Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-12-05


We notice the passage of a resolution by the
House of Commons on the 25th ult, directing 'ne
Committee on constitutional Reform, to report upon
theEexpediency OF amending the Constitution SO "S
TO proyde for the election of the Judges OF the ou-
preme Court, Superior Court Solicitors, Attorney
General and Justices of Peace by the people Inc
vote stood 81 to IS, and did not partake OF party
character.
We sincerely trust that this matter will be han
died cautiously and carefully We may be OId-
Fogyish-perhaps we are--but we must again coun-
sci caution The tendency Of late days Is to the
multiplication of popular elections and consequently
popular excitements. No believes more Iully
that all power in the State belongs to and IS derived
from the people, than do but, in the exercise OF
this power, all people aiming at intelligent setgoV-
ernment have placed upon themselves certain reStrc
lions, in the nature Of constitutions laws, etc. which
do place bounds to the Immediate exercise of the pop
ular will, Just as every intelligent man, IN private
life, adopts certain rules for his guidance and puts
certair restraints upon his own impulses.
From the people at large spring the laws and the
Constitution; yet the creators allow themselves to
be governed by their creatures and it Is their boast
to do so, as intelligent, constitutional, law abiding
men, thus securing the enjoyment of rational Hberty
and escaping the evils of unrestrained license. If,
for the purpose of escaping the turmoil OF constantly
recurring popular elections, thel sovereign people
choose 10 confde to their servants the filling OF GER
tain Offices the people not the less sovereign than
as though they filled such Offices directly. The peO-
pie make the laws, but they do it through their re-
representatives.. TIE State sees justice done between
her citizens but she does not do so by popular meet
ings-by the people m0SSe-but by regulated
of procedure and through the intervention OF
definite agencies Courts derive their authority from
the sovereignty of the State, which resides in heI
people at large yet, who would say that a direct
vote of the people should decide case at law which
is to be abjudicated abstract principles.
There is, therefore, nothing peculiarly undemo-
cratic in the present system of appointing Judicial Of
fcers as to demand it's doing away with on princ
pie, and the expediency of any change ought TO be
we'll weighed, This is the real point, the real ques
ton to be considered - would the change operate
advantageously?
DROWNED On Friday forenoon boat from The
Schooner Eldorado, containing the captain and three
seamen belonging to that vessel, attempted to board
the Steamer Spray her way up from SmithvilIe
and when nearly opposite orion, about Is miles be-
low town. The small boat approached the steamer
forward of her paddles, which stopped but The
water being somewhat rough, and the steamer per
haps still drifting slightly ahead, her fender sruCl
the boat, which tipped over, filled and sunk. AT thu
moment of the accident the captain of the Edorad
and one of the seaman sprung aboard the steamer
the other two were drowned, sinking almost instant
ly-at any rate before assistance could reach them
The names Of the drowned men arc Jos s. Swami
second mate, and John Anderson, seaman, both
New York.
THIS DIsTRcT.--A comparison of the ofic;
vote in the nine counties composing this district
August and in November exhibits the following IT
suits :--August,-Bragg, 1920; Glmer, 1880 Nc
vember,- Buchanan, 1892 Fillmore, 3,848. Bragg
majority, $3.50 Buchanan's 1884, being falling c
in the majority of six votes only, while the fallr
off in the aggregate vote polled amounted to 1870.
RIFLE CADETs.--Yesterday, the 9Th inst. beir
the first anniversary of the above company they p
raded for target exercise, &C., and, although suhjeC
ed to many disadvantages one of which was trir
with flint and steel rifle, which they had never us
before, shot remarkably well. The prizes were WI
by the following persons LIST prize, handsome go
ring, won by Private B. J. White ID do, Corpor
Thos. LETTERS Sd do, Private NJ Laspeyre; 4th d
M. Brown. Officers prize, TO best single shot, w
by Private Samuel S. Peterson
At a meeting held at the Armory, last evening, /
following officers elected to serve the ensui
year Captain, r. w. B. Blaney (re elected y
Lieutenant, H. C. Burr I'd do, David Thally;
do, Robt. d. Williams Ensign, James Price
Daily Journal, 28th ult.
THE GOVERNORS MEssAGE-We are pleased
see that this able and lucid statement of our DOM
tic requirements, and bold yet courteous assertion
our position with reference to Federal relations,
attracting the attention and elciting the commend
ton of the press throughout the Country to which
merits so justly entitle it, 1t is indeed no comm
document, but one eminently worthy of the ST.
and of the reputation of its first Executive ofGc
exhibiting the same characteristics of clear thou
and open and manly expression, which form SO ma
ed feature in Gov. Braggs spoken efforts
R8@ Some persons amused themselves
night and yesterday evening poisoning dogs
IS not done by the authorities or their agents. {
may be found rather dangerous recreation if tn
engaged in it are found out
o. We would call the attention OF members of
the Legislature to the remarks from the Pennsyl
man, published in to-day's Journal The meas
advocated will, we trust, meet with the approba
OF every patriot