The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-06-20

way 70 accept the appointment, is through
tne means referred to by the delegate from
Gnllford. This case of itself should satisfy
eeiegaIes OF the gross injustice done to a
large portion of the intelligence, statesman
snip and worth of the State. What earthly
reason can be assigned for a property quali-
ncation for the Governor Of this State? He
possesses no political power; he can exercise
no restraint or veto upon the action of the
legislature; he has no voice with the Ju-
aiciary. In word, he is the mere represen-
tatlve OF the people, considered as people,
without any reference to its wealth. Il
MI. President, in my opinion many dele
gates mlsapprehend the whole theory and
scope OF our form of government by placing
the protection of property, upon an equality
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 a govern
ment like ours, is to throw the broadcast pro-
lection around the rights of the 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 a property qualification for Office
does to a large extent produce such result !?
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 cntrust the people with the
sole right, without restrictions to elect to
office, whomsoeYer merit prompts them to
support.
The delegate from Guilford (AIr. CaldwelD
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 we'll 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
thesole test for qualification for office Danish
old fogyism and all antiquated 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, a
grateful people will be relieved from politi-
cal injustice heretofore done them, and our
political system will be in entire harmony
with itself. s
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