National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-12
NORTH CAROLINA.


become so emboldened by the recent sue
cesses of their party that they now talk Of
revising the existing constitution Of the
State, and so amending it that the colored
people will be deprived of the right to
vote. The Hon. Joseph B. Bachelor in
recent letter on the subject says: ri
have not mentioned the necessity for
amendment in any particular parts, nor
twill do so now, as this letter has, from
'fhe importance and magnitude of the
question, already exceeded the limits
(which 1 had assigned myself will,
however, mention one consideration
(which alone, if all others were wanting,
would with me justify the calling of
convention. A large and very important
part of the State, in the eastern and CEN
trial portion, is laboring under the evil
''effecis of the present constitution to an
"extent which can hardly be appreciated
''by those who have not felt them. TEEN
ling with intelligence, wealth, and public
"virtue-paying large part of the State
land county taXes-bearing full share of
''an public burdens, the management of
county finances, levying, collecting, and
''disbursing taxes, and general county bust
''ness, including the estates of deceased
''persons, infants, apprentices, &c, en-
''bracing matters Of great importance and
value, are, under the present system,
placed entirely in the power of those least
''suIted, by character, habits, education, and
Interest, to the performance of such trusts.
1.-The people Of this section, seeing the
''evil influences pervading and poisoning
'the whole body polite, have patiently
submitted to this bad system, bodily ad-
''minisIered, hoping that relief in legal
''way would come in the future. Now
1.-THE way is open, the power is in the hand
''of our friends. With straining eyes they
'fondly hope that they see the dawn Of a
brighter day. But there is no relief ex-
''cept through a convention. No one
dreams of carrying the necessary changes
through two Legislatures. Win our
friends now disappoint US? viii they
''hold the trimming cup to the thirsty lip,
'fand then snatch it away before one drop
''can fall upon the parched tongue? can
mot believe it. entertain the hope, and
''shall continue to do so, until bitter ex-
''perience proves the contrary, that our
''friends and fellow citizens of the West
Twill not, for the sake of the paltrY power
''of electing magistrates and county COM
''missioners by popular vote, subject us
indefinitely to these evils. More than
''once has the East made concessions to
'the West in matter of great importance.
'.Now for the first time we call on
'them for aid. What we ask is of small
importance to them; of inestimable
value to us. Shall we ask in vain7
''This question, more than any other
(which has been agitated since the new
Constitution was adopted, will test the
''moral powers of our party. admit that
''it is important for us to keep the con-
"trol of the State government so long as
eve are organized, and act on principles.
"But when a crisis like the present arises,
emo party having the permanent and last
cling good of the people at heart can stop
''tO consider so small matter as the result
'of few elections. fit is equal to this
'great occasion, If it can now disregard
'tmere temporary results and local infiu-
fences, and looking alone to the establish.
ling of our Government on great and fun
'fdsmental principles, which shall secure
'tle happiness, prosperity and freedom
'fof our people for ages to come, it will de-
''velop power which will render its fu.
''ture triumphs as glorious as they are GER
tain, In every section of the South the
Democratic leaders are animated by sim
liar spirit. They believe that white men
should rule the South; that the negro, no
matter how intelligent, should be deprived
of all voice in the government Of the State.