Newspapers / Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N.C.) / Feb. 6, 1851, edition 1 / Page 2
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at : ; AN ADDRE33 tL til Pr,,J ATiA nnrulina, on the 1 I siibitct of ConstUutimml Inform. t - i - . ,. 11 AW" " 7 ?A nWeting compose d principal! of Western MimUV-0f,lbe Legudalurewa held in (he Cipitolion the evening' ol 11 January. iut.v to take Into consideration Ihe various' proposi tions tamend the Constitution, pn ilJoiion ofrMr. Bynum, of Rutherford, GeorgalF. Davidson, Eq., of Iredell, was call edio the chair ; and A. II. Caldwellol Raw. aanci A. G. Foster, ol Davidsonappoiated Secretaries.? ! . - . ! On motion, it was Jlesohed that ihe only rwertlrpuUieaa iiido of amending or alter- og the' Constitution is by tb People themselves in Convention assembled.- ! . On potion of Mr. Erwin, f Bumcomhe, it vrai Rejoiced, that a Committee ot4en be ap They have tbeir Senators in the Sute Legis lature. But ynwr wives andyoiuT daughters; jrour old men -wjo have served their country ; jour young men who are rising up, to be its hope and its stay; and your; poor men upon whom misfortune has laid its heavy hand ; hare no one there to plead their cause and protect their rights.'. ..'Is this Libeiy 1 this Free dom ? rls this Republican requality 1 Your Bill of Rights says ""lt all political power is vested in and derived frim ihe people only" Is power in the Senate of North Caro. Una derived from ihepeople only Let it not be said that taxation and representation go hand xt hand. That principle bis no applica tiou here. It is true that our iancestors fought the battles of ihe Revolution upon the princiX pie that ihey were not to be taxed by a body in which ihev werenot -represented. But who represented ? certainly the peoplethose who come wuen we may ieei mat we are not com. paid the taxes not tb taxes themselves. Our j enemies, but that our interests are the ancestor never claimed that their property j same. The struggle that has heretofore exist- should bo ,'re presented. They claimed, and ea nas not resulted in me public gooa . t . . i i I i ! . - . J sure test of the wealth of that city. Andjriany of our taxes are indirect and j furnish no, index, of the wealth of the counties in which they are paid. - . ' 1 ' ': It is idle, then, to say you must give more po litical weight to the rich than the poor the ownerof thousands than the owner, of hun dreds. ' A thousand owners of any particular species of property wilt afford it much more effectual protection than one owner of the same amount and species, under any form of govern" ment that would be tolerated for a moment in a free country. If the West. has less capital, fewer slaves, and land less valuablo ; they will guard tbeir Httle more carefully than ihe East ; and in guarding their ownthey; will guard and pro ject that of tbeir Eastern brethren. We are one people, and God gra'U that the time may t i ' , i -! V t ti . trAn(r ! tv which rests upon ihem. They select as their Dele bands of steel 1 Or shall she arue, like a strong . j ..l,vJ".4 .iw;,.,. : th--nr1!itiM man in his migWand demand that she shall belfreel' ,'!''!!"'::: '.To vou the appeal is mide. What will you - We disclaim all dfclre to dictate to you, or j even to suggest the-alteration which should be ; made in tbe constitntion. It is not a part ol ! gates not hot-brained politicians trained in the- political atmosphere of party corruption ; but men distinguished for purity, for wisdom, for integrity, for prudencej for moderation men who have passed the age when they, are misled by tha allurement of ambition; and who may' desire to secure for their descendants a free, stable and conservative Government- Their deliberation are conducted with coolness and dignity. Ti Let such a body assemble in North Carolina, and take the Chairman. i ADDRESS. Many ofour citizens are greatly opposed to the election of Judges by the Legislature, as is required by the constitution. It cannot be dis guised that our own Legislature has, in many instances been the scene of intrigues entirely at war with our ideas of the purity of the bench; and in which it was shown that neither charac ter, or qualification?, were made the tests of fitness for office, but sinipjy parly service?. Legislatures are small bodies ; usually elected upon political party grounds ; and that, too fre quently at the sacrifice of the best interests of the people. Under these circumstances many believe Mn mulninri9lnlhn iictntilA (if ' .1 . t . . , 1 ill ... a r uuimcu, iu irt-jino an .vMt..w ...w rv.-r-r. 1 iiisi iv too, tnai iney snouui De repfpsenieu. in i North Carolina; and fhal said Committee sun- : ,be 3,,,.. property is represented and not ihe rpiH to-an aiijourneu meeting to we caueu uy ipeopie , an(j gam0 priciple which prompt ed our ancestors to tnat glorious coniesi, anu - sustained tbem in it, which terminated in the achievment of our Liberties, should prompt us A 'Meeting composed principally of Western tovarlngainst th'w mo.t odious aiiti-republican members of the Legislature, without distinction j remnantjiof feudal aristocracy by which the of artyii was held in the Capitol on the Even- j people are taxed by a body in which they are vit) of the 1st of January instant, to consider not represented. what measures were necessary to be adopted j Apply the principle and see its injustice. to secure to ihe People of North Carolina the 1 Ten men in any one county, own as much pro light to amend their" State Constitution so as ; perty and pay as much public tax as five hun fully to answer the great ends for which it was . dred men in another rounty. They all own originally established ; and to maintain thiat the same species of property. Each of the five t quality of rights which lies at the foundation ! hundred is equally interested ; in the presarva of all free and nonular Governments. lion of his little mite as either of the ten. Each t is & remaikable feature in the history of ! one has perhaps made it by the labor of his ,he people, in acting, would not be influenced ou Stale, that the tree . People ol the state j hands, by the sweat of his brow. It is all he : neter have had a voice in the formation of that ; has, by means of which to maintain and pro- . '1 . . 