The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-03
CHARLOTTE:
FRIDAY MORNING, MAR. 8, 1854.
The WING State Convention.

This body met in the Capital on the 21s ultmo,
and The result Of their labor is before US. The
STIR says it was one Of The largest, most talented,
and respectable bodies that ever assembled in the
State. 1t is we'll we are so informed, or we should
never have known it. for Judging by the result of
its deliberations we should have come 10 widely
different conclusion.
Gentle reader, who do you suppose it nomi-
mated !-GeHeruL ALfea POckcry, Of Richn1ond
ooh what fall was there my countrymen -
lie is the acknow lodged head and front Of the great
Wing party that acGS. Osborne, Barringer, Ray.
ner, Donnel, and others did not want to take the
beating, or the Convention paid a poor compii.
ment 10 their standing and talents. Tha; must be
desperate cause, which It's friends are willing to
entrus TO the leadership Of such champion.
After passing string of Resolutions, one of
which we propose to comment upon, the Conven-
ton unanimously nominated @ the Old war horse"
and he is the turf The redoubtable
General VIGOROUSLY known 10 many Of our
grcss in 1851.
Having made so small figure in Congress, at
this wiring, are unable TO trace his legislative
carcer-but presume he foLL0a0ed the Wing lead
ers. We dO knoa0 that he was n bitter Federal,
Scott-Whig, and during the canvass, made as ul-
ira consolidation speeches ever heard.
Upon what grounds the Wilmington Herald
denomina'es him tie representative of the people,
IN conradistnction 10 his Democratic opponent,
we should be glad 10 know? What has he ever
done TO identify himself peculiarly with the mass.
es? In the memorable canvass between Manly
the exponent Of the class contendng for exclusive
privilcges-and Gov. Reid, the author and chosen
champion of free. suffrage, he voted and worked
for the former, and has always acted with the
party that defeated that great republican measure
He has ever been opposed 10 the people in their
struggle for their rights and equality at the ballot
box.
Gen. Dockcry the peoples representative In
what does it consist? In his efforts to Cypress
the poor, and exat the rich In his denying the
poor man the right to vote for Senator, because
he happens not to have fifty acres Of land
Is General Dockery qualified to fill the Execu-
tive office of the Stale What great measure
has he ever originated, carried through by his
talents! Is physical strength to enable him to
canvass, and low demagogism the only pre-re-
quisite for Wig candidate for that responsible
office
He has been several terms in the Legislature,
and in Congress-but what did he ever do
in either body, that marked him as a man of
&" firmness Of purpose and great strength of in.
tellect" But all personal objections aside, what
the Generals views upon State policy and
constitutional reform? Is he, formerly, opposed
10 free suffrage? The Resolutions Of the Conven-
lion say not a word about it. Is the 9th Resou-
ton purposely worded so as to leave the candidate
opinion on that question underlined allowing him
the opportunity of advocating this measure where
it is popular, and opposing 1t where unpopular.
The following is the Resolution:
sc. ResozUed, That we are of opinion that the
people Of North Carolina desire change in the
Constitution of the State, and that this can be
most wisely and safely done by Convention Of
Delegates, elected by the people; Therefore we
recommend to the Legislature to call such Con-
vention, and in submitting the election OF dele.
gates 10 The people, so to provide as 10 preserve
the present basis Of representation IN the Legs.
aturP.
What Constitutional reform does it mean
Is the Wing Convention in favor of change IN
the basis upon which the school fund is distrbu.
ted Is it in favor Of giving the election oil
Judges, Solicitors and other public officers TO the
people? This Resolution proposes a plan for
bringing about Constitutional change, that is
in our opinion, impracticable-for the East will
never consent to call an open Convention ;-anC
even if it should, it would be too expensive and
dilatory. The Constitution has provided cheap
speedy, and safe mode--that is by Legislative
eRactment-the plan the Democratic party pro
poses to follow. If the Wing party is sincere
in its desire to effect this change, why did no
the leaders at the last session OF the LegisIa
ture cooperate with the Democratic Members
and permit 1t to become law; large por
ton Of the expense mad already been incurred
the necessary steps taken, and it only required {
few more votes 10 have secured its adoption.
The plan then, pursued by the Wing Conven
ton, has two serious objections FIRST It's i'm
practicability and secondly, if the difficulty il
in the way could be removed, its expensivencs:
and delay. The plan favored by the Democratic
party is the best, for it is the cheaper, more ex
peditious, and is, in word. the one pointed gu
by the Constitution ITSELF and received the sanction
of such names as Macon and CASTOR.