Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-04-19


body hears the to hear them Is under
stood to be the sor-and one ofthose
toms Of Legislature long known and recognized and
departed FROM They frequently selected by the
members Of the Legislature for the influence which each
exert at home in particular neghborhood And
unfit for the proper Of the duties entrusted
them And Of those duties Of the highest mpor
the power tax the people they much more
heavy than those imposed by the Legislatures they
late roads build bridges sou, houses and ah regulate
cases Of debt under $780, accounts under
besides presiding in County Courts where business of
the highest importance the interests Of all is transacted
They have exclusive of the probate of willis
ans and control the settlement of their accounts and of
settlement of oil estates There many other important
RI are 10 ons
cient performance of their dses depends great meas
the social order morality peace and prosperity of ev
cry community Surely upon whose qualifications for
office and proper conduct much depends should be
leced with There amendment to the Con:
stitution mperousy demanded by the public good
than this If they the people ought not the people
elect them? This question for them to decide, when
in Convention assembled.
of Secretary Of Comptroller and ought
to be given to the people, and all other officers elected
ties connect them with the whole State.
1t has been proposed to provide for the election of
the office of Chief Magistrate of the State upon the
death of the incumbent We all remember the long strug
IN
and again two years ago. when the body equally div
difficulty.
The rules of the Senate require that the presiding off,
of that body shall not vote upon questo pending be-
fore it, except of tie and when his may make
House committee of the whole. One Senatorial Dis
tric is therefore, necessarily almost wholly DISTINGUISHED
OF this state OF things will readily occur
Many other complaints exist against the present Cons
tuition Many other improvements could be pointed out,
M emf he ne he
Of is as progressive as every other science
The people improves their means of knowledge increase
their circumstances CHANGE their relations towards
other and towards citizens of their sister States alter
ed Our sister States every where around taking
forms government adopted when the rights of the peo
pie were comparatively little known Is Constitution
alone to receive improvement from the spirit that is
abroad? Is North Carolina alone to stand still? Is she
alone continue bound in those shackes which have kept
her limbs long eltered in bands Of steel? Or shall she
arise like strong in his might and demand that sue
Toyou the appeal is made What will you do? We dis
claim all desire dictate yo even to suggest the
which should be made in the Constitution. 1t is
not part of Legislative duty. We have merely d-
rece your attention 10 those defects which exist it. 1t
is province when in Convention assembled, 10
rect those defects and in the manner which
ceve will best subserve the purposes for which
ornaments were instituted The position which we assume,
and which has governed in action upon the
various propositions to amend the Constitution, which
have been before the Legislature, is
Tint the omiy proper republican mode Of amending al
tertny tito Co*tato", Is by the people Themselves III Con-
TensiOA assembled.
Upon that Platform we will stand and we fall it will
be i'll advocating The Rights of the People.
If you sanction the principle that the Legislature is to
amend the COnsttuon-that it is to be the roottaN of
every demagogue who desires to win popular favor-tis
to be mingled with the corrupng influences of partyit
to be with the business Of legislation and to be
by the bartering process freely resorted
ow-a-days, determining the fate Of measure here
measure there fate scale lit PROSTATE in the dust,
be tramped upon by those who understand its pro-
visions, and for its protection 1t becomes the toy
the sport the prey Of those who y "eapaSs of the task
sued to themselves This has been fully proved BY the
progress Of Free Suffrage through the present General
Assembly.
Early in the session. bill was introduced into the House
of Commons to amend the Constitution allow
fechulders for members of the Senate. 1t dis
ut great length in that body and vote taken,
and it was rectel-three-hs Of the members not voting
for It,
Its friends work to revive it. 1t reconsdered
according a rule of House, and by the those
means readily presented in Legislative body, having
power bestow Office and rewards When the House
again called upon !, vote was arranged and IT
came examine into this deberlte oeonsidered Of
the House Of Commons change the fundamental law of
the State turned out that il free suffrage indeed
for gave to all eemen II years the right
vote for Senators, whether they black white and
whether they had paid tax not! allowed in the Opin
ion OF many negroes to vote for members Of
the Senate!
The scene was enacted over again in that body
The bill rejected Again its friends taxed their wits to
revive it; and the intrigue cunnngly contrved by
which it finally yoeea through that body. Its friends
House Commons affected to regard as at an end
and to become indignant and bill introduced, and
passed through with hot haste providing that the people
should hold an election aud declare through the batbox
VT ether they desired Convention. This done
tmdae eastern Senators who opposed to letting the
people say whether they desired Convention 1t
had its effect Some Senators frightened ut the
pect that the people might meet in Convention and obtain
heir rights They changed their votes, and free suffrage
passed Upon the floor Of the Senate, some Senators
avowed that they opposed toitthat they thought it
infacon Of the compromises OF the Constution,-but
that they would vote for it so to keep down Conven-
Other Senators avowed their determination to
for unless free suffrage passed Free suffrage
did pass, and all its friends united to vote against
bill only asked the boon for the people that they
might tell the Legislature through the ballobox, that they
desired Convention to be cae take into consideration
grievances under which they labor and redress them
the which they alone have the right to deter
mine.
The issue, ,hen has been fairly prcsented Eeesn6rag
We have chosen to support Free Convention. We OPP
ought have it, but because did not like the
Of getting We sanction the propriety of
to the by a, ne hts
modes OF amending the Constitution but it Is wrong and
how it is to be carried INTO effect. bill is to be intro
duced Legislature proposing an alteration OF the
Constitution it receives the support Of three-fths Of
both houses of the Legislature it to be published in
such the Legislature prescribe for the in
formation OF the people, and is then be submitted to the
bodies 5y Of wo-,hirds Of both houses; aud it is
then submitted to the people who may ratiy or reject It,
BY voting directly at 5s s bv this mode the
will Of maj of twothrds Of the people, may be
defeated? We have already shown that after 1882 thir.
Senators will represent majority OF the people OF
Carolina The minority is represented by thirty.
Senator's any seventeen of whom may defeat the will
y settled than that majority ii the people have rgho
form reform their Constitution fundamental law!
rights of mnorties it is the shield which guards their
rights against oil these Shields these
guards must in the first instance, from the neiory
only Frecsuuge has, it is true passed the resent Leg