Year: 1868




norant, as to allege, that white and colored
same militia company. and white and colored
children t, attend the same schools. and that
intcrmarriages between the races are en-
couraged. ALI these assertions are false, as
any reader of the constitution will see. 4N
these aMstters are left moo, as they scsre by the
Constitution Of 1776. by the Constitution Of
1885 and by theproposed Constitution Of 1860,
to be regulated by the representatives. Of the
people in The General assembly. Any one who
denies the propriety of thus leaving them
both impeaches the wisdom of our ancestors
and distrusts the people of the future.


The attempt to excite false prejudice on
these subjects, is made for partizan purpo-
ses. can only tend to excite i'll will be-
tween races that are destineil to live on same
soil, and ought to live togetherin peace, and
it should be frowned down by every lover OF
the peace and prosperity of the country.
-W JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.


Experience will soon demonstrate that
the changes made in this branch OF the gov
ernment taken altogether, are of great value.
Some may doubt the propriety of electing
judges by the people. If the people select
wisely, no harm can possibly result. The
adjustment of the County Courts, rendered
necessary small increase in the number of
Judges of the Superior Courts and it may
be charged that thereby the new system will
more expensive than the old. We have con-
sidercd this matter well, and we confidently
assure the people Of North Carolina, that it
the General Assembly shall carry out in good
faith the idea of the Convention, they will
save hundreds of thousands of dollars every
year, by the increased despatch, cheapness
| and certainty of the administration of JUS
tice. We confidently invite the approval of
the people to this part of the constitution,
it will stand the test of experience, and be
more valued with every year ofits existence.


COUNTY GOVERNMENT.


The Republican principle of local self
government, which has been SO fertile a
source of good effects in the North Eastern
and North Western States, has been applied
to the administration of the local affairs of
counties and townships. These County
Legislatures, composed of five Commission
ers of each county, will he schools, where
the lessons of craftsmanship will be learned,
which may be afterwards displayed in the
government of the State. By these various
bodies, almost every man is brought direct
ly to participate in public affairs. 1t may
seem little awkward at first, but it has ap-
proved itself elsewhere. and will do so here


EDUCATION


The constitution framed by our ancestors
in 1776, recognized the value of education.
1t provided for University. This Consti-
tuition provides for University and for free
public schools for all the children Of the State
All may see the difference between the sue
cess in life of the educated and of the uned-
ucated man, yet as often us not, the unedu-
Gated man has been gifted with the great
er degree of intellectual power; the cause
of his i'll success is that it has not been
developed. We propose to "level upwsrds,"
to give to every child, as far as the State
can, an opportunity to develop to the fullest
extent, all, his intellectual gifts. So noble
an effort needs no vindication.


IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT


is abolished except in case of fraud. F


A liberal HOMESTEAD is reserved to the
unfortunate debtor.


The barbarous Punishments OF, whipping,
branding, and cropping, will he hereafter un-
known. Crime is as often the result of an
ignorance of the means of getting an honest
living, as of a criminal disposition. Here
aftera Penitentiary will be at once place
for the repression OF crime, and a school for
teaching the useful arts, to those who are
more unfortunate than criminal.


People of North Carolina such is the
Constitution which we invite you to adopt.
Read it carefully, consider it calmly; upon
you and YOURS, will the consequences of your
decision fall. You may not approve every
part of it. We can not assert that it is
perfect in every part. You must allow
somewhat for the differences of opinion in
evitable among thinking men, and each
man must yield something of his own views
for the sake of harmony. If you approve
the general scope and object of the Consti-
tuition, vote to ratify it. Do not be misled
by the unfounded denunciation of men heat
ed by passion and reckless of consequences.
If you adopt it, the gates of the Union will
be opened for our entrance, we will once
again enjoy the inestimable blessings of Con-
stitutional Liberty, and may hope for con-
tinuance of peace and for return of our for
mer prosperity. With climate and soil
unsurpassed, with people highly gifted by
nature with intellect and virtue, the State of
North Carolina ought to be great, rich and
happy State. Laying aside all mutual Grim
ination and all prejudice, and leaving the
past to bear its proper burden of sorrows
and guilt, let US all unite to make her what
she ought to be. You have but to will it,
and by the blessing of God, it will be done
., WILL. B. RODMAN.
F. .. GEO w fAAHAGAN