Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-04-10
The Adoption of the Constitution by the Con.

The Adoption of the Constitution by the Con-
ventfons of the Sc Confederate States.'
We learn that both Mr.. Clingman and Gov. Bragg,
in their dsunion speeches in this City few days
since, labored to break the force Of the argument
against the action of the disunon leaders in the
coded States by stating that the people Of this State
did not vote to accept the federal Constitution. 1t
is true the people did not vote at the ballot box, but
the Constitution adopted Sya Convention chosen
for that special purpose. These gentlemen have
evaded the question, shall proceed to show
The federal Constitution was framed and adopted
in general Convention in 1887. 1t was then sub
mitted to the States The Convention to consider
the propriey of adopting or rejecting the Constitu
ton met in Hillsborough, July 21st, 1888. After
much deliberation the Constitution not accept
ed, but laid over for further consideration. But
another Convention was called, under new cleo
ton, in 1882 at Fayetteville and this body adopted
the Constitution. The whole question was discuss
ed for the space of two three years, and the dele
gates were chosen to perform specific duty.
Now observe the difference between this and the
action of the seeded States. The Conventions in
those States chosen and assembled to consider
the propriety of dissoving the existing Union
That, and nothing else, Uas their business They
performed it. but instead of terminating their e:zs
tence and going back to mngle with the masses of
the people, they usurped the right to reassemble
and to remain in session long as they pleas ed,
and to act on subject with reference to which none
of them had been elected. There was no new cleo
ton, as in this State in 1889. There was no appeal
to the people to know whether they would adopt or
reject the Constitution of the Confederate States;
but the very men who had taken the States out as
sumed to determine what they should do after they
had gone out, and the people were thus bound hand
and foot without having been consulted at the bal
| lot-box Under these circumstances we do insi list
that these Conventions owed it to the people to sub
nit the Constitution of the Confederate States for
their adoption or rejection at the polls. But they
did no such thing either by an election of new dele
gates or by vote at the polls; and the result is,
people Of the Confederate States hare had no
roice in adopting their common Constitution. Not
| having had new election, with no discussion OF
the merits of the Constitution before the people,
submission of the instrument to them would have
given them voice for against it; but we repeat,
| the right to be heard was denied them-denied them
as we'll at the polls as through new delegates. In
this State in 1889, there delegates The
fullest discussion was had, and the delegates were
chosen by the people and directed to so to Fayette-
vile and adopt the Constitution.
We think we have made good our point. But
aside from all this we insist, as firm believer in
Democratic principles, that general rule no Con-
stitution should be regarded as binding until SUBJ
mited to and approved by the people at the ballot
box. No explanation apology can Justify the &C
ton of the leaders in the seeded States. While
Messrs. Clngman and Bragg are defending them
here, and apologizing for their departure from the
principles on which our government is based many
of the leading journals in the seeded States as we
shall show hereafter Including the Mssissipian it
SELF the great organ of the secessionists-are de-
nouncing the action of the ogarchs, and demanding
that the people shall have voice in determining the
nature of the government under which they and
their posterity are to live.