Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-02
For the Standard.

other issues of the present canvass under what they
conceive, or attempt to assume as the paramount
question to our people. They imagine that the am
BE folds of the land question" will entirely con-
cea matters of far more serious moment at this time.
Having failed to brighten the masses, by horrible &C.
counts of the dreadful Inqusition and Know Moth
ing daguerreotypes of the awful Pope, and the pa.
rade of the ghost Of liberty left them by the inva-
ding foreigner they tack ship and desire to cheat
their good sense, by promises to stop the annual
rounds of the tax gatherer-to swell to overfowing
the States shrunken coffers-to increase the poor
mans little and to add to the rich mans much
While the Democratic candidates and presses
willing and DESTROYS to meet this issue, and form
er has told with what success they have met
it. still the opposition will not be able either to de-
ceve the people as to the real import Of this ques.
ton, its paramount Importance just at this time
The Editor Of the Register has already informed its
readers that the Kansas Nebraska bill Is dead and
buried issue, and hence would lead the people to be-
heve that sectional agitation upon this important
measure will be subject foreign to the next Con-
gress-that the defeat of Fremont and the decision
of the Supreme Court have broken the ranks OF the
black Republicans, and forgetting the position OF
candidates upon this important of all issues it
is sufficient if they be on the right side of the Land
Question"
The Northern people differ with the Register and
the Know Nothing party upon this point The fol-
lowing extract f. ON the address of the Democrat
ic Members of the New York Legislature" will serve
to show not only the issue at the North, but also
the position Of the Northern Democracy and the i'm.
portance of Democratic majority in the next Con-
gress:
"The democrats of the Senate and Assembly, in
closing their official term, feel constrained, by
Of duty TO their constituents, to call their at
tention to the progress of misgovernment in this
State and the dangers which threaten the ascenden
cy of constitutional law, the peace of the country,
and the integrity Of the Union
The same contempt that has been manifested by
the political majority towards the State constitution
has characterised its action in greater degree
towards the constitution of the United States
They have in series of resolutions adopted by both
houses denied the binding obligation Of the decis-
ions of the Supreme Court of the United States and
in act which passed through one house, and only
failed in the other for want of time, have assumed
to nulfy that provision of the constitution which
requires the rendition of fugitive slaves. Doctrines
which, if carried out, would subvert all authority,
ensure at once dissolution of the Union, and lead
to civil war between the States, were openly avow-
ed by the leaders of the majority, and the Speaker
of the House in advocating these acts of defiance to
the federal authority declared upon the floor of the
House
l recognise no power under Heaven that can
make man slave. recognise constitution
law that can deprive aman of his personal rights
and liberty and l. citizen of New York, am ready
to place the State of New York in that attitude
Some talk of revolution as if that were to be the
dreaded result. Sir, love the word When this
great State, with her three millions and upwards of
freemen, takes that position, then l know that
death blow is struck against African slavery. |
would not permit fugitive from the South to be ia
ken from our limits What then? What power
can compel US to acquiesce? Will James Buchanan
march troops into New York to coerce us into sub
mission? We know that no attempt will be made
thus to coerce this State, when it takes this position.
1t was such sentiments as these, animating the
majority, that induced them to initiate an amend
ment to the State constitution which passed both
houses allowing negroes to VOTE without the mita-
tons upon the suffrage to which that class of our
population is now subjected: -
Concurrent resolutions proposing amendments to
the constitution -
Resolred if the Assembly concur,) That section
first of article second of the constitution of this State
be altered or amended by striking out all of said
section after but no man of color" so that the
property qualification therein required shall be abol-
ished
Resolted, Of the Assembly concur) That said
amendment to said section be referred to the Legs-
ature to be chosen at the next general election of
Senator's and that pursuant to section first of article
thirteenth of the constitution the be published
for three months previous to the time of such cleo
ton.
The constitute nal clause thus proposed to be cx-
purgated requresa three years citizenship and free
hold of two hundred and fifty dollars, as qnaica-
ton for man of. color" to vote
The question involved in this proposed movement
is not now for the first time before the people, 1t
was settled in the constitution of 1921, after full
and elaborate discussion. The agitation to extend
the suffrage to this class revived the birth of
the abolition party; but with little effect that
William II. Seward in the canvass which elected
him to the Office of Governor when Intercepted by
. committee consisting of John Jay and Gerrit
Smith as to his views on this subject, replied under
date rrfA ryhu .0o eli.
believe that all men may become competent to
the responsibilities of selGgovernment. 1 think, aso
that nations and races may become debased by ig.
norance, 50 asto be destitute of the intelligence and
virtue requistefor the discharge of these response
bilities The constitution seems to have adopted
those principles Soy imposing restriction on the
right of suffrage the part of the colored popula-
ton, instead Of their total exclusion In this view
the constitutional restriction in question is scarcely
to be regarded a distinction founded solely on
complexion, but should rather be considered test
to discriminate between those of that race who DOS
sess the requisite intelligence and CAPACITY to dis.
charge the responsibilities of reemen and those who
90 not. Objectionable property qualification is
for such a test am not prepared 10 say, having in
view the actual condition of that race that no test
ought to exist The constitution of this State was
but recently established Its distribution of the right
OF suffrage was the act of the people themselves.
ana was adopted with what was then believed to oe
AUST regard to the security of all classes of citizens
and the general welfare. Organic changes in socie-
ty ought not to be rashly made, and such changes
ought not and indeed cannot be made here until de-
cded and clearly expounded by the will of the MAJOR
" OF the people However extensive and increasing"
may be the interest felt on the subject among our
it certainly cannot be assumed that
their views have undergone such change that
they are prepared for great an alteration in the
Gohst!"uon l dismiss the nterroeatory
therefore, with the simple negative feel myself
constrained to give ny ''''
ihis language was used eighteen years after the
adoption OF the constitution, which it was pronosed