Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-11-06

tered more or less intothe discussions,
affording ground for some of our
strop gest attacks against the opposi-
ton party which forced it on Us under
sHch circumstance and still opposed
necessary changes. The people
have been taught to regard 1t
as a great impediment in the way of
their prosperity and happiness, and as
thwarting the best efforts made by our
party, by wise men and judicious leg
islation, to promote those ends; and
they have been further taught to think
that there was no hope for relief from
these evils, except by amendments,
which our whole history and conduct
as party, in my opinion, lave piedg-
ed us to make, as soon as it could
legally be done. In fact, SO decided
has this opposition been, and SO anx-
iously has this change been looked
for, that in 1871 it was attempted by a
mode believed by many to be uncon-
stitutional, and by others regarded as,
under the circumstances, of doubtful
propriety. Although this attempt was
defeated by vote of the people,
(arising as [ then thought, and now
think, more from other causes than
hostility to Convention) still the ne
cessity for amendments was consider
ed equally as imperative as before,
and Immediately afterwards amend
meats were attempted by legislative
enactment; whether successfully or
not remains yet undecided.
Admitting, as all seem TO do, the
necessity fer amendments, IS there
any sufficient ground to hope that we
can obtain them at all, except by
Convention? There is the requisite
two-thirds majority now, to call it; if
this opportunity is lost, I greatly fear
that it will not soon occur again.
Suppose the ensuing General-As-
samby should pass the desired
next General-Assembly by vote Of
House. In 1876 the Presidential elec-
North Carolina will be as it was in
1872, the big skirmish preceding the
great battle. He is much more eau
g,line than I an, who can really enter
tain the opinion that with the immense
issue at stake, and with all the inilu-
ences which will be brought to bear
on the election, we can sgain carry
tw0-t third y the Legislature. II not,
these amendments are defeated, and
another delay is inevitable. Consider
ing tho difficulty Of obtaining two
thirds majority, who can form any es-
innate of how often flies g failures may
be made? May not these delays occur
until our people, disappointed and dis
! spirited by defeat Of tlloir wi5he-., sink
into hopeless apathy?
| The real question presented, seems
TO lie q choice between The present
! Constitution and a Convention. In
such case, who can hesitate?
! [ do not see how it is possible for the
party, now that 1t has the power to do
so, TO fail to redeem its pledge SO
often and so fully made. [ believe it
is morally bound to call the Convcn-
ton, and to do it speedily. Its posi-
ton was deliberately taken, AID has
i been consistently maintained at ali
times, and Under all circumstances.
i The people, with full knowledge of its
position, with full knowledge that it
had once before rcade an effort to ac
complish this object, and with full
knowledge Of the pledge to alter and
| amend Constitution SO OdiOus to us,
but to which we have submitted with
a devotion to law and order truly re-
markabIe, have entrusted the party
with the requisite MAJ ority. They viii
demand how the power has been exer-
cised, and how the pledges have been
redeemed
Let us consider, for a moment, the
| arguments urged against a Convention
First, it is SAL! that of the two modes
of amending the Constitution, that by
| legislative enactment Is the best, and
can now be resorted to for relief from
the evils under which wo labor. l
think [ have already shown the i'm
practicability of this mode, and if it
| were practicable it would still prove a
failure, for 10 reasonable man, it seems
to me, can look forward in any short
period of time to a maj ority of three
tifths, followed by maj GRITTY of two
| thirds. Every alternate state election
! occurs the same year as the Presiden-
/ tial election and just before it, and III
| the position Which North Carolina
now holds, our SUCCESS will he very >le-
, cIued ii we can overcome al the efforts
| which Will be made against rs, and
carry majority III such elections. 10
carry two-bhirds wOald be marvellous.
Amendment, therefore, by this mode,
unless in some minor points upon
which ali parties can agree, | regard
! as hopeless. So little having BEEN
done In the past shows how little We
can expect III the future.
| Il is said further, that this vas not
one Of the issues in the late election
Our party opposed the adoption Of the
present Cons titution in 1868; it has
given a steady and decided Opposition
! ever since, and has made the necessity
! for amendment Il large part of its DO
| litical stock in trade. Tho legislature
elected in 1870, attempted the call of n
Convention by bare majority, re-
! ferring the question to the vote OF the
people. This failed, and the reasons
| for failure are obvious. Gov. Cald-
well had refused to obey a similar law,
| because of its alleged demonstrations
atty, and in this opinion it was known
he was sustained by the Supreme
Court. 1t was 'known that if the Gov
ernor could refuse to obey the law as
unconstitutional, he could as easily,
and with more reason, declare the
| body which might assemble under it
illegal and revolutionary, and to ena-
| bic him to dispense it, might call for
the aid Of Federal bayonets. How
| readily these would have been furnish
| ed, occurrences since that time, l sub
NIT, have but too clearly shown, and
authority for this action could easily
have been found in the Rhode Island
case. Besides, our people had not
fully recovered their feeling of indie
| pendence, and were easily overawed
by the threats OF power.
| Lvcn the Conservative-D Democratic
patty gave this measure feeble sup
port, many doubling its propricty,
and making no general canvass in its
favor. While others were OF opinion
that 1t was unconstitutional, and
| therefore could not support it. Under
| all circumstances it is not strange that
such Il measure opposed, by the Chief
Executive because it was illegal, in
which opinion the Judges of the
highest court concurrad, failed of sue
| cess. The wonder is that it received
so large vote. No precedent can
| therefore be drawn from this. It only
argues that highly commendable trait
in our people of submission to the law
AMI it's authorities, however burden
S0Tna Tho ,,oSifin,, of tho ,,ortx, how