Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-05-03

ia the first instance, from the IN no 9th
er can pSrebe derived from tbs people
ent Legislature; but none but Freeho ders ret vote
for Senator'S This Tig whic you are told is an
inalienabIc personal and which you are de-
graded By not being 70 isnotyss
obtain Ely Legislative action deceptive and
Intended to be deceptive. Many persons who voted
for It avoNed their ton to go home and
electionser against Ihey 3 70 XII 8
But il You do gett, t win only be after
years of agitation. And every other amendment Is
to be made with the same iculty. generation
made to the Constitution, though demande by two
thirds Of the voters of State, and of the most
vital importance tostheir best interests. q
Suppose there are5not two thirds of both Houses
Of the next General Assembly in favor of Free Suf-
frage-in what situation will you be? The whole
battle is to be fought over again. You begin where
you first started. You will not be as near the at
tainment of your wishes as you are now :, Is TINS
an illustration of that principle contanedn the first
section of our Bill of Rights That all politicai
power is vested in and derived from the people
ony?n The Legislature is only the creature OF the
people; and that mode of amending the constitution
recognises the right of that creature to dole out to
them such amendments as may suit their pleasure
1t puts the power of seventeen Senators, repre-
senting one-ffth of the population of the State, to
hold down. under the most grinding tyranny and
oppression the other fourffths, and to taunt them
with the insulting cry of Dorr Rebellion They say
we have the power to govern you; we VIII exercise
that power; and you have no means OF redress ex-
cept by rebellion. Every principle of Free Govern
ment is outraged by such a course; every principle
of nature revolts at it
The mode of reforming the constitution which we
advocate avoids all these objections. There is no
possibility of mixing it up wieh the political ntri
CUES of the day. Demagogues have no opportunity
of Selling upon some one principle, and riding upon
if hobby into power. There is no improper and
unnatural agitation of the popular mind When
Convention is authorised, by law the people are SEN
sible of the importance of the task they have to per-
form, and fully alive to the responsibility which
rests upon them They select their Delegates not
hot Drained politicians trained in the polluted atmos-
phere of party corruption; but men distinguished
for purity, for wisdom, for integrity for prudence
for moderation-men who have passed the age when
they misled by the alurements OF ambition;
and who may desire to secure for their descendants
a free, stable and conservative Government. Their
deliberations are conducted with GOODNESS and dig
nifty.
Let such body assemble in North Carolina, and
take into consideration the whole Constitution. Let
their wisdom determine whether any alterations
should be made, and if any, what they are. Let
these alterations then be submitted to the people,
and let them declare, at the ballotbox whether they
approve of the result of their labors-whether they
prefer the old Constitution or the new. There need
be no turmoil-no excitement. Everything will be
conducted with that calmness and dignity becoming
so important subject. Within twelve months eve
rything may be done, and if change is made, the
Government will be moving on tremendously in its
new sphere of action-every grievance remedied-
every of complaint taken away-and that
which has been the bane of North Carolina Gripping
all her efforts to better her condition-retarding all
her improvemcntS-Eastern and Hestern Jealousy,
buried forever.
We beg our Eastern brethren not to suppose
desire to encroach upon their rights. Not Yves
tern man harborS such thought. Has the West
ever been unjust towards the East ?-can one in
he tod ont in he O State
where the West was not true to the East where
she failed to meet her Eastern brethren in the spirit
of brotherly kindness and affection with that spir
it which should SubSist between members of the
same great family?
Then why persist in charging that our objection
in seeking to obtain Convention is an attempt to
deprive the East of any one of her just rights? We
avow it to be belief that every
of complaint that either has against the other, can
be easily readily removed by Convention that all
differences will be adjusted fairly and wisely; and
that will then form brotherhood, united in
feeling and interest," and speedily assume that proud
stand amongst sister States to which
sources and the character of our people eminent
y entitle our noble Old State.
If this object can be obtained, we shall have
lone more for North Carolina than quarter of
century of legislation under present system can
accomplish.
The mode Of altering the Constitution by Conven-
ion is much the most economical. The time alrea-
ly consumed by the Legislature in the agitation and
discussion of this proposed amendment has cost
he State more than the whole expenses of the Con-
7enton of 1885. Another Legislature will have to
discuss it and, if then fail, the achote cost
will have been incurred Another amendment may
De proposed, and the same expense incurred. So
hat the mere discussion of each proposed amend
nent by Legislative enactment could cost more than
Convention which would settle the whole at once
md forever.
Entertaining these views we have opposed, in the
present Legislature the attempt to take the initiate
y step to incorporate Free Suffrage in Constitu-
ion by Legislative action. We believe the mode is
and contrary to the free spirit of
Institutions. We believe you cannot obtain Free
suffrage in the manner proposed and, if we are mis-
aiken in that, are you cannot obtain it with
ut years of agitation and turmoil. We believe that
me amendment in this mode aciW cost the State more
han q Convention which would redress every griey-
nee. We believe that Convention can be called |
hat when called, it will be filled with the wisdom
nd prudence and moderation of our State; and that
hey and will adjust all those matters about which
he public mind is beginning to be agtated, to the
ntire satisfaction of all parties of the State to
ecure every one in the enjoyment of all his rights
person and of property This is the object of all
rec Governments. We desire nothing more, and +
re sure the people do not.
Studious efforts have been made by portion of
republic Press to msrepresent our views, and to
tribute to us motives which we never entertained
his is stratagem frequently resorted to, to ward
the force of truth. We are charged with haying
arty designs; and this is charged as party move
lent The charge is not true. It is above party,
ur object is to keep our Constitution out of the
aneful influences of party politics ); to elevate it
owe all other questions and to induce action upon
ates of the right of the people to form their own
rganic law - z
We have an abiding confidence in the honesty and
tegrty of the people of North Carolina. We have