WHIG CON VENTION AND STATE REFORM.
The Greensboro' Patriot, in an article
upon this subject, after referring to several
gentlemen whose names have been brought
forward in connection with the office of Gov
ernor, goes on to say:
"Either of these jreDtlemen. or scores of
others that might be named, are able and
worthy to bear the Whig standard in the im
portant campaign which approaches. If
nothing but the topic of federal politics were
likeh' to enter into the discussion.we should
fi el but little anxiety as to the choice; and,
indeed, still less as to the result.
"But it is not to be disguised, that an im
portant matter of State policy will come in
J-JT a share of consideration in the approach
ing canvass. It cannot be kept out. The
propriety and process of amending our State
Constitution must be necessarily discussed,
and must have a powerful bearing upon the
Governor's election. It is useless to blink
the question, or to try to' slide over it in si
lence. In our humble judgment, it will be
wisdom in the April Convention to come
out and take a bold position, and nominate
-a man who has some definite views on the
s ubject, and the independence to proclp.iru
them over the State. If no reference he made
to this subject in the "platform" of the Con
ven:Icn, the nominee will be' placed in a
iv.cf t awkward predicament either in the
West or the East, or both; he will find that
silence does him damage, yet be afraid to
speak. . And if any position be assumed by
the Convention, it must be done with be
coming decision, cr will command no res
pect. "And just here, we cannot withold our
-disapproval, (to give no harsher name to the
rbeling,) of the proposition to "leave it to
the people to say whether they will have a
Convention or not." We are of those who
have little patience with this temporising
process, when the actual and pressing issue
is between Amending the Constitution at
once by a Convention of the People, and piece
meal amendments by the Legislature. We
had enough of the latter in the last Assem
bly; and have no hope that parly screws and
sectional interests and prejudices will ever
cease to be employed in similar operations.
"We have no disposition to conceal the
well-matured opinion nay, it is our duty
as the representative of what we believe to
be the popular judgment around us, to press
the necessity of nominating a candidate who
shall come out boldly, in every eorner of
the State, as the advocate of a free Conven
tion to reform the Constitution. We would
not ask him to specify the particulars of re
form what propositions in this relation he
might approve or disapprove; only, thatlie
should insist upon the right and propriety
of the People, without reference to section
or to party, taking the remodelling of their
fnndamcntal laws into their own hands, and
taking it out of the hands of party demagogues
and legislative log-rolleis.
"There is nothing sectional nothing ex
clusively East or West, in this. We see
nothing to prevent every Whig in the State,
between Tennessee and the Atlantic, from
cordially meeting upon this platform.
"From the course of some members of the
last Legislature, a suspicion is forced upon
the mind, amounting almost to a conclusion,
that, much as they deprecated and hated
Gov. Reid's "free suffrage," they finally em
braced it in preference to an open Conven
tion, with the hope that the passage of that
particular amendment by legislative process
would stop the clamor for reform; that dem
agogues would henceforth keep their fingers
out of this process, inviting as Gov. Re id
has proved it to be, and that the people
would be satisfied with this specious but
unsubstantial favor. A futile hope, and an
unworthy conclusion, on the part of such
legislators, which, we fear, will be found to
have done much to unsettle popular coufi
dence in one section towards leading men
in another section, unless cordiality can be
restored upon a common platform.
"It is not worth while to expect the Whigs
to carry everything in a State canvass on the
mere streugth of their name. The magic of
party alone is not sufficient for 'Whig suc
cess. However excellent the name and
principles of "Whig," aiid glorious the as
sociations clustering around it, there is too
much of intelligence and of personal inde
pendence among those bearing the title, to
give blind and unquestioning obedience to
the behests of king Party. Their past his
tory presents a thousand exhibitious of this
fact. It is a characteristic of our party which
commands respect, though it does not al
ways secure success. Not so with the De
mocrats. They vote with their party, for
their party man, under any and all circum
stances. No matter how otherwise odious
he may be, or how many objectious may
hang around him, if he be the party candid
ate, he is sure of the votes of the party, from
the most intelligent and independent even
to the mosv ignorant and servile in the ranks.
