The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-18

encrOachmentS are made on
the one side and resistance is made on the
other, a continual struggle for ascendancy
takes place, which causes continual turmoil
and discomfort, degenerates often into fac
tion, and becomes destructive of the best in
terests of the State. Ny desire, therefore, is
to see blended, in one beautiful whole, num-
bers and interests, working harmoniously
and Withholding, if possible, an un-
due preponderance from either The eastern
part oft lie State possesses much more proper
ty in the aggregate, than the western part,
and pays larger share of the public expen-
ses TO adopt, therefore, the basis of repre-.
sentation proposed ythe amendment, would
be asserting the pawerb force, would place
the weak maas9t tlSsmscy of the strong
of the East contributing far more largely
than the West to the expenses of the Gov
ernment, ard yet represented only by small
minority in each branch of the Legislature
That representation should be based on
majority of interest and majority of num-
bers combined, is fortified by the authority
of the best writers on government beg to
refer to the essay of Mr.. Calhoun entitled
:" A Disquisition on Government vol. 1st of
his works, pages %, 80 and 80, edition of
1851.
A majority of numbers and of interests
combined, or, what is the same thing, Il
union of persons and property, is the true
basis of representation. What is the basis
OF civil society9 l answer, property to as
great, nay, to a greater, degree than personal
security. Ihave never read of any state of
society how rude soever, in which the pro-
lection of property did not form a constitu-
ent element. The Indian in his wigwaln,
claims as his own the quiver of arrows,
which his ingenuity has fashioned, Or the
buffalo robe which he has acquired by his
skill in the chase. The Icelandcr, in his hut
of snow, appropriates to his own use the seal
which he has captured. and the Laplander
cherishes, with solicitude, the sled and rein
deer which form the principal share of his
worldly goods. In every period of the worlds
history-in every place where men congre-
gate, and that is in all places where they ex-
ist, from the days when Abel was keeper
of sheep and Cain tilcr ofthe ground, until
this day, the acquisition of property has
been the main stimulant of mans energies.
and the Infringement of his right, to what
he claims as his own, the surest means of
evoking his passions and resentment. In the
more refined nations, what is the main sub
ject of deliberation in all Legislative assem-
blies 2 Is it personal security! No, but the
protection of property-the means of secur-
ing to every man what is justly his own
And yet, at this late day, we have propo-
sition here, which ignores the right of pro
perty to any share in the representation of
the State, and proposes to place it in the
mere numerical majority of white persons.
which would place the East at the mercy of
the West. beg to say that prefer to have
the distribution of my own property in my
own hands. am not willing to place it in
the hands of Others A white man in the
East pays one dollar tax, while two white
men in the West pay only the same amount
Is not the Eastern man entitled to protection
in the appropriation of his dollar against the
numerical majority composed of the other
two9 Can there be a palmer proposition
And yet, the proposition before the Conven-
ton would deprive the Eastern man of all
power of appropriation and disposition over
the fund which he contributes, and while
bearing the larger share of the expenses of
the Government, would make him but a
cipher in directing their disbursement.
In further support of my position. 1 beg to
refer to the debates of the Convention of
1885. read from the speech of Judge Gas
ton, page 1872:
" In the Constitution of State all the
operations of whose government are not only
direct upon its citizens, but wholly confined
to matters of interior concern, the only in
terest, likely to be often arrayed against each
other are those of property and of persons
Such government is formed for the purpose
OF protecting property and persons, and
would be inadequate to the end if left either
at the mercy OF the other. It can never, in
deed, be the true interest of any individual,
or OF any body OF men, to 0ppress or injure
others; but every days observation, and it is
to be feared that every days experience, must
convince US that fancied immediate advan-
tage, magnifed blythe mists of passion cften
tempts us to forego any permanent good, and
wrong our fellow men, under the delusi0n
that we are benefiting ourselves. 1t is right
that government should be so constituted as
to bring the steady influence of interest in
aid of the commands of duty" And, says
Alexander Hamilton: "The best writers ON
government have held that representation
should be compounded of persons and pro-
perty," vol. II, page 434 1 also refer to the
Federalist, No. 54.
Having thus endeavored to prove that the
true basis of representation in every well re-
gulated government should be persons and
property / will now proceed minutely to
examine the argument of the delegate deriv--
ed rom statistics. shall first consider those
relating to the complexion of the Senate.
First allegation The eight extreme East
ern Senatorial districts, with population of
50,399, are entitled to eight members. The
eight extreme Western districts, witha popu-
lation of 201, 1856. have eight members, 6,299
voters in the Eastern are equal to 5,219 in
the Western district
Reply. The population of the Eastern dis
tricts is, in fact in the aggregate. one-half of
that of the Western.
The eight extreme Eastern districts were
assessed in 1860 for State taxation to the
amount of $S6,004. The eight extreme
Western districts paid tax of $9S, ,749. So
that one white person in the Eastern pays as
much to the expenses of the State govern
ment as three white persons in the Western
districts.
Second allegation. Hertford has popu-
lation of 3,947 and one Senator. Buncombe
district has population of 10000 and one
Senator. One voter in Hertford is equal to
seven in Buncombe.
Reply. The aggregate population Of Hert-
ford is more than one-fourth of that of the
Buncombe district.
The taxes of Hertford assessed in 1850
were $7,S34. Those of the Buncombe district
were $14, ,702. So that one white man in
Hertford paws as muchtax as four white men
in Buncomhe district.
Third allegation. Martin district has a