1 i l .1 iL:.!l I! .L 7 - T. - I 1 . r w. 1 ! instrument oy wnicn atone ineir uei, uicir ur turies, and their personal liberty is protected. Tbje first Constitution was formed at Haliftx, i lBlh December 1770, immediately after we f had thrbwn off the Brilih yoke, when ouran tceitors were not fully alive to the interests of the people--but still retained a reverence for British ; usages ; where prnpefty was always tnore'respected, and had more political weight thin the rights of the people. The Delegates to that Convention, in consequence of that na tufal deference to their ancient customs, were elected jonly" by Freeholder and Householders; and that Convention nUde lh Constitution so our Legislative "duty. We have merely direct- into consideration the whole Constitution. Lt their d . .l j 1 . 1 l 1 wisdom determine whether any alterations should be. our attention to those defects which exist -in Xandifiany. what they are. Let these alteration. It. It is your province, when in coiwention j tfaen .obmitted to the people, and let them declare, assembled, to correct these defects, and in the . at ihe ballot-box, whether they approve of the result of manner which VOU may conceive will best sub- ! their labors whether they prefer the old ConsUtution serve the great; ...ria --.v, .,.a.,.utvU. . r ; dismitv becominffso important we assume, and wbich has governed our course ; moI,i)is everything may be done, and if a change is in our action upon Ihe vailous propositions to ; made, the Government will be moving on harmoniously amend the constitution, which have been be- in ibis new aphcre of action ever)-grievance reraedied fnro lh I eoUlritnrP i ! every cause of complaint taken away and that lore I be legislature, IS ! which has been the bane of North Carolina, crippling I HAT THE ONLY PROPER KePUBLICAX MODF. & h?r effirtg LeUer her Cund, lion retarding all her OF AMENDING OR ALTERING the Cons titu tionv improvements Eastern and Western jealousy, buried IS BY THE I EOPLE I THEMSELVES IN CON V E N- i forever. , 5 - . , From the Natwsal IiitgP-r,j FROM AK OCCASIONAL. COniip 1 . . . Philadelphia. Jan. iif ! Complaints of the scarcity 0f ' coins are jeaching us from all qu?m tfr and, as the Mint is located here this ,; is expected to furnish the neces,. C ply. Our, friends, however, at L ought to know that the relative, t fTO( nrn nniv r mnrh ni , w o nnrrea t h .1 former metal has become n ...7 Vs purposes for which Govern- ! the new. There need be no tunnoil-noexc.tement. : merchandise, and IS no longer denJ. I ituted The position which ' ETerythinS w.'" be conducted with 1 that ca mness and for colnftge Rt lhe Mj f q ' H I tuted. J he pos t.on SUICU , d j becoming bo important a subject. W .thin twelve ;n c;ltr , less than one hundred and three do" payable in gold ; and of course the Ir"' er is rapidly disa-ppearin- froin jh, rency. No man thinks now of !)avin debts in silver. If he has it or! sells ,t at a premium, and pays or gold. The exports of com from thi:, try consist now almost entirely of sv its hich price abroad invtift ;,, .t Vfr"" TION ASSEMBLED. Upon that Platform we will stand ; and, if we fall, it will be advocating THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE. i If you sanction lhe principle that the Legis- lature is to amend the constitution that it is to be the foot ball of every demagogue who de sires to win popular favor if it is to be min gled wilh the corrupting influences of party- if it is to be mixed up with 'he business of leg islation, and to be influenced by the bartering process so freely resorted to now-a days, de terminiiiji the fate of a measure here or a meas ure there its fate is sealed. It is prostrate in the dust to be trampled upon by those who We, beg our Eastern brethren not to suppose we de sire to encroach upon their rights"- Not a W eutern man harbors such a thought. Has the West ever been un just towards the Eatt ? can one instance be pointed out in the history of our State, where the West was not true me esi was noi irue it.,. ... . " J -ipor- to the East ? where he fail.-d to meet her Eastern breth- , , ' ' .... .uv.uinitancp ii n-.-ss and aiFection? with no wonder that silver coins art- beer ren in the Fpirit of brothrly k'mdn that pint which should subsist between members ot me same great family ? rrhen why persist in charging that onr object in seeking to obtain a Convention is an attempt to deprive the East of any one of her jut rights? Wc solemnly avow it to be our belief that evrry cause of complaint that either has axainst the other, can be easily, readily removed by a Convention; that all diilerences will be adjusted fairly and wisely ; and that we will then form one brotherhood, united in feeling, and interest, and speedily assume that proud stand amongst our sister States to which our resources and the character ot our . . , .... . . 