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

L SuDnIt, tIlSItloIt, jliat ZIG iItSi1ctI
OF amendment has been standing is
sue in every campaign since 1868; and
that there was q pledge to carry out
gally conferred. We have it now for
shrink from the responsibility?
It is further urged that it is inexpe-
dent now. There are two kinds of in
expediency: One is that which tests
legitimate measure by reference to
the general good of the State at large.
This is always proper, for there are
many measures which the Legislature
has the right to adopt, which would be
injurious, and therefore their inexpe-
dience is a sufficient argument against
them. There is another kind of expe-
dienco which tests measure, not by
its good or bad effects on the State at
large, but by its effects on individuals
and parties. This seems to be the
kind of inexpediency referred to here.
No one can doubt that if we could
have a Convention without party dis
turbances, and composed of good men,
it would be sof vast service to
the State. But the argument is,
that if the Democratic Conservative
party now calls the Convention, it will
lose US the State in the election Ct
1876. What is the ground for this ap-
prehension We have now q majority
of ten or fifteen thousand Of the popu-
lar vote. We have eighty members
certain Of the lower House, with three
| independents, and over two-thirds of
the Senate. Is it probable that the
same people who elected these men
and gave them power to call this Con-
vention, will elect other than good
men to it The measure is certainly
| lawful and adopted in lawful way.
The necessity for it has been urged
and acquiesced in since 1868. The
evils so patiently borne can ROW be
remedied. ..t'
For one, [ cannot appreciate the
risk to the party of trusting this mat
ter to the people. On the contrary, [
believe that Constitution can be
framed and adopted, which will'so
commend itself to popular favor that
in 1876 our party viii be stronger Than
il can be without such measure. .'''3
But there is a higher consideration WTl
me than all this. If the Constitutiana Is
radically defective and unsuited to the
wants of our people, as we have urged 80
earnestly ever since its adoption, and its
evils can only be cured by the aineltlipg
! hand, and the benefits are as s1aut as We
have been taught by orr leaders AID rub
lie speakers to expect. SIC have ~ /. Il" u
! step now in the Discharge q Ills C,Jyr~, b
reason Of apprehension that mere party
; victory NAV he haZarlCu. - lat IS see
cess worth If we are ICt 10 use H. to the i'm
provement CT our condition , Why de-
/ nOunce the Constitution and these WHO
framed and forced it upon US, il The de-
ftcts are SO small that the people can EN-
dure them, provided, any Tarticuiar party
can remain IL power q! y Q such principle,
or rather departure from p incii.ie, can be
sustained. 1t IS tie government Of The
people. They made i, and they have the
und0Ubted right to amend it Il 4 LEGAL
way. 70 call Convention, is only to re-
fer the question back to them, whether
they viii continue the present Constitution
or alter and amend it, OF adopt new one.
As private citizen, one Of the people,
il no way distinguished from the masses,
| ask that the right be now accorded to Is,
as ii can now be done by tar. / am Will
ing to trust nay irlloW-ciLzeIs again NUu
the power. aud feel 10 apprehension. Is t.
the result.
l have not mentioned tie necessity for
amendment in any particular parts, nov
viii DO So now, rs this letter has, from
the importance and magnitude rfthe CUES
tons already exceeded the limits which
had assigned myself. viii, however.
mention one consideration which alone, il
all others were wanting, wouli, with ne.
Justify the calling Of a;,oaTeIIi,,.
a large and very important nait # tie
State. in the eastern and central u.r,i.,I.
is laborino under ,la evil rti.,+s e re-
present Constitute, TO A., lZ..[,, : MI,
an 6arlIT Ie e,,,,,-,o;,-, > ~ - -
have not felt Them. 9'eanfrr' viii, i-..,;Ii-
geuce, wealth and publjc yirt.e--,7ayi,,,, =
large part of the Statc and comfy t,-ZeS-
bearing full share Il an nubl;r Dur'iay :.
the management OF coU1.f, ti..-rc-s, ~
inc. colIectjrao and die..,,I,s,,,fe ;.,-as 49,
,r.neral comfy h,si,,e,s i.,,,l7,ii.,.. tI,a a..
5st1s Of GacaasaG ,ro,.-,, :[t,.',, -
+;caS &, a1,-I,r,ri,-,r ,,,.+..,,s - -
Mort a,,ce and yo1,a a.
those least suited b. character, i13i.S, e.
ucation ana interest. - L r5l!y.a-a:.re O.
so en- trusts 49,.
i ne feCi+e q - seq ~ st>'nS ii;t
cNti iAi-i>ciLtcS pew ''-t > t-.'s yl-Dfit,i L.t