Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-29

lions required of a voter for a Senator ofthe =
General Assembly. This requirement is un- !
Just, and ought to be removed. The cues l
ton of Free Suffrage has been SO much dis !
sussed and its Importance has become SO j
veil understood, that it does not require a (
discussion on this occasion. The
proposition that no man ought to vote for o
Representative in one branch Of the Legisla-
ture, without he owns fifty acres Of land, is
so palpably wrong, that the time will come
when the fact that it ever had a place in the
Constitution, will be regarded with profound
establishment. No system of free govern
ment can be based upon the supposition that
the people are politically corrupt, and inca
pable of exercising the right of suffrage.
This feature of the Constitution disfran-
chises, in one branch of the Legislature. at
least fifty thousand of the free white men of
the State. These nj, n are as ready as any
portion of our population, to contribute their
means for the support of government, and
to sacrifice their lives in defence Of the honor
and liberty Of their country. They consti-
tute an Intelligent, industrious, and merito-
rious part of our citizens, and may safely be
entrusted with political equality. The larger
number OF them are possessed of estates of
more value than the ordinary freehold Of fifty
acres of land, and are engaged in the various
honorable pursuits Of life. Every candid
mind must admit that fifty acres of land does
not endow its owner with knowledge, nor
does it impart to him virtue or patriotism,
when he goes to the ballot-box.
Free Suffrage will not deprive the land
holder Of any right he now enjoys, but it will
give the n~on-landholder a great privilege,
which is now u%niustlY withheld from him.
Mher~A-t tb1trsfectTUns, nave repeatedly
declared, by large majorities, in favor of this
question OF Constitutional reform, and they
are IN favor of efRecting it by the Legislative
mode. The Constitution prescribes two modes
for future amendments: One is bv a three
ntths and q two-thirds vote of each House of
two consecutive Legislatures, and subsequent
ratification by the voters of the State the
other IS by q Convention authorized to be
called by a two thirds vote of each branch
OF the Legislature. The former mode is pre-
ieraole for obtaining Free Suffrage, because
IL IS safe, economical and practicable, while
tne latter Is the very reverse. The Constitu-
tlon requires amendments by the Legislature,
to be submitted to the voters of the State for
rathcatlon but there is no such Injunction
imposed In regard to amendments by a Con
%vention.
earnestly recommend that an amendment
to the Constitution, giving every qualified
voter for the Commons the right also to vote
for Senator, be passed by the requisite ma
Joritles of the two Houses of the General AS.
sembly, to DO submitted, in conformity to the
requirement OF the Constitution, to the action
OF the next General Assembly, and subse-
quently to the people of the State for ratif-
cation.
The justice of Free Suffrage is so manifest,
that even among freeholders themselves,
:here Is an overwhelming majority who are
In favor OF its adoption. The elective fran.
chise is the dearest right of an American
CITIZEN, and it is the exercise of this i~nvalua.
bic privilege, that distinguishes free govern.
ments from despOtisms. 1t is hoped the
odious distinction between voters will he
erased from our Constitution, and that we
shall IN fact, become a people of 'ecua1
rights and equal privileges
The opinions | have heretofore expressed
In opposition to altering the basis of repre-
sentatlon, remain unchanged.
Inc election OF Judges and Justices of tn,
Peace by the people, and for terms less thar
Tor life, are also questions of reform, which
recommend to the favorable consideration O
the General Assembly.
Agriculture is the great interest of tn
State, and upon its success depends the pros
perity of all other industrial pursuits. Thi
i'm portant interestl AaaF IhAsHr he stat
VIII no doubt be attended with highly bene
hclal results. The same may be said of tn
act passed by the last Legislature to encour
age Agriculture, Domestic Manufactures. an
the Mechanic Arts. 1t is the paramount
duty OF every well-regulated government. {
extend due encouragement to those engage
In the cultivation of the soil. There is n
pursuit more honorable or better calculate
to promote the happiness of man, and non
more important to the preservation of repul
llcan institutions. A new impulse has bee
given to this branch of industry, that is ne,
ceptlble in every part of the State. The It'd
OF emigration which has hitherto draine
North Carolina OF her wealth and population
mas already been stayed, and the enterpris
ana capital OF other portions of the countr
are now attracted within her limits. oAord;n
evidences OF prosperity. and contributing tc
wards her advancement to the high p%ositio
she is destined to occupy.
Intimately connected with the nrosnor;t
OF Agriculture, Manufacturing and Minino
stands the subject of Internal Improvement
Commerce in this age is an essential element
without which the great industrial nursuit
must anguish. That which is comparativel
Valueless In one part Of the world, often b.
comes q vast mine Of wealth when convene
to another. The value of commerce doe
not consist IN the profitable exchange {
commodities alone but 1t enables us also I
avail ourselves of the improvements an
knowledge OF every part of the globe. TIL
geographical position Of the Stateis such tbs
her immense stores of wealth could be of i;
tie advantage in the scale of commerce vvar
1T not for inland improvement. To the fin
development OF our resources, there are mr..
sented many obstacles, which appear aImcs
lnsurmountable yet we ought to remembo
that these are more than compensated hv ~
great advantages we enjoy. When we reAeC
that others have overcome great obotooIoe
there is no cause to despair. For when "
consider health, comfort, salubritv of climot.
and capacity for Agriculture, Manufactnr;n
and Mining North Carolina is not surpasse
by any State IN the Union. A iudiciou
system OF Internal Improvements by the Stat
has ever been regarded asa subject of greu
Importance, and entitled to the fayorabl
consideration OF the General Assembly. TIL
improvements already completed, as well a
those IN the course of construction. have bee
productive of very important ADVANTAGES
but they are still far from affordine facilit;e
adequate to the wants of the people. The
was never q time when there existed a stron,
er necessity for self-reliance. The Mort
during the last twenty-five years. in the wa
of protection and other unjust exactions h.
extorted from North Carolina more mono
than would have been required to improy
all our rivers and construct all our railroad
The farmers and other classes need chea
transportation and convenient markets wheI
they can carry their property with safety
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