1 j . 1 . 1 . r oiaies 10 wnicn our resources a.nu me ciurau that the people would be the safest depositories j understand not its provisions, and care not for 1 . eminentl enUtIe our noh!e old state of this power. The opportunity and facility for corruption and intrigue would not exist, and foc'med, the Organic Law of the State. The people who formed neither of these classes, and who constituted a mnch larger mass of the population ol the State, had no voice in the e JtCtion ol Delegates ; and the Constitution was Dot submitted to them lor their approval o,t re jection. ' j At the time this Constitution was formed, all the Counties in the State except right, lay East of Raleigh, which ha been regarded as the difiding line between the Lastern and Wet ttrn portiooi of the State. By its provisions, ta'ch County, without regard to il wealth or popuUtjon, ; was entitled to send one -Senator and twp members to the House ol Commons ; and the Towns of Wilmington, Newbern atid Halifax, to which was added, in 1783, Fayette, tille, In the East ; and Hillsboro and Salisbu- ry In (the West ; each one member in the House! of Commons. Under this Constitution lited, suffering grievances the memory of "which has not yet lell tit, constantly struggling toiamtndit, until 1833 when the Legislature in the plenitude of its mercy, granted to the people of the Slate the, privilege to say wheth eftbty should amend the Constitution in some few points. . The Delegates to that Convention were required to be swiorn not to transcend the limits prescribed 10 tlipm by the Legislature itself hut the servant of the people. Tho result of the labors was the Constitu. lion under which we ndv lire. Oy it, the num. hkl oi members in the Senate is fixed at fifty!; and in the House of Commons at one hundred and twenty. Each county is entitled to elect one member at least ; and the remainder are elected bj the Countie in proportion to their Federal population : that is, to all whites are added three out of every five slaves : and the sum total constitutes the Federal Population.- lathe Senate,! be Counties elect Senators in pro portion to the taxes paid into the Public Treas uy without regard to the sources whencerthose fixes originated, whelhler from the permanent wealth 'of the country, ojr from those taxes im - plised to restrain the vices of the community. I The clause prohibiting any fine from voting fdr Senator unless he was owner in fee of fif. f acres of Jand, contained in the Constitution of 1770, was still retained. To this clause in our Constitution public jattention has been dii rioted ibr the last two years ; and its ami publican and aristocratij: character severely de Ktbunceu as a remnant, of the Federal timet, when I he people were tnere serfs or servants of the Landholders. j j In consequence of this denunciation of one piiiiiwuiar ictiuio ui uur vousiiiuuoii, puuitc aii tentiod has been directed In its other provisions!. roplr, in 1835, when called upon to de vide for his family. It is the dependence of his children for education for sustenance. And yet, by the present system, the ten are equal to the five .hundred. Is this justice Istbis Lib erty ? Lei war break out let civil commotion arise "whose lives are exposed for the protec tion of this property 1 Who are sent forth to fight the Laities of your country ? The five hundred go forth to fight the battles of your country; to vindicate its honor ; to maintain its glory ; leaving their wives and little ones to struggle on in poverty and indigence ; while the ten stay at home; enjoy 1 heir wealth and boast of the honor and glory of their country, the bravery, the freedom, and equality of its citizens. Save us from such fieedom save us from such equality ! It is no freedom it is no equality. It is downright tyranny tyranny in its most odious form. The lew grinding into the dust the many, under the iron heel of power power under the pretence ot being derived from "the people only." t Under the operation of this principle, there are some startling facts. According to the cen sus of 1840, and the apportionment of Senators made under the provision of the Constitution by the Legislature of 1842, seventeen Western Senators represent a majority of the white in habitants of North Carolina. At the appor tionment which Will be made ia 1852, a still greater discrepancy will be found to exist. The improvements which have heretofore been made, and are still in progress iti North Caro- Una, tend to a great increase of the value of property and of the subjects of taxation in Eastern Carolina. The Wilmington Rail Road, to which the State has contributed so much, has added greatly to the value of property 'of every description near it and the amount of taxes is proportioibably increased.; The Raleigh and Gaston Road; the Cape Fear improve ments, the appropriations to Neuse river, to Tar River, to the, Weldon Railroad, all have the same tendency. And th immense money, therefore expended heretofore in North Caroli na, will have the effect directly, under the pre sent Constitution for the next twenty years, to cause us in the West, where we have the ma jotity of the free white people of the State, to have )n the Senate only Thirteen Members ; while the minority of the white people will have Thirty-seven Members! We do not desire to be understood as oppos- ing in 1 tie least a