Newspapers / The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, … / May 18, 1832, edition 1 / Page 1
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v.,-.- A 4 ;.i..n no, 21 n AT.T7TGH. XT. CXTOTAI, I.TAY 10, 1G33 L1BJ i 7 Ji .SVrU Carebm Stale Gazelle, iium vnttf, av : LAWOENCfi & LRU AY. '!.' - TKKM. V fr rn-nB, aWr Wlwi acr eaaaaa w line. nil mr xnum am be aite4 M nm ia ennre tuaiii g 1m year.aaa1 r raiilalWqalne tkl, Wo iwr eWatre tiiim in mi Inn, , 'U ba ticlj nfmmtA ta fT aW whale a i art eeaatii)a aiaaaaa. " . Aavaarwaaaara, aat ttm-imt liara. w . V4 taeee haw far ana aWbr, aod t (':.: .'.V tf-BM Ml llMrk Lavraaa ta tie UiMraaterf be aaal-feU. dpn by bringing forward tht tsu ject. H 14 tUir c Ht we. plaint hy coniio ' that it it jt (or lha jar-pote ! ep prevsir thefaiSu it i iwK a reach firr powd er. 'bnKif! rw,'w pi fjrx that this Bra, this many Leaded rawntter, - :.-. L-..I - .!. ; a ay uuwn at nwi ii nmcuai aa wwj havern tiet ( believe. '" - Th. ir, it it due 4 the peon'e of the at Uiat the buct'lon ahoalj -M fa'riyrpresented to the jn, and, it I Hao tf it people of tho Wtst to bring ucir claims and hoiuptf4 of Qieac rtafHta I am one of o joined in ai1iin' the intro ch piina have heco taken out a mike ariirnprrsuoa thi(lhe i an improjr time (or Itirrinj t. I lae t!ui5M pro.'xr to hese views ta tho lloue. I tcsame ro aeat, nu rccrc ave to aar n the merits of tk i t s c I r to some taiure sia;c j! to. 1 am ileicwi trom pro- Mc CUairman, bo mio era Viitr rijrniKi fir tho patr i Keel ft fpSliniii1nTadiBgeoeiy.-' t ko'c!rc-nUactiaI prove that thla Tbti Bat Cm a " " Ti .t : ..1 utUI UiiraiAatlilJii tnaettaa. anafi bftwrrn hUitanJitlea ar.joJ U lh fcdopt . - " " . . . ... , - ' , " Will that alter Ue loeqaamjr UtaraaooataUe 6ita-- KUiarrd tLeuJpoJeocof Ulcon-:iUUti w at a temporary amngertCBt try thio I do.' 'o more tiiriijjTaoopt thai, Wkeo peace wa rtitar- raoeratrotne Uoaituauoa. wnico it iao,ej. a v'aimium coom w inrrarvj rn- . . . . a .a at . t ll 1 . I Wvjtx ftl lor banut, than 1 U. ; iivit-taring ia an cqaai iinu anu an epi t.laiirabJj MilteJ t3 the tiajai for wVich J putuipatioa h the bletin l pienf it j mJe, an.l at dearly Ub!isUcai ?nt, bat neer beei rcali!. ' At tho cJaim of itt franera to tin witjjaijtoai at tho 0019100 ilaner wat remo. r ttitrtmciH'at iho batllca oflha reoel. it th iij f TnUura'a Uoi1" haJ Ijtlon, their chimi to tho aWa aol-jhceiilined, tRe baJ pa.oioM c4" men Jirs: an J. air. I janot fed that-tji'u.Ccw ot, acct'.onal iealouy. rartv fcrl- feneration ia lai.l aiiJe, wheo 1 atter iin.aatl all the liittrjclioa that interest i!iat in itt operation opon tho pretentitl amotion csn originate, iliti(ef the nrtaori tua tui preeer aliall . what qucttiJ lue uei - GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ' Ihtue (f Cmmttont, Jan. I, 183 -I, I tV Itraolutiona pfoklinr (or the caOaTa ' CoaveatMMi to amenj the otitulMMl of , K MarthCnoTina, were taken pp in cowinit- Im .ilk. (VI..I. fiMt: FISI1KR rote, tjni aJJretteJ we chair in eubataoce a' 1 follows: V '.'.j ' Aa.no oilier gcnilci can teemt dia 5 ' " posed to prcaeot liit i to the com- i mjttet, I aliall tale th j liberty of nffrr t preliminary re'rui ks, but thali i ; "not e ato the mer i of the uctlioo ione rerlrltboforc resume ray 6eat as 'Mpretent. .(to the liiutiont bclnre ut. I know " "T It acemt. f'.r, V- t there hat been thr ii ilTi!rencc of oniuion ai to the ' i .oaroo tlitTerpnce onininn at tn thelnl. ftPrlinrftmii nninosAl1. Some tiun of the country th?, and itt condi 'propriety of brio in? this tultiect. at tt.inlc liisk friYinn- too much others' t:on n.