raj Assembly may rely upon my hearty cooperation
in such measures as may tend to the prosperity and
happiness of the people of the State.
The DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION. We d.
the attention Of readers the proceedings of
this body, which will be found in to-day's paper. 1t
will be perceived that 1t was well attended, fortytwo
counties being represented by hundred delegates or
more To say that the Convention was able body,
would scarcely be doing justice to the brilliant galaxy
of distinguished men who participated in its deibe-
rations. Without wishing to make any invidious
we would mention among that nunl-
Der Gen. r. NJ. Saunders, Perrin Busbee and James
b. Shepard, Esq'rs, of Wake Hon. Abram Rencher
of Chatham R. p Dick, Esq. of Guilford D. K.
McRae, Esq. of New Hanover; and our felIow-citi-
zen of Cumberland, Hon. Jas. G. Dobbin. The very
fact that such men these guided the deliberations
OF the Convention, would, aside from other Conside-
a,ions, afford ample guaranty that its action would
be based upon sound democratic principle. The
resolutions set forth plainly the position of the Demo
cratic Party of North Carolina Its ancient platform
is re-afrmed-Free Sufrape by Legislative enactment