The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-01

| Y.
whose duty it should be, under the instructions O
the Literary Board 10 procure facts TO enable the
Board to protect It's interest in the Swamp Lands
! Inc Institution for the eduea ton of the Dea
and Dumb and Blind, is in successful operation
aud affords great facilities for impa ring instruc.
ton TO those unfortunate classes OF our population
VITO by the knowledge they receive are prepar
cd 10 become intelligent and useful members Of
society. The Institution is under the manage.
ment OF Board Of Directors who perform a good
deal Of labor without receiving any compensation n
| respectfully recommend that provision be made
TO pay the members OF Board, a reasonable sum
for their services, and that the Executive or some
other Stale officer, be associated with the Board
in the management of the insttuon.
! The President and Directors of the Literary
! Fund will, in due ;imr submit Report, showing
the condition Of the Fund, and the proceedings ol
the Board in relation 10 other subjects committed
/ Ia their management.
Under the existing provisions Of the Cons,iru.
! lion of this State, freehold OF fifty acres ol
land is one of the Indispensable qualifications re-
| quIred OF a voter for Senator OF the General
I Assembly. This requirement is unjust and ought
| To be removed. The question of Free Suffrage
| has been so much discussed, and its importance
! has become so well understood that it does no:
| require a lengthy discussion on this OCCASION
The proposition that no ought to vote for a
Representative IN one branch OF the Legislature.
without he owns fifty acres OF land, is so palpa-
| bly, wrong, that the :me will come when the fact
that 1t even had place in the Constitution will be
regarded with profound astonishment. No system
oI free government can be based upon the suppo-
sIt'on that the people politically corrupt and
incapable OF exercising the right of suffrage
This feature Of the Constitution DISTINGUISHES
IN one branch of ;e Legislature, at least fifty
thousand Of the free white men OF the State-
oC
population. 10 contribute their means for the sup
port n government, and TO sacrifice their lives iE
defence OF the hOnoc and liberty of their country
They constitute inte!ligent, industrious, and
mcrItorOuS part Of our Citizens and NAV safely
be entrusted with political equality The larger
number OF them are possessed of estates OF more
value than the ordinary freehold of fifty acres of
Land, and are engaged in the various honorable
pursuits of life. Every candid mind must admit
that lity acres Of land does not endow its owner.
with knowledge, nor does it impart 10 him virtue
or pa;rotISm. when he goes TO the baIot-boy
Free Suffrage Will not deprive the land holder
of any right he now en- joys but will give the
nnn-landhnIder great privilege which is now
unustIy withheld from him. The people at their
elections, have repeatedly declared, by large ma.
J"rIiI"S, IN favor OF this question of Constitutional
reform, and they in favor Of effeCting it bv the
Legislative mode. The Constitution prescribes
TWO modes for future amendments One is bv a
three Ghs and twO-thirds vote Of each House of
TWO consecutive Legislatures, and subsequent Ia. :
thcatIon by the voters OF the State; the other is
ny Convention authorized to be called by two.
thirds vote OF each branch of the Legislature
The former mode is preferable for obtaining Free
Suffrage, because it is sale economical, and prac-
Iicahl", while the latter is The very reverse The
Constitution requires amendments by the Legis- /
iaure, 10 be submitted to the voters Of the State
Tor ratification but there is no such Injunction i'm.
posed in regard 10 amendments bv a Conventions |
earnestly recommend that an amendment to |
Inc ConsiIuIHn, giving every qualified voter for |
he Commons the right also 20 vote for Senator
be passed by The requisite majorios Of the two
Houses Of the General Assembly, to be submitted
n conformity to The requirements oC the Consti-
utipn, to the action of the next General ssem.
)Iy, and subsequently to the people OF the State
or ratification.
The justice of Free Suffrage is so manifest,
hat even among lreehoders themselves, there is
Ia overwhelming majority who are in favor OF lis
d"pton. The elective franchise Is the dearest
Ight OF an American citizen, and it is the expr
Use OF this Inyauable privilege, that distinguishes
rec governments from dcspotsms. 1t is hoped
he odIous distinction between voters will be eras.
q from our Constitution, and that we shall IN TACT
ccomc people o. "cqual rights and equal pri-
iIegrS." /
The opinions have heretofore expressed, in T
Pposlltou 10 altering the basis Of representation,
main unchanged. /
The election OF Judges and Justices Of The '
race by the people. and for terms less than for t
IP are also questions OF reform, which recon- t
end the favorable Consideration of the Gen. O
-al Assembly. V
Agriculture is the great interest Of the State h
I'D upon lis success depends The prosperity OF all a
her industrial pursuits. This important inter- l.
Il has been too much neglected The Agrcui. r,
raj survey Of The State will no doubt be a:tend- b
with highly beneficial results. The same may n
said of the act passed by the last Legislature ft
encourage Agriculture, Domestic Manufactures, p
I'd The Mechanic Arts. 1t is the paramount duty eI
every well regulated government, 10 extend due cI
to those engaged in the cultivation m
The soil. There is no pursuit more honorable pc
better calculated 10 promote the happiness of
an, and none more important 10 the preserva liz
m OF republican, institutions. A new impulse 10
S been given 10 this branch Of industry, that is
rcePuble in every part Of the State. The TIDE CT
emigration which has hitherto drained North en-
ro!'na of her wealth and population, has already 70
IN stayed, and the enterprise and capital of 9th ST.
portions oil the country now attracted with pa
her limits. atfurdng evidences of prosperity, &C
i contributing towards her advancement 10 the by
h position she is destined to occupy 49, ...- no
Intimately connected with The prosperity of Ag.
Ilure, Manufacturing and Mining stands the ig,
J'ct of Internal improvements. Commerce III.
This age is essential element without which ua