The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1874-11-11
ION. FM. "A. GRAHAM ON CON
FENTION

ION. WM. "A. GRAHAM on CON
FENTION
The many engagements Of this gentle
man and his somewhat enfeeblcd health
have postponed the expected communication
from him 70 EeplS - the queries ofthe edi-
tors u the Wilmington journal. But he
has expressed his sentimeois. here. 1t home,
pasescssedly aud strongly. lie has spo-
ken amopg constituency whose confidence
he has held mistaken fcr .balfa century, 10
people he has never misled. He speaks
in the maturity Of his powers and the ripe
ness 81 his experience, and his counsel
should have weight not only with the peo-
pie of 0rapge among whom he lives. but
with those Of the whole State whose hono-
rable burdens it has been bis fortune 50
long. 70 often and 50 ably to bear.
At The meeting Of the citizens OF Orange
held in the Court House in HilIsbcro On
the 6fd inst during the absence Of the Com
mittee 10 report resolutions, he was called
upon 70 express bis views on the subject Of
the Constitution. and Convention. With
out undertaking to make literal report Of
the speech, we lay before our readers some
osits inpfe prominent points, 10 order that
I eY. may see that. . gentieman Of Gov. Ora
hams wisdom recognizes The urgent need Of
the reformation OF the organic law Of the
State, and one Of his abundant caution and
prudence secs nothing hazardous 70 the par
y that proposes it.
After reference 10 the condition Of bis
health. which bad prevented all premedi-
tAtion ia bis remarks. he proceeded to CON-
ment upon the nature spd the importance
Of Constitutions and the necessity Of frc-
qaently bringing them to the consideration
af the people. The people cpght 10 have
this opportunity once ii While. They are
fully capable d passing judgment upon
Constitutional laws. Thssare reasonable,
and haze far more espaciSy . Judge cor
rsciiy than many IL desc speakers and
writer's WIS assume to speak for them. and
viii fesr correct verdict at tie end Of
csmraign. eo0iprcbendiHg readily amend
Iaenis 10 the faadameniaI law.
Have NC Constitution that suits u.
How did We get Il. The Constitution q
- lasted until 80 the changes N that
endured ns,iI 60. The people rejected
the Constitution submitted under authority
II fresiarai johnson. Preferring their own.
TIE Government then called Convention
requiring negroes to Sc voters. aud pro-
fcribiag largely among the whites. For
this coasention. every elias Of men present
cd themselves as csndiia,es. The Cohyen-
ticn was Disgrace. The Constitution uas
sisncd amidst The widest orgies. Thirty
days were given TO the people to decide on
IL II sas not published until LsIf that
time exgised.
Is was thea regarded as q mere provision.
- adoption. Il did Dot suit us. II has IS
naell application 10 the people Of Illinois
>. 70 Is. Reverence 10 Constitutions Is
due % tie weight Of personal character Of
their trainers There y nothing 10 con-
,naai Tespocs IN the trainers Of this
The C0nsiituiionwas accepted but Il was
Aot shove criticism Il got the expected
eOloroJ vosr. Il got the votes Of many
Who Hsnled pcace. aad woald opsr the vay
70 reconciliation. Eses tbose Who framed
=. thought II only temporary. They said
"Takc Il now, Trs i. aud il It don't suit.
aread." sesea ye1rs bare passed. Why
cant We amend BY our own pcsvies We
nre nos ~ hostility 70 fhs Government.
There Il nothing 70 forbid.
. Who will compose the Convention Our
own men, men vse lire among ". men who
w,li nas runway TIE Consultation may
he sabnistod b the people. They can re-
jess. Il they wish
There we're Provisions IN tie Constitution
ipsulsipg and degrading 70 the sovereignty
e The ssaie rafpasely placed there. WIS
aake an ossb 70 support tbs cooshasioo
end Iaws ofibc State re CONSTITUTION and
hss oftbe Y g. prerequisite or voting.
Who csn possibly ksow 81 these laws?
This Constitution sxslis RE Executive /
and Jadioiai departments Beyond al rea-
r,n. wbils 4 degradss tho Legislature. ths
direct representative Of The people. In
rs.i 4 Iesyjng discretionary powers 10 The