-r, would hsve been looked upon Tthia time, befo-- ibe Iciihlature. I not crrhoaf . Ilowwer this may be.! an a fool. To contrnd that tho framer s.ini oneof tho iwhnfntpitaio ilia nnin-'it.P itm'iu.'lnf tW irptittrmrn on whose of the Constitutio i intended to hold it ' J- .L . . ! .1 I 11 . . I I , . I. f....fk f n U M,nlil niipf,jt 9 it we proper lime 10 atirice inei were tnirotiucru, iiiusi uc mmui i umi j... in, rpntmlit ihia time 1 a Bercre ailec- .b'uttbalt jrinir ofTylanfi; tut allaottne to mafeo state of tho country, th Constitution it yiojfjf lutfjua!, an it, ot course, f: fcctir 'e! for, tir,l have too moch respect for the fresi:;ht k Uoe great aoI jooO men to tuppoto that they intended or etrw.cled tao Co.ittitation, which tt liut time aJ ip'ed, would remain un chint l and analtcraUte, and would be pressed opon aftrr apt, whether appli csble tn their condition or nt. No min wiulj then foresee lh immense change that fifty years his effected; but every msn of ordinary rtllccthin most Iwve anjicipited a very treat change, arif a poHtit'i in who would have held out the idea, that a Constitution could be to framed as to suit both the coodt v, , if' f. ion that nnto fcr'W2 it forw.-fl., nd that uo gfHMl rea-j consiJeredkt patriotic and praiscwor-, pected it would be applicable to the too eiitttf k keeping it back. I will thy. Xlebjcct it to compromise a; present state of things, as well at to lit ttte tnst place, tnen, now Ions and listractinz contest between. ioeir own times, is to ue'.rwvery uiucn atate whv: tithe nr kitx time for brins-inw tlie Jiaettion ( forward, and diicustin: it, w the aton that the people of the ff'tst t fyect U, and look for it. Du nne tk past twelve uionths they have ler,v to the pretent aetsion of the Legr Mature for a movement on the ubj act of Convention. I will go fr ' tne, tt I sty, that every Jmeinbar from i Wettbefoi-o, and for tome iime af t' ti he came h, fully and confident ' y expected thtt- iutroduction of this t object. Am I wrong n this opinion? '',If o, let me be corrected. . ( I f But there it another reason why the ;r Convention question should now be a ! gitated. Nt only the people, of, the West, but likewise the people' of. the ' . East,, have looked for a movement on " the subject at this :tession. I do not . aar that the peoi)lo of the East wish it, ' but certaiulv they looked for it. v f ast the membfeis from, the East, whether . it has not been the general anticipation : of their constituents that this subject would now be discussed? ; ' - . .v i;Bat why is it that the - question of , v(.; vionveniiop is iooei ror.oy me people k jof every part of J.h Stated ;I AviU ' '..you; ,ft it because' this is thefiist 'BcsslOTTaWXialaXre-tHatkasloa ; turrea sibw -tw iiiiu. . "ai.i the two seliont of North Carolina to from their wisdom. I believe the pre nettle thu Lniila that hsvo vear after sent t.onslitution was intended as a . M . . ..." ... year tiroun the. Legislature and me people, ol the State into hostile array mere temporary compact, formed in the hurry of the moment to suit the emer gency, and under the full expectation that when the storm of impending war had passed over, end the sunshine of peace Was restored, there would then be time to digest and mature a CongVi- in a ptaeAble and quiet manner tniStuiion acconung to me principles auu irreat iurr,le -1 eontess that I am wi - theory ot correct eovernment, so as to ma ti frWo ntv aometh n". to enter on secure to an me oiessinKs 01 nuenv; he subjecl in a ipixit orcompromise. and by a recurrence to the provisions of vtinstead other, ' No individual de- tilorct thisstate of things more than I do, anil ewry feel ihg of patriotism re quires thai it should be done away as speedily, m possible. ' To accomplish I confess that I would prefer taking the instrument itself, tho circumstance tatatiU aftfl pnpnlatiori combined under which tt was lormedj, , the condi basis inti applying it WtotVIU8: tiotiof the country at that t""ae, and the t snouiit .iiKevvise preier-Teei-''ejricr'i;,"sl'J,j u ui tucauu- nuiuoera anniivu .i uom uu5 """j ow-iaiucu. the question isf shall we hold out at the risk lat almost r.ivit war for all that we' ought to hsve, or shall We meet on me grounds ol compromise, and endeavor to. promote the peace,' the quiet, geDBrV