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

puIlitS anu SeCliOus. VT, VI ulsSallS-
faction still existed, it was suppressed,
and the constitution, as then amended
was acquiesced in as 4 compromise Of
conflicting interests Of sections and in
diyiduals. But, in far less than eigh-
teen years, agitation commenced for
amending the constitution as amended,
/ for setting at naught the compromise
OF 1888, as shall presently demon
strate, accompanied by inyectiyes a.
gainst one. at least, Of its provisions
hardly consistent with the respec
which all entertain for the men Of l716,
who framed the constitution Of that
date. and bcqueathed it to us as an in
hcrtance bought by their blood, or for
our contemporaries or most recent pre-
decessors in 1885, who were guilty Of
i" knowingly and Willingly" retaining
what their Revolutionary Fathers are
supposed, most unjustly and without
proper knowledge OF or regard for po-
puIar rights, to have adopted. This
agitation is said not to have been with
out its effect upsa the minds Of the
people. Indeed, those who affect to
speak in their name and proclaim their
voice, allege that a determination in
favor Of the amendment proposed in
the Bill, which offer to amend, has
been indicated by the result Of recent
elections. Knowing something of the
great variety Of considerations which
enter into and influence elections Of
members of the Legislature as well as
OF Governor of the State, | do not un-
dertake to affirm or deny that this is
so. But ipreter to let the people speak
for themselves on the great question
ol amending the constitution, when no
other influences are at work, and there.
fore offer the amendment before YOU.
Ii they desire the amendment contain
ed in the original Bill, and this only,
We shall get il and no more. Ii they
desire other changes, why shall they
not be made? You claim this upon
the ground that they have wilIed it /;
upon what ground can you deny them
the liberty of expressing their viii upon
the entire constitution, and Of carrying
il into effect when expressels
/ Sir, during considerable part of the
time Of the discussions, tOwhich aIlusion
has been made, was upon another the
atre Of action, unconnected with State
politics. and being satisfied that accord
ing to the mode proposed Of amending
the Constitution, by successive legisla-
tive enactments, followed by popular
vote, there would be ample lime for
dellberation on the changes in question
long before they shnuld require my &C.
ton, as citizen, at the polls, | have,
until within recent period, given to
the whole subject but Il casual cunsi-
deration. In turning my thoughts Ia
il now, perceive very decisive objec.
tons to any important changes in the
onstitution, by what is lamiliarly
called the Legislative method. 10 SAY
nothing Of mlngling questions Of fun.
danental Law, which is law to the
governing power itself, with the ordi.
nary motives, which affect elections,
such as personal likes or ,lislikes, ques.
tiuns oi local or general Improvement
or other local or general policy above
all. with the ascendeacy of party,--and
the dispcnsation Of Office and patron,
age, under the State or the General
Government, il takes the Constitution
in detached portions, and carries these
only before the judgment Of the people
demanding percmptory yes o. no
10 the particular proposition, submit.
ted, without the llberty Of modifying
ii in other particulars, however con.
necicd with or dependant upon thai
proposed 10 be amended. Ii may m.
swer conveniently enough lor aldin.
10 a Constitution provisions indepen-
dent Of those il already contains. o.
lor regulating the exercise OI power,
, already conferred as in the case O
Mr.. MadisOn's ten amendments TO til,
. Constitution Of the United States
t which are in tie nature Of bill o
rights appended, instead Of being Pre-
liked thereto. hut when csscntia
/ changes, in the structure ul the govern
mrnt, are to be made, il is necessar,
. TO just aud intelligent exercise 0
, tie power TO change, that those VII,
are 10 eject them, shall have the librr
: " 81 examining into, aud acting upon
, more than single provision d th
: Constitution. a constitution 81 Go
| Scrnmcnt, for a free people, is a com
r plicatcd machine, like a steam.engiue
il or the human frame. Ii consists u
!. various parts adjusted in one harinc
nious whole. II not only calls int
!. existence, aud prcscrIbes The mode i
!. their organization, distinct depart
4 mpnts Oi Government, which Il con
!. sidrrs, III some degree, rival depart
: ments, but il undertakes to prJ,id
guards and securities for all the grea
: interests Ol society, aud establish maS
! ins ol justice aud liberty aud dome.
: tic convenience, which shall not be Vi
Il uIatcd By any uf the departments ,
f.....,..,,,,ttt .., al ~ tl.,t,, 80, .iitt.