The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-07-25
ne New constitutiop.

it is now apparent that a formidable
movement is on foot to induce the people Of
this State to reject the new State Constitu-
ton, to be submitted to them in August
next
Judge Manly has addressed an elaborate
argument to bis constituents on the subject,
taking the ground that the Convention, hav-
ing been called by military authority, had
no right to go beyond the limitations pre-
scribed by the President; and that its work
of revising and amending the Constitution
is null and void, and cannot lie helped by
the sanction of popular vote.
An able writer in the Wilmington Journal
takes the ground that the delegates "were
not the choice of the people that the acts
of the Convention are not those of the peo-
pie of the State-that they are "not enti-
tied to obedience "-that large /" portion
of the patriots and heroes" called unpar-
doned rebels" were not allowed to vote for
delegates the people of the State
shave the right to make their own Consti-
tuition. and not be made subject to one inn
posed on them by force or fraud, by any ex-
traneous power, or by a fraction of their
fellow-citizens."
The State, published at Weldon, takes the
same view, and adds its opinion of the char
acter of the Convention. 1t says:
I" That Convention was called at time
when our people were bowed down in spirits
pecunarily and politically. 1t was called
by Provisional Governor, and in man
ner unknown to the spirit of our State Con-
stitution 1t was called by the dictatorial pow
er of the chief Executive of the United Sta
ties, who had been enabled to usurp authOri-
ty by the force of arms, and in oiolation of the
bleeding and PROSTATE. form Of the Constitution
of the United States and of the Constitution Of
North Carolina. We had just emerged from
a terrible and bloody war for liberty and
independence, so called, when our people
were called upon to elect members to this
memorable and never to be forgotten North
Carolina Convention. A majority of our
people like sheep led to the SHAMELESS, went
forward, and through policy voted for the
men whom they thought would be most ac-
ceptable to the Provisional Governor and
the President of the United States. In ac-
cerdance with this desire to please the pow
ers that were then in existence, a majority of
old spawned Wings and recreant Democrats
were elected men whose principal boast
was, that during our late sanguinary contest.
they had been traitors to the State, and had
been all the time Union men, notwithstand-
ing their assertions to the contrary, during
the war;"
We give these as specimens of the spirit
which pervades the press in the Eastern part
of the State. The great mass of the people
of the East no doubt concur in these views,
and we may look for a heavy vote in that
part of the State against the new Consti-
tuition.
The Sentinel the organ of Gov Worth,
very coolly announces the purpose which has
been formed in Raleigh to defeat the new
Constitution. That paper says:
"LIEUTENANT GovERNoR.-Therei is much
doubt whether the people will consent to the
addition of this Office Our information in
dicates, at present, that the amended Consti.
tuition will be rejected by the people If SO,
no Lieutenant Governor will be elected One
or two radical presses ridicule our sugges-
ton to leave the choice of the candidate to
the gentlemen named for that office. We
made our suggestion, to avoid the inconveni-
ence of primary meetings and Convention,
simply to make the selection. We are will
ing to trust the gentleman named to make
it, but would prefer primary meetings and a
Convention, if the people adopt the Consti-
tuition and prefer Convention"
We have no time to dwell to-day upon the
results that will flow from the rejection Of
the new Constitution. Its rejection will be
the most serious blow which could be dealt
to the Presidents plan of restoration; and
we have no doubt that this blow is medita-
ted and intended The President is de-
nounced as usurper-as standing over the
bleeding form of the Constitution" and as
seeking, by force or fraud" to compel our
people to accept this Constitution. Another
object which the politicians have in view,
anu u iuost Chefisueu opJect, Is W ueititC Tile
white basis provision in the House of Com
mons, SO as to perpetuate the old Commons
representation, which is based on three tifths
of the blacks. The spirit of slavery is not
yet extinct in this State. The oligarchs still
cling to its dead forms in the hope of per
petuating their power over the loyal free
white men of North Carolina.
We call upon the friends of the President,
and upon the friends of the new Constitution
to rally, and to go to the polls in full force
and vote to ratify the new Constitution. The
election will take place on the I'd, Sd, and
4th of August.