Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-03-16

that of Wake. I make this statement lsy Speaker.
not to alarm them by an exhibition Of their weakness
but to induce them to pursue the line Of policy 50
clearly indicated BY interest," prudence and pssri-
otism. eT.-IIr Hr F-r- .-Wut
But Sir the last the least urged, but the
Notwithstanding the government Of North Carolina
is the creation Of the people, the constitution
was framed by the people, and declares "that Ill
political power is vested in and derived from the
peonle only" and stands . towering and glorious
monument of the intelligence and patriotism Of our
fathers and the wisdom Of their posterity. there
still those who dstrust their honesty and doubt
those who cling to the old federal idea that the poo
pie arc their own worst enemies, and ought to be
governed rather than govern themselves. II they
are correct the constitution which declares "that
the people Of this State ought to have the sole and
exclusive right Of regulating the internal govern
ment and police thereof" and "that no man or GET
of men entitled to exclusive or separate emolu
ments or privileges from the community, but in
sideration of public services" instead Of being .
monument to the intelligence and patriotism Of the
people, is living SANDER upon the truth Of history.
But Mr. Speaker, the intelligence, honesty and
patriotism of the people, and their capacity to gov
ern themselves, arc triumphantly vindicated BY the
moral grandeur and political power Of the best and
sublimest example Of free government ever present.
ed to the eye of man.
If in conclusion Mr. Speaker, the people had
the right in 1776 to frame constitution and cstab
fish government for themselves, and did frame "a
constitution most conducive TO their happiness and
property" and that constitution afforded equal pro-
lection to all the citizens and property Of the State
and imposed equal burthcns upon all and IL the
convention of 1885, in violation Of the great prnci-
pie Of democratic republican equality upon which
the government was established incorporated into il
arestrction upon the General Assembly in reference
to taxation, discriminating against nineteen TWEEN
teths of the people Of the State; and If the 6nan-
ton Of the principles Of our government requires
the alteration proposed; If the injustice and inc
quality of our revenue laws are the result Of this
restriction i: the constitution was ratified without
the restriction being detected by the people; the
people have been satisfied with the constitution be-
cause until recently, the discrimination was not op
pressve; if the restriction not one Of the COM
promises of 1885; if the public debt was incurred
under the present revenue system IL the constitu-
ton should be altered and negroes taxed a. other
property ad ra'orem; If young negroes ought to DC
taxed as property because they are property; IL Il
will not injure the institution Of slavery to tax
slaves al ralorem !; II the east will not pay morc
than its just and fair proportion Of the taxes; IL il
will not drive slaves out Of the State il the minor
ty of the people being slaveowncrs will be as well
protected the majority; II there is danger in
altering the constitution; il the people not dis
trusted; if all political power is vested in and de-
rived from the people only; il the people cap.
able of sclfgovernmcnt; If they sought to have
the sole and exclusive right Of regulating the inter
nal government and police of the State; If the
principles of the government, the interest Of the
people and the faith and honour Of the State de-
mand the passage of the BILL the alteration Of the
constitution the abandonment Of the present system
revenue and the adoption Of system Of taxation al
ra!orem, can, Mr.. Speaker the ingenuity Of mar
suggest valid objection to the passage Of this bill
by the constitutional majority: But am aware o
the opposition with which the bill is to meet. an
not ignorant of the prejudiccs existing against II II
the minds of Senator's. But challenge the invcs
tigation and discussion Of the objects Of the bill
either in the Senate elsewhere / demand to-day
upon the floor of the Senate, for my constituents
that equality at the treasurer's Office which Is re
cognized at the ballot box, and to which they n
entitled under the great principles Of equality, up
| on which the constitution was framed and the gov
eminent established appeal to the interests tn
bcrality, the sense Of justice. and the patriotism
Senators in behalf not only Of my own constituent:
but of the great Of the people Of North Carol
ma to vote for this bill and strike down discTimir
alton which is alike unequal unjust and oppressive
If that demand is disregarded and that appeal VI
needed by the representatives Of the people, then
appeal from the decision of the Senate to the soure
of all political power, the people themselves