This characteristic of the party was hardly
ever made more maiAregt than in the case
of Gov. Reid. The leama Democrats of
the East cursed "free suffrage ,vjtn bitter
cursing, and hated the demagoguer .vhich
proposed it with a holy hatred ; yet tHu,
ihrew up their caps, and hurrahed, and voted
for Reid! Could party drill be made more
perfect? Catch the Whigs in the eriact-.-.ment
of a simile Jarce, will you ? No.
Their selfVPect an1 respect for the great
nn"a connected witn their name for.
jjit. Such sacrifices of all that is inde-
eiiueui ana nigu-minacd are not exnrrtorl
At ineir Hands.
f Tl i .
j iicec rcinarKs are not made in any
spirit of dictation to the April Convention.
But the question of State Constitutional Re
form has taken a hold upon the popular
mina ana assumed an importance that will
make it- a paramount element in our State
electi-xws. We wish all concerned to be
come duly sensible of this weighty fact."
The Rev. James Jatneison has assumed
the editorial conduct of the Weekly Message,
a paper started by the late Rev. S. D. Bum
pass, and published in Greensboro', N. C. at
$1 per annum. If any of ourfriends desire
to have a pleasant little mekly visitor at
their hearth-stones, and aid the widow of
one of the best of Methodist preachers, let
them subscribe for this paper. Southern
.Methodist Pulpit.
The Free Democracy of Ohio have re
commended (he Hon. John P. Hale for
Piesident, and Samuel Lewis for Vice
Pfsideiif.
Under date of Jan. 23, we learn from
Lancaster that the bills bund by the Grand
Jury against the Christiana prisoners for
murder and riot, have been ignored, and
the prisoners discharged.
SOME EXAMINATION
Of the Legislative action of tiD last
General-Assembly on the Convention
Question.
Having given last week a pretty full ac
count of the proceedings of both Houses
upon this subject, we design a brief exam
ination of some of the results which may
be considered as developed by this action.
And first we think it witl be conceded that
party ruled the votes given, in almost ev
ery instance, and not respect for the wish
es of the people, or regard for the best in
terests of the State.
1 . On Thursday , Dec. 31 , in the House
of Commons, Mr. Wiley offered an amend
ment to the Free Suffrage bill, by way of
substitute, to take the sense of the people
upon a Convention on the Federal basis.
The following gentlemen, believed to be
democrats voted against it, namely, :
Messrs. Avery ,Cockerham ,D urham ,Fly nt,
Gordon, Harrison, Johnston, Jones, Kal
lum, Marshall, McLean, N. McNeill,
Montgomery, Patterson, Pegram, S. Per
son, Reinhardt, R. M. Saunders, Sheek,
Sherrill, Stowe, Waugh, J. Williams and
Winstead 24 ; just one-fifth of the whole
house.
2. On the 20th of January, Mr. Mc
Lean introduced a bill to take the sense of
the people upon a Convention upon the
Federal basis, which bill passed its third
reading on the 21st, every one of these
democrats voting for it ; and it was sent
to the Senate. "When they gave this last
vote, what was the object? Really and tru
ly to submit the question to the people?
Nf! To leact upon the Senate, where the
Free SuflVage bill had been rejected ; and
where it was then fluttering in the wind,
upon a motion for reconsideration by an
Eastern Senator ; and not because they in
tended the people should have the oppor
tunity of deciding at the polls the question
of Convention .or no Convention. We
fay these were party votes, and nothing
else intended for effect and the fact is
undeniable that the last vote, namely for
Convention, did alarm and intimidate
Eastern Whig Senators, and cause them to
reconsider, and finally vote for, the Free
Suffrage bill the hobby and pet measure
of the Locofoco party.
Why, was worse trading ever heard of
in a free country ? After the Free Suffrage
bill was rejected in the Senate, a Senator,
who was its friend, proclaimed in his place
that if the bill was not passed he should
vote for a Convention ! The threat opera
ted ; the convention bill was run through
the House ; in the Senate, the vote was
reconsidered ; and the free suffrage bill
did pass. And it is this abominable log
rolling that the people are called on to
sanction in the Free Suffrage bill.
3. We learn , by the course of proceed
ings in the last Legislature, that the battle
is to be fought upon the question of a Free
Convention, against the Legislative mode
of amendments ; because, all the oppo
nents of Convention voted against submit
ting the question to the people. Why
should we spend time about the outworks,
when we may attack the citadel itself.
