The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-09-28


There is hardly q day passes that CONVEX
sations similar to the one given below do
not occur between some of the recently en-
.franchised race of the South and the more
enlightened advocates of Republicanism of
the same locality. 1t is through such con-
versations that the new class of freemen in
the South are fast becoming conversant with
the institutions and workings of our govern
ment, and learning the wide difference be-
tween the Democrats and the liberal Re
publican party. The subject of converse
tion in the present instance is of State
Convention for the framing of a Constitution
or organic law: -...
@. We have repeatedly been told that
State Constitutional Convention is soon to
be held in this State in conformity with the
Reconstruction acts of Congress, and have
been urged to register our names that we
may be able to vote when the election &C.
ours. What is meant by this Constitutional
Convention? -.4.... .t..-..'.
A. A Constitutional Convention is a body
of men formed by delegates or members cleo
ted from each county, and in some instances
from cities, towns, and districts, whose duty
it will be to meet, after the election, at a
time and place fixed upon, and draft plan
of government as the Constitution or organic
law of the State, to be maintained invio-
late -...l.. b
@. I see now that have been laboring
under mistake, for supposed the Legis-
ature was the only law-making power of
the State. Do the delegates who compose
this Convention and the Legislature togeth-
er make the laws?
A. Oh, no. The delegates who compose
this Convention draw up the Constitution as
the fundamental law under which the State
is to be organized. The Convention is the
highest power or body in the State, because
it is supposed to come more directly from the
people, and its action, according to our Re
publican form of government, must be rati-
fed by the same power which brought it
into life-the people. The Legislature only
makes laws which run the machinery of
government, and which must not conflict
with the Constitution, for if they do they
fall as dead letter, having no more bind
ing force than if they had never been enact
ed.
@. Then it follows, suppose, if our Con-
stitution is founded on correct principles, the
Legislature cannot enact bad laws
A. No. AS [ said before, the moment the
Legislature steps outside the limits prescrib-
ed by the Constitution that moment its work
is annulled by the higher law of the Con-
titutiOn.
Q. Then we should strive very hard to
elect good men as delegates to this Conven-
ton, in order that We may get a good Con-
stitution. 80 .t...~
A. Certainly you should, for your own
future welfare and happiness and the pros
perity of your State depends largely upon
it.
Q. How are these delegates to be elect
ed9
A. In this way: A few weeks previous
to the election you should hold meetings in
the different wards of the cities and pre-
clncts or townships of the county, and at
these meetings elect delegates to meet at
some convenient place in the county. When
these delegates meet let majority. of them
nominate some man Ger men if YOU are emit
tied by your population and the number of
voters in your county to more than one)
whom they have implicit confidence in-one
whom will serve, them honestly and
1ntelhgently. After this man, or men as the
case may be, are put in nomination, see that
you get every one you can to vote for him on
the day of election.
y. what do you mean by nominating del
egates2 <.'.: =
A. You simply name some one as your
cholce as the Republican candidate for the
convention, or, rather for election. After
your candidate is thus placed in the field YOU
should hold mass meetings at various points
In the county-have good speakers to adj
dress the people and explain to them why
tney should vote for your candidate in pref.
erence to any other. In all counties dis
tncts or cities, where the contest ON the dav
OF election IS expected to be close. it is the
pest to organize Central Committee. whose
duty 1t will be to appoint sub committees to
Visit every Republican voter in the precinct
ana urge upon him the great Importance of
t Delng present to vote on the day of election.
ihey should raise means to provide convey
ahees TO the voting place for all who are too
ota ana lnflrm, or to unwel to walk to the
same, and Go everything that is necessary to
complete and thorough organization of
yOui party. 1t IS through a simple but
,n; UUGgn organization of tins kind that the
mlnorlty-that is the party actually bav;ror
the least number of voters.often defeats +bse
party having majority of the voters he.
cause the minority voters all attend the
election, While many of the majority voters
remain at home, relying for success On 80
jority. - Q S''ie INA
% Should we require any guarantee from
our candidate before nominating him
T. A. Yes. He should be required to pub.
hcly declare himself true Union Renphii-
can "a and promise to advocate the equal rights
y Should he be white or colored9
.h a. Color should be no objection, other
INN .n,ngs being equal. He. should be the best
aiiv IN ny your party, Intellectually and NOR
the liberal n urn ana unyielding advocate of
publican party. i'sss cay 9 o u ION f'e-
ID ID suppose the Conservatives or Demo
crats nominate a man in Opposition 70 onrs
Wnat are we to do then q : e-'-0- " oufS'
staaa aaiy the stronger around .your own
standard bearer and work the harder - o ~
R ssn woes Tor him on the day of election ~
tSaSs ar whoever gets the most votes ~
the otSs 81 election will be the delegate. and
Anotber t aian VIII have to remain at home
'hing you should remember. and