The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-08-07
gri as|fekIp Standard.
RALEsIGII. n. q. 3
TUESDAY, s. AUGUST =. 1896.
The Vote ON the New Constitution.

The people of this State voted on Thurs
day. Friday, and Saturday last on the new
Constitution. We have received thus far hut
few returns, but those received indicate that
the East has voted almost en- naasse against it,
the West almost en- masse for it, while the
middle region of the State is divided. For
example, Newbern in the East, gives one
hundred and seventy majority against the
Constitution, while Rutherfordton in the
West, gives one hundred and twenty-seven
for it and one against it. Hillsborough, I'M
der the advice of Judge Ruffin and Gov
| Graham, gives fifteen to against it
| Greensborough gives two hundred for and
seventy against it; Durhams', in Orange,
gives seventy for, and forty against; Raleigh
the seat of government, gives one hundred
and seventy-four for, and seventy two against
it; and Goldsborough, the hotbead of seces-
sion and disloyalty, gives one hundred and
| twenty-five against, and five for it, The vote
polled in the State will be small, and will
probably not exceed one-third of the entire
vote. The opponents of the new Constitu-
ton, stimulated by the letter of Judge Ruff
fin and their aversion to President John
the Constitution was formed, were very ac-
tive, while the loyalists were for the most
part quiet, and polled hut a small vote.
1t is reported that Gov. Worth voted for
the new Constitution. This may be so, and
If SO, it was done to hide appearances. Near
ly all his leading friends and newspaper Or
gans were against it, and the Counties that
1ar
have polled the heaviest votes against the
Constitution. His organ in this City has
stated Ivy authority that his opinions in re-
gard to the power of the Convention to make
this Constitution are not k,aoecn and he has
certainly taken no steps as the professed
friend oftlic instrument. to have them known.
This statement of itself threw doubt on the
power of the Convention to make Consti-
tuition and this was no doubt intended as a
hint to his friends to vote to reject, while he,
to hide appearances, and to perpetuate the
false impression that he is friend to the
President. voted to ratify.
Many votes were no doubt cast against the
Constitution on other grounds, but the main
grounds of opposition to it were, first, be-
who were chosen and who acted under the
authority of the United States and second
ly, because it did not count the negroes in
the basis of the House of Commons, but only
the whites. The great body of the colored
people are in the Eastern part of the State,
where the secesSionists have large ma jority;
and their object in counting the colored peo-
mis- in hn haCi * tn rafaI thai
power in the Legislature, as against the loyal
white men of the West. And yet these same
men, who on the three-fifths principle seek
to count three negroes against five white
men, would regard gross insult the pre-
position that these negroes, thus counted,
should be allowed to vote. To sum up,
therefore, if the new Constitution has been
rejected, the result is to be attributed to hos
tilty to the national gorernment, and to the
pertinacity with which the secession leaders
cling to the dead forms Of Atirican slaoery. AS
long these leaders permitted directly
to control affairs in this State, or indirectly
to control them through instruments like
Gov. Worth, just so long will North Carolina
be unfit to be restored to the Union.
A friend writing US from middle North
Carolina, says:
81 have little doubt the Constitution will
be rejected by the popular vote of the State.
A great many took no interest in the matter
not enough even to vote. The reason for its
rejection by the people of this section, may
be attributed to the simple fact that they
have been led to believe, that every move
3ohnsons plan, if acquesced in by them,
strengthens his policy, and the influence of
those who adhere to it, in restoring to power
again the old Democratic party. The Worth
faction, composed of the opposite utilization,
do not wish to be instrumental in aiding
such policy. They would rather remain
out OF the Union, believing they will in due
time effect a change in the next Presidential
election that will overturn such restoration
policy, when they Can commence the work
of restoration under the auspices of federal
lead, (Whig.) upon such basis as will ena-
bic them to obtain their cherished object,
the payment of the rebel State debt, and at
forwards continue in power, by ostraciSing
every tory, traitor, bush whacker and Union
man who did not shout for jeff Davis and
his reign of terror. The friends OF this fac
ton do not hesitate to avow their hatred to
President Johnson democracy. They open
fy charge him with the design of restoring
to power his old party, (democratic) and
give reason that he began with appoint
ing you, ana others OF former democratic
proclivities, Provisional Governors, pardoned
Rhett, and Others, and refuses to pardon
w. a. Graham, Vance, and others, old-line
Wings This they urge conclusive dem
onstrative and positive evidence of the fact.
They are, therefore, opposed to such policy
under the plea of restoration to the Union;
and hence, they are for defeating tiff in no
other way, by staying out of the Union until
they can, if possible effect a charge in the
administration at Washington. Judge Ruff
fms opinion has confirmed very many in
their pre-conceived notions regarding the
policy of the President. To sum it up: The
government must be under the patronage
and control of men who believe in the fed
eral or Wing policy, and then they are ready
to acquiesce in such measures as will carry
the State back to the Union-whicb policy
is to tax the people to pay the rebel State
bonds, and exclude from place and position
every man OF the "straitest sect :" order
with payment tor slaves the indictment of
every Union man who Withheld his tithaa