The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-12-19
THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

An order from General Candy, fixing the
time for the assembling of the delegates to
frame State Constitution, may be looked
for at an early day. The loyal portion of
the community exhibit signs of Impotence
and much anxiety in reference to the arrival
of the period when they will again be in the
Union. The work of the Convention when
properly viewed is plain and simple. The
bounds and limits are fixed by the Constitu-
ton of the United States and the Acts of
Congress. These require that the Constitu-
ton shall be republican not only in name
but in truth. Let the fundamental law of
the State give to the people the right that
properly belongs to them, to choose their
magistrates, their Judges, their Clerks anG
Masters in Equity. Let these be responsible
not only for fraud, neglect and misdemcan-
ors in Office, but for their fidelity to the in
terests of the community at large. Let the
oClious, selfish, aristocratic doctrine that
property qualities men for office be expunged
from our statutes by prohibitory clause in
the Constitution. Let citizenship be the
only requirement aside from the choice of
the people. Let all frivolous misdemeanors,
by which thousands of pettifoggers live at
the expense of an OvertaXed people, come
within the jurisdiction of local magistrates,
they beng clothed with the power to adju-
dictate and punish by fines and otherwise all
such cases. Place it beyond the power of Il
! Legislature of lawyers to frame laws to en-
+ ich themselves to the detriment and i'm
p. overishment of the country BESIDES grant
in. g OF course, the privilege of appeals to
tri Al by jury, in the higher courts of justice,
the parties securing the payment of costs.
ccor(ling to actual statistical reports,
Nor til Carolina contains more licensed pro-
fesst YRS of the law according to population
IL. -
Anne -ican continent. The framing of the
Undue ements to this profession; otherwise
thsre would be fewer lawyers fees, and far
less m oney expended in frivolous law suits
The duty of good government is to
frame such laws will benefit the great
masses of the people, who themselves con-
sttute he government, and whose duty and
province it is to obey and execute the laws,
but if tn, law becomes so complicated and
mystified that its own creators, the people,
do not and cannot understand it, they are
like crew on a ship at sea without compass
or rudder This is precisely the condition
of the peol ,e of North Carolina to-day
Then let til Convention remove the wreck
which seces sion, and the disregard of law
have made let them construct the great
law of the State-the Cor stitu-
tion-that a lew order of things will spring
up in the old g Rip Van Winlkle' State
The Constit ution should contain provis-
ions enforcing the diffusion of knowledge.
1t should circuI nscribe, and require an entire
change, in the c objection of all tuture-con-
tracted debts, es pecially those coming under
the jurisdiction of magistrates. The old
system has proved curse to both debtor
and creditor.
In framing Co institution the Convention
will have the adva ntage of seeing and ex-
amining the Consti tutons of other States
The members elect could not employ their
spare hours in q more profitable way than in
the examination OF the Constitutions of
some of the more lit 'eral and prosperous Of
the loyal States. E very advantage in the
use of means to aid n the construction of
the organic law of tn e State, so as to make
it conform to the age in which we live, and
to the peace, security, prosperity and bappi-
ness of the State for generations to come,
should be seized by the chosen delegates Of
he people.
For the first time in he history of North
Carolina open snsP ayow ed Republicans have
been chosen to frame Constitution Repub-
lean in form. Let it's work be in deed and
n truth what it purportH. to be in name
Let this be, and none neesl to fear its rejee-
ion by the people Of the, State, nor by the
Congress of the United States.-AsheoiWe
Pioneer.