The very votes given by these opponents
of Convention, on this preliminary matter,
prove their fear of the strength of the Con
vention question, and go far to convince us
there is no need of first appealing to the
polls. Let us go before the people, press
ing the necessity of Reform, and that high
principle that the people alone are compe
tent to amend their own iiin'?mientnl law
in Convention assembled. Whoever de
nies this, takes anti-republican ground, and
elevates the legislative delegated power to
supremacy of rule never intended to be
conferred by the people who created the
Legislature.
4. All amendments to the constitution
ought to originate with the people. We
admit, when die people have clearly set
tled upon anyone amendment beyond dis
ptttc, there is a mode provided for engraft
ing it into the constitution by the legislative
enactment. But who derives, from this
article of the constitution, a right in the
Legislature, to steal the power of the peo
pie over the fundamental law, and origi
nate amendments at their pleasure ? Will
the free people of any State submit to such
usurpation ? Who dares to gather public
senu'ment from the party complexion of a
General Assembly, or from any political
contest? How contradictory are the results
of party votes in our State ! In IS50, the
Democratic Governor is elected by some
3,000 majority. In 1831 , the Whigs elect
6 out of the 9 members of Congress. In
1848, the Whig candidate for Governor
barely carries the State ; three -months af
ter the V hig candidate for President car
ries it by near 9,000 majority. Will such
varying turns of the development of public
sentiment do to depend on as authority for
altering the organic law ! Will it ever i us
fy & party, unscrupulous as party politi
cian .usually are, in originating, and en
deavoring to force npon the people, any
amendment to the constitution
These, among other comments occur,
in examining the proceedings of the last
l legislature. Jjut we design short articles,
subject.
The Rev. Samctel B. McPheeters.
The following extract front the St. Louis
Correspondent of the " Pressbyterian," Phil
adelphia, relative to the highly gifted and
esteemed young Diviae, whose name heads
this paragraph, will be read with pleasure by
his many acquaintances and friends in this
City. May success attend all his efforts in
his Holy Mission in the far West!
"On Sabbath evening, the 14th instant,
the Rev. Samuel B. McPheeters was in
stalled pastor of the Westminister Church.
The wight was the coldest of the season ;
nevertheless, the house was well filled, and
the services peculiarly impressive. The at
tachment of this congregation to their min
ister has been steadily increasing since he
came amongst them, and is well deserved.
The earnest piety, the eminently social qual
ities and entire devotion to his work cannot
fail to render Mr. McPheeters a successful
pastor, and one greatly beloved. by his flock.
The increase of this church is steady, and
their prospects never were better than at the
present."
The Widow of Fennimore Cooper died
suddenly at Cooperstown, on the 20th in
stant, of asthma.
FREE SUFFRAGE, &c. i
; We suppose the subject of free suffrage,
together with other reforms, will be again
discussed in the ensuing campaign. Like
the Greensboro' Patriot, we go for an un
restricted convention. If the constitution
needs amendment -if the people call for
reforms let us do things in the right way
and make all the required changes at once.
We do not believe in amending the con
stitution by piece-meal, merely to gratify
the ambition of demagogues, whose defi
cient abilities prevent them from getting
into power unless they can ride into office
upon some such hobby as free suffrage.
Give us an unrestricted convention.
We go for Free Suffrage but with it
we want other reforms. . If we abolish the
property qualification in voteis for Senators
let us be equally generous in abolishing
the same qualification as to members of the
Senate and House of Commons.
What advantage is the late act on free
suffrage to the people ? It gives every
man the right to vote for Senator ! a right
which nine-tenths care very little about
and never thought of until it was started as
a hobby for demagogues to ride into office
upon but it does not give the poor man
(that's the word the free suffragers use)
the right to sit in the legislature. Why
hav'nt we a right to go to the legislature if
the people elect us ? Simply because we
hav'nt got the land. The favored few
the lordly land-holders, are only.?? for Iegi
islators. The mass of the people many
of whom would make more able legisla
tors than those privileged gentlemen are
not qualified for representatives ! And why?
Ah, they don't own any land they can
vote, and that ought to satisfy them.
We think a man without an acre of land
may make quite us able a representative as
one who owns thousands. As it is, be
cause a man is possessed of no land , how
ever well qualified he may be in other re
spects, he is debarred the privilege of rep
resenting us in the legislature -while a
mere nincompoop, who happens to own a
hundred acres of chinkapin land worth
fifty cents an acre, can aspire to the digni
ty of a law-maker, and take his seat as
such provided he can be elected. Is this
right is it what we understand by equal
rightsl There are other reforms necessary,
which will be noticed in due time.
