The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-03
were Si1ty-thres conservatives to nnysevon rspuDu
THE ELECTION OF 1878.

amendments al VIII
there was separate ballot box at every voting place
throughout the State These eight Amendments vera
ratified by maiorities ranging from TO- 900 to 40 600
Party lines were not drawn, 10 very limited ar
tent and many republicans voted for the aInendments
THE ELECTION 1874
In August 1874 the conservatives elected their can
didate for superintendent of Public Instruction bv
1900 majority on square. party and AFTER
thorough canvass of the entire State from the eahosrd
10 the mountains They also carried both branches
of the Legislature, securing three ourths Of the
beers of the Senate and two-thirds of the House
OF the eight Congressman chosen on the same
day the republicans elected only one to wit
the negro Heyman, Of the second district This was
almost q clean sweep and it only necessary ia
exercise prudent patience, avoiding the introduction
of any existing and pursuing far practicable
that policy mastery inactivity which is congeni
TO the popular Instincts of this State especially make
sure Of carrying North Carolina triumphantly in the
great political contest of 1876
THE Aqf FOR CONVENTION.
Flushed with success far beyond all expectation,
the democrats in the Legislature came hither last
winter reckless and almost riotous IN their hugo nu-
mercal preponderance. The calling of a constitutional
convention at became the main topic OF discussion,
and was strenuousy advocated by the younger
members The sober judgment of the more wary and
experienced politicians including the entire deegatlon
in Congress, who sent down from Washington most
earnest protest against the measure, was finally over
borne and at the heel of the session the act was passed.
peremptorly calling convention TO meet here on the
9th nsL and directing election for delegates thereto
COMING CONVENTION.
II is OF course possible in the versatile chapter oil
either of the two political parties may not be at hand
here in Raleigh promptly the 9th inst 1t is one of
those universal truths which Shakespeare the MASTER
has mned for the ages with his immortal PEN that
every human calculation
Hath ATTACHMENTS and delays MS many
As there are hands and tongues and times and Academia
Both parties, however, industriously summoning
their delegates-some of whom have already arrived
and it is expected that all the aggards will be in Raleigh
by next Saturday The moral effect OF victory IN the
organization of the Convention is estimated by demo-
Gratis and republicans alike at its full value
EVEN BALANCE
So nearly balance the parties in the Conven-
ton that II conceded that changes be eff
fected in the constitution which does not meet with the
concurrence of both If the Convention does not
in fact adjourn almost Immediately few alterations
may be made points whore amendment is manilestly
needed The disabilities imposed upon Ex-Governor W.
w. Holden by the Senate sitting as court of impeach
ment in 1871 will doubtless be removed, many prom-
nent conservatives favoring the act Of grace In add
ton to this the republicans would vastly IKE 10 recast
the Congressional and State Senatorial districts by the
familiar gerrymanderng process Should this scheme
be carried the conservative sponsors Of the Conven
ton would find that they had played into the
hands Of their antagonists pretty efectually IN
fortunate Tor the democrats as the issue
Of the Convention experiment appears TO be, the
result must not be taken by the country as victory OF
the republicans such. While 1t is true that Conven-
ton made party question by the large democratic
majority in the Legislature which called IT, the result at
the ballot box nevertheless supplies reliable test OF
the relative numerical strength of parties in North Caro-
lima Every republican, white or black, voted for tho
nominees who pledged to an immediate adjourn
ment of the Convention; but in this = ey were rein
forced By thousands of sound conservatives who
ousy oppose any present radical change in the organic
law while other thousands equally free from republican
CAROLINA TRADITIONS.
The traditions of people count for much especially
In the old States of the original thirteen" where
nero custom, although never formulated in constitu
ton statute has all the sanctity of higher law
1t has been North Carolina usage to submit the ques
ton Of Convention ConventionY" to the voters
as necessary preliminary to the assembling OF body
invested with the sovereign power Of the State, and
to provide for the submission of its ordinances Tor
ratification or rejection by the people In the present
case this was not done, and the only precedent
In the history OF the State for this double
omission the very bad of the Secession Con-
ventIon Of May 90 1851, which was called in spite
of the people and whose action was not submitted for
their approval The pursued in 1861 found its
excuse, perhaps in the mperous urgency OF the situa
ton; but it was considered extraordinary and only JUS
tifablc by the exgency of the crisis II was denied,
however that any such memorable necessity existed in
this instance.
