Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-03-16

l think, Mr.. speaker, tnat nave SHOWN Cohcio- |
sively from the constitution itself that the govern
meut of North Carolina established by the Peo-
pie that they had the right to establish it. and that
thew intended and did frame a constitution most
conducive to their happiness and prosperity. II
have succeeded in showing that the constitution was
framed under the authority of the people for the
purpose of promoting their happiness and prosperi-
ty, it is only necessary to show further, that the
freemen of North-CaroIina were not only equals
but had right to equal participation in the ben
efts, and were equally subject to the burthens OF
government IN order to establish the position that
the restriction in the amended constitution is in
compatible with, and repnsnant to the great prncl-
pie of democratic republican equality upon which
the constitution was framed The constitution de-
clares upon its face that it framed by the re
representatives. of the freemen of North-Carolina I'M
der the authority of the people" And as there is
line of distinction drawn in the const tuition but
on the contrary an express declaration, that no
man or set of shall be entitled to exclusive or
separate emoluments, or privileges from the commu-
nifty, but in consideration Of public s.rvices "-ttat
all the treemen Of the State were on perfect Polat-
icaI equality in reference to the benefits and bur-
thens which were to flow from the organization of
the government. But if the constitution had not so
explicitly declared it, we know that fathers all
aided in the achievement of our liberties and the es
Enlistment of the government. Every Senator,
who knows anything of the history of his country
knows that the freemen of North Carolina were all
equals in that time of privation and toll, which
tried mems souls"-that they were politically
equals on the forum and in the field, and that they
equally suffered and bled and died for their country
Was not, Mr. Speaker, the blood of honest power
ty offered upon the altar of PATRIOTISM as acceptable
sacrifice to the God of liberty as that which flowed
from the heart of the purest the proudest and the
nobest in the land? If So and the political equality
of those by whom, and for whose benefit assume
the government was established be admitted, and it
cannot be successfully controversial not driv
en- to the conclusion that it was organized for the
equal protection and benefit of all who had aided in
the achievement of liberty and the establishment of
the government?
Well, Mr.. Speaker, if the people of North Carolina
had the right to organize a government for their
mutual and equal protection, and did, in the exer-
else of their sovereign power, as free and indie
pendent people, frame constitution "most condu-
Give to their happiness and prosperity" did they not
frame a constitution protecting equally all the citi-
Gems and all the property in the State and subject
ing all alike to the burhens of supporting the gov
ernment? When it came from the hands of our
fathers whose hearts were glowing With love of
liberty and swelling with emotions of patriotism, it
contained no discrimination in favor Of or against
any particular class of citizens property any
such restriction upon the Legislature as that which
the bill under consideration proposes to strike out
If the constitution when it from their hands,
contained no discrimination in favor of or against
any particular class of citizens property nor any
such restriction upon the General Assembly, whence
came this subsequent discrimination in constitu
tion so wholly inconsistent with all of ideas of
| equality and justice, and utterly repugnant to
tie principles of our government?
| Mr. Speaker, the discrimination sought to be
stricken down by the bill under consideration is an
! innoration upon the constitutional libel upon the
principle of Democratic republican equality, and an
insult to the intelligence selfrespect and patriotism
of our fathers as well as of ourselves.
If these things be true should we not inspired by
an unaffected reverence for our ancestors, and a
sense of Justice to the people, remove from the con-
sttution restriction irrcconcable with the great
principles of equality and justice upon which it
| framed, and without the observance of which the
| government cannot exist?
A just appreciation of the principles of our gov
ernment and due regard for them, alone furnish a
sufficient reason for the passage of this bill.
But there are other and more urgent reasons for
its passage at this time, in view of the financial
| ditiOn and revenue laws of the State.
1t is well known that the public debt has been
rapidly increasing for the last few years. on account
of the various schemes of internal improvement in
| which the State has embarked
BY reference to the very able report of the public
treasurer, made to this General Assembly, it will be
seen that the present and prospective liabilities of
the State are over twelve and half millions of dol
lars
While the resources of the State are amply suffi-
clent, under proper system Of rerenue to meet the
demands upon her treasury, it is nevertheless a
very large debt for people SO little accustomed to
heavy taxation. But however large the debt NAV
seem, and however onerOus the taxes NAV become
the debt must and will be paid and the faith and
honor of the State protected and maintained 1t is
just and honest debt and the people will
never dishonor themselves, and disgrace the
State, by refusing to pay it. But this debt,
for the payment of which the faith end honor
of the State are pledged was made for the benefit
of all the citizens and property in the State for the
purpose OF promoting the general. interest and
prosperity of the State at large
Now, MIR. Speaker, if the public debt was incur.
red for the benefit of all the citizens and property
in the State, should not all the citizens and proper
ty in the State contribute to its payment? Can any
good reason be assigned why all for whose benefit
the debt was made should not contribute to the
payment of it? The only resource of the State to
pay its debt and support the government is the po,c
er Of taration; and if the government was estab
ilshed by all the citizens and for the protection and
benefit of all should not all the citizens and Dro
erty in collecting the rerenue necessary to support
the government and pay the debt of the State. be
made to contribute in proportion to the protection
enjoyed! y
I say now, Mr. Speaker, what have said before
THAT the laws of North-C Carolina have beer
framed upon no sound principle of political econo
my, and therefore their practical operations in detail
have been unjust and unequal Take, for example
the operation of the present law in the collection o
revenue for State and County purposes. For Stat,
purposes, thousand dollars worth of land is now
taxed one dollar and fifty cents, while slave worti
one thousand dollars is only taxed fifty cents Ant
slave mechanic worth two thousand dollars il
taxed no more than ordinary or infirm field hand
worth only five hundred dollars Interest on mo
ney loaned is taxed about onefourth of one pc
cent, or two dollars and forty cents on each thou
sand dollars Loaned, while the amount Is 900
IN old carriages or other vehicles is taxed ten dol
lars or one per cent upon their value A thousan,
dollars employed in merchandise is taxed one-thir
OF one per cent, or three dollars thirty three and
third cents while lawyer, physician, officer over
seer or other person whose salary, fees or wage
amount to one thousand dollars is taxed ten dollars
W hn nuyrO