al prosperity, nd-welfare of North Ca- rolina? . V. think , no patriots uo rjeal : ' Does ic not secra strange that the fa thera of the revolution, in forming uCJn iUtutionf retained ,tV(ef English ; ajrstem of. re presents t,iori 1 by counties, without regard toe tent of territory, population or taxation, and the English system of. boraiVn representation, and did not act upon, or in any. way recognize., in that been laid before the pnbliCi Durir; ' the" last six or eight Jars the people of the West Lave been looking forward to the time whan that census should be taten as it would furnish tho facts on which to base their claims for a Con vention, aud preseilt the subject in stronger poiutt of view than ever be-fore.-r At the last session many of the tneaibert were extremely anxious to bring forward the subject, and have it discussed, Jut they, were resisted on the ground that we were pot in possefi aion of, the materials the census of 1850 had Dot then been presented to the public; and on that account it was deemed best to put it off until, litis ses sion. v r ' ' "i Tlie census of 130is now before us we have all the facts and aiguments necessary to sustain our cause. Why then put it off any longer? , . But there is yet another reason why the public have looked 10 the present session for a movement on the subject of Convention. This reason grew out of the unfortunate destruction of the SWte-IIouse; for the mail that bore the news of this catastrophe abroad, carried with it the impression that now 'would be the time tn urge our deniaud for a reform of the Constitution. How it is, or why it is, that the subject of Convention has oeen connected wiiii the re builditfj' of the State House, is not necessary far me to explain: Every gentleman understands it. Since, then,' it be generally expected that the question of Convention should bo brought Torwara at tms session. would Me not prove recreant to the interest and wishes of the West to put it off any longer? Would it not look ss if we Were tiving up our claims. and admitting tht they.are groundless? What good reason, could - we assign to our constituents, on returning home, for neglecting to press the call of a Con ventionon the altentioti of the Le gislature?. v '-i-.-. But, sir, there is yet another reason whv this subject should be brought for ward without any further delay. . It is duo to the people of the East ,them selves. The people of the East have taken up erroneous views as regahls 'a Convention.! They have' been ; taught to believe that we want, a Convention friend of North. Carolina, will for. an instant hesitate aa to Which course' weimstrument, the principle that " taxa ouaht to pursue. . ' if ' .'.Itioti and renresentation should eoto-re; jiner;' -a principle lorwnicrt tney were about to engage in an unequal war, and to .maintain which they pledged their Mr. Pfi ARSON fiaid, I regret, th-ttiindispositior 'prevent ifeejl1;1 t'rt.nxr & a I from en-. teTiJlnto U.U triscilssion. ITia(rt:ounr- edupou his assistance in the' beat and brunt of the contest. . I did tot expect to be thrown into the foremost ranks. When I first looked at the resolutions, so great was my desire to settle the dis tracted state of the country, that must continue until something is done; so great was my desire to remove the source of the sectional feelinz that has for many years divided this body, and pre vented all wholesome legislation, and to bring, about a new order of things, when we shall be actuated by one com mon principle a desire to benefit our comraofi country that I was inclined to go for them. But I found the west, at least a large majority of tlu vtxt, op posed to them; and, upon examination, 1 discovered they concede too much. If representation by counties be une qual in one House, it must be so in the honor? Can this be accounted for in any other way, than by supposing that it was intended as a mere temporary ar rangement:1 t ;v What were the