proper system ot Internal Im provements ; nor as making any complaints against what lias heretofore been done by our Legislature. Nor are we to be regarded as taking ground against the prpper protection of properly. We should be pained to see the day come in Noun Carolina when a system of A rarianUm would be pre-eminent ; when our people would beless observant of law ; less regardedjif Hght. The true theory of free Government! is the proper protection of its citi zens in the enjoyment of life, liberty and pro perty. The right of propeity is a right attach ed to the person of a citizen, and he is to be by the fear of denunciation or punishment of party men. The system has been tried in ma ny States of the Union and found to operate so well that it is much to be doubted whether it will not, in time, be adopted in all. Others, too, think that they ought to hold of fice for a limited period.! There is no other officer known to our laws, but who is limited to a short period, after which it is laid down at the foot of those from whom ihe received it ; and in determining whether they will again place him in power, they pass upon the manner in which his duties have been discharged. Many of these offices are of the highest character and importance, and equally requiring in the incumbent purity and integrity of character. No evils have resulted from giving the election of these officers to the people; and certainly no corruption of the people, nor of the officer, has been the consequence. And certainly is it not a question of much difficulty whether we should be cursed with a bad Judge during his its protection. It becomes the toy, the sport the prey of those wholly incapable of the task assumed to themselves. This has been fully proved by the progress of "Free Suffrage" through the present General Assembly. Early in the session, a Bill was introduced into the House of Commons to amend the con stitution so as to allow non freeholders to vote for members of the Senate. It was discussed at great length iu that body, and a vole was taken, and it was rejected three fifibs of the members of the House not voting for it. Its friends set to work to receive it. It was reconsidered, according to a rule of the House ; and by the use of those means so readily pre sented in a Legislative body, having power to bestow office and rewards. When the House was again called upon to vote, everything was arranged, and it passed and was sent to the Senalp. And when Irint hnrlv nm In itain. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .-- J - - uu WISH- T l. LF. 1 1 1 II1UI UI1IL IU' 1 1 H 111 Ail I 111" 111' . . . . ine into this deliberate, well considered act of ' will cost the State mure than a 0rryifjon which would s'T1'' notes with gold dollars, the im If this one object can be attained, we shall have done more for North Carolina than a quarter of a century of legislation under our present system can accomplish. The mode of altering the Constitution by Convention is much the most economical. The timr already con sumed hy the legislature in the agitation and discussion of this one proposed amendment, has cost the State more than the whole expenses of tin Convention of letfo. Another legislature wu have to discuss it ; and, even if we then fail, thr irh'Jr cost will h ive been incurred. Another amendment may be proposed, and the same ex pense incurred. 80 that the mere discussion of each proposed amendment by legislative enactment, would cost more than a Contention which would settle the whole at once and forever. Entertaining these views, we have opposed, in the prerent Lefrislature, the attempt to take the iniatiatory step to i ncorporate Free Surl'rajje in our Constitution by legislative action. We believe the mode is anti-Republican, and contrary to the free spirit of our Free Institutions. Webclieve vou cannot obtain Free SulFnije in the man- scarce; and unless Congress, durin- V present session, shall adopt tm-asures f0 duce their value?, by diminishing weighf, or increasing the proportion of J loy.or both, the evil will be so increased before December next that our peonwV.ii over the Union will be driven to the ne cessity of purchasing silver coins at, high premium for their ordinurv business transactions. The evil will be increased, too, by the necessity which will compel the banks t0 withdraw from circulation as rapidlv jh possible the notes which they have issued of a less denomination than" live dollars For want of a supply of gold dollars, tbj-y are now obliged to redeem their notrs ia silver: and the premium which it now commands in the market holds out too great an inducement for the holders of their small notes to refrain from setulicr them in rapidly to tbeir counters for change. These notes, once redeemed will not be re issued under exiMin cir' cumstances by the banks; and, as i? will ne impossible lor the. Mint and its branch- the House of Commons, t6 change the funda mental law of the State, it turned out that it was Free Suffrage indecd4 for it gave to all freemen over 21 years of age the fight to vote tind whether they had paid tax or not ! It al lowed in the opinion of many, insolvent free ne groes to vote for members of the Senate ! The scene was enacted over again in that body. The bill was rejected. Again its friends taxed their wits to revive it ; and the intrigue was cunningly contrived by which it was finally forced through that body. Its life, if, in despite of all precautions, one should tTor Senators, whether they were black or white, unfortunately be elected. In no other instance is such a curse inflicted. Can any other be greater ? The present mode of appointing Justices of the Peace is universally admitted to be worse than a farce. A certain evening is set apart for the purpose ; and the members from the dif ferent counties hand in the names of those they desire appointed ; and they are read at the Clerk's table. Nobody hears the names or cares to hear them. It is understood to be the season for sport, and js one of those customs of our Legislature long known and recognised andinever departed from. . 