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


VOTE decide to call Convention of delegates to
slider the expeency of altering the Constitution in
some particular part thereof we of opinion that
such delegates would derive their whole authority
and commission from such vote and upon the gem
cral principles governing the delegation of powers
and authority, they would have right, under such
vote, to act upon and propose amendments in other
parts of the Constitution not specified"
- have read the whole opinion at the risk of being
tedious that the question might be presented in full
And can authority be more pointed Than this There
is escaping by the suggestion that our Consttu-
ton is different from Massachusetts, give pow
er to the General Assembly to call Convention 1t
makes the argument of the Court applicable to
still stronger and perfectly conclusive. We
provide for general revision by Convention and by
specific amendment, and therefore there is " no 9TH
er power under the Constitution that alter
cept "in the mode thereby procided. "
have said the argument of the Senator is alb
surd, and this absurdity is arrived ut to avoid
what is palpable, that the proposition of thu
Senator inevitably places him upon the Dorr
platform, which naturally to have
occurred to the Senator by his ausion to it.
For what is the difference between the people acting
without the appreciation of the existing government
(Which the way he states it) and acting i'll MAJ
not authorised by the existing Constitution or
insist in manner implicitly, to say the .east,if
not expressly forbidden by the existing Constitution.
Can there be any difference? If there is, the Dorr
rebellion is by far the least Objectionable. In Rhode
Island there Constitutional provision for
amendment, and the rights of the people were not
people have made provisions for the security ofther
rights, and have executed power of attorney to
their creatures" they called by Mr. CASTOR,
specifying their powers and those "crcatures " do
pursue the powers granted, but violate them.
And tIcn the excuse is otfered-why, it is true L
could do the arhOle act myself only assisted in
doing it. 1t is far more Objectionable and censura-
bic than the Dorr doctrine; and entertaining this
opinion | could not do less than enter my solemn
protest against this idea of the Senator. He
WILL therefore, excuse me for the solemnity implied
in that protest. l thought it boast in North
Carolina that law-abding people do
not deny the power of the people, forci-
bly, said by Mr.. CASTOR, 'of rising in their might
and upturning the fundamental principles of govern
ment-the sacred right Of revolution, but | sup
pose the emergency ought to be great to justify it.
Has that emergency arisen in North Carolina! Can
it be that because one party, so long IN power in the
State has been tui ned out and another put in, the
sacred right of revolution is be exercised? Is it
expected that this appeal to North CaronianS the
is to be favoraoly responded to? They have to
change their whole character if they be brought
into line to follow in the lead of the Senator from
Orange in this revolutionary movement.
1t well said on one occasion that " the land
of the mountain and the torrent is pruverbally the
abode of the free and the BRAVE; and will add
there lives people who respect constitutional com
promises, checks and balances, and who will not
for the prospect of obtaining what may be but
temporary violate those compromises by agitatng
subject i'll the South, nov of all other tunes to be
avoided.
And now in regard to my Eastern friends. What
docs tne Senator'S bill propose! An oDe. unlimited
Contention. Are you prepared for this: Will you be
satisfied because the Senator from Orange tells you
he don't think there Is any danger of cia,lng the ba
sis? How long since certain address issued from
this City on the subject of Convention, signed by
u large number of distinguishes men, the larger por-
uon OF whi CHI was devoted to denunciaton of the
present basis, and u Convention desired to change
that basis? 1t is evident that there treaty
of peace" in the language of the Senator between
the east and west in 1885. 1t was a treaty made
between landholdcrs and observation-disclosures or be-
tween landnodcrs and slave owners, as he would
have us believe, but treaty between and west
o the basis question; not but deprecate tile
attempt to bro TX that treaty, coming it does from
the distinguished gentleman from Orange 1t is not
significant of good for the character the State if it
shall be counenanced. lii feeling will be cngendered
sectional strife will be heard, which all
supposed had been buried by the compromises of
1885. And cui bOno?
The Senator alluded in his remarks in reference
to Free Suffrage, the conduct of some who thought
of votes on the day of election than to the
equality of taxation when pay day came and it
Cured to me- that the effect of Oh the
day of the last election has had much to do with
the present movement. Why, is it not strange that
the distinguished representative OF, by 3rr eject
teNce the conservative party of the country should
be found in this revolutionary movement Inced
not remind the Senator that Mr.. Clay, the honorcd
representative of that party, this Capitol in Ioit
made comparison between The Wing and De!nocra-
tic parties not much to the credit OF the latter.
read from his speech.
There is prominent and characteristic differ
ence between the parties which cmincntiy distin-
cuisines them, which, ii there were other
would be sufficient to decide my Judgment. And
that is the respect and Difference UNIFORMLY display
ed by the one, and the disregard and contempt
hibted by the other to the Constitution, to the laws
and to public authority. In a country whore free
and sefgovernmcnt is established, it should be the
pleasure it is the boundcn duty of every citizen
stand by and uphold the constitution and laws, and
support the public authority because they his
Constituencies laws and the pubic authority
emanates from his will. Having concurrcd by the
exercise of his privileges, in the adoption OF the Con-
sttuton, and i'll the passage OF the laws outrage
violence attempted Oh either, ought be regard
ed an offence against himself, offence against
the majesty of the people. am
truly glad to opponents returning to sense
Of order and decency."
How things have changed in ten short years!
Have the Democrats returned to a sense of order
and decency? Yes, it is great changes do take
place in snort time, and ab )ut the first Thursday
in last August, great change took place in North
Carolina, and trust the Democrtic party have return
cd to of order and decency once so desirable
to their opponents
But it may be said that an en.leavoriny to stir
up party feelings UNNECESSARILY. Far from it. The
subject of Free Suffrage has been urged, it is true
generally by the Democratic party, but it is well
known that a large number of Wings have cordial
ly approved it. Is there any doubt in the mind of
any gentleman that considerable majority of the
people desire it, and am l to he told that am
ardently desired by them, and contest a measure
intended to defeat il? 1t will not satisfy ME for the
Senator to say that he is against Free Suffrage
when he saws SO with Certain qualifications winch