Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-04
Then aud Now.

Then aud Now.
We publish below the resolutions Of the Opposi-
ton, or Wing. or Know Nothing party Of this State
adopted in 1850 1852 1854, and 1856, on the sub
ject of Constitutional amendments. In 1850 they
adopted in State Convention the following:
"WHEREAs, A large number of the people of the
State, without distinction of poti party, have in
dcated wish to have the State Constitution amen
ded so as to give to voters for the House of Com
mons the right to vote also for Senators; and where
as it is fundamental principle Of popular govern
ment declared in our Bill Of Rights that all political
power is vested in, and derived from, the people
only:
Resolred, In the opinion of this Convention, that
the Legislature should adopt mode, in accord
ance with the provisions of the Constitution, by
which the sense of the majority of the people may
be clearly ascertancd and their wishes carried out
in reference to said proposed amendment of the Con-
stitution.
And WHEREAS, many people of the State have in
dictated desire that the present mode of electing
Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts, Treas
urer Comptroller Secretary of State Justices of the
Peace and other State officers, shall be changed, so
as to give the election of said officers directly to the
people themselves: And whereas, the people, with
out distinction of party should be consulted in this
as in every other matter involving an alteration or
amendment of the Constitutions:
Resoloed In the opinion CT this Convention, that
the Legislature should also adopt some mode in
cordance with the provisions of the Constitution, by
which the sense of majority of the people of the
State may be clearly ascertaned, and their wishes
carried out in relation to the manner OF electing
said officers or any Of them"
In 1852 they adopted in State Convention the fol-
"Resolced, That in the opinion Of this Convention,
whenever amendments to be made to our State
Constitution, they should be effected by a Conven-
ton Of the people, elected the basis of the House
of Commons; and we in favor of submitting it
to the people to say, whether such Convention
shall be called or not, for the purpose of making
amendments to our Constitution"
In 1854 they adopted in State Convention the FOL
lowing:
"Resolred, That weare Of opinion that the peo-
pie of North Carolina desire a change in the Const
tuition of the State, and that this be most wisely
and safely done by Convention of Delegates elected
by the People; Therefore, We recommend to the
Legislature to call such Convention, and in sub
hitting the election of Delegates to the people, so to
provide as to the present basis Of represen
tation in the Legislature"
In 1856 they adopted in State Convention the fol-
lowing:
WHEREAS, There exist various and conflicting
opinions among Wings and Democrats, both as to
the propriety Of amending the State Constitution
we'll as the manner and extent to which amend
ments should be made:
Resolned, That in order that the paramount
principles of Americanism may not be trammelled
| in the ensuing contest by vexed State questions,
made up by former political organizations, the
party, eschewng sectional issues in the State as
we'll as in the Union, declare their purpose Of abid-
ing by and maintaining the representative basis Of
| the present Constitution"
In 1850 they were in favor of many changes in
the Constitution; in 1852 they desired the people
to have an opportunity Of saying whether they
wanted Convention; in 1854 they took ground
boldly for Convention; in 1855 they ignored the
whole question; and nou, in 1860, they are for a
Convention to make one amendment only to the
Constitution. We call particular attention to the
fact that in 1854 and 1856 they careful to pro-
vide against any change in the basis of representa-
ton; but that in 1860, while calling for an open
Convention, they are silent on the su6jeet Of the
basis