Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-11-07
LETTER FROM Ex.GOv. GRAHAM.

Hon. w. A. GRAHAM, of N. c., who recently
came out against convention, in letter which
was extensively published by the North Carolina
press has written second letter on this question,
which we think too good to keep from our readers.
HILsBoRo', Oct 25, 1857
J. A. ENaELHARD, ESQ, Dear Sir: Yours of
the 2lst inst, found me from home. have now
read the editorial it contains, and am Of opinion
you givc the proper Interpretation to the act OF
Congress in regard to the call of Convention, and
concur in your suggestion, that opposition to the
call may be as well, and perhaps more effectually
expressed by not voting on that question, than by
ballot in the negative: provided there is gene
raj concurrence in action of those opposed to ex-
tending the right Of suffrage indiscriminately to
the colored people. This being the only specific
object to be provided for by the proposed Confen-
ton there are two questions presented to the eec-
tors, namely: ..'t'
st. Whether the State of North Carolina shall
retain the right to regulate the exercise OF suffrage
among her own population, as is the case in Ohio
and all the States Of the North, or shall have it
regulated for her by these latter States, and in
manner different from the rules they adopt tor
themselves?
I'd. Whether the vote of o white man in North
Carolina shall have the same weight hereafter .as
that of white man in Ohio, Pennsylvania and 9th
er Northern States, Or shall be neutralized and
made of no effect by that Of the black man here,
who is forbidden this privilege in other States? ?
The representatives of civilized England gained
an Immortality for themselves by negative answer
"Nolunus n,utare" we are unwilling to adopt
the change proposed) on question OF tar less
gravity nor do read that it subjected their coun-
try to any additional penalties or infections Con-
gress has provided none except the continuance OF
military government in our case, and the lndlvld-
uals who brandish threats over our heads in the
event of noncompliance, have given no assurance
of restoration of equality with themselves it we
abandon our own judgments and conform to theirs.
In such condition, while we would gladly receive
light and instruction from any source, we would act
While far removed from any temper OF levity or
defiance, cannot better illustrate my idea OF the
final consequences of negative course in this great
crisis than by this anecdote, with which, among
many others of English life, Mr. Webster used to
entertain his friends after his visit to Europe An
old member of the Commons was descanting to q
younger upon Parliamentary law, saying that in
the occurrence of any disturbance in the House it
was the duty of the Speaker to call to order, and
if it continued to repeat the call in louder and
emphatic but this failed of effect and dis
order was persstedin, the Speaker should direct the
Sergeant-at-Arms to take the mace the emblem Of
the authority and dignity of the House, which is
always placed on the right of the chair when the
House is in session, and holding it in both his
hands, to 60 down upon the floor and display il
And here bhs paused
replied the senior ''wel, the Lord knows there is
nothing said about it in the Law of Parliament. u
To the same omniscient source, within whose knowl
edge is the final sanction for disordery Pariaments
let refer for those pains and penalties that in the
imagination of many, await a long suffering and
loyal people, struggling for State existence by the
only means in their power-the ballot giving theil
votes according to their convictions of duty.
With much respect,
I am your obedient servant,
W. A. GRAHAM.