circumstances under which the Constitution was framed? The colonies had just thrown off the British yoke had scarcely realized the idea that the people could govern them selves were deafened by the notes of busy preparation, and all the " pomp and circumstance of war" a war with the most formidable nation in the world, aided by a strong body of tories in the bosom of the country! Under these circumstances, could they mature a Constitution upon the new principles and opinions for which they were about to contend? Could they make any but a temporary arrangement? What was the.condition of thecoun- other; and if the principle by which we! try? The State extended west to the propose to reform the House of Com mons, and reduce the number of mem bers, be a good one, wc should adopt it in toto, and reduce the number oStna tors also. The interest of landholders is peculiarly represented in the Senate, and the interest of aft classes in the House id Commons. W ill it be con sistent with this theory to leave the Se nate so nearly equal in point of numbers to the House of Commons? Should it be more than half? Is it more than half in any well balanced Constitution? Again, Sir, the resolutions do jiot pro vide that the amendments ngreed upon by tnc convention shall be submitted to the people for their ratification. I am not willing unnecessarily to repose too ijiuch power any where. I winlj the people to look over whai their delegates uiaj do, and to ratify their acts before they become a part of the Constitutionj for these reasons 1 cannot vole for ;he resolutions as ihey now stand. I will trouble the committee with a few ob servations upon the subject, and shall then move to amend, by striking out alf the articles except the 8lh, which relates to the Seat uf Oovernment, and insert a provision 1. a general Conven tion, and ratification . by the people. When we meet in general Convention, it will be time enough to fix upon such mutual concessions as may be necessa ry to enable . parties to meet." I should be willinzto adontDS asthe num. Cot the purpose simply of obtaining more (ber in the Commons, 43 in the Senate, wueT--that ,we care nothing . about : and to adopt federal numbers as the ba. nnneije that power is all we want,! sis of representation in the Commons--They have been, taught to believe that 'federal numbers and taxation in the Se- wo wish to disfranchise them to pass nate." 'This would, be a fair concession. laws that will oppress and ruin them, Now, sir, I say the sooner we con vince our brethren in the East that they are wronz in their. opinion, the better it It wouia secure equal - representation; and preserve the relitive weight of the two bodies. These are matters, how ever, which will no doubt be attended will be for us all, aud how i3 this to be to by the Convention Mississippi river; it had not been laid off into counties farther west than ltow an and Mecklenburg;. it containedjdmut three hundred thousand souls. Was there the means of ascertaining the pro per basis of representation? It wa9 wise to adopt the old English system for the pi csent emergency, and little was it expected that that temporary Consti tution would be in use in 1832, after the State had become settled and improved, was divided into G4 counties, and con tained 738,000 souls. Can it bethought for an instant, that it was expected the system by which every county is enti tled .to three members, would be kept up after the State was settled and laid off into counties as far West as the Mississippi? Was it foreseen that this Western territory would be given away to gt rid of it? A'id, sir, what 13 the history of that da)? Many of the colonics acted un der their old colonial charters until the war was over. A lew. North Carolina of the numbec in ir7"6 hastily dtew up a Constitution,! retaining most of the features nay tho very names of their old charteis. All the States that form ed Constitutions in 1776, North Caro lina excepted, have since remod led them many of then more than once. Even the States that made Constitutions in 1790 have found it necessary to a mend them, to meet the changes that have taken place! ; North Carolina a lone has remained stationary, and fail ed to keep -pace with the ase. 