1 hey are frequently selected by the member ol the Legislature for the influence which each can exert at home in some particular neighborhood. And it is well known that many of those appointed are whol ly unfit for the proper performance of the duties entrusted to them. And some of those duties are of the highest importance to their several counties. They enjoy and exercise the power to tax the people ; they impose taxes much more heavy than those imposed by the Legisla ture. They regulate roads ; build bridges, court houses, and jails; regulate the patrol; and govern the whole police of their several counties; besides exercising original jurisdic tion in all cases of debt under $100, and ac tions eti accounts under 10 ; besides presid ing in county courti, where business of the highest importance to the interests of all is transacted. Their have exclusive jurisdiction of the probate ot wills; of granting letters of administration ; they appoint guardians, and control the settlement of their accounts, and of the settlement of all estates. There are many other important duties they perform they are in fact, the great consurvators of the peace of society, and upon the proper and efficient per- tormance ot their duties, depends in a great measure, the social order, morality, peace ajid prosperity of every community. Surely, men upon whose qualifications for office, and proper conduct, so much depends, should be selected Fhere is no amendment to ner propos-d ; and, if we are mistaken in that, we are ; eS for a long time to Come to fill the Vacu sure you cannot obtain it without years of agitation and lm orrasi(in.fl hi- th tvii twt. I r .l turmoil. e believe that one amendment in this mode ,, . . J .... 1 lQf-t ! small notes with gold dollars, the irtm,. redress every grievance. We believe that a Convention (Jiate actlOTTOf Congress is Tendered the can be called that when called, it will be filled with more imperative in this matter It is v, the wisdom and prudence and moderation of our .State ; r V V 1 and that they can and will adjust all those matters ubout T easV 'Of a iNeW 1 ork paper to COmpUia which the public mind is beginning to be agitated, to the of the operations of the Mint here, and tO entire satisfaction of all parties of the State ; soastose- ! teH us how rapidly their Mint shall she'! cure every one in the enjoyment of all his rights of per- ; .u 11111- t i ' son and of property. This lis the object of all free Gov- , OUt 1 h dollars, (when they get it.) eniments. e desire notuing more, and are sure the people do not. Studious efiorts have been made hy a portion of the public Press to misrepresent our views, and to attribute to us motives which we never entertained- This is a 1 stratagem frequently resorted to, toward off the force of friends in the House of Commons atlecttd to regard iti, truth but this is much more easily laid thua done. The dollar coin is one of the mot troublesome coins that is made at tie Mint, required great niciety in its a!j ment, more handling, and We are charged with having party designs : and lim. o I .i . ... 6 as at an end, and to become indignant ; and-a bill was this is charged as a party movement. The charge is 1 . .. ' . rjy. .. . l fa- introduced, and pressed thriugh with hot haste, provi-l not true It is above party. Our object is to kef p our lJ uulia piece. i ue mini Here IS Uoirjj din that the people should hold an election and declart Constitution out of the baneful influences of party poli- all It can to increase this coinage l lit it through the ballot box whether they desired a Conven- tics; to elevate it above all other questions ; and to in- js utterly Unable to SUnnlv the 1 I tioijil This was done to intimidate Eastern Senators! duce action upon it by the wise men of the land. We , , . . ' t , uenianJsy who were opposed to letting the people say whether they are the advocates of the right of the people to form their , JonS as SUCh quantities ol gold are amy-, desired a Convention or not. It had its effect. Some 4 own organic law. j ing Semi monthly from California, the opiiwn were ingmcneu me pns)eci mat ine peo- i v e nave an abiding commence m tne Honesty ana in- ! owners of whirh fnpr h Mr il,fKI, : " . v .i. . . - . Us coinage pla might meet in Convention and obtain their rights, tegrity of the neopl? of North Carolina. We have stood with great care. protected in its enjoyment. Taxes are uniform ; tne constitution more imperiously demanded by and he who 'possesses a little is as deeply in terested in its enjoyment as one possessing a greater share ; nnd equally, nay, more op- poseu 10 me imposition oi nign taxes. l'roperty has no rihts independent of oer. 11 ,s maae a question, loo, oy many, wnelber ( their fundamental law? All constitutinns.it is true, are CluT People, in 1935, wfien called upon to da- ' sons. You can give it no rights, nor privileges, j 'he election of Secretary of State, Comptroller I designed to protect the rights of minorities; it is the CdO upon tha amendments submitted to them, nor immunities which allect it alone. it; is i awu 1 reasurer, ougnt not to oe given 10 me - a c....