The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1875-01-06
col. CUNINGHAM's LETTER. on
THE CONVENTION QUESTION.
PERSON COUNTY, Dec. 9th, 1874.


Dear Sir; Ny reply to your favor has
been delayed BY my desire to be able to re-
feet, is you asked. the views oftne people
ofPerson county on the iinportapt sub
ject OF your communication. 'AAs
Not supposing that my own convictions
were of much Importance, and LEving
never entered public lie but frcnaa sense
of duty and al the earnest solicitation 81
my fellow citizens. ] have not ventured @
appear in print upon the grave question
OF constitutional reform now committed to
the wisdom OF the Legislature; but have
decided views ON the subject In all the AZ
pect IN which you present IL tony consi-
deraiion, and, therefore, | will answer
freely and as conciscsy rs | can the ques-
tlons which you PROFOUND.
PIrst. / am tirmly Of the opinion that
tile best interests OF all classes Of our peo,
pie demand changes In our Constitution;
my views now are the same that ! EXPRESS
ed In the last Legislature, and / need not
enlarge on this branch Of the subject.
Second. | prefer 70 see amendments Of
our organic law effected by q Conseition
as the true republican plan, and iheone
least likely 10 cause confusion by the re
suits Of lis actions. Great abuses nay a
rise nom the exercise of The functions Of
ordinary legislation with those OF framets
Of constitutions BY the same spersons, and
IL the same body; and when the charter
which defines aud limits the powers Of all
officers of the State is tobe reformed. those
,leputed by the people for this solemn net
should be elected 10 that end only, and
should not be In position 70 have their ac-
ton ON constitutional changes affected by
considerations springing out ofthe compii-
cailons and interests o. legislations. Be
sides, when u constitution Is 70 be formed
or changed, the people should have their
Attentions fiSsd on this subject; the work
should stand out TO public view Isolated
from ail Legislative silscliuenls ani from
All political aud local issues, and u is one
which should be considered as finished.
when ratified, Ua;il the calling of another
Convention.
| would not take away the rightof oflegis-
latiye amendment, under certain fornialis
ties and guarantees, as experience show
that slight notifications may from time
10 time be demanded. and which would
not Justify the expense ofa Conventions;
but It Is plain that frcquen. and selio'is
changes by the legislative metliod viii In
yoIye the whole organic law In esnf,ssion,
aud will, la the end. place the Constitution
which sl.onl,l be brief. explIcid and siuiI'ie,
beyond tlie econspehemsia,i OF tlle common
mind, and make IL . subject OF perpetual
litigation.
Third. II seems TO me that The Con-
vemriou called to amend the present Com
stilution should be limited There are
certain very sensitive questions involved
III the movement, and while do not be-
Iieve any Convention that could be elected
would Injurisusly meddIe with these, or
even think u such . thing. ] would never.
thelsss give assurances Ly the aei calling
the Convention that the friends oftiils
great measure are very FAR from desiring
to change the Homestead exemption, or
10 restrict the rights Of the coIorrd people.
FJwfh. would not call Convention
now; Mt least not until we have more eyi-
dencc that the People are prepared % uI-
dersiand aud appreciate the movement. -
ID Is known that preluJicrs against this
much nee,lei enterprise have been care-
fully, diligently aud persistently fustered
by tllose interested IL preventing reform
anil while The false impressions made are
wearing away doaht " ihc time has
come 10 risk an effort; ana We all know
that failure would greatly retard the
good work and give strength 10 the op-
ponenIs Of good government I,lislike To-
give advice Ia the premises. for ! am only
q plain, private citizen, but ~ you call for
my opinion. would Suggest. with all pro.
per defepncs, that the subject bc posipon-
rd til afier the year 1870.
Finh. IL reply 20 your question rs 70
the views bf the rcopie Of Person county,
I would my that believe they are exe
pressed above, at least those ofa majority
OF our Conservative friends. We fear that
agitation at present will postpone the very
end Ii view, the redemption of our below
ed State from corrupt aud odious rule;
the hope Of the c6snitfy Is IN tho Demo.
cratic party, and Tor the sake Of the Coun-
try we should enter on nothing that may
endaDger The success Of this party Of fl!ber-
alton and conservatism. il seems now In
a fair way % gain the power necessary q
the full discharge Of iis great mission: and
" ! were sure Il would triumph .in 1870, /
would be willing 70 submit till then "a
even greater bordeir than those that We
now Gear. Bot white have decided con.
victions as 10 the proper course of policy
to Be pursuct b this finse. 7 am prepared
tolhtvn with respect ansi Difference to those
who honestly enteriaiit opposite opinions
and perhaps the besf thIng that the Friends