The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-17
LETTERS FROM HOY. Wif. A. GRAHAM
AND OTHERS.
H1LLsBoRo', Oct. 10, 1857.
,,l,.ll h a II =

he present at the meeting of the con-
servative people of Wake, at Raleigh,
on the 10Th instant, aud to address them
on the topics involved in the approach
inc election, in accordance with the IN
v;tation received from you few days
since. 1 regret this, both because OF
the Measure should have derived from
n free communication with 80 lntelil-
gent an assemblage of the citizens OF
the state on the duties OF the present
time, and because the topics in question
are too numerous and suggestive to be
treated satisfactorily in letter, with
out unbecoming tediousness.
/ was pleased in observing that such
q meeting had been called. In the opin-
ion of some with whom I have con-
versed. it was supposed there had been
too great delay among conservative
citizens in communicating together, in
The face of very active eXcrtions to
form party adverse to them and to
the best interests of the state, in which
it was sought to combine all the colored
voters by appeals to prejudice, passion
and hopes of unlawful gain. l have
not been much disturbed by apprehen-
sions OF this kind. The white popula.
ton of North Carolina, by the census OF
1860. outnumbers the black in the pro-
portion of two TO one, or whereabouts,
and, after deducting all who are dis
franchised under the military acts OF
congress, the majority of voters OF the
former will stand to tho latter some
what in that proportion. This white
population, which has been heretofore
the depository of the political power
of the state, is as faithful to the constl-
tuition of the United States as it ever
was, or as that of any other state of the
Union is now, but they have an intelli-
gent comprehension Of their rights and
duties as electors and as citizens, and,
even without much consultation or CON-
cert, will, in my opinion, cast MAORI
ty of votes only in favor of such meas
ures and candidates as will best pro-
mote their safety and happiness. To
the military authority which has been
established over them, they yield
ready obedience. Even where it may
supersede their ancient and cherished
laws and usages, they bow before it and
make no issue. But when, by the law,
solved through an election, it IS natural
ly to be understood, as the term imports,
that they are to have their choice to
vote either upon measures or candidates
as each individual voter according to
his views of the public interest or his
sense of duty may prefer.
The bill of rights of the state, from
1776 until now, proclaims that "elec-
lions ought to be free" 1t IS a note
worthy fact that, in France, where, so
far as elections are allowed, universal
manhood suffrage prevails, that under
the first Buonaparte in 1904, and under
the third in 1852, a republican form of
government was converted into Il mon
archichal or despotic one, through the
ceremony of an election, and by Z vote
of the people approaching to unanimity.
These results were, Of course, attribu-
ted only to the influence of duress and
fear. But in England and America
such influences are not allowed to OPP
crate, and like bribery or fraud, would
render an election void. According to
our theory, if the elector at the polls
shall express, not his own sentiments,
but those OF some other person or au-
thority, the election itself is but an idle
form. An election with us, therefore,
is an occasion for serious thought, in
quiry. unreserved consultation and free
discussion; and our suffrages ale &C
customed to be given, according to the
convictions of our minds, effected
through such means.
t. III IL.
electors are to vote for a convention
or against convention" and, at the
same time, for delegates to represent
their counties in convention, provided
the affirmative vote shall be sufficient,
according to the provisions of the law.
Such convention, if called, Is to DELHI
crate on the formation of constitution,
in which ;there shall be a provision,
"that the elective franchise shall be en-.
joyed by all such persons as have the
qualifications for electors In the pres
ent election :" that is, all the male citi-
zens OF the state, twenty.one years old,
and upwards, of whatever race, color
or previous condition, who have been
resident in the state for one year previ-
GUS to the day of any election, except
such as may be disfranchised for par
ticipation IN the rebellion, or for felony
at common law" / make this quota
ton with care, for the purpose OF col
lating it in my subsequent remarks,
with the qualifications of voters in
some of the leading states now repre-.
sented in congress. whose members
have shown extraordinary zeal in pre-
scr1bing Its terms to us.
Never, heretofore, in America, has
the elective franchise been extended to
new classes OF voters, except through
the agency of conventions chosen by
those who had enjoyed it exclusively
before. Congress, by the acts under
consideration, has extended it to all
males OF the black race twenty-one years
OF age and upwards, with no other quail
ltications than those above recited; but
only SO Tar, however, as regards the
present election. And, according to
my recollection, it was. stated in the
debate on these acts by Mr.. Fessenden,
OF Maine, certainly one of the ablest
ana most experienced members of the
senate, that no permanent regulation of
this nature could be constitutionallv
established In state without the sane
ton OF its people: and think the cor
RICHNESS of the remark was acquiesced
In by the subsequent action of congress.
Congress, then, has provided that in
the present election the black race,
with no other than the qualifications
already stated, shall vote. That was
their act; fit shall be provided that
they shall so vote in all future time. the
act will be ours. 1t is not sought to be
disguised, that congress desires that
we shall SO provide, and it is strong
ly lntlmated, that representation in con-
gress Will not be allowed us until it is
done but it is still left To the noan1o e