Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1854-07-19
FREE SUFFRAGE-THE REGISTER.

that at all events Free Suffrage would be secured
by such body. Why, when did the Register be-
come the advocate of Free Suffrage? That paper
has been opposing it ever since 1S4S declaring that
it agrarian-that it would array the poor against
the rich, and that of ITSELF it would amount to moth
ing substantial. 1t supported Gov Manly, who rid
iculed it in all conceivable ways; it supported Mr.:
Kerr and urged that he a better Free Suffrage
man than Gov. Reid not because he was for the
issue by ITSELF but for change of the basis at the
same time and it has lost no occasion, while just-
flying the Federalists of the last Legislature for de-
feating it. to hold it up "humbug" and
"Reid's hobby" If the Editor has at last become
convinced that Free Suffrage is just and right, and
that the people ought to have it, let him say frank
ly-let him express regret for his opposition to it
heretofore and take his stand boldly with those who
are struggling to establish it.
But the Editor wants limited Convention How
is such body to be called? The Constitution pro-
vdos that two-thirds of the whole representation in
the General Assembly may call ga Convention
Well, then, what is L" Convention Is it not, ne
cessarily, embodiment of the sovereign power
and who can limit the sovereign? Can the Legisla
ture, which is subordinate in power to Convention,
and not sovereign, do it? We cannot see how. But,
replies the Register the Legislature of 1884 limited
the Convention of 1885 We deny it; the people
put limits to that body and not the Assembly Under
the old Constitution provision existed eitherforcall
ing Convention or for amending the instrument by
legislative enactment; and act was passed calling
that of 1885, with limits prescribed in the act which
act, having been submitted to- the people, was ap-
proved by them In the absence of power the Legis-
1ok,, tod Al,
ponded approving the course suggested by that body
The Convention of 1885, sseing the inconvenience
which had existed under the old instrument, provi-
ded in the new for amendments in two ways-one
by the Legislature and the popular sanction and the
other by Convention. But, says the Register the
people having according to your admission, prescr-
bed limits in 1885, they do it again. Let see
how this is: A bill passes providing for such bo-
dy with prescribed limits but calling it only in
the people approve it at the polls. What would the
people say? Would not their answer to the AS
semby be, who authorized you to consult in this
matter? We have not bound ourselves by organic
law to vote upon any such irregular
and not warranted by the instrument it is your du
ty, if you think ft to call Convention as we have
authorized you to do, without limits restrictions
ace hare already, in the Legislature limited Con-
rention, for if we not content with the amend
ments you may make, reject them and in
asmuch as we have provided for Convention, soitA-
out saying 1t may be lmited knoac Of right IN
you to propose to u.s. ahen ace meet sorerciyns to
set bounds to 0acn pO,cers We reject your pro-
poston-it is unconstitutional is disrespcctfu!,
because it proposes to tie up and take of
it shows disposition your part to evade respon-
sibility; and warn you, by our regard for our
repose and by the high Importance attach to our
organic law, either to call Convention, to pass
measures of amendment by three-6fths and two
thirds vote and submit them to us, that organic
| law provides or cease these movements looking to
| limits and restrictions OH u.s.
| Suppose, however, the Legislature should autho-
rize directly limited Convention, without submit
ting the matter to the people-woud not the lack OF
power be still more apparent? Will the Register
contend that the inferior po,eer restrain the su
perior?
We have no idea that even Free Suffrage can be
secured by Convention composed OF decided
majority of Fedcralists. The only hope of obtain
ing it is by legislative enactment and through the
instrumentality of the Democratic party. If Gen
Dockery should be elected the measure will be great
ly retarded but if Mr.. Bragg should be, as we fee
quite confident he will, it will be placed more
on grounds which will ensure it in Constitutional time
to the people of the State.