'The journals of that day show that the tramers ot that instrument, bound toge ther by a common danger, that pointed the energies of the State to one object, and absorbed all selfish and illiberal con siderations, completed the work in less than a week, and.: then s engaged them selves in providing the wya and means' ciMnriitof the Statr. Attarl at 7$7 (Jovcrnor Speight, of Newborn intro ducel rerdiitiont for a Contention. AyempU. hivo been nude,' time after timr; bat the districted condition of the coualrycndercd then all abortive, Mr. Chairman, the Constitution con tains no provision printing out a formal way to make amendments. It mat no d.uM thought uactcessarv. 'The pea pie have , at U timet a rignt to alter t'lcir form of fjovemment. list, sir, tlete it h the Hill of Rights a clause. hy Which ar anlemnly a4nishl to make auenilment to tuit the jchange nf -timet. ." Afreqi'ent recurrence to fundamental principles, u absolutely necessary to preserve tho blessings pi liberty." Whit is meant bv recurring lo fwuinntiilal priiifiple l-i it that . 1 1 . 1 inn ije(,-iaiuie in enacting laws, ami theiufvs and iislicrsof the p-ace in aJminixiering them,' arc to recur to fun damentiil principles? No such thing sir.. I110 one is bound by a written Constitution, the other by established laws, i tract is marked out for thttv and they must keep in it. By fidiila meiUal principles, is meant, the original principles of social Union l!i fjfiinal rights of tnan; ami the fatr, 0f ti,e ft', volution having them'ives just recurr ed to tvesc prinr.''-,,icS) by declaring the independence of t.his country, its sepa ration from the .'nnthcr country, and'lis determination to establish a government for itself, having in fact recurred to the sacred right of revolution the right iahcrent in every people to change, modify . or, amend their government whenever it becomes necessary-thought if proper.in trifis solemn manner, to jus tify their rotirse, and to admonish those who came atter tnem, that whenever, by reason of the increased population am property of the country, or in any omer, way Mne existing government ceased to operate equally on all, and to preserve the equal rights ot all, t was right nay, it was absolutely nccesnnrv. -1 : - 1 . . Zi. - 11 11 mey wisncHi to preserve me uiessinga of, Jibcttl-rtto recur to fundamental pnnciptes.ann Change, mouity orameno the Constitation. r truly, str, this was speken in 'the spirit of prophecy. It rMi lok'ilutlbje-blejsinjaalU qot u? preserved out oy a irequent re currence to ' fundamental nriucioles We have neglected this admouition.and the blessings of liberty have not been preserved. k One of thev'first blessings of liberty is equal rights. The riht of representation is the detwest and most sacred right of man. With it, he is free man without it, a slave! Is the right of representation equal under the present Constitution? Has this great est blessing of liberty been preserved? Cast your eye over the members of this tiouse. Are they sent here bv the same number of voters? Are anv two coun ties equal in extent, tn population or taxation? ' Still every counly sends an equal number of members. This gene ral view of inequality must strike the attention of every one. But particular cases will sometimes strike most torci it v 1 oiy. JLjet us advert to two counties ami institute a comparison. Kowan is not tne largest, nor Vas,hin";ton the smallest county. U'-w.ir, contains a po pulatiou inajedeial numbers of 18,180; Washington 3 740 difference 14.440. Rowan pnys annually a land tax ol 8704; Washington "glCO difference 8554. Rowan p.ivs annually a tax of gl.8!8; Washington F.SliO "tl-ltcrence l,53. Ituwao