- oM fcd .o decide l,e.U, ,h. old and e ; j aUe, d canno, feel, .r t nj"y righu. b& in ; P.eopk ; . and all o.her officer, now elec.ed by TS. tJl.TnS? ' "ihd thev naturallv nrelerred the latter, as it ' consenuence ol its Dossession. vou mav avc it i tne Lesisiature, ot a general character, when i gtve, n(ono branch, mbre political weight to owner political power and pijvileges. If, then, other duties connect them with the whole State. ) Suffrage has, it is true, passed the present Legislature ; It has been proposed, too, to provide tor the ' out none nut freeholders yet vote tor Senators, this election of a Lieutenant Governor to preside in I rieht wh,ich vou a" told U an inalienable personal right, u c , i I i I. rr i 1 and which you are degraded by not being permitted to ? e f " Hr fha ?lMUme 'J ?ffiC.e l exercise' i8 not 'ct bSiried an we venture to predict Uilief Magistrate ot the Sta'e upon the death.of , yoa never will obtain by Legislative action. It is de- the incumbent. We all remember the long ceptive, and intended to be deceptive. Many persons Strurle io elect a Presiding Officer in the Se- vote(l tr iti avowed their determination li go home nateTsix years ago, and again two years ago, j "nd electioneer against it. They voted for it to kill a , , i . t Convention, and congratulated themselves that they had when that body was equally divided. A Lieu- jailed both. tenant Governor would have removed that dif--i But if you do get it, it will only be after four more ficulty. i years of agitation. And every other amendment is to the public good than this. If they tax the peo ple, ought not the people to elect them ? This is a question for them to decide when in con. vention assembled. It is made a question, too, by many, whether the election of Secretary of State, Comptroller and I reasurer, ought not to be given to the They changed their votes, and Free Suffrage passed. Upon the floor of the Senate, some Senators avowed that they were opposed to it that they thought it an infraction of the compromises of the Constitution but that they would vote for it solely to keep down a Con vention. Other Senators avowed their determination to vote for a Convention unless Free Suffrage passed. Free Suffrage did pass, and all its friends united to vote against a bill which only asked the poor boon for the nAnnlp. that thpv micrht tell th T mi:lntiir tlirrmnrl, t),a t ? I 1 J o ' v , , J ballot box, that they desired a Convention to be called ' to take into consideration all the grievances under which they labor, and redress them in the manner which they alone have the right to determine. The issue, then, has been fairly presented : Free Suf frage, or a Free Convention, unrestricted by anything but the Will of the People. We have chosen to sumiort a Free Convention. We opposed Free Suffrage, not because we thought the j people ought not to have it, but because we did not like ! the manner of getting it. We can never sanction the ! propriety of amendments to the Constitution by Legis- j laove enactments. 11 is true, ine constitution points i out that as one of the modes of amending the constitu tion, but jt is wrong, and never can accomplish the ob- I ject intended by it. Let us see how it is to be carried j into offect. A bill is to be. introduced into one Legisla lature, proposing an alteration of the Constitution. If it receives the support of three-fifths of both Houses of the ' Legislature, it is to be published, in such manner as lhe Legislature may prescribe, for the information of the 1 peeple ; and is then to be submitted to the next Legis- j lature. They have to pass it again through both bodies j bya vote of two-thirds of bolh Houses: and it is then ' submitted to the people who may ratify or reject it, by I voting directly upon it at the ballot-box. j Now, is it not perfectly obvious that, by this mode, the will of a majority nay, of two-thirds of thft people, may be defeated We have already shown that, after 1652, j thirteen Senators will represent a majority of the people j of North Carolina.' The minority is represented by j thirty-seven Senators, any seventeen of whom may de- ! feat the will of the whole State. Is there any principle j more thoroughly settled than that a majority of the peo- pie have a right to form or reform their Constitution up as the advocates of their rights. Their jjood alone has governed us in our actions. We appeal then TO THE PEOPLE OF THE WHOLE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, to free themselves from the shackles of party ; to look at this as a question whirh may affect them and their prosperity, for all time to come ; and to decide it as becomes North Carolinians as becomes Freemen. f ' . John Cray IJi nim, J Calvin J. Webb, . Ruth 0 J esse It. Sloan, r; N. W. Woodkin, l' Marccs Erwin, j W. B. Lank, . J- M. A. Drake, ; J. Thorxbi rgii, J J. A. LlLLINGTON, A. H. C ALU WELL, O. G. Foarp, Stephen Doithit, C F. Davidson C.. G. M'Kov, 1 E. M. Campbell, Jos. M. Houle, Francis Locke, A. M. Foster, O John A. Gilmer, I). F. Caldwell, Calvin H. Wiley, Peter Adams Rrns Barrincjf.r, lerford, Buncombe, Randolph, Rowan and Davie, Y Iredell, Stanly, Wilkes, Guilford, J. W. S COTT, Cabarrus, John Siiimpoch, oAlfreitG. Foster, f r Jas. .L