Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-11-03
Democratic Conservative Address.

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increasing every day.
-~Democratfc Conservative Address.
We publish this morning the Address OF
the Central Executive Committee OF the
Democratic Conservative party. reviewing
the political condition of the State, and
recommending several amendments to the
| Constitution which are deemed necessary
to "relieve the people from the burden
some and extravaganza State government
that now swallows up their earnings, and
fastens upon them State debt which they
cannot pay" We have already referred to
these several amendments in detail: They
are tuch as will recommend themselves as
absolutely necessary for the welfare of the
State. No citizen Of North Carolina
those at least who are not living upon the
labors of others-can fail to recognize the
necessity of reformation in our State gov
eminent. A continuance of present ex-
penses of the present rate Of taxes, will
bankrupt every honest man in North Car
DINA. The visits of the tax-gatherer, Fed
eral, State, County and Municipal, are as
destructive to the industry of our people
as the late FIRE was to the city of Chicago
an annual fire sweeping away, each cue
ceeding year. the labors of our farmers,
mechanics and professional men, leavic 3
them poorer than before, while their chill
dren are growing up in ignorance. We mUs'
put out this fire or it will destroy North
Carolina.
Since the defeat of Convention, the plan
proposed by the Executive Committee is
the only one left to us. The amendments
are proposed after long and earnest con-
sideration. There is nothing partisan in
them. No political advantage is sought.
Each is proposed with a view solely to
remedy some glazing evil ; to stop useless
extravagances to reform well-recognized
abuses.
1t would be we'll for the State if all par
ties could agree upon them. and push for
ward their adoption. But Radicals. grown
fat upon the public plunder, will not give
up their lucrative offices without strug-
gle. The poor deluded negro will be de-
ceived az to the merits of the issues pre-
sented, and we may expect to see the
Radical party arrayed in almost solid
phalanx against any measures which will
cut them eff frl III their hold upon the
Public Treasury.
But their opposition will be in vain. No
man or party can oppose these amend
ments with any prospect OF success. The
time has come when reformation is not
1, hnk 80 oil fOr no
longer maintenance of the government.
These are ties more binding than party
allegiance-necessities which override par
tisan caucuses. The people are forced by
their very poverty to adopt some measures
of relief. They are determined to make
better use of their time and industry rather
than see them consumed to pay the claims
of the tax gatherer. We owe the govern
ment much for its presumed protection
of our lives and property-but we do not
owe it all we have and all we labor for.
When this is the case it becomes oppressive
and valueless. People will lose their respect
for it and its laws. We are about in that
condition now in North Carolina and
throughout the South. We can save our
State and we will.
Let the Legislature act promptly upon
these amendments. Give the people an
opportunity OF approving them at the bal
lot box. Give her good citizens the chance
to save North Carolina, and they will rally
as one man. Let US rid the contest Of
legal objections and Federal complications.
and the great heart of the State will beat
in response to her welfare. Only let the
people know their trne interests and they
will be true to them.
Again We urge upon the members of the
Legislature a calm consideration and
prompt action upon these measures of re-
lief. The people demand it.