and Wiishing!on send e.icii thro members, who have equal pol'iical we'ght. Is this equality? Is there any circums'nnco connected with the 300 voters in Washington which entitles them tolhesamepo'itical weight that th 1800 voters ol Itiwun have? Is thefr land better? In time of need will they furnish the same amount of money orofineu? Why then shall one "man, because he happens lo live within cer tain marked lines called the county uf Washington, be, for th5 purpose of rc presentation, cquai.tn nix men in -itow aA? It is ca used by the opera lion ol the unequtl aovl absurd system of eoun ty represeiit;iiion. uniler uhicli counties are considered eqial for the purpose ol representation, and unequal fr every thing clse. This is the strangest rep resentation ever imposed upon a people, who believed they lived in a republican country!" Sir, in the Federal Govern ment, which is a Union between sove reign States, every district that sends a member to the House of Uepresenta tivespays the same amount of taxes. It would be thought monsterous, were all the counties compelled to pay the. same amount of taxes; but it would be right, sir.1 If they be equal in representation, tbey ' should be- equal in taxation, and sir all the other - States now! "have Constitutions in which the basis of re presentation is free white population or population and: taxation combined. They are all wrongj tr North Carolina Is wrongs , , - y West Will Take tu tine IttJ dva by acvapKU- asit man ot the Kat. Mr. Manly, mi a ormer debate t tint nuetimn: draw a line f.-oin tlie corner vt Ufti vill tonth rhrt-S the Stale.' and i hate 3 western and,. 5G Rtincrn coooliet. TAe as the proper baait, foletal oooi bert in oae liouae, and federal numbers sod laid taxation, tklstck it the correct rule; for if nceroet l-e included in fede nmobert, it it not right to include thera again in taxation, . Cy to avoid disp9tet,take federal numWrsatut tax: ailiHt j;CllCI4IIJ III UK Vnci, HUH IIV. doet the cslcaUlion ttanil?' Wrer aouJit- coalaia ki (cJcral aamhrrt SA tUunS eoaalioa la favor oC Heat Z Vetlra ennalirt pjf a laaJ la of jo lavrn coumict - la favoroT Ruat ?1 Wvtlcrn enwiiirt jjy in tiii;t 30 1 Uslctti MuntNM ." i,3iM "- 101 sal.1 InTdtor of Ku ' ' 4.SV4 Upon the basis of federal number, if the nutnber of nicinbcrt remain the siime, t tic iio t estcrn counnet wouui bu i .itillcd to 104 member, the 5(i Eabtern to SI, giving the, Weta majo rity of HO. Coutbining federal num bers and land taxation, ihc West would bo entitled to a majority of about 18 membcrs;"affd combining federal num bers and the .whole taxation, the West would be entitled to a majority of about 16. Under the present Conslitutioa. the East has a majority of 24; so t'uat on the first principle there ought to be a diRcrenccol -ii. oa the sccoaa 01 and on the third of 40.; ..And UilS, 10", after conoedina the basis of white popu- atinn entirely. Isthislaur tsitequatr I appeal to the gentlemen of the East, and ask them if it is rijrht to exclude (he West from an equal participation of political power? 1 appeal Jo.Aheru as citizens of the same Stale, members of the same family, and ask. if they can lay tlieir hands upon Jtheir hearts and, say, they will hold power to which they Jiave no right, and .which accidental circuin stances alone placed in their possession? W ill they reply in the language ot a King of England, when questioned as to his right to the crown? . "My father wore it. und gave it me, anu by mis right I'll wear it." Sir, there is another grievance under the present Constitution, one that very materially affects the growing prosperi ty ot a portion ot our state, 1 allude ta-the difficulty, almost imposibilily, of muvng me large counties in uie vv est, Your ti7,ens; have a, right ; to expect that their 'convenience in ; attending courts d other nublifTTricattngs vill be1 consulted by the erection ! of coun ties of a reasonable size. . The siz.e of counties should be