Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-11-20
CDyyENCzoN N-fpyEtSOss CRA
F1AW,S VIEWS.

We take great pleasure IN laying be
fore the readers of the JoUENAL this
morning the views Of Governor
GRAHAM upon the all-import,.nt ques-
tion of calling a CONVENTION, and fol
which We are indebted to our able
cotemporary, the H,lisboro HC~ur.{1r.
The many enGag m cnt8 Of thls gen
tleman and his somewhat tnfeebled
health have postponed, says the he
c5 .Tgr, the expected communlcat ION
from him in reply to the queries OF the
editors of the Wilmington JOURNAL
But he has expressed his sentiments,
here at home, unreservedly and
strongly. He has spoken among q
constituency whose confidence he has
held unshakcn for half century, to q
people he has never misled. He
speaks IN the maturity Of his powers
and the ripeness Of his experience,
and his counsel should have weight
not only with the people OF Orange,
among whom he lives, but with those
of the whole State whose honorable
burden it has been his fortune so
long, so often and so ably to bear.
At the meeting of the citizens of
Orange held in the Court House in
Hlllsboro, on the 3rd inst, during the
absence of the Committee to report
resolutions, he was called upon to ex-
press his views on the subject of the
out undertaking to make literal re-
port of the speech, we lay before our
readers some of its more prominent
points, in order that they may see that
a gentlemen of Governor GRAHAM's s
wisdom, recognizes the urgent need of
the reformation OF the organic law of
the State, and one Of his abundant
caution and prudence sees nothing
hazardous to the party that pro-
poses Il.
After reference to the condition of
ms health, which had prevented all
prem ditatiOn in his remarks, he pro-
Ceeded to comment upon the nature
and the Importance of constitutions
end the necessity Of frequently bring
ing them to the consideration of the
people. The people ought to have this
opportunity once in while. They are
fully capable of passingiudgment upon
constitutional laws. They are reason
able, and have far mere capacity to
iudge correctly than many Of those
speakers and writer's who assume TO
speak for them, and will form a correct
verdict at the end of campaign, COM
pretending readily amendments IN the
fundamental law.
Have we Constitution tn&t suits
us How did we get i The Con
stitution Of '76 lasted until %; the
changes in that endured until 81. The
people rejected the Constitution sl.b-
mltted under authority Of President
Johnson, preferring their own. The
Government then called Convention.
requiring negroes to be voters, anu
prescribing largely among the whites
For this Convention every class o. men
presented themselves as con0id&tes
The Convention was Il disgrace. The
Constitution was signed an DIST the
widest orgies. Thirty days were given
to the people to decide On it. Il was
not published until half that time &
pired.
1t was then regarded IS 4 mere pro-
visiopal adoption. 1t did net salt IL.
1t has as much application 70 the peo-
pie of Illinois as to us. Reverence 70
constitutions is due to the weight of
thepersonaI character of their trainers
There is nothing to command rcspoc-
Ia the trainers OF this.
The Constitution was accepted, bu5
it was not above criticism. It got the
expected colored vote. It got the
votes of many who wanted peace, and
Il %IN1 -,
Even those who framed it, thought it
Eow; try it, and if it don't suit,
amend" Seven years have passed.
Why can't we amend by our own peo-
pie? We are not in hostility to the
Government. There IS nothing to for
bid. Who will compose the ConYcltion?
Our own men, men who live among
us, men who will not run away. The
Constitution may be submitted 10 The
people. They can reject Il they wish.
There were provisions in the Consti-
tutiOn insulting and degrading to the
sovereignty Of the State, pnrposely
placed there. Why make an oath to
support the Constitution and laws of
the State, the Constitution and laws of
the United States prerequisite for
voting? Who can possibly know all
these laws ?
This Constitution exalts the Execu-
tive and Judicial departments beyond
all reason, while it degrades the Leg
islature, the direct representative of
the people. Instead OF leaving discre-
tionary powers in the hands of the
Legislature, it provides a system of its
own by which the legitimate law max
ing body is interferel with and re-
strained For instance, it limits
changes in the number Of Judges OF
the courts. That should be LETT to the
Legislature. The Constitution should
not limit, define, or restrict.
Instead of binding out children as
under the old system, this ConstiLu-
ton establishes charitable institutions,
and prescribes and compels provision
for idiots and iuebriates. These pro-
visions ought all to be expunged, and
the State government be made more
slmp.e and more economical.
1t exalted the Governor, and made
HIM au officer of shadowirg i'm
Portance. HIS is now a vast power.
vacadi99kn vac afndi99knt8S itIIo,2l I'll officers and tiIs 81
William Hooper was asked when he
letuthed from the Convention OF 10,
what powers they had given the Gov
ernor? To sign his receipt for his
salary, was the reply. Governor GEA-
HAM would return to the old methods
OF appointment by the General Assem-.
by, aud would res .rict the powers ol
the Governor.
Many other Objectionable features
might be referred to, out he wou.G
pass them by now for want of time
ne would pass on to the consideration
OF the subject of calling a Conventio,
at the next session of the Legislature
Iheie was no danger in a Convention
IL all depended upon who the people
sent, and heretofore, they have ALWAYS
when they had their free choice, sent
the right sort of men. He thought
tnefe was no danger Of committing th,
responsibility 10 men who would abus,
their trust. As to the loss OF part,
aacendencT, 50 much dreaded ant
dWett upon by many, if tue party /
fiGht, the question viii. strengthen it
1r3 IIS work must go before the people
Ihey Will understand it, and if the,
APPROVE