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

POPULAR ELECTIoNs.-The practical oDecuon
against the multiplication of popular elections IS tnat
it tends to defeat lis own object In repuplc' no
man who pretends 10 respect the principles upon
which republican governments are founded will con-
tend that such or such a thing is wrong because 1t
confdes too much power to the people. The people
are the legitimate owners and propretors OF all pow
er and are only restrained in the exercise Oh 'na'
mower nv such limitations as their wisdom may
prescribe, and as experience may show to be neces-
sarv tor the more fully securing the rights ana Hoel
ties Of all. Laws and Constitutions are so many SELF
imposed restrictions, and as springlng from Vne Peo'
ple are as much the representatives OF 'hef power "
anv more direct acts 1t is, therefore, question:
fairly to be considered not whether IN extending tne
number of officers be chosen by the people uec'iy
at the polls too much power is gwen 10 the people,
to whom that power already belongs, out "he'ner
the people would not become faigued and Careless
md the elections carried on in their name, tall to re-
nresent their will Where elections are matter OF
everv dav occurrence either the people are kept IN
state Of chronic excitement or become careless, and
do not turn out to vote. In the one event. the enron
c excitement alluded to, interfees with cool dlscrlm'
inaion in the other, where the people become care
less and neglect to VOTE the choice becomes the prey
OF a few artfu managers.
The peorle OF North Carolina are just as comPe'
tent 10 elect Judges, Solicitors and Magistrates al
their servants the members of the Legislature are
IN do for them and an amendment of the Consttu
ton, proyding for the election of these officers BY
popular suffrage would be simply taking into thel
own hands, by the people, of one of their powers
present delegated 10 their representatives 1t is
question of policy, of expediency. On principle
there can be no objection to the measure; neither
o sae that anv principle is violated under the exist
ing arrangement, for we see nothing more undemc
cratic in the delegation OF this power to thelr
than in the delegation OF the vast number OF o'ns
mowers which must be delegated to representatives
q representative government.
Would the change work favourably Would u
peope take sufficient interest in their multiplied ele'
tions 10 secure full and fair expression OF the
choice in each and every instance! Would there n
be the danger that at time they might be WofK'
IN to a state of excitement not favourable to th
cool examination which ought to be brought into II
selection of judicial officers while at other TIM
such apathy might prevail as to leave the chol
virtually in the hands Of the active politicians
wire workers rather than the people at large. "
know that in the Legislature of any State, there WI
be og.roing and wire-pulling, and that there
few practical objections that can be urged again
popular elections that will not apply with equal
not greater force against elections by the LeglsI
ture, with the single exception of that arising fro
the multiplication of popular excitements' wearll
themselves out, and leaving the people comparatv
ly careless about all elections.
We confess that we are not sufficiently posted U
on this matter-have not viewed it sufficiently in
its bearings 10 enable US 10 make up our minds fina
ly and concusively. But sufficient consideration
present themselves, almost unsought to show us til
it is one that demands caution in its handling, a
the absence Of hasty action, or unrehecting Impu'
Our Judiciary is unquestionaby pure; upon t
whole it bears more than an average reputation
ability indeed, few States stand higher in this
spect If, upon examination, it can be shown tn
the proposed change will operate advantageous
that where it has been tried, it has worked bett
than our present system, then we shall not simp
assent to it, but become It's warm advocates. I'm
that time we must watch the progress of events, 81
isied that sudden changes are to be avoided, unlt
some principle be involved, or some papable good
certain TO arise from them.
ba~The report that Gen. Cass has been offered
seat in MIR. Buchanan's cabinet is positively contl
dicted,