Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-06-22
REMARKS OF w. f. LEAK,

On the proposition to refer the election Of Delegates
to the People, as dtSO on the number to be elected
l rise, Mr.. President and gentlemen, for the pur-
pose of occupying the attention of the Convention
for few moments, and for stating some of the rea-
sons that control my vote upon the question now
before US.
No man admits in broader sense than do, that
all political power emanates from, and belongs to
the people; in TRUTH it is the very basis the foun-
dation of political structure-and it is this and
this alone, that preeminently distinguishes Demo-
cratic or Republican America from all nations that
have gone before it. While admitting this to its
fullest extent do not think that it by any means
follows that the democratic feature has Just and
proper limitation. Ours is not democracy proper
in which the people are to pass upon everything,
but it is Representatives Democracy, in which they
should pass upon all that they safely as well as
conveniently can pass upon. If it was democracy
proper, as seems to be assumed by the argument of
some of the gentlemen who have joined in this de-
bate, why then you must have every thing elective
from the appointment of constable or an Overseer
of a road, up 10 that of the Governor of the State
The reasoning advanced in support of submitting
the question of the election of delegates to the
Southern Congress, necessarily leads to this conclu
sion; you cannot stop short of it.
Now, nv position is this: That while admitting
the broad principle that the people the rightful
source of all power, yet there is proper and ne
cesSary limitation to its exercise and that limitation
is to be settled by the previous question, whether
they can as safely and conveniently exercise the
power in question, those who now represent
them upon the floor of this Convention. | affirm
that they cannot and that for the few reasons will
now submit
In the first place. start out by saying, that the
people do not in the present disturbed condition of
the country desire to be bothered with this cleo
on for the period of its duration is so short only
for some six months, 0he Provisional Government
expires in February next) that | feel warranted in
supposng that they cannot be Jealous of the exer-
else on our part, Of such "modicum" of power as
the power which it is said we now wish to usurp
infer likewise that they do not desire It, for the
reason that time will not be allowed 70 cast about
and select their most suitable men for recollect the
! Confederate Congress meets on the 10th of July
and that it is now the Sth Gay of June and suppose
you give the election to the people, ask how long
will it take the Governors proclamation to reach the
extreme western counties 1t must take to do this
at least 10 days. which will bring you about to the
Goth of the month. Will sufficient time then,
ask, be allowed the people in many of the Con-
gressional Districts Qor some of them are over $50
miles long) to interchange opinions to who is the
proper candidate to represent them? Certainly
such time will not be allowed them for proper de-
liberation and consultation and consequently, YOU
lessen the chances that they will be able to secure
the services of the most able and distinguished men
of the State-lor such, and such only should now
be sent.
If ever there was time that We should send men
of our best talent and of tried patriotism, noU is
that time-for a new direction is now about being
given to the vessel of State, and able commanders
are required. Beside this, sir, we have been told
that important alterations in the organic law of the
COnfederacy will be required and who, ask, is so
well calculated to do this? the selected by the
people, in their present confused, agtated and scat
tered condition, or the delegates composing this
Conventional body admitted to be the ablest body
that ever assembled in North Carolina, since the
organization of the government. l say again, sir,
that the people do not desire it. for the reason that
the election must necessarily come off early in july
and at busy season of the year, when their atten-
ton can be better given to their farms, to their
making a support for the soldiery, and to making
something to contribute to the support of the war,
in which we are now engaged and which will take
all their industry and no little of their patriotism
say again, that they do not desire it-for, judg-
ing from the little interest that is now manifested
: in elections, do think they have become tired of
elections of late in this, think am fully justi-
fled from the returns just made and now on your
table for supplying the places of some designations
i in our body Why, sir, those returns show that
not one-third of the people of those counties have
/ voted.
! Again, sir: One of the strongest reasons why it
should not be submitted is the fact that before the
election can take place, you will have at least some