Concord Mercury.
LETTER FROM MR. CLAY.
The Hon. Henry Clay was one of the
earliest and most eloquent advocates of the
colonization of free persons of color on the
African continent and has contributed large
ly to the promotion of that object. His
known friendship for the object of col
onization causes him to be frequently con
sulted as to the best mode of promoting it,
and he is ever ready to give advice or aid.
In a letter addressed to him by Mr. A
braham Morrison, of Johnstown, Pa., that
gentleman proposes that the sum of half a
million of dollars be raised by voluntary sub
subscriptions cf $500 each, "for the estab
lishment of a permanent academy or insti
tution for the thorough education of African
youth, to be sent to Afriea after the com
pletion of their education, to promote the
cause of colonization and Christianity."-
This writer proposes to contribute $500;
and Mr. Clay thinks that the scheme, if it
could be carried into effect, would be pro
ductive of much good; but he doubts wheth
er so large a sum could be raised. There
are schools in the colonies, and Mr. Ciy
! Is iniorraed that measures are in progress :n
New England to establish one or more High
Schools in Liberia, He s ays:
"What is now, I think, most needed ror
Africa, for her race in this country, and for
our race, is a greater amount of pecuniary
means aud other facilities to transport colo
nists to Africa.
I am glad that you have directed your at
tention to this interesting subject, if the re
cent decision of Indiana excluding the
blacks from her borders is to be followed,
as I have no doubt in process of time it will
be, by most if not all of the States, what
will become of the poor creatures ? In the
name of humanity I ask what is to become
of them where are they to go ?"
'Pecuniary ; meaus and other facilities to
transport colonists to Africa," are precisely
what are wanted , If Congress will supply
facilities of transportation by means of the
proposed line of African steamers, we
think that the pecuniary means necessary
would be furnished either by the States, or
by individual subscriptions. We consider
the Ebony line, as it is called, the most im
portant movement which can now be made
on the subject of African colonization.
Mr. Clay it will be seen, refers to the
exclusion of colored people from Indiana,
and has no doubt that the example of that
State will be followed by most, if not all
the other States in which case, he say s :
"In the name of humanity, I ask what is
to become of them where are they to go?"
A bill is now before the Legislature of
Pennsylvania, to exclude future emigra
tion into that State of persons of color ; and
the period will soon arrive when the free
colored population in every State -will be
compelled to enquire, where shall we go?
They see that the net is being gradually
drawn clospr.and closer around them, and
yet they foolishly defer providing for aa
event which they must see to be inevitable.
Prudence and common sense should induce
theni to secure a safe and happy retreat
whilst they have yet the ability to choose
for themselves. To remain in the Uuni
ted States will be impossible, and those
act most wisely who seek an early settle
ment in the African colonies.
Shoujd the bill now before the Pennsyl
vania Legislature pass, it will not only
prevent free people of color, but fugitive
slaves, from seeking a refuge in that State
and the next move may be to require all
persons of color in the State to retire from
its limits, . The people every where are
anxious to get rid of that class of popula
tion; and they must, in time, be ejected
from the several Slates. A line of steam
ers to Africa would open the door for their
exit from this country, and their entrance
upon a happier and better state of existence.
We therefore hope that the humaue project
will be submitted at an early day to Con- ;
gress, and that it will be passed :
Baltimore Clipper.
Gen. Sam Houston has been unani
mously nominated for the Presidency by
the Democratic State Convention of Texas.
RALEIGH AND GASTON ROAD.
We subjoin ' the Report of the Superin
tendant of this Road to the President and
Directors at the late meeting. Mr. Bird
is an active and energetic officer and
where so much interest is felt in his opera
tions, we are sure his Report will be read
by our citizens with much satisfaction :
Gentlemen : On the 23d day of Sep
tember last, you did me the honor to ap
point tne Superintendant of your Railroad,
with instructions to commence forthwith,
the reconstruction of the track, and to cany
on, at the same time, the transportation of
freight and passengers on the old track, as
well as it could be done in its dilapidated
condition. -
On the 1st of October, the road was
transferred to us by the State authorities,
and making an examination into its con
dition, I found it even worse than I expec
ted. Owing to the imperative nature of
the act, which required the officers of the
road to expend on it, no more than the rev
enue, they had teen compelled to run it
so close, that when they handed it over to
us, there were scarcely any materials on
hand, to keep the road in repair, or even
keep the cars running. The few engines
in use, were on their last legs, the cars
were nearly all worn out, and indeed in
their bad condition, and the still worse
state of the track, it was really wonderful
that they were able to run at all.
