Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-02-17

to Themselves any right or power, onTtheir
own mere motion, to impose restrictions
upon the Convention when asscmbleaa
But being well assured by extensive ac-
duaintance with tho wishes Of our constit-
ueptS that the people desire to preserve
UNCHANGED some features of cur cxistiug
Constitution, We have SO framed our act
that the people themselves may, by ap
proving it, impose such restrictions as Will
prevent alterations which, i'll our jude-
ment, are not wished for. Our act, when
thus approved by the sovereign people,
will utter their voice, not ours merely; ard
that voice will be recognized as Imperative
This act, with all its provisions, viii be
the peoples power Of attorney to theic
delegates, which they cannot go beyond
NO candid man will contend that Con-
ventlon having only delegated sovereig n-
ty can override aud disregard the origina
sovereignty of the people. And to make
assurance doubly sure an oath is embodied
In the act binding the delegates 70 observe
us RESTRICTIONS; ana the people Will ceT
tainly not choose delegates who Wouid
either neglect or violate their obligation
The proposed restrictions will limit and
simplify the work OF the 1Convention
shorten its session and reduce its cost !;
will not cost half as much as the unncces-
sary taking of the Genius in 1915, which
the present Constitution requires shall be
done, but which Convention will 10
doubt dispense with.
Among the restrictions which We al.
| the people to impose on tile Convention il
the one which Will forbid any Interference
with the homestead and personal properly
exemption. The Conservative party, nov
dominant III this State, is certainly rs
much interested (if not more SOY as its pc.
litical opponents, in maintaining the
! home stead provision ; aud this party j..
| fully determined that said provision shul.
never be abolished. The opposite party
may become willing to see it abrogated ;
but the Conservative party will not consent
that this shall be done. On this point We
perceive the enemies Of II Convention arr
busly at work trying to brighten and ii,
ceive the people. 10 guard against ~.
possible danger on this homestead qucs
ton, the General Assembly have iucur
pora.ed into the act very stringent pro
visions on that subject We do not decM
it necessary for us to do moro than Simply
invite attention TO them as they appear a
the act. They certainly show the carncs
purpose of the Conservative party to pre-
serve the homestead and exemption right
| intact
| Others Of the proposed restrictions will
| prevent any interference with the rights Of
citizens OF the different races, and any re
| quirement of u property qualification 10.
officers or voters. The revised Constitu
! ton must also be submitted to the people
for ratification, and be ratified by them be
fore 1t becomes OF any validity. But it j.
needless to refer in detail TO the several
restrictions; they are to be seen III the act
and will explain themselves. 1t is lopci
that they will meet with the general app De
val Of the people. Some of them arr per
haps unnecessary, because they only pro
hibit what no State Convention has power
to do under the Federal Constitution. But
we have permitted their insertion, III or
der that the people of all parties and Of
the entire Union may readily comprehend
the true intent of our act, and tho split
in which it has been adopted.
In truth, it is no spirit of violence, q.
revolution, or of reaction, which ~ owes Il
All these things VIC most earnestly deprr-
cate. Our aim is to secure TO our people
relief from the intolerablc burdens of debt
and taxation by which they are now OF
pressed. And we long to see once more :.
North Carolina Constitution CT NORTH
Carolina, which, while conforming to al!
the requirements Of Federal law shall yct
be instinct with the genius of our people,
and under which all our citizens may iIYs
in peace aud harmony; q Constitution
which will enable the State to recover her
former prosperity and high credit. and
ultimately to fulfill all her Just obligations.
We sincerely trust that thinking and pH
triotic men of all parties will unite III the
call OF Convention, as an essential ste
towards the attainment OF these happy r.