regulated by conve nience on one hand restrained by county expenses on the other. Under the action of these balancing principles, counties will neither be too large nor too small. But, sir, when a mcraori al is presented to I his body, respectful ly praying the erection of a new coun tv, the subject, instead of being decid ed bv these nr'mciDles alone, is influ enced wholly by the consideration of political power. It is not asked, are the complaints well founded will the extent of territory, the population and the taxation of the proposed new coun ty, justify its erection? If is- gravely asked, how will the addition of three members affect the power of the East? And the answer governs the decision. Memorials upon memorials have been presented, atid have been rejected up on the consideration ol poli;ic;i! power alone. And, sir, they will always he rejected until the system, of roomy re presentation is abolishe'd! Some new counties, it is true, have been erected. Most of them were obtained by tttrik ing off a new county in the East, as an equivalent. All were foned fiom a reluctant hand. Look at your 'moun tain Country!, without public patron age, without the encouragement of a liberal and correct policy, it has grown and become populous and wealthy in spite ot your neglect. How much more improved would that country now have been, had you pursued to wards it the policy observed in every other Slate toward their unsettled territory Imd you supported and helped it on by the fostering arm of go vernment had you even offered a pro per' measure of convenience in thofce who are inclined to -Kettle it? 'The county of Ashe is an iiistuiice, in point. That is moniilaii) country, but the coun ty is of convenient size, and the coun ty of Ashe lias increased "more in the last ten years .than, any county in the State. But the iiitKloiiuhe i, that as the, difference in" political power be comes definite and certain as you ap proach the point of equality, the chance of a new cbun'y, it has really always been a cJiunce, is lessened; ahdr niy woro for it, sir. reform the House of Commons;, let the Senate remain as V proposed in the original resolutions. Ie.tr eight. In the ; Senate be , tlie eastern 'majority; and you never; will see another, new coujMJtis foot, th'settlingand im: proVemeiit ;'jof vour : western;, country astrong Consideration for ; calling a Cotyention,' wbetif experience , olakes it clear that unCet the present Cod . stitution tollaterally ilia, true, but no liberal policy? . ; . -. .. ,. One of the bWints ol libvy is the eayivfct ef & good, tovernmeat aadl' . jjoid law, with as littlo expeju U th people as the nature of tLiogt vUl 4 mtr. Is not tot -ixgwuiure aaBere urily large?. Would not half lU Blot ter mike at good Laws, in a mack shoe ter tifae?. It therl a necestity that 14 Iegitlatara. thosld meet every yeat? It appears tome, sir, that if the Urniaiay' ttr tact bienially. the policy 'of th' Stat wvold be nore prrnitncnt tao . laws Wit tloctaaling. The parctieat - eperatiott of laws would be seen be for they were repealed; your pcopla avtald , find 4it what lavs v'oa had rassed bv Mr.Wlf. ,u. li.r.l- in.1. air. all v-'wr-i .it. 1.1 1.- u.i ,;,k a of at leat 82i.tKW a year. 1 is, Cut nothing, ir? 1 believe I need cot press this consideration, upon grntlemeu who kndw so well ike value of moovy aad who are so little, inclined Vj tax.. the people. '., -a. ' ' .. . M... But, sir, there it . ar)lher and 4 weighty reason for caMng a Gmw tiotu. The Slate is tjotn and ucstrac ed by sectional feeing; all wholtom legislation is inar.ted; the JegiaUUure mertt; not. to provide for tho general good, but to witless tlie struggles f fac tions. ., This lias been the case, 'and will be tlie cute until thes differences are settled rn Convention, j Da tentlo- men wishto see this state . of . thing continue!1,? Will they refuse .to' jum. in a measure that will unite at 1 a band cf brothers? We were told a