The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-04-22
y NJ Fer the Standard.
The Ratification of the Constitution the
So W para amount Issue.

T. Uc COultSt UtlWCCu C9udi Sith PO'
Iitical rights. and unequal civil and politi-
cal rights, between universal suffrage and
partial, or limited suffrage to the white
and cOlored men of the State, between the
republican idea and the conservative seces-
sion idea, draws nigh.
On the 21st instant, including three con
secutive days, the registered voters of North
Carolina will have to decide these questions
ut the ballot-box. These questions are of
m0mentous interest to every individual in
the State, and no callousness should he man
ifested, especially on the part of the friends
of freedom.
The new State Constitution is to be rati-
fed or rejected. 1t has been formed by
Republican Convention. and is known to
lie acceptable to Congress. 1t embOdles eve
~ essential as basis ON which to erect the
temple of freedom and equal rights to all
1t is ample, plain, displaying craftsmanship,
challenging the criticism of its opponents.
Read it, ponder it. and then vote to ratify
it. Let every Republican in the State arouse
himself to the duties of the hour and work
day and night to secure its adoption and
the election of the entire State and County
Republican tickets The Conservatives are
on the alert and traversing every hill and
dale at al hours both day and night in this
work of opposition. Heed none of their
councils, if you would save this land from
another deIuge of blood and carnage
What are its provisions The declaration
embraces that great fundamental republican
idea, promulgated first by the immortal
Jefferson, that ell men are equals by crea-
ton, and entitled to equal, civil, religious
and political rights.
The Legislature annulls all feudal dis
tinctions, and places the government in the
hands of the people, its makers, defenders
and preservers in peace and war.
The executive adds Lieutenant Govern
or without any serious increase of taxes to
the people; extends the term from two to
four wears contracts its functions as check
against undue executive patronage.
The judicial abolishes the old County
Court system, relieving the working people
of at least $4,000 annually of an internal
tax to each County cheapens justice, brings
it to every mans door; does away with the
detentions between actions at law and suits
in equity great saving to the people in
costs. pleas, bills, &c
The suffrage declares every freeman voter
and eligible to office, when not gully of some
infamous crime, and provides for restoration
of citizenship.
The municipal divides the Counties into
townships; creates officers elected by the
people to govern and administer justice to
all and to regulate and control the public
schools &c.
The homestead, new to the people of old
North Carolina, always needed but refused
by the $4,000 slave holders who governed
the State in the interest of themselves, to
the great disparagement of 100, 900 non-slavc-
holders the former under this policy grow
ing richer while the latter grew poorer and
poorer.
Educational gives all the opportunity of
an education at little cost; provides for sep
crate school houses and separate teachers IN
each district See 18th section of the Con-
stitution, if it is desired
Military embraces both races, exempting
for conscience sake provides for separate
companies, separate regiments and separate
officers, but will all fight together against
common enemy.
Is there any thing wrong in these wise
provisions Let honest men answer where.
Then every man that loves good govern
ment, equal and just laws, and that favors
equal, civil, religious and political rights,
equal benefits, and equal burdens, vote to
ratify the new Constitution and for the Re-
publican State and County tickets. The
future welfare of the new State depends on
its ratification and the success of the State
Republican and County tickets. The desti-
ny of the great body of the people and es-
pecially the laboring men Of the whole coun-
| try depends on its adoption and the success
| of the issues connected Herewith in the flu
ture. Remember these things, fellow-coun-
trymen. and begin the work from this hour
| of talking to each one his friend and neigh
Dor with the view of ratifying the Constitu-
ton. Do this, and the rising generations
will rise up to bless you. Ratify it. and
elect the straight loyal republican ticket,
and you restore the State to the Union,
throw around it the strong arm of the gen
eral government, gain an audience in the
national councils and become again mem
Der of the American Union of States Rat
ify it and peace. confidence and prosperity
will return and we shall once more enjoy
this blessed fruit. Ratify it, and the repul1-
lican theory will begin its work of govern
erning in the interest of loyalty; promoting
peace, good will, industry, honesty, enter
prise, immigration, and an influx of capital,
putting in the reach of all honest, indus.
trlous, frugal men and women to live, and
giving competency for old age.
Ratify it, and the masses of both races
will need no longer to grope in thoughtless
unprovided Ignorance, but can begin to rise
in the scale of being, growing up in the sta
tue of men and women in the true sense Of
the truth, honest, industrious, intelligent aoork
ing men and soonaen.
Ratity it, and the weaker race becomes az
element of strength, commanding the respec
of the stronger.
Ratify it, and the laboring, talking men o.
the State, the men who in time of peri
stand like wall of fire to protect the timi(
and weak, will be elevated and respected il
the land
Ratify it, and money will become plent,
laboring men will find employment at goot
wages and receive prompt payment for thei
labor.
Ratify it, and the labor system so mucl
complained of now by former slave drivers
will, under the progressive Republican pclicy
regulate and govern itself SO as to improv
the condition, and add to the interest @
employer and employee.
Ratify it, and the mechanic will have
lien in future as an assurance for his none
and labor expended in erecting building
&C., procuring homestead it will attac
him to his country and secure his defence. il
peace and war.
Ratify it. and justice will, through stron
hand, be brought to every mans door at tn
least possible cost, relieving the people o
swarms of law teaches, living on set 0
odious Court rules which denies the right @
Oetition or motion exceDt through a l1mb n