The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-01
NORTH CAROLINA.
Progress OF the Convention
Campaign.
Radical Threat of Federal
Interference.
EX-GOVERNOR BRACES VIEWS.

Appeal to the United States Governments
Decentralization Of the PeOpIe-SpeRker
Davis on Federal InterpOsition--A Lesson
for the Republican PRrty-RetaIintion at the
Next National Eiecfion-The Radical Fnrty
and the On mpnisn Issues-Thc Reorgani IN.
ton Of tho NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the
Township Observation-Disclosures IF Taxation
What the Convention Will Probably Acc
compIish.
GREENSBORO, N. G.. July 90, 1871.
The fight on the part OF the cOnvenlonists FOR
constitutional REFORM and OF the anti-conven-
tionists radicals, against it, grows hot ana bitter
as the day of election approaches. The feeling Of
the majority OF the people, particularly the tan
PAYERS, being decidedly In favor OF the proposed
changes In the constitution, the radical Office
holders and their supporters have resorted to every
known dodge to defeat the Convention. They are
playing o double game. and perhaps with some
prospects or success. In the event OF being unaoe
to prevent the assembling OF the Convention by
polling a majority OF votes against 1t they are at
the same time exerting all their efforts 70 elect a
majority OF antl-convention and milk-and-waer
conservative delegates with view to control that
body when 1t meets Failing in either OF THESE two
schemes, they boldly announce their intention Of
calling upon the federal to i0rctby pre-.
vent the meeung OF tho Convention, as
AN UNCONsrITU rIoNAL BODY.
Now, the meaning OF unconstitutional body In
North Carolina is nothing more or less than body
widen is apt to root out all the incompetent, cor
rupt and depraved radical Office-holders in the
State principal among whom Is the entire judi
ciary. This threat Of federal interference 49, nd,
too, having Its effect among the people, who are
earnestly in favor Of the proposed constitutional
changes. No people in the South have greater
horror or dread OF conflict with the federal author
ties than the white citizens OF North Carolina. Their
timldlty IN this partcu lar amounts almost 10
ACTUAL COwARDICE;
for while there no grounds upon which the
United States authorities could interfere with the
OF convention called by majority OF
the legal loyal voters OF a State, yet the people
here have become so utterly demoralized In the
past few years by oppression, plumber and
tyranny on the part Of their radical rulers,
coupled with the presence Of United States
troops, that it scarcely be said they longer APP
preciate their rights as American citizens. All the
OF the radical orators against the COnven
ton fruitless until tins threat or appealing TO
the President was res0rted to, then thele was q
In the ranks OF the cOnventlonsrs which
frightened aud demOrallzed them; but
even with THIS Dugbear of federal power their
side the chances yet against the radicals and
all PROBABILITY the Convention Will be called BY q
Ices not, however, pervade every class 1t Is con-
ined to the poor and mostly Ignorant OF the people.
md some OF the conservatives on the stump meet
hese vain threats OF the radicals in q manner that
8 gratifying to hear. and makes one feel hopefully
or the success OF sound republican doctrines. North
arona Is fully restored to her rights in the Union
mi that ny the radical party. Then If this Is the
ase the President or Congress- cannot have the
highest right to NEEDLE IN the AFFAIRS of North Caro-
ina any more than In those OF Ohio Pennsylvania.
This cahng Of a convention purely for purposes OF
constitutional reform does not come under either
he Force bill or the
KU KLUx Law.
nd therefore the will Of majority Of the people
annot be summary squelched when that Will does
lot conflict with the cOnstii alton laws OF
acts Mr. speaker Jarvis Of the Ilouse OF Represent
atlves, VINO Is making active canvass OF the
utire western section of the State, says:-"The |
reat body OF the American people recognize the
act that North Carolina mas been fully restored to
ne Union, and every time the administration tight
ms Its grasp upon one OF the reconstructed States
Is hold is loosened upon the condolences OF the people
4 the Northern States who are becoming alarmed
t the rapid strides they ARE making towards
centralized despOLism. think the party In
over Is beginning to learn this lesson,
nd, unless bent on their own destruction,
'ill profit by 1t. But II the government |
our fathers has been perverted by this party
hat its power may be used TO prevent the people OF
State from altering or amending their constiiu.
lon when they think their safety or happiness re.
uire Them to do so 1t is better for Us and the
mole American people to know It now, SO that az
he coming national election we may at the ballot
OK correct the evi cnailge our rulers, aud bring
ne COVE nment OF the United states Oack to us
IQI
e properly exp essed ever, where IN the State,
1oud Irulnpn over the threat of federal interler.
,rence, Tor winch there Is no ground whatever but
nat serves tie radicals IN this palgn, are
making last and desperate effort to hold 10 the
lces already IN their possession for years bv rea-
on OF the provisions OF the present constitution.
THR IssUES
Omprslng the adjustment OF the public debt BY
leans of a fair compromise with the otates credit
rs on lust and eduable basis the reorganization
the Judiciary, which at present Is corrupt parti-
an ana degraded; the abolition OF TOWNSHIP sys-
em, which Is buriensome, entaiIng an EXPENSE on
township greater tnan that Of county iormerly,
nd reduction OF a taxation so excessive that the
eople viii be forced to repudiate their debs sooner
nan pay the taxes-thesc nave all Deen fully ex-
lained in the HERALD IN previous letter. In every
lsance the RI deals avoid these real live ISSUES,
lille they deal with questions not az all pertneat,
ach as Inc peril Of the ? or mas homestead. ne
convention (Which is nothing compared with
,e annual taxation the constitute, i'm
U nnsi states government against the mce,ng
the Convention. Provisions spec aIly made
rainst any inlrngemcnt OF the homestead clause.
nc CIVIL aud political rights OF The coOred man. AMI
ie laborers lien, IN the act calling te Conventions
ut these are amply provided Tor ~ The constltu ion
nd laws OF the United states and whether projected
y one party or the other male bat little uiuer-
nee they could not he inirlnged upon.
There are now five supreme COut Judges, for
ery three; twelve super or Court judges. formerly
ght aud BESIDES eghty-e 2ht L. obac Judges, !
Ih an average salary OF $4,000 each 10 merry
one; these latter causing az expenditure greater
ian the eatiIe expense OF the state government
nor ~ the war. The Convention, II IL ~ cafrs6,
ould dispense with the extra Judges In the Two
gner Courts, ana with AL the iiobaie Judges.
taxing the judicial system precisely as II was before
ne war.
The township system requires Board OF rrus-
'cs numbering three IN each township there are
average Of seven townships IN each co inty and
counties IN the state making l.S4S
,wnship afilcer,, az salary ., $500 per annum,
early half million OF dollars for the township
stem. viii II, In sucn sparseiy settled state as
us. II an encumbrdnce. The Convention would
1pe out the whole township clause from the co.,
.luti0n.
BY The expenditure OF 100000 for a convention
he people Of North Carolina can ri themselves OF
u annual taxation, by compromising the debt,
polishing sinecure ofices and the townshp sys-