The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-07
Is it Rights it Just.

We do not entertain the slightest feeling against a
Northern man. We are always gratihed to them
come among us and identify themselves with our
section in mining trade, agriculture, commerce,
in any business capacity We certain that
people are ready to welcome settlers from any por-
ton of the country. But when Northern come
10 this State, and after only few months residence,
assume to be lawmakers, and undertake 10
change the good old laws and customs of the peo-
ple we respectfully submit that it is right nor
just.
Let with our Northern friends about this
nater-not in anger but in kindness.
Suppose some ten or fifteen North Carolinians-
Southern born men-were go to the great State of
New York, and after living there short time, were
10 colleague with inferior and take possession
Of the State Convention and Legislature and frame a
Constitution and make laws suit Southern ideas.
against the we'll known will of vast majority of the
taxpayers and property holders of New York
Would the Indignation Of every Northern man be
aroused. and justly aroused and would they quietly
submit to it Certainly they would resist such con-
duct, and every fair man, North and South, would
feel in his heart that they were right in doing
Now is it jus-is it right--for Col. Heaton. Gen.
Abbott, Capt Tourgce, and few others who came
10 North Carolina after the war closed-after they
had assisted III deleatln8 Inc SOuth-to take contfo
Of our State Government and make laws suit their
notions, without regard the wishes and feelings of
the people who have lived here all their lifetime and
who taxed to support the State. We appeal to
the inward consciousness of the gentlemen them
selves to say if it is right just. For such
Col. Heaton and Gen. Abbott entertain a good
deal of rcspect-CoL IIeaton, especially we esteem
as a gentlcman-but we cannot endorse or approve
,ba in lo
snd laws for to suit tier ideas only. Is it right
is it just.
We could not have blamed the Northern or South
members of the Convention for complying with
the requirements of the Reconstruction Acts in
framing a Constitution for North Carolina. But un--
fortunately, they won't far beyond what the Acts of
Congress required. They have made Constitution
that changes the civil government of the State and
countcs-that introduces practices and customs at
which the feelings of people revolt-that multi
plies Offices and office holders-and, most of all that
imposes heavy burdens the people in the way of
taxation.
We do not advocate special favors for property
holders, but protest against legislation that tends
cripple and injure them. Who gives the laboring
whites and blacks employment? Who employs poor
women AMI children TO and do other work?
Who gives 10 the needy and destitute money, pro-
visions and clothing? Is it not the property holder
the farmer, the mechanic, the doctor, the lawyer
&c? Now, suppose you cripple this class by enOr-
NOUS taxes and render them unable to contribute to
the relief of others by employment or donations
Will not the laborcr OF all classes suffer- Will not
the freedmen suffer as much, and probably more,
than any other class!
Is it rights it just-to do anything that Injuries
the class that spreads money in the country? Any
Of common will answer that it is Then
we cannot favor the adoption of a Constitution which
We think will produce hal to business and promote
bad feeling, contention and strife.
We opposed to creating any i'll feeling for
Northern men. and have not alluded to them for that
purpose bat we think convince Northern
themselves that they have presumed too much
ON the forbcarance of the Southern people; and
hope reflection, they will the improrriety of
their After they have been here long enough
to he known by, and know, people, aud show
that they have settled among permanently,
shall raise objections their holding any Office if
their ideas and correspond rs to what Is correct
and proper In fact, we have particular Objec-
ton to a Northern holding administrative
office now but u a law-maker until we know
more about the character and wishes of each other
Let all the white people of this State be permitted
10 vote-let the Convention be re-assembled, and
then let the present Constitution of North Carolina
be changed just enough comply with the orders Of
Congress, and The white people of the
State would submit that in order get peace and
good order re-cstablished. but they consent
en- lorse the Constitution its present shape.