Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-03-20
From the Raleigh Sentinel
The New Constitution.


We have already given the chief and
most Objectionable features of the new
Constitution as developed by the action of
the Convention. The various articles pre-
sented have been so amended, on their Sc
cond and third readings, that we have not
been able to get such perfected copies of
them as would do to lay before our read
ers. We hope in few days to be able to
give them The following features may
be relied upon:
l. The Bill of Rights, in some particu-
lars, materially differs from our old Bill of
rights, nnder which we have enjoyed civil
liberty for nearly century. 1t asserts the
equality of all men, without regard to men
tai or moral distinctions, and it claims for
all equal rights.
2. The article on the Executive Depart
ment provides for the election of Cover
nor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of
State, Auditor, Pu bile Treasurer, Superin-
tendent of Public Works, Superintendent
of Public Instruction and Attorney Gener-
al by the people, for term of four years
thus putting it out of the power of the peo-
pie to change the character of the State
administration but once in four years, by a
popular vote, however offensive it might
become.
3. Suffrage is made universal among all
men q years of age, who have been resi-
dents of the State twelve months. and who
- = 1ask
any qualifying conditions or distinction
between black and white. All offices are
open alike and on the same terms to black
and white. And SO of jurymen.
4. The Judiciary has been greatly en-
larged, making five Supreme Court Judges,
instead of three, and twelve Superior Court
Judges, instead of eight all elected by
the people, and for eight years, instead of
for life or good behavior-thus vastly in
creasing the expenses of our Court system,
and fixing upon North Carolina that most
odious of all things in civil affairs, the MAX
ing a Judgeship a political Office. This
article alone, if there were nothing else,
ought to defeat the Constitution. Besides,
it abolishes the necessary distinction be-
tween law and equity courts, thus giving
rise to extensive litigation and legal
squabbles.
| 5. The Legislative Department is divided
into Senate and House of Representa-
| tives, instead of House of Commons, and
abolishes the property qualification either
| for the voter or epresentative-thus af-
fording property no other protection from
taxation than the caprice of the majority
may dictate. 1t so gerrymanders the Sen
ate and House, as to throw the control of
tho Legislature, more fully than hereto
| fore, in the hands of the East, and discrim-
mates in favor of throwing the balance of
power in the hands of the negro.
6. The Department of Public Instruc-
ton is so constructed, that no distinction
can be made by the Legislature between
whites and blacks in the privileges of the
Universityior the public schools, and it
compels the poor white men of the State to
send their children to the public schools
for sixteen months, if they cannot be edu-
Gated otherwise-thus forcing the white
children to schools in which negro chill
dren are taught, the Convention voting
down all propositions to make distinctions
in the schools.
z The article on the Militia is so framed
that the Legislature may mix whites and
blacks in the regiments, and the blacks will
be as liable rs whites to be officers of the
regiments.
s. No prohibition will be found in the
Constitution, nor can the Legislature enact
prohibition, preventing white and blacks
from intermarriage.
8. Finally, under this new Constitution,
the property holders and men of enterprise
may look for the severest tax laws ever
known, to carry out the Radical notions of
progress and for the promotion of the
| negro