The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-10-22
LETTER from Hon. VIM. A. Graham,
tn n Conservative Mass Meeting in Rdtetgh
H1LLsBoRo', N. c., Oct. 10th, 1867.

engagements of business, to be present at the
meeting of the Conservative people OF Wake, at
Raleigh on the 18th inst, and to address them
ON the topics involved in the approaching cleo
tion in accordance with the invitation received
from YOU few days since regret this, both
because of the pleasure | should have derived
from free communication with 80 Intelligent 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, without un-
becoming tediousness.
Twas pleased in observing that such meet
ing had been called. In the opinion of some,
with whom have conversed, it was supposed
there had been too great delay among Conser-
vative citizens In communicating together, In
the face of very active exertiOns 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 unlawful gain l have not been much dis
turbed by apprehensons of this kind. The white
population of North Carolina, ~ the census OF
1860, outnumbers the black in the proportion OF
two to one, or thereabouts, and, after deductlng
all who are DISTINGUISHED under the military Acts
of Congress, the majority of voters OF the former
will stand to the latter somewhat In that proper
ton This white population which has been
heretofore the depository of the political power
of the State is as faithful to the Constitution OF
the United States as it ever was that Of any
other State of the Union is now, but they have
an intelligent comprehension of their rights and
duties as electors and as citizens and even with
out much consultation concert, Will, In my
opinion, cast majority Of votes only in favor of
such measures and candidates as will best pro-
mote their safety and happiness. To the mill
tary authority, which has been established over
them, they yield ready obedience Even
where it may supercede their ancient and cher
ished laws and usages, they bow before it and
make no issue. But when, by the law, an issue
is presented to them, to be solved through an
election, it is naturally 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 pre-
fer.
The Bill of Rights of the State, from 1776
until now, procaims that elections ught to be
free" 1t is noteworthy fact that, in France,
where, so far as elections allowed, universal
manhood suffrage prevails, under the first Bona
parte in 1904 and under the third in 1852, a
Republican form of government was converted
into monarchical or despotic one, through the
ceremony of an election, and by a vote of the
people approaching to unanimity. These results
U,
of duress and fear But in England and Amer
lea such influences are not allowed to operate,
and like bribery or fraud would render an cleo
ton void. According to our theory, if the cleo
tor at the polls shall express, not his own senti-
ments, 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, inquiry, unreserved consulta-
ton and free discussion; and our suffrages are
accustomed to be given, according to the convic-
tions of our minds effected through such means.
In the election now before us, the electors are
to vote "For Convention or Against Conven-
tion," and at the same time, for delegates to re-
present their counties in Convention, provided
the affirmative vote shall be sufficient, according
to the provisions of the law. Such Convention,
If called, is to deliberate on the formation of a
Constitution, in which there shall be provision,
''that the elective franchise shall be enjoyed BY
all such persons have the qualifications for
electors in the present electiOn that is ''all the
male citizens 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 previous to the day of any election,
except such as may be DISTINGUISHED for partici-
patton in the rebellion, or for felony at common
law" / make this quotation with care, for the
purpose of collating it in my subsequent remarks
leading States now represented in Congress,
whose members have shown extraordinary zeal
in prescribing its terms to us.
Never, heretofore in America has the cleo
tive franchise been extended to new classes of
voters, except through the agency of Conven-
lions chosen by those who had enjoyed it 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
qualifications than those above recited; but only
so far, however, as regards the present election.
And, according to my recollection, it was stated
in the debate on these acts by Mr. Fcssenden, of
Maine, certainly one of the abcst and most ex-
perienced members of the Senate, that no Der
manent regulation of this nature could be con-
stitutionally established in a State without the
sanction of its people; and l think the correct
ness of the remark was acquiesced Indy the sub
sequent action of Congress Congress, then, has
provided that in the present election the black
race, with no other than the qualifications al
ready stated, shall vote. That was their act If
it shall be provided that they shall so vote in all
future time, the will be ours 1t is not sought
to be disguised, that Congress desires that we
shall so provide, and it is strongly intimatcd,
that representation in Congress will not be al
lowed us until it is done; but it is still left to the
people of the State as represented in Convention
to be deliberated upon and decided. and no more
momentous question was ever presented for the
determination of free people.
The inquiry cannot be excluded from our con-
sidcratlOn, If We wo@ld, whether, under the Con-
stltutlon OF the United States or any republican
organization, Constitution of Government for
the regulation of the internal affairs of State can
be forced upon people against the wishes of :,