Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-12-20


Senator to stay the tide of political revolution which
has recently been developing in that quarter Linn.
tied Conventions, proposed by his party 1rlenos WI"
not answer the purpose-Frce Suffrage must and
will succeed. We only stem the current by a
bold move and as desperate require desperate
remedies, that Western Democracy must be arrested
by proposition to change the basis OF representa-
ton know the Senator touched the latter question
very lightly, when he merely said, as though incl
dentally in passing, that none desired change IN
the basis.
mr. Graham-I did not say none desired a change
in the basis, but expressed the opinion that there
was no danger of change.
And now, will the Senator seriously contend that
we are exactly in the situation on this partlcu
lar question were before 1880 ?-and sui IL is
so according to his proposition. dc read yesterday
a short extract from of the speeches OF Mr.
Gaston-that bright lumnary to whose memory he
has done no more than justice. The Senator read
but sparingly the remarks of Judge CASTOR on this
subject and even that he did read, must be permit
ted to saw in my opinion far from sustaining
the Senator'S position. But let hear more of the
wisdom and the warning voice of MIR. Castor.
committee had been appointed who reported that
amendments might be made to the Constitution by
a majority of two successive Legislatures MIR.
MearcS of Sampson, moved a substitute Tor this,
and in the words of I'd section Of 4th artcle-t was
adopted, 1O7 to II. Hear all that Mr.. Castor said
theh about niajorities, part OF which the Senator
read:
"I'his was one of the most important questions
that had come before the Convention; for, whatever
benefits may have promised ourselves from our
labors in this body, in laying the foundations of our
Constitution on equitable and fair principles, II we
put it in the power of bare Legislative maorties to
upset them all, then indeed have we toiled in vain
He was not only surprized, but filled with fearful
apprehcnsions. 1t appears If this body were 60
ing rashly from one extreme to another. Because
difficulty has been experienced in calling Conven-
ton to amend our Constitution, we are determined
to have perpetually changing Constitution.
What is the proposition recommended in the Re-
port {? That two succeeding Legislatures, by bare
majority of votes, may alter any part OF the present
Constitution, any part of the Amendments which
may be adopted by this Convention, any prnci-
pie in the Bill of Rights, consecrated for the sec
urity of our lives, liberty and property,
What reason given for this proceeding? That
4 majority ought to govern. Let not be deceived
by idle g,neracs In what SENSE ought major
it es to govern That the deliberate will Of the Poo
pic ought ultimately to prevail no one will deny;
out that the temporary will OF majority, which
may be pro uced by tn: ecrvescence of the moment,
o,ht do ctateser 1t pleases-set up and put down
Constitutions from day to day--To man can be so
eXtrayagant as tn desire.
If nothing more IS needed for the PURPOSES Of G v
eminent than tn brief maxim, let the majority gov
crn what becomes of all our checks ma oritieS
VIII have kAcO branches in our Legislature? Why
judicial establishments? Why trial by Jury? If
We are to adopt this unf=ttercd principle why any
# these estabis. ,rncnts?
He would rat Ter live under the most deSiotic
government on earth, than undur unlilnined gov
eminent OF numbers. He might escape the notice
f one Tyranf. but there would DC escape from
multitude of ryrants."
Subsequently Mr.. Mares proposed AS an adl;-
ional safeguard against the efforts of bare ma "r
ty uproot the fundamental principles of the gov
rnnCIit additional amendment which Is now
he LIST section Of the 4th article which adopted.
%. ] viii now read some further remarks of
Mr.. CASTOR, and i'll connexion, remarks Of other gen
ticmen from the West:
mr. GAsroS of Craven, thought that the sense
# the Convention had been distinctly
ID, the other day, when the question was discussed,
that no farther obstacles would be thrown in the
say of carrying out the principles agreed on But
.ye are now met by the popular cry, that
4bout to limit the power of the people. 1t
he people, but the creatures Of the people, that the
amendment proposed to limit The course propos
d not an unusual one It!was recognized in
.hree Constitutions, which he had picked up on the
spur of the moment, viz South Carolina Alabama
md the United States. 1t is to impose check
the Legislature, that it may not avail itself of
occidental majority to disturb the repnse of the peo
Die by frcau. ntly calling them together in Conveu-
We are called on by every consideration not
o sanction tie principle, that n bare majority may
uthorze Convention if We do, we shall be eX-
O ed to continual fluctuations The people have,
i: is tru., the sacred right Of Rcvoution-they pos
C the power of rising iii their might and uIturi
the fundamental principles of government; but
my tnnot do il, unless the emergency is great
Mr.. u concluded by saying, if the right of a bare
majority to call Convention rccog ,ized i'll
tlc Constitution he would not give Zig for all
the matters which the Convention had been engag
ed in adjusting since it assembled. Instead Of any
permanent regulations, every thisg would be set
at,at and should have a Constitution
~ two or three years
There aras a sensibility felt in the community
e.telnen mil ht call it morbid-but was that any
re why it should not be aayed, if it could be
done without injury to the community? 1t was not
to be dsguisvd-apprchension entertained, that
a some future day attempt will be ma lc to adopt
free white population the basis of representation.
1t was not in a spirit of distruS therefore, that he
advocated the amendment of the gentleman from
Samp son-not with a disposition rcproach the
West, but from desire to preserve the principles
TO settled from rash eXi imentS."
mfr. SWAIN said he thought there was much need
less solicitule with regard to future amendments of
the Constitutio' If any change were desired, from
what quarter would it proceed? Not from the West;
for they would probably be satisfied with the
promise; but the proposition would come from the
small counties of the East
Mr.. FISHER remarked that the existence of this
morbid sensibility, as it was termed, easily
counted for For 80 or 40 years. the West had been
seeking Convention, and the East had been oppos-
ing it. 1t natural, that having had so much
difficulty in succeeding, the West should provide
easier mode of calling Conventions in future and
that the East from policy should want to make it
kind ought not to influence now, for the causes
which produced them, were, he hoped, banished for
ever For himself, he was opposed to easy mode
of obtaining Convention, and decidedly preferred
the plan of amending the Constitution through the
Legislature"
Now, it will be remarked that all seemed DESTROYS
for the future to avoid the calling Convention cas-
lily and by majority only; and can you suppose it
entered into the mind of any member Of the Con-
YCntOn nr,AA mt