Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1858-07-02

COl10a0uO cannot snow 1t III my bpcGCu--
It is true that I commended that special
message, as it had been commended
throughout the length and breadth of the
country by, the conservative and patriotic
throughout the land [ approved Of the.
general principles there set forth; but L
did not approve, and [ take occasion to
say here that [ do not now approve, the
doctrine that the people can alter or amend
their constitution without REGARD to the re-.
strictions contained in the instrument it
self
But suppose the Green amendment had
contained that doctrine: how can my col
league object to itl Does it lie in his
mouth to get up here or elsewhere and
condemn it2 And here let me say that
my colleague has brought another charge
OF injustice against me on account OF the
reference which made to his position in
the Legislature of North Carolina, in re-
lation to o similar question. Now, what
was the position of my colleague as Sen
ator Of the State Legislature OF North Car
gentlemen here that the constitution Of
the people of 4 orth Carolina shall be call
ed to amend the constitution Of that State,
except by two-third vote of both branch
es Of the State Legislature and yet my
colleague, as a member of the North Car
olna Senate, supported and voted for the
proposition OF Governor Graham, which
was intended to provide that the question
of a convention to amend the constitution
should be submitted to the people of the
State by bare majority Of both branches
of the Legislature; and if a majority OF
the people voted for convention, then
the people should proceed to elect dele
gates to amend the constitution, although
that instrument itself says that no conven-
ton shall be called unless it is by a vote
Of two thirds Of both branches of the Leg
islature.
Mr.. GILlIER. VIII my colleague al
low me to correct him as to q matter of
fact?
1Tr. SHAW, Of North Carolina. owe
the gentleman no courtesy, and will not
allow him to interrupt me, especially as I
am sure the Chair will have the iberality
to award him the floor at the close of my
remarks, when he will have an opportuniz.
s !,
then, That my colleague, in voting to stis-
tain the proposition Of Governor Graham
in the Legislature of North Carolina, has
himself sanctioned and approved the doc
trine which he now denounces, but which
| say is not set forth in the Green amend
ment.
But if the special message of the Presi-
dent does contain this doctrine, which has
now become SO odious to my colleague;
and if he has changed his opinion since he
was in the Legislature, why have we not
heard lis thunder sooner? [ have here
an editorial article from the leading organ
OF the party to which the gentleman be-
longs-the Know Nothing party Of North
Carolina-in which, in speaking of the
Presidents message and Of this very doc
trine which the gentleman so yehemently
condemns, the following language is used
[ quote. from the Raleigh Register, Of the
10th February, 1853.
'sAccording to promise we lay before
our readers today the Presidents message
recommending to the favor Of Congress the
Lecompton constitution. We are not
ocrats, and rarely indeed do they deserve
any at our hands. We hope, however,
we can do justice, and it is in a spirit of
fair dealing that we say that Mr.. Buchan-
ans message is a most excellent one"
"Besides all this, as the President cery
qO0d contends, as soon as Kansas IS admit
ted as u State, she caso call another conueas-
ton to make another constitution, and 1t
can then be oscertaized aghother the friends
or opponents Of s10ceyy are IN the naiaaor'i-
ty IN tie IState. This seems to as ercee1-
aaagly simple and plain, and the furious
opposition to the L'resident's uieecs can on
Iy be uocoauted for by the .tact that certain
Dozstsci0aas IN Congress desire to gro1ong
this ag5totioae for their oaoaa purposes, and
with view likewise Of asserting, if posi-
bic, the principle that slavery shall not
spread beyond its present limits. AS a
citizen Of the United States, then, and
lover of law and order, and as a citizen of
the South, and mindful Of her rights we
do most earnestly desire to. see Kansas adj
mitted with the constitution she presents,
and let her future struggles, if any shall
ensue, be carried Oh upon her own soil as
a sovereign State, and be settled by her
own citizens. Then, and not before, will
brands, threatening the destruction of the
Union"
There, sir, is the same doctrine held by
the leading organ, in North Carolina, of
the gentleman's own party, and I have
never yet heard any denunciation of that
article by my colleague or any member
of his party at home. But after the GEN
tleman had concluded to oppose the ad-
mission OF Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution, he finds that this is an odious
doctrine, and one which ought not only
to condemn the President, but the Demo
cratic party. also, and me too, who never
adopted it
b