The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-20
WHO ARE TO VOTE.

The following from the Wilmington Herald,
throws some light on the vexed question of vot-
ing in the coming n. G. election:
The Herald says: "The Presidents procla-
nation defines who are not to have voice. Such
are the fourteen classes exempted from the ben
efts of the amnesty proclamation. Beyond
these, Governor Holden is directed TO permit to
hold seats in the constitutional convention dl-
rected to be convened, and to vote for delegates
to that convention, all such as have previously
taken and subscribed to the oath or amnesty as
set forth in the Presidents proclamation of May
29th, 1865, and are voters qualified as prescrlb-
ed by the constitution and laws of the State of
North Carolina in force Immediately before the
10th day of May, 1861, the date OF the so called
ordinance of secession. So that point is settled.
Therefore the issue to be determined by the
people lies in the constitutional convention
what it shall do aud what it shall not do.
1t is admitted that that convention shall alter
the constitution far as to put the state back
into the Union. Of course this must be conce-
ded That is what we all wish, and that is the
object for which the convention is called. Be-
yoDd that, by the terms Of the Presidents proc
IamatlOn, the great question OF suffrage is CON-
nrted to this convention. The convention, of
course, may tinker the constitution OF the State
as much as they please, but 20 changes 9th
er than in putting the state back into the Un-
ion, and determining the suffrage question are
demanded, it is expected that none will be
made.
Therefore the great issue lies in the election
of delegates to this convention. This election
will soon be announced The terms of the au-
thorzation Of this convention do not provide
that its work shall be submitted to the people
for approval. They may do so or not as they
see lit. The people must therefore take this
matter in hand while they have the power and
determine it. They should take care to elect
no Que as a delegate to this important conven-
ton that will not first ana foremost, pledge
himself, unequivocaly and squarely to submit
the work Of the convention to the people for
approval. This must be made a condition pre-
cedent, unalterable as the laws of the Medes and
the Persians. So. only can the tights of the peo-
pie be guarded.
Then, as the people do not care to incur the
expense of second convention, but desire their
work so we'll done that they can approve it at
once, care should be taken to choose delegates
who will properly represent them on the ques-
ton OF suffrage. We do not undertake to decide
now whether the people want to extend the
night OF suffrage to negroes or not But great
care should be taken in selecting delegates with
aview to the settlement of this point, for here
IS the great issue. The convention has power
to settle it. They may permit negroes to vote
and refuse to submit their work to the approval
of the people, and SO make it the binding or
ganic law Of the commonwealth This is point
the electors want to understand fully, and then
they will exercise their privileges intelligently.
This is the great issue now before the people.
Governor Holden, in day or two, will tell US
when it shall be determined