The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-01-17

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upon this provision as upon foundation
stone. Being a member Of The Legisla
lure boil, in 1893 and 1884. and takin!
an humble part among The advocates 70
a Convention, | recollect something o
that Convention aci, and OF the negolia
lions by which sufficient number o
votes was gwen To The bill 10 allow HI,
question to be determined by the people
Not only was i, required that this quail,
fication in Senatorial voters should be re.
tanned as protection to landed properly
but il was also required and conceded
that the Convention should have power
10 make the capitation tax on slaves and
white polls equal throughout, the State
and il was morally certain from the man.
ner in which the Convention was consli,
,uicd, that il would be done and il was
done 10 the fullest extent Of The power
conferred. Sir, The language Of Eastern
gentlemen. addressed 10 their Western
brethren, was substantially This: Your
property consists for the greater part in
land. That is protected against unjust
leves by the power Of The landhoider TO
elect the Senate; that power We all agree
10 be retained. But we own the larger
portion Of The slaves. Give us a con-
sifNilonal guarantee against undue taxes
upon slaves, anil other matters being ar
ranged satisfactorily, we will 60 into con-
veniion, and give you equal representa-
llon." This was agreed 10. The con,
ven!ion was called. Il ordained that
slaves, under twelve and over fifty wears
OF age, should moi be taxed al all and
those between these ages should be only
subject TO such poll Tax as should be laid
on white men. Thus. one half in nun.
Der Of all the slaves in The S ale is ex.
empied by the constitution from taxation
altogether; and the o,her half is exempt
ed from all tax. as properly. bul is liable
only TO the capltalion tax Impressed on
white men. Thus. the Two great sub,
Jecis OF property in The State, lands and
slaves, were placed under the protection
oil The constitution, against unreasonable
exaciions By the l.egislalure-lhe lands
retaining their old defence. by means Of
a political power in the hands OF their
overs, which enables them 10 have veto
on legislation, in one House Of the General
Assembly-the slaves having a sill more
eiteclnal shield. moi BY means OF poIitl.
cal power IN Tie owner, but by POSITIVE
inlefdici upon The Legislature from laying
It's hngcr upon the one half OF them for
any levies for The support OF Govern,
meni, and upon The other half. only SO
heavily, or So lightly, as il laws il npnn
the white man with vote in his hand. I
And now, sir, you propose BY this . Free
Suffrage bill TO take from The landhnld>
er the protection which he has had from
The foundation Of The Government, ami By
reason OF The retention Of which, proler- /
Ii0E was given 10 The STAKEHOLDER in 1885,.
and 10 permit the protection, then Tor the
hrsl time allowed 10 The stakeholder. 10
remain. This looks 10 me ycry much
Ike taking out the foundation, and ex.
pecIing the superstuciure 10 remain.
poised ~ mid air-very much like taking
1ui balance wheel from complex ma.
'hlne, and expecting il 10 run on as If
lever disturbed. Dies any ona doubt
or moment, that, il lie protection II
aud had moi been continued in 1855. tho
~ favor of slaves would ever
ave been adopted was continuously
member Of The General Assembly. from
ne ratification of the amended cons,i,u.
ION, unll 1910; aud | ain very sure.
nat alter The compromise Of 1895. down
that date, IL Western member lad
produced bill 10 amend lle cons;ilu-
on, by annnlling The guarantee IN r..
Or o. slaves. Or i an Eastern member
al proposed bill ID amend lie con.
linllon, BY abolishing The proiernon 10 !,
nds. by doing away lie qualification n !
piers Tor the Senate. either would have {
zen charged will, 4 breach Or f4nh and 7
am which ever si,lp the movement might "
I'VE come, il would lave provoked re.
llalIon on lbe other. :
But, ] may be told, that Eastern and !,
,estcrn parties have passed away. !.
II 50; shall be The last 70 attempt !,
revive strlles, merely sectional. Bat i,
c great interests &c society exit !.
" as they existed in 1855 and AT !,
ousi men may be indiyiduated. and s,
~ longer 10 sectional masses, the :,
IestIOn still j. Of as much interest a -
er--is there 70 be any check upon !,
Legislature, in the imposition ol n,
Ses % property: And, If there IS -
what species d property; Shall Z,
~, The most important Of all proper, \,
be cast away, and bear such bur. y,
rs a. may be imposed al pleasure or ~
necessity, while slaves enjoy the -
enptions now allowed : Sir, / fear ~;
subject Of amending tile constitu. y,
2 has been considered too much with
ference merely to equality on DAYS
election. Let Us become a pennle !,
equal rights and equal privileges. n
Il the Governor, in his message. :.
10 uFuhlniu pnaAI.