The constitution of 1868 while it introduced into the
poty of the State few features like the homestead
exemption, which the people in the main approve con-'
tains many provisions OF doubtful utility and
is VIGOROUSLY full of antiquities and mper-
fections The wiser and more cautious of the con.
seryatve leaders, while fully approaching the need OF
alterations preferred the plan OF making them by the
method of submitting specific amendments TO the peo-
pie from time, in which way the defects OF the
instrument might be gradually cured without tho in
furious consequences OF sudden and sweeping change
in the fundamental law
NO SEDAN.
But 1t is not worth while to scold. Hindsght 10
easier than foresight The democracy ofsNorth Caro-
lima have encountered reverse; but 1t is Sedan
The result merely indicates that the people of this
State, irrespective q party disapprove the
Of their answer, four years ago, to
the question, Convention or no Convention2" Had
the contest at the polls, the first Thursday OF last
month"; been square party 1ght-an election for Gov
ernor for exampe-a grand conservative success would
have been achieved But the struggle was such
thing. While the republicans massed solidly
against convention and presented united 'front.' the
conservatives ukewarm, hafheared and divided
Many of the democratic leaders declined TO take the
stump TO make much q single speech The
pubcans however recognizing their opportunity dis
n w her "A
of all coors great and small distinguished and OBSCURE
daily harangued the people in all sections Of the State
There immense enthusiastic gatherings in the east
counties where the coored vote preponderaes while
important defectons occurred among the white con-
servatves of the West The most INSCRIPTIONS appeals
were made to the negroes by their demagogues They
were frightened with the ghost Of dead and buried
slavery which, they were told was to be revived bys
and of course, more numerous class of whites
sured that the ''arstocrats designed TO ax property
educational qualification TO the right OF suffrage and
to restore Imprisonment for debt The small landown-
ers terrified with the near prospect Of the sbo-
ton of the homestead exemption And so might emu
merate almost indefinitely for these appeals linn
tied only by the fecund fancy of the orators
PROMINENT DEMOCRATS
Among the prominent democrats elected to the Con-
vention ex-senator Thomas L. Cingman OF Bun
combe; ex- Congressman John Manning, Of Chatham;
OF ORANGE Ex-Governor David s. Reid of Rockingham,
and Hon. Francis +; shober, of Rowan Some Of the
more notable republican members United States
District Attorney K c. Badger Of the lustrious
George E Badger; Judges William A. Moore and Ralph
T. Buxton; Mr.. w. > FalrclOth, OF wayne; General
Rufus Barringer, Of Charlotte; Mr.. r. f. Lehman OF
Newbern; ex-Judge D. l.. Russell, Of Wilmington;
Congressman o. H Dockery, Colonel Isaac J. Young
and ex-Judge A. w. Tourgee Mr.. Jordan j. Horton Of
Hartford is the largest man in the Convention 1t took
seven yards Of broadcoh TO make the suit OF clothes
he stands in, which is about twice what common man
requires He would evidently adorn "fat mans CLAM
baken
ARRIVAL OF THE DELEGATES
The delegates TO the State Constitutional Convention
which assemblies on Monday, arrive but slowly. Ex-
Senator Thomas L. Clingman came yesterday. All are
expected by Saturday. The republican members will
caucus TO morrow and the conservatives the next day.
General Clingman having peremptorly declined, the
democratic choice for president Of the Convention will
be Ex-Governor David s. Reid, the honored champion
OF Tree suffrage in 1S4S heard named for the republican
candidacy also General Rufus Barringer Hon. Richard
G Bager and exCongressman o. II Dockery.
CONTESTED SEATS
Judge Settle, OF the Supreme Court, has dismissed
the Of the two republican contestants for seats as
delegates from Robson county, denying bis jurlsdic-
ton in the This gives The cOnservatYe3 nIty