Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-25

hold of fifty acres of land, and engaged in the
various honorable pursuits of life. Every candle
mind must admit that fifty of land does not
dow its owner with knowledge, nor does it impart
to him virtue or patriotism, when he goes to the
balot-box.
Free Suffrage will not deprive the land-holder Of
any right he now enjoys, but it will give the non
landholder a great privilege, which is now unjusty
withheld from him. The people at their elections
have repeatedly declared, by large majorites in ia:
vor of this question of Constitutional reform, and
they in favor of eectng it by Legislative mode
The Constitution prescribes two modes for future
amendments: One is by three-hfths and two
thirds vote of each House of two consecutive Legis
atures and subsequent ratification by the voters OF
the State; the other is by Convention authorized
to be called by a two-thrds vote of each branch OF
the Legislature. The former mode is preferable for
obtaining Free Suffrage because ii is safe, enconom-
cal and practicable, while the latter is the very
verse. The Constitution requires amend ments by
the Legislature, to be submitted to hevoters of the
State for ratification; but there is no such I'M uhc-
ton imposed in regard to amendments by Conven-
ton.
" 1 earnestly recommend that an amendment to the
Constitution, giving every qualified voter for the
Commons the right also to vote for Senator be pass
ed by the requisite maorties of the two Houses OF
the General Assembly, to be submitted in conform
ity to the requirements of the Constitution to the
action of the General Assembly, and subsequently
to the people of the State for ratification.
The justice OF Free Suffrage is so manifest, that
among freehoders themselves, there is over
whelmng majority who are in favor of its adoption.
The elective franchise is the dearest ;ght of an
American citizen, and it is the exercise Of this in
valuable privilege, that distinguishes free govern
ments from despotsms. 1t is hoped the odious dis
tinction between voters will be erased from our
Constitution, and that we shall, in fact become a
people of "equal rights and equal privileges"
The opinions have heretofore expressed, in OPP
position to alterin he basis of representation re-
main unchanged.
The election of Judges and Justices of the Peace
-.
also questions of reform, which recommend to the
favorable consideration of the Genera3 Assembly,
Agriculture is the grert interest of the State, and
upon its depends the prosperity of all other
industrial pursuits. This important interest has
been too much neglected. The Agricultural survey
of the State will doubt be attended with highly
beneficial results. The may be said of the act
passed by the last Legislature to encourage Agricu
ture, Domestic Manufactures, and the Mechanic Arts
1t is the paramount duty of every well regulated
government, to extend due encouragement to those
engaged in the cultivation of the soil. There is
pursuit more honorable or better calculated to pro-
mote the happiness of man, and none more impo1-
tant to the preservation of republican institutions
A new impulse has been given to this branch of in
dusry, that is perceptbe in every part of the State
The tide of emigration which has hitherto drained
North Carolina of her wealth and population, has
already been stayed, and the enterprise and capital
within her limits, afordng evidences of prosperity
and contributing towards her advancement to the
high position she is destined to occupy.
Intimately connected with tho prosperity of Agri-
culture Manufacturing and Mining, stands the sub
Ject OF Internal improvements Commerce in this
age is essential element, without which the great
industrial pursuits must languish. That which is
comparatively .valaeless In part of the world,
often becomes a vast mine of wealth when conveyed
to another The valde of commerce docs not consist
in the profitable exchange of commodities alone;
but it enables US to avail ourselves of the improve
ments and knowledge of every part of the globe.
The geographical position of the State is such that
her immense stores of wealth could be of little ad-
vaatage In the scale of commerce., it not for
inland improvement. 10 the full development of
our resources, there presented many obstacles,
which appear almost insurmountable; yet ought
to remember that these more than compensated
6y the great advantages we enjoy. When we reflect
that others have overcome greater obstacles there
is no cause to despair. For when consider health
comfort, salubrty of climate and capacity for Agri-
culture, Manufacturing, and Mining, North Carolina
is not surpassed by any State in the Union. A ju-
dicious system of Internal improvements by the
State has ever been regarded as subject of great
Importance, and entitled to the favorable consdera-
ton OF the General Assembly. The improvements
already completed as well as those in the course of
construction, have been productive of very impor-
tant advantages but they still far from afford
ing facilities adequate to the wants of the people.
Ihere never was time when there existed a stron-
ger necessity for selfreliance The North during
the last twenty five years, in the way of protection
and other unjust eXactions has extorted from North
Carolina more money than would have been requir-
ed to improve all our rivers and construct all our
railroads The farmers and other classes need cheap
transportation and convenient markets where they
can carry their property with safety. They need
commercial and manufacturing towns and cities at
home, with shipping to do their own importing and
exporting, without continuing longer to pay tribute
to the North They need ntercommuncation with
In their own State, that they may understand and
appreciate the wants of each other
These desirable objects can be accomplished by
inland improvements They, however are not the
work OF day, nor of year, but time and large
expenditure OF money will be required for their COM
petion. What can be done with safety ought to be
done now, and the rest left to time In embarking
in Internal improvements due regard should be
had to the means and of the State as we'll
as to the necessity and practicabiity of the works
themselves. Wild and visionary schemes should be
avoided, and the credit of the State should be nyo
ABLY maintained. The works should at least prom
Use advantages to the people corresponding with the
amount to be expended. The particular objects of
Improvement which it is expedient to prosecute at
this time, is question submitted to the prudence
and discretion of the General Assembly.
Since the reorganization of the Raeigh'and Gas
ton Railroad Company, the road under the charge
OF that Company has been thoroughly repaired and
the connecting link between that road and the Will
mington and Raleigh, and the Seaboard and Roam
oke railroads has been completed. This road af-
fords increased facilities for TRANSPORTATION and ira
vel to an important portion of the State 1t is rep
resented to be IN very prosperous condition. and
Is now paying very handsome dividend to the State
Inc wilmington and Raleigh Railroad continues
to afford great facilities to the public and paws good
dividends, which go to increase the income to the
Literary Fund. This road too is represented as be-
ing in very prosperous condition.
The North Carolina Railroad is progressing with
tne usuai expedition OF such works, and consider
aole portlon OF the road has been laid down. This
important enterprise when completed promises great
advantages to large portion of the State.