Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-01
eidedx preferred The plan Of amending Tie oSnsituti0n

e vor of the republican mode of I" amending the Con
l. stitution through the Legislature.''
l. might refer to other members of that ConvenIio
;. who preferred the legislative plan, but deem it
v necessary this occasion. If Convention wa
e called il is entirely unknown how many different prop
osons would be submitted alter the Constitution
and consequently The people might then have the dis
agreeable alternative presented to them either to vo
v Tor Objectionable amendments or against SOM
which might be desirable if taken sep arately. They
II would have to accept all refuse all and the decl
sion either way, several amendments at the same
time, would be very likely produce dissasfactioE
sections of he State. II is be feared tina
sectional interests would be aroused in opposition L
each other and that sectional feuds in relation the
acquisition of power, would be engendered, greatly
injurious to the progressive improvement OF the State
and detrimental 10 The best interests of the people.
There is manifest cause to suspect that such con-
> sequences would be produced by Convention as
would mar and disturb that traernal harmony, which
is always needful to promote the prosperity and well
fare of the people, 1t would be apt foster section
al dissenslons and controversies leading the most
dangerous and disastrous consequences, pernicous
republican 2rlnc pies and to the advancing spirit of
the age in which We live. Nothing is more cacu-
lated TO retard any Improvement in government than
intestine disputes and broils. These natural obsta-
ces are generally in proportion to the value of the
object. 1t ii is measure Of public utility, il should
be fairly and lmParIally investigated and decided
upon according its own merits. This proposition
is Hnquestionably with reference to equal suffrage
by legislative amendment of the Constitution. his
entirely disconnected from other usual matters of
legislation and therefore it stands fairly and Justly
upon lis merits. This particular mode and particular
amendment has been fully discussed throu ghout The
State and the people have formed and expressed their
opinions upon II in manner decisive to be mis-
understood or mistaken. They have decided in favor
of this measure, in direct and positive terms and they
wish that decision to be confirmed.
The Senate Of North Carolina is based upon public
taxes. 1t is declared in the Constitution OF this
State, that The Senatorial districts shall be laid off
IN proportion 10 the public tareS paid the Trea-
surg Of lie State By the citizens thereof; and the
age Of the public tares paid by each county into the
Treasury OF tie State JOr the fre gears preceding tile
laying Of the districts, shall be considered as its pro-
portion Of the public t01es, and constitute the basis of
aPpOrtionment."
According TO this express provision in the Con-
sttution the Senate is formed upon public taxes aris
Ing from all common nd usual sources of revenue
The Slate tax upon all taxable polls contributes to
make up the ratio, upon which the Senate is appor-
toned, although who is entitled TO vote in the
Commons Is not permitted in the Senate
except he owns at least SO acres of land. He NAV
own that number of and he can vote in the
Senate, without any regard TO the amount of public
taxes which he pays. If his SO acres should be
valued at $500, he would pay tax of six cents to the
State, and 1t he did not pay that much he would new
ertheess be entitled TO vote in the Senate. man
who does not so OF land is excluded from
exercising that privilege, although he NAV own
100000 worth of other property. He may be in |
possession OF property enough TO require and compel
him pay public tax of $780, and still he is not
permitted TO vote for represent his interest in
IHe Sendle. taxation and representation should O
together, upon the principle that allegiance
and protection are in their nature recprOcaI.' The
whole amount OF public taxes paid into the reasury
on all the taxable lands in this State, during the last
five years, Is not third of the taxes paid into the
Treasury from all other sources of revenue for the
same length of time.
1t is the purpose of our laws to require II persons
10 pay public taxes in proportion to their wealth.
According TO this equitable principle of taxaon the
rich and the poor all occupy the relative posi-
uon; and there is no good cause why all who are
entitled TO vote in the Commons should not also vote
in The Senate. The poor men have ever maintained
their countrys cause in times OF difficulty and dang.
er. They have always been the friends of freedom
and the foes of tyranny; and whenever the country
has called for aid 10 protect her rights and vndicae
her honor, they have been ready and willing 10 per-
form their duties,
The doctrine that property is The onJ test of merit,
ls contrary 10 the genius of free Institutions 1t is
doctrine more suIta BILE to aristocraces and monarches
man 10 democratic republican form of government
II Is recognized in all the empires and Kingdoms of
The world where the great body of the people are
bound down with the chains of despolisn and have
the CALLING and oppressive yoke of bondage upon
'hem. 0uch an arIstocratic doctrine can only be =
maintained In governments ruled by kings and nobes
and IS wholly inconsistent with the great fuuda-
mental principles Of republican freedom and equality |
II is now proposed strike the last vestige of !
arstocracy from the Constitution of North Carolina
ny giving all qualified voters for members of the =
House OF Commons the right to vote also for Sena-
or Inc most discreet and udicous plan for carry
q
azure. This is the most direct and conservative
node OF amending Constitution, and the only one
W whIch is practicable and expedient. .
The impractcabiIty and mproprie,y of amending I
he Constitution by open and unlimited Conven-
ion may be fairly illustrated by the multiplicity of
lets passed at session of the Legislature. So it
would be with Convention. Several amendments
o the Constitution would doubtless be proposed to-
5etheT, without allowing each amendment to stand
Pon It's own merits, and to be voted upon separate.
y by the people. They would either have to vote {
or some amendments which they did not approve,
" against some which they did approve. A Con- @
'ention would produce this inevitable effect. 1t s
would stir up sectional strife and prejudices whose
'lighng effects and influences upon the political l.
prosperity of the people would be more or less experi.
nced i'll all portions of Norh Carolina. r
The people of the State in favor of a moderate
ust and equitable system of taxation for the necessary
support OF The Stale government But suppose the r.
for the purpose of Increasing the public
eVenue In the State, to meet the dema nds on the
ublic Treasury, should amend the present revenue i.
aw by laying an annual tax of $40 on each head of
orses and mules, owned by every person in the
'taIe, and Us on each head of cattle, and 81 on each
ead OF hogs in the State; and suppose this odious
nd oppressive system of taxation submitted 10 @
~ the qualified voters in the State for lis ratification
rejection. The people would certainly reject this Fl
uInous revenue law, if it was be voted upon all 81
ogether, while they hight be in favor Of Just and
quail law upon The subject, which would raise money
nough to defray the ordinary expenses the State
SO 1t is In relation 10 banks. The people are in n
avor of moderate number of solvent State banks 7
half dozen spurious banks should be establish
d in m he Stafe fnr