The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-06-16

dietary. In word, he is the mere represen-
tAtive of the people, considered az people,
without any reference to its wealth
Mr.. President, in my opinion many dele.
gates misapprehend the whole theory and
scope of our form of government by placing
the protection of property, upon an equantys
with the rights and protection due to the
citizen. Many persons make the claims OF
property superior to that of the rights OF the
person. The paramount object OF govern
ment like ours, is to throw the broadcast pro-.
lection around the rights ofthe citizen pro-
perty is mere incident resulting from the
| rights belonging to the citizen, and is subor-
dinate to the higher right, of a protection
to life and liberty. The rights belonging to
property flow only from the rights attaching
| to the citizen But delegates by their argu-
| ments reverse these principles they make
property the grand object of governments
care and protection, and in so doing make
the rights of the person yield to what shall
call an incidental right only.
| 1t is contrary to the spirit and genius OF
republican institutions to form government
for exclusive classes, and who can deny that
practically property qualification for office
does to a large extent produce such a result 2
| The great enquiry is in whom shall the pow
er of governing State be vested Reason,
experience, and history all point to but one
course, and that is to establish no exclusive
classes, but to entrust the people with the
sole right, without restrictions to elect to
Office, whomsoeyer merit prompts them to
support
| The delegate from Guilford (NIr. CALDWELL
has invoked the great name of John Ran
dolph against the effect of the proposed
amendment. He has given us the views enter
| tanned by this great man upon the error COM
mitted by Virginia in abolishing property
qualification for office. AS is well known Mr.
Randolph was thoroughly anglicised in some
of his political ideas. Hedeplored the aboli-
ton of primogeniture in his native State !;
his ideas were essentially aristocratic, and
| will have but little weight with those who
| are acquainted with his fondness for the Eng
| lish government.
In conclusion, Mr. President, our political
| creed, based upon that eternal principle en-
bodied in every republican Constitution,
that the people are the source of all political
power, requires that we should create no
badges of distinction-that we should take
all our people alike by the hand, and raise
them higher and higher in the scale of poll
| teal equality. The wealth of State con-
sists not in the broad fields and dollars of
its people, but in the virtue and intelligence
of its citizens. Then let us remove all bar
| riers from political promotion-let merit be
the sole test for qualification for office-banish
old fogyism and all Anticipated ideas which
oppose all progress-leave the field for poll
teal promotion to the people, who are the
proper judges of the capacity and fitness of
citizens for office. Let this be done, and our
labors will be crowned with rich fruits,
grateful people will be relieved from politi-
cal injustice heretofore done them, and our
| political system will be in entire harmony
with itself