Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-17

sye that it was one of the most imperative duties
enjoined upon the Convention, by the Legislature
to settle and determine the mode and manner. OF
amending the Constitution. That positive injunction
and command of the Legislature, was completely
complied with by the adoption of the second clause
Of the first section of the fourth article of the amend
ments, which declares follows:
:. No part of the Constitution of this State shall
be altered unless a bill to alter the same shall have
been read three times in each house of the General
Assembly, and agreed to by threehfths of the whole
number Of the members of each House respectively.
This is the plain and republican plan of amending
the Constitution through the Legislature, and it is
surely the most safe and explicit mode yet devised
for amending the organic law of the State.
The Senator's unprecedented proposition for call
ing Convention, by bare majority, is palpaby
unconstitutional; and in endcavoring to maintain
and defend it, he is somewhat like giant in mo-
rass the more he struggles to extricate himself the
easier and deeper he sinks. Few possess grea-
ter ability to make the worse appear the better
side of any cause, and in intellectual warfare can
bear testimony to the dexterty with which he welds
his trenchant on the side of error ard de-
uSion He has inventive genius, and fertile inn
agination, and he has roamed much in fancy over
his speculative theory that he may think it perfect in
design and comely in forna ion Although the Const
tuition prescrbes the mode by which it may be amen
died. his proposition is to evade it. His atitudinari
construction of it reminds of the story of
Magistrate, who once lived in of the States
of the west man had a turkey stolen from him,
and feeling much anxiety to regain it, he went to
complaint, and desired to get search warrant to
hunt for his turkey. The Magistrate told him that
his book furnished no form of search warrant for
a turkey, but he could give him warrant search
for cow, and while he was hunting the cow he
might notice about little now and then for his
key.
Thus it is with the questionable proposition of the
Senator to call Convention without the authority
and sanction of the Constitution, and contrary TO its
express provision.
The legislative mode of amending the Constitution
is practicable, prudent expedent and proper. The
mode prescribed in many of the States of Union,
for making amendments, by legislative enactment
is similar to the pointed out in the Constitution
of North Carolina.
1 have not the Constitution of every State
before me, but am certain that the Constitutions
of the States of Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware
Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, Missouri, Michigan
Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina,
Texas Wisconsin, and California all have provisions
for their amendment through the Legislature.
The Constitution of the United States provides for
its own amendment by Legislative enactment, by
curing bill for that purpose to pass first by two
thirds of both houses of Congress, and afterwards
be ratified 10y the Legislatures of three ourths of
the several States. Twelve important amendments
have been made to National Constitution since
it went into operation. and no complaint has
been heard because they made by legislative
enactment.
The Constitution of this State explicitly defines
the manner of its amendment by legislative enact
ment; and still there is before the Senate a
yenti"n; and it scenis that those who advocate it
can make powerful noise, if they do nothing
more and that essential ingredient is often used in
lieu of reason, prudence and proprety. This noise
about n Convention reminds me of the story of the
blacksmith, who undertook to make b-nas of q
worthless piece Of iron; but after failing to make
hObnailS, ne then endeavored to make pick-aXe of
1t; but failing also to make pick-aXe he determin
ed to make a grub-hoe; but after heating and beat
ing, without being able to make anything of it, he
put in the forge again and told his blow the
bellows. When asked by his if he could make
any thing of it, the old man said when it got hot
again he would show him, that if he could make
nothing more he could make noise and so saying
he plunged it into the water and made noise.
1t is somewhat thus with the advocates of the
ell proposition of the Senator from Orange. If they
have not been able to make any thing more, they
have indeed made a noise. They have accomplish
ed about much as did the faithful Penelope of an
cient fable, who employed all her days in weav-
ing her Web and her nights in winding it again.
Or another comparison which seems to be appli-
cable here, perhaps they have gained as much ad-
vantage by their intellectual exertions the unfor
tunate wight did, in ancient story, who
dcInned tc roll huge stone up steep hill all his
lite, and after using every effort and pushing with
all his might to get it the top of the hill, it
would be to slide from his hands and roll down
again.
Although the opponents of Free Suffrage may not
openly and positively assert that it would be wrong
if it could be obtained by Convention, and if some
other amendments to the Constitution could be made
at the same tIme yet 1t IS evident that they merely
to this shallow pretext for the purpose of
sion. But this uncertain and cquivocal will
not alter the decision and force of public opinion
upon this important subject The people, the source of
all political power in free government have repeat
cdiy spoken in a voice to DC heard throughout the
State, in favor Of Free Suffrage by legislative enact
mcnt. They have made known their decision in the
most earnest and positive manner, and they have
said that it is just, right, proper and expedient. AL
though they have pronounced their approval of this
republican principle i'll such strong, direct and une-
quvocai language, there nevertheless some few,
who seem disposed to throw every obstacle and i'm
psdiment in the way of lis successful contamination
and completion.
1t is indeed true thatncw propositions, with plau-
sible pretensions and appearances are apt to have
friends and advocates; but their strength and
success must ever mainly depend upon their merits,
utility, practicabiiity, and expcdiency And if the
is weak and vulnerable, it matters not great
deal how able and jealous, and loud and vociferous
its advocates may be- they cannot successfully up
hold and defend it. against the force of reason and
the light of truth.
The interesting and important question of taxa
ton has been brought into the debate upon consttu-
tional REFORM by the advocates of Convention as if
the natural, Inherent and unaenabe rights of free
white should could be determined bv their
relative pecuniary and financial circumstances in
life. This doctrine is contrary to the genius and
spirit OF republican liberty, and to the eternal prin
cples OF justice right, reason, and revelation which
all beautifully harmonic with each other in work.
ing together for the Moderation and promotion of
our moral and social we'll being, and in qualifying
and preparing for a bright and ploriouS