Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-17
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, N. c., MONDAY, DEC. 10, 1855.
The Sfafe.

The State.
We have gone over our North Carolina exchanges
with the view of picking up some items of local news
Our examination has convinced that North Carolina
must be remarkably quiet and orderly Commonwealth
for we have failed to pick up murder an elopement or
an awful catastrophe. Our Fayetteville neghbors are
evidently chagrned by the result of the vote upon their
bill OF Tuesday last. We do not wonder. 1t will be
SEEM however, that yesterday the vote was reconSeed
and the bill sent back to the committee Internal In
provements We still lean to the opinion that this LIE
gislature will not adjourn without doing something for
the work.
The Milton and YanceyviIe Junction Railroad that
is, the Danvile Connection, has failed in the Senate
The vote was not quite full one but sufficient to indi
cate the ultimate fate of the measure so far as the pres
ent Legislature is concerned.
The case of the contested seat Of Mr. Haywood, one
of the Commoners from Wake attracts considerable at
tention and occupies good deal OF time Mr. Hay
wood is Clerk and Master in Equity for Wake county,
and the question is whether that shall be considered an
Office to the extent of rendering him ineligible to seat
in the Legislature. The subject has been postponed
until the 18th. 1t is hardly probable that vote will
be arrived at before Christmas, if then.
We have before us a document which has surprised
us as much anything Of the kind that we have seen for
years bearing as it does the sanction of distinguished
NAME and certain official prestige. We refer to the
following
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY.
The Committee on the Judiciary to whom was referred
House bill No 49, Tepe0 much of section md OF article
Ah the amended constitution Of North Carolina as pro
hbits persons of the Jewish OF sraeh faith from holding
offices of profit trust in the State have had the same IN
der consideration, and beg leave to submit thereon INC
following ,,u,
The Committee are of opinion that the principle which
the bill founded correct. No person should be pro
scrbed or placed under any civil liabilities on account OF
religious faith Religion is matter which concerns US all
as individuals 1t is not the proper subject OF the cogn
ance of civil tribunals GOD alone the maker and seacher
hearts, has the right to judge Intelligent and account
able creature account of the religious faith by winch
such creature governed When government ASSUMES f
right nterpose in this behalf usurps the prero8atve
the Almighty and violates the most sacred privilege OF man.
The provision constitution proposed to be abrogated
by the BILL inserted at period when the principles OF
religious liberty very mperecty understood IN North
Carolina 1t relic of an of bgory and Intolerance
unfit to be associated in our fundamental law Win le en-
lightened principles of republican government which con
sttute the basis institutions. 1t is condemned by all
generous mndsCOndemned by the sPI OF lhe age Ill
live; and, above ALL condemned by the preceptS OF he
Gospel which incucates Peace earth and good VIII to
the principle which the bill founded Neyertheless
the committee have instructed me to report the Dill 10 e
House with Recommendation that 1t 40 not pass because
opinion of the committee is highly inexpedlent at
this time to alter amend the constitution by legislative ell
actment in any particular whatever. 49,
The people OF North Carolina be satisfied with
their government. They ask Tor no Chnge; ana IL Is elI
wise patriotic TO produce discomfort, Wen peace anu
happiness prevail JOHN hhkt Ch0""'0'"
We think our readers will agree with US in regarding
the last few sentences as bringing the report to most
lame and impoent conclusion. Asserting, as the COM
mttee does that the provision Of the Constitution pro-
posed to be abrogated by the bill lis condemned by
all generous minds it is neither fair nor respectful to
the people of North Carolina to assume that they are
satisfied with it, or indsposed to change. H. as the
Committee assert this provision of the Constitution us
a relic of an age of bigotry and ntoerencc-unft to be
associated in our fundamental law, with the enlightened
principles Of republican government which constitute the
basis Of Institutions why should they assume that
the people of North Carolina desire its pcpetuatiOn?
In opinion is wise and patriotic to do what right;
and surely that peace and happiness are hollow indeed
which can only be secured by the pepetuaon OF an &C
knowledged wrong.
We say what We do, reluctantly, for we dislike to
find fault especially with those whom we like and res
pect and Mr. Kerr is one of these. But justice should
be done, even if the skies fall.
This is not matter which concerns simply The few
persons of the Jewish faith within our borders. 1t IS
matter which concerns the reputation OF the State OF
North Carolina. Shall it be said that her people will
perpetuate proscrptiyc feature Of their Constitution
which is proclaimed by the judiciary Committee OF the
popular branch of their Legislature to be condemned by
all generous minds? Surely not