Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard., 1853-01-01
SPEECH OF GEN. BRoGDEN,
OF WAYNE,

Mr. SPEAKER: l regard the subject now betor
the Senate as one of great importance TO large s
Jorty OF the freemen of North Carolina. It's ntrlr
sic value is far above all price, because the high PRIV
llege of the elective franchise cannot be estimated
any Pecuniary consideration. 1t is not my purpos
to enter into elaborate discussion OF this questIo
at this time, because it would be unnecessary even
] possessed the ability 10 do So. This great PoPula
question of republican liberty and political equat
has engaged the pens and tongues of many OF tn
brightest inteects in the State during the last fou
years. Ii would therefore be fruitess for me now I
attempt to throw any new lights upon this subject
have not the vanity TO suppose that can do 1t jus
Ilce, and for any one 10 try
TO gild refined gold, to paint the lilly,
10 throw perfume the violet,
10 smooth the icc or adj another hue
Unto the rainbow, with taper light
10 seek the beautcous eye of Heaven to garnish
Is wastefu and ridiculous excess"
But while shall not adorn this question with flow
of eloquence decorate it with garands of fan
cy, shall eHdeavor to clothe it in the plain and SIM
pie attire of truth.
Public opinion in this enlightened age is to be re-
spected and obeyed lis DEGREES to be taken as
irefutabe and conclusive evidence in favor of Con-
sulonal reform. The fiat Of the people has gone
forth in favor of Eqnal Suffrage, by Legislative
actment, and that is the mode prescribed by the Con-
stltulion tor its own amendment.
Look at the evidences Of public opinion in rela-
ton to this subject. In 1916 it brought into
the canvass for Governor, and the Whig candida te
for that Office was elected By majority of 1883
Votes. In l84S the Democratic candidate for Cover
nor declared himself in favor of amending our Stale
Constitution by the Legislature, Io give all who
are entitled to vote in The Commons the privilege to
vote in the Senate also. This proposition
just and reasonable that the Wing majority in the
State for Governor, in 1S48, reduced to 854. AS
evidence OF the potent effect produced in the public
mind, by The question OF Constitutional amendment,
the Presidential election took place in November,
-1s49 and the Wing candidate for President received
majority OF 1851 votes in this State. But the prin-
r. Of Sniff 4 IF
the election of Nhg Governor in 919 by only ISL
votes. 1t continued to grow and increase in strength,
and the Democratic candidate for GoVeTnUT again
brought 1t before the people in The of 1850,
and he was elected by majority Of 2,774 votes.
Here is undoubted and unequivoca testimony that
the people OF the State in favor Cf Equal Suf-
trage This fact was evidently indicated by the cleo
ton for Governor in 1913, and il was much more
declsvely established by the election of the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor in 1850, and sufficient
Democratic majority in the Legislature of that year
TO pass The Equal Suffrage act by the necessary Con-
stIluiional majority. That was pu biished in all
the newspapers in the State, and the Court ouse
IN every County; the people have examined it for
themselves, and they have placed the ndeble seal OF
their appreciation upon it, as manifested at every cleo
uon tor Governor since it brought forward the
canvass in 1913. Ii has been repeatedly discussed
In every County in the State and its inherent mer
It's are far beyond all doubt.
The most practicable mode of amending our Con-
sllinOn Is by the LegislaIure-that mode was adop-
amend the Constitution of North Carolina was read
three times in each House, and agreed by three
hilhs OF the whole number of members of each House
respectively, and has been duly published for six
months previous 10 the election of the members 10 the
present General Assembly. 1t is the purpose of the
bill now under consideration re-enact and agree
to the alteration proposed in and by the bill aforesaid
by the concurrng of two-thirds of the whole
representation In each House of this General Assem-
oly after the same shall have been read three times
on three several days in each House.
This is the only available mode of amending or
Constuton and II is the surest, the Safest and the
best mode OF accomplishing that object Itis more
over In perfect congruity with republican principles
because any bill proposing amend the Constitution
OF thls Stale Is required pass 5V majority of |
three htthS of all the members of both Houses o. one
Legislature and 1t must be published for six months
previous to :he election of members of the next en-
suing Legislature, and the same proposition must
Ihen pass by ajoriy of tw thirds of the whole
representation in each House. After the proposed |
amendment has been thus passed by two successive
Legislatures II has TO be submitted 10 all the qualified
voters for members of the House of Commons 10
Eoe for lis ratification or rejection.
This provision was intended to guard against all
nasty or imPrndent changes Of the Constitution by
allowing full and ample time for considering the pro-
posed amendment before it is finally adopted, The
legislative mode OF amending the Constitution is the
most practicable and economical mode and it is er-
alnly the only one at this Iime that can succeed II
IS Just In principle and republican in character
The expense of amending the Constitution Inv the
legislature has been incurred, and it is less than
@SooO. AS this proposed amendment 10 tie Con-
su'u'ion Is partly consummaed let it progress to
comPleuon Let it not be DESTROYED after ha wing been
so long on public probation Let it not he ofsaken
In the hour OF its trial. Let the Judgment of the
Senate be pronounced in lis favor And let ius,ce
oe done to the people of North Carolina. Wbv d
S"oulu !hls important measure be rejected after il
mas received their appreciation? Why not carry into
eneet mis- reform as it is proposed! Why should G
Pu6ac opinion be unheeded =
. Inc Convention mode of amending the Consutu !
t .ton cannot succeed 1t was opposed by some of f
% O'eS' members OF The Convention Of 1885, which q
ie!oLmed ouT present Constitution. William CASTOR,
imam d. Meares and Charles Fisher were dstin-
guShedi members of that Convention and their opin
ions on that occasion entitled TO the biUhesl
OPec'' Judge CASTOR was honest and able states e
ndn' ana no one ever doubted his great abilities and
el'"ehl virtues. In speaking Of Convention 10 i
'nehu me Constitution Mr.. CASTOR said We arc s
1dieu on Oy every consideration not to soncfon III.
tc P' 'nH' a." care mGJorfy may authorize Con- r
Is"ft"" u We do we shall be exposed TO continual
fluctuations The Ieople have, it is true the sacred i
OF feVoiutlon-lhey possess the power of rising
~ "eF IDIght' and uptUrnIng The fundamental nrin
LIP'ES o. government; but they cannot do il unless h
ne emergency Is great" Mr.. CASTOR concluded hv a
@ .sys' me right of bare majority TO call Con. a
Io" were recognized in the Constitution he would @
w. glse one ng Tor all the which the Con. RI
e"1h nag been engaged in adjustinp since il as. Il
r' 80" ihSteAo Of any permanent regulations ev- e
Try hing would he ddoat and we should have e
AeT W. constitution every Gwo or three years"
'heSe were some 0f the sentiments of that emil f
u n' I"t'sI and patriotic citizen, William Gaston f
rs opinions In relation to calling Convention tn n
~ "e constitution are entitled 10 consideration e.