few days mgo in the discussion of the appro priation bill, by the gentlemen wnp took part in the debate, that, howeveX Pftli tney were mciiBed amicably Id nettle these dillcrence, if the appro- pnation was relused, they could not go with us, as it would have the sem blance of acting under compulsion. rant !. I - If a iney saui tney wouui noi move a uqi with a rod over tfietn. .Witl those gen tlemen pardon me for reminding thenv that this proposition has been made time aftrr time, and had been as often spurned by them; and that it appears , to us mat they rciuse it now tor the reasons tbey refused it . befare. Ii teems to us, 'sir, that the excitement upon the State House question proved clearly the unhappy distraction of the country, and demonstrates the neeessp ty ol Convention; and, being unable to appreciate the feeling b which the ri' lusBi 01 tne appropriation is maae an imaginary rod held over their backs. we are forced to think it is a mere' ex cuse for their illiberality, a mere cloak . W conceal a reluctance to resign jmw' cr ; t which theyv are 'conscious thejr C have nqjright. .From this remark must 5e perniillcd ia.jiiakeone txcep- tion One of, those gentlemen has at--ways been a liberal voter. When r question Was proposed, he stoned not ' to ask, t)id it corae from the East or the West? it was sufficient Tor him tq " know it was right. And although we ' lament, as the most Unfortunate con sequence of the appropriation question; that wc now sec him in the adverse ranks, ready to lend his powerful arm to crush right and uphold wrong! We believe, in the moment of excitement, when he permitted his feelings to be too highly wrought up. in the discus sion of a favorite question, and in the moment 01 disappointment, when he reminded us of his former friendship and found he Was not able to sway us, he permitted himself to be carried away by the feelings of "those among whom his lot is cast." We still respect his virtues and admire his talents. We consider him an ornament to this House, an ornament' to his native Stale, and we. have regretted, and do now regret that, "crswnpted and ' kept down by the illiberality of party feej ing, his talents have not been able to display . themselves upon a theatre" where they would be an ornament to the ration. Are ; these the sentiments alone of the individual .who now ad dresses you? The looks of all around me proclaim that the feeling is univer sal. We mpef, in the woild, with so much illiberality,, so much prejudice. and bad iiolicy; that it is a relief io -find a man whom weVen love & venerate it is sunshine to the soul. We are sorry it has been darkened by a pas sing cloud. v? ' : Mr. Chairman, permit mc to make one or two remarks upon the appropria tion. We were told, the obligation of a solemn oath hound us to vote the ap propriation, llie oath was pressed up oO u as frrquentlyfaiid with as rtVuch art a an experienced advocate press e it upon aft rtoralit jury' thOie d6?j.--' not respect, Widi Uie hope of arqirittiri -a, client whom he knows to be guilty! We were told the plighted faith : of the-', ' State bound us ta vote the opprupria-' tion! .; , We could not,, think " so. 'i We admit Itale'.gh ia to be the' "scat of.go'A yernment 'until, under an Express prd- vision of the ordinance., it is removed by a Convention; buti' we believe,' to have'' toted the - appropriation this session,' r would have been to forestal public opiri- v' ,fonJ and, by hasty" exeitise 'of the ' brief power wilh'which wi are invest- ' ed, to prevent the '"' e'tercisa juf power :' reserved iii iheoriiinarictS itself.1 1, will jmt a casej "ir.; You bwn a plantation ' id a distant county; your buildings art? btirnt down; and ibe overseer, having V good reason to belief e that yon wish to " V1, -'rW , ' ... Js-.. .1! s ----- -' f - r . -i 1 '11
The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 18, 1832, edition 1
1
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