Leach, - A. B. McMillan, -' AVID . SlLER, John Hayes, c J. H. Hai'uhton, oAnoi-s R. Kelly, Z. RrssKLL, y, -Sami el Flemming, H. T. Farmer. - c T. IL Caldwell, ) 1 T. (i. Walton, Davidson, Ashe, M ac n , Caldwell, Chatham, Moore and Montgomery. Yancy, Henderson, Burke, the tniss of the people of the State. It was I you protect citizens in the enjoyment of nro- tst first instance when ihy were regarded at j "perty, is not the possessor ,uf hundreds equally all by lhfir own State Constitution. Iteing na, 1 entitled to protection as the owner of thous- tdrltv lovers of peace and order, and always , and? Is his eniovment the less? Do vou cibedient to the laws of ihe land they raised no .j measure enjoyment by the quantity enjoyed Vr dtmori against them, timid, they wrre called Suppose you take from the rich man his thous dpon to look into their harter of Liberty, and ; ands it is only his all. If you take from the tea that it contained oni feature wholly repug. i poor man his hundreds It is his ali too. Datt to Republican equaliiy. In this opinion j VVhieh will cling to his all with the moreperti 'ir9 at! concur. It is right and proper that the nacity ? Which will surround it' with more $tople who are governed, should elect those (guards; use h sparingly ; and more carefully Who govern them ; and directly nt war with provide that it shall not be consumed by pro that I acred principle contained in ihe Declara lion of Independence, " that all men are free &nd equal," to xctude from this valued pririt " Isge any freeman because of his not being a Undhplder. Equally opposed to this principle is the rule pj which political powr is measured by the iasii of representstionj in the Senate, To laca It in its most favorkhle light, the Senate represents property, and! not persons money, foot men matter, not mind. But its odious- bets does not stop here.! You are all familiar With lhe subjects of taxation, and these taxes ftra represented- riot jou, the people. All hit9 male i between tie ages of 21 and 45 .- . fcr subject to a poll lax ; and all slaves, male and female, between th ages of 12 and 50 are jrrabject Io lhe like tax : So that three. filths of thf negroes are represented in the House ol Commons, and all the I negroes, between the The Rules of ithe Senate require that the Presiding Officer of that body shall not vote fuse and lavish expenditures of Government 7 ; upon questions pending before it,eicept incase It is notorious that the poor complain most of; ot a tie, and when his vote may make a tie. high taxes, and it ii natural ; it is harder for j And he is not permitted to speak, except when them to pay them. It diminishes the aggregate i the House is in Committee of the Wholes of each more, although the amount taken away j One Senatorial District is therefore necessari- is less, and every poor maq hopes and expects ly almost wholly disfranchised. The impro LIBERTY IN FRANCE. A political condemnation has just taken place in Paris, which shows that the ju diciary of France is completely subservi ent to the despotic government whiclr now rules there, under the name of "Lib erty, Equality, Fraternity." The follow ing account of the matter is given by the Paris correspondent of the National Intel ligencer : A chemist of Paris and his son ( a stu dent of medicine) were charged before the Court of Assizps with fin nfFVno s. pass away, before even one amendment may be made to Trainst the nerson of thp Prpsiilpnt l il.P the Constitution, though demanded by tmAhird of the f, P t rS,tJent ol Uie votenof your State, and of the most vital importance Republic Consisting in the distribution of to their be'st interests. copies of a plaster cast bearing the in- Suppose there are not two-thirds of both Houses of scription. " The Boulougne Oyster, 1810." the next General Assembly in favor of Free Suffrage 1 . b , J in what situation will vou be? The whole battle fs to i 1 ne carricaturc represented a rock, upon be fought over again. You begin where you first start- the Summit ot which Was displayed a ed- You will not be as near the attainment of your large gaping OVSter. Within the hell wishes as you are now. Is this an illustration of that i .u 3 . . C .f' be made with the same difficulty. A generation may York, are constantly ur with the least possible delay I am well aware that il Congress shall determine to reduce the value of our Iu ture silver coins, much tiine will he re quired to recoin an amount sufficient for the wants of the Union; but this consti tutes no argument for delnj, themea sure be proper in itself, and necessary fur the transaction of the business of the coun try. Whenever a law shall pass reduces the value of our future silver coins such per cent, compared with gold as may b deemed ad visable, the exportation ol ow present coins will measurably ce ae. in consequence of the increased value they will have at home, because in that cn the half dollar and other smaller co:r;s will soon begin to pass for a per cen:age beyond their nominal value, and he worth (measured by gold) what they will actu ally bring. This was the case in regard to the cold eagle coined befo're the passage of the act j ol 2Stb Jane, 1831, and which afterward j passed for "810.00, because it was wor.b ; that price in the new coinage at the M f' In the hope that this subject will immc i diatcly attract the attention of Congress, 1 1 am yours, &c. THE LATE ANNA IJAILKY, of Groto.v, (Cons.) ' The wide notoriety of Mrs. Ilailey is founded on a single incident which