The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1853-03-02
speech of sr. D. r. CALDWELL


oFEGulLFokD,
isaiusl smxndins the csfslilrIien BY LfgisIs-
lire Rnaslmrnl.
Deiirrea in fls Hsua Of cessmens. srben fle
Fxe Ss6rsg<" Bib scas t.fors fke Hoax.
I Neeenstsr, 1854.
Nh. SPEAKEk: Having delivered my
views At sumo length upon this vexeh
and Improbable question. during the
session Of our last Legislature. / did
fondly hope and believe, at one time. that
my duties here as representative might
all be faithfully and honestly discharged
without my having again 60 open my
mouth upon u. But in this vain hope
| have been most sadly disappointed by
being again compelled to take the noor
in reply to the speech of my honorable
friend from Wake Judge Saunders
But before proceeding further with my
remarks, 1 deem il due to myselt and
the distinguished gentleman. TO whom
propose 10 reply, to observe thar do
not expect 10 be able to bring one 1.-THE
Of the ability to bear against this mea-
sure that he has displayed in adyucat-
ing it here to day. But this much |
humbly trust | may promise without
subjecting myself 10 the charge of ego
tism or vanity, lif the gentlemen around
me will encourage me with their attrn-
tion while | am on the fleor.) | pro-
mise them. that shall exert myselfto
the utmost of INV ability to prove To
. them, that it is neither our duty nor
interest as representatives. or indepen-
dent citizens Of a free and sovereign
State, to vote for this Bill. On the
other hand | do most honestly and re-
ligiously believe ii to be our sworn du-
ty-a duty We owe alike to ourselves,
to our constituents, and to our good
and glorious old Commonwealth, to
oppose this aud all other attempts that
may be made hereafter to alter or a
mend in any particular the present
Constitution of the State, by Legisla-
tive Enactment. by all the means in
our power and to the last extremity,
yes, even to the bitter end Of all honest
and honorable opposition, come such
a proposition from what quarterit may.
And Why do I believe this to be our
imperative jutys Is 1t because ! be-
lieve our Constitution is perfect, and
that the amendments are wrong or dan
gerous in themselsess No, sir, by no
means-I never have been, nor do
ever expect to be, guilty Of so much
stupidity and folly as to oppose so sa-
lutary measure as that Of Equal Suf.
frage. 1t embodies in itself too much
equity and justice for me to oppose il
if fairly and properly rendered. Be-
fore | could take this stand. or pursue
this course, will have first to prove
false to myself, false to my friends,
false to my country, yes, sir, false to
them, one and all together. In other
words, cannot. il would, OPPOSE
Equal Suffrage without falsifylng my.
self and thereby giving libel upon my
character or good sense, one or both.
Paradoxical as it may seem, am in
every way consistent in declaring that
l am friend to free and equal suffrage,
at the same time | am opposing this
bill, for the simple reason that am
satisfied that it never will be obtained
in this way. Time, chance, accident,
and every possible contingency that
can happen, are all against this legis'
latiye mode of amending the Constitu-
ton, and render. it improbable, aye,
impossible, almost, to effect any thing
in this way. as our experience in this
matter for the last six or eight years
past plainly proves. fit be true that
the Democratic party are in earnest in
their attempts to give to the disiran.
chised portion Of our lellow-citizens,
free suffrage, they ought forthwith tc
cease to spend their time and the peo
ple's money, by obstinately continuing
to urge this bill. lie labors in vain,
in my Judgment, to give free suffrage
| to the people sf North Carolina. who
tolls to effect that desired object by this
nude. Your candidates for office may
take the stump and canvass the State
from centre to circumference, in every
I possible direction, and appeal to tit
J passions and prejudices of the people
aud thus dexterously manage to ARA,
/ the poor against the rich, and the cas-
! against the.west, for the purpose Of fore
) ing this bill through these Halls; bu
they will find out at last. hope. tha
{ this game will not answer their expec
) tations. 1t is bad policy. in my judg
! ment, to say nuthing of morals, to Dc
: wrong, even If good is likely to grow
{ of it. And five were by common con
! sent to pass this bill, and thereby es
!, tablish precedent in favor Of amend
9 ing the Constitution of this State BY
Il legislative enactment.--that is precise
. ly the predicament we would piac'
ourselves in. i care not, if be true
: as some have contended here, that e
9 quail suffrage is the twin sister, Of lib
|. erty, and just as much an ina ienabl'
: right as liberty itself. Yes, sir. the,
may be inherent rights, that are so com
pletely identified that it is rendere,
!. morally impossible to keep them lon
toanara fad in a traa country yot aye