hap pened in the summer of 181.3 nn inci i dent, coarse and ludicrous in itself, tut which has been widely circulated, and jet so much more frequently alluded to than actually told, that a simple detail ot tLe facts seems requisite. The squadron c Commodore Decatur had been chafed in to N ew London harbor by a'superior LJrit ish fleet ; and an attack upon the toi, was momentarily expected. It was ot great importance that the fort on Groton Heights should immediately prepared a vigorous defence. Major Simeon .Sm: with a band of volunteers from New lr' don, hastened to the reinforcement of te garrison, and preparations were mhde c i - nen io improve uu condition, anq one day to become pnety ot this state ot things will readily occur 1 " ""J"""" n uiusirauon oi tnai anDPare(i ,v.p Parriratnr,l nr t rich Hence i, is in Western Norlh Carolina' 10 all. 1 ' W3,e .?"ta', ,ou BiII'f Iu V Jl!!' ,,ke"eLss of - . . rt .i . , i 'b11 "' pvjni.ii-.ai power is aenvea irom ine , "" 'wn-nu uuiin mrie. l nere w as e are more interested in the preservation of ! Many other complaints exist against the pre- j people only r Tl.e Legrisiature is only the creature of also a head with an enormous nose the it.B iminj , urcusr, tt.umugu wo may sent constitution. Many Other improvements ' inr VY" i anQ w oi amenamg: the constitution knebv mnei.AU ,i ... r . - ; u -.v. r aw.a . , i i . . , f wiuu.itatiiir. n. 1 1 1 1 i nh i h infill v rnr w ti mt " -wmw WWWimVs eror. For the concention f this witless and harm- lotu rktno C C .1 t . , the most grinding tyranny and oppression, the other " 1U,, ine ,ainer anu so" four-fifths, and to taunt them with the insulting cry f ' sentenced to two years imprisonment, and Uorr Rebellion. Ihey say we have the power to go- 000 tine. J he defendant S COUnsel. bee- same is true of land. We have more land owners ; and owners of every other species ot properly ; and fewer of that class of persons who have nothing to enjoy and nothing to pro tect or defend, but their rights ot person. To connect together the people of the Slate in one common bond of interest, it is only ne. BCtt Above designated, jare represented in the 1 cetsary that they should possess; the same kind The people improve ; their means of knowledge increase ; their circumstances change ; their relations towards one another, and towards cit izens of their sister Stales alter. Our sister States everywhere around us are taking advan tage of all this age of improvement to improve their forms of government, adopted when the rights of the people were comparatively little vera you; we wilj exercise that power : and you have! trA nni(nnnnm-( t .u . i . . i no means of redress except by rebellion. Every princi- j Sf d.R POSJ P0," m e n t of the trial, to attend pie of Free Government is outraged by such a course ; i tne bed ol a d',ng lather. It was refused ; every principle of our nature revolts at it. i the trial was ordered. And the sentence Lnfifwrtii?n-Whichw" ! wout the intervention of a jury. vocate avoids all these objections. There is no poosibili- i J ty of mixing it up with the political intrigues of the day. give the enemy a warm reception. it was discovered that they werehort cartridges. Wadding was wanted, and a messenger was sent in haste through ii village to procure flannel. The inhabi tants had mostly packed their goods ar.c were carrying them off to places less tv posed. Mrs. Baily was sending a way her effects, and had only a few necessary r' tides left in the house. She was crossing : the street to a neighbor's door when tt messenger, having traversed the village ! asking in vain at every house for flannfi to make cartridges, accosted her and known his errand and his ill success.- : Without a moment's delay, as quick j thought, she -dipped her hand into tfj j pocket hole, loosened her skirt, shook it0"' j and, lifting it up, presented it to the mes senger with a right hearty iaug" jSniite; but your wires; and children hv no of property, and that taxes should be direct and known. Is our constitution alone to receive no j Demagogues have no opportunity of seizing upon some j The citizens of New Orleans have held ' pressing a wish, the importf which political right. Pedlar: Billiard Tables, Bwi. uniform. Indirect taxes are seldom represent improvement from the spirit that is abroad ? j one principle, and riding upon U as a hobby into power, a public meeting, in order to raise funds 1 that it mieht doits work promptly apJ 5' fectually. , rrl i .1 1. orrtl'.SfUt j ue ov-sianuers were mucn . lioff AlJeys, Circus Riders, Playing Cards, Re- i laiires of lhe wealth of the community where -' ' . . . -si;l.i it's r ' . r si taUrs of Snimuoua Liouorv. Brokers, Meit- thtbtf) Watches, and Carriages are all taxed. ihey are collected. The amouril of public rev. enue collected inthe city of New York is no Is North Carolina alone to stand still ? Is she alone tocoutiuue bound in those shackles which have kept her limbs so long fettered in the ularmind. When a Convention is authorised, by lawj I lhP' erec',on of a monument to the the people are sensible of'the importance of the task j mernory of General Jackson. There is they have to perform, and fully alive to the ret-ponsibili- J every prospect of the effort Succeeding. and uttered a shout of admiration- Tfce 5 n i I I I r 1 c t 1 tl 1 I 1 t t 1 Jf t i
Carolina Watchman (Salisbury, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 6, 1851, edition 1
2
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