And here 1 must bear testimony to the
ability and zeal with which the road had
been managed, under the circumstances,
for it only had been kept up by the most
unceasing exertions of all the officers from
the Piesident down. The task of attending
to such a road was disheartening enough;
but, when we add to this the constant com
plaints of the public, which they had not
the means to satisfy, there ave few men
who would not have given it up in despair
On examining the old track 1 found it
so dilapidated, that it would have cost near
ly as much to put it -'in any kind of repair,
as it would to rebuild it on the old plan,
and I was obliged to content myself with,
ordering timber and spikes, sufficient to
keep it up as as it had been done. Mate
rials were purchased to repair the engines
and cars, and some few new cars were or
dered; but the state of the track was such,
that no machinery could stand it long, and
I considered it would be a waste of money
to put on any more repairs than we're abso
lutely necessary to keep the road going as
if had been.
The main thing necessary was to rebuild
the track as fast as possible. The contract
for the iron rails having been entered into
at the meeting of the. stockholders, I pro
ceeded to make contracts for sills along the
whole line, to be delivered in time for the
iron, and not wishing to lose any time in
waiting for that, I purchased from the Sea
board and Roanoke Rjiil Road Company. T
rails, sufficient for six and a half miles; and
also from them and the Petersburg Rail
iload Company, sills sufficient to lay them.
A force of workmen was organized to do the
fwork, and we commenced laying rails a
bout the 1st of November. At the same
time I ordered from Norris and Brothers, a
locomotive enrine, and from Mr. Wells, of
Petersburg, a number of flat ; cars, all of
which were wanted to haul materials on the
new track, as fast as it was laid. The en
gine has been received and is now most
usefully employed in doing the work for
which it was ordered; and when the road is
dCr.G it "'ill to reaoy to take its place in do
ing the regular transportation, for which it
is well adapted.
Up to the 1st of January, we had laid
the rails procured from the Seaboard Com
pany, and then commenced on a cargo oi
iron which we had the good fortune to pro
cure from the Southside Rail Road Compa
ny. By the date of the annual meeting, we
shall have laid nearly eight miles of road.
I expected to have had three or four miles
more than this, but the inclemency of the
season has prevented it.
The six and a half miles we laid up to
the 1st inst., cost $31,924, including iron
and all charges. Of this $2,178 was for
the labor of laying it. This is greater in pro
portion than the rest of the road will cost
for we had to employ white labor nearly al
together, and that at a high price, as it had
to be assembled in a hurry. This was done
as it was not only an object of the greatest
importance to lay the road as fast as it could
be done, but it was so near hiring time, that
we would soon be able to dispense with
such an expensive force. We have suc
ceeded iu hiring negroes enough, at fairpri
ces, to do the labor, and are now engaged
in organizing the force so as to work it to
the most advantage.
A cargo of our iron has just arrived, and
the contractors inform me that several more
cargoes have been shipped, and we may
look for them every day. We have an a-
bundance of sills now delivering, and if
the iron comes as fast as it is expected, we
shall be able to continue laying rails
every day and as .th spring advances we
shall, of course, be able to lay them faster.
With ordinary good weather, and no delay
in receiving the materials contracted for,
we expect to have the road completed by
September next.
Respectfully submitted,
II. D. BIRD, Superintendent.
A Persevering Traveller., A gen
tleman from New Orleans arrived in the
cars at Richmond Sunday evening, en route
North. Learning that the Potomac was
one mass of ice, he next morning took the
train for Port Walthall, in hopes of reaching
the steamer Augusta, which connects with
the bay boats to Baltimore. Finding that
the Augusta, owiag to the "cold obstruc
tion," was inaccessible, he went to Peters
burg, procured a ticket, and proceeded to
Weldon, where he met the Seaboard and
Roanoke train for this place, arriving here
on Wednesday. To his great dismay, how
ever, he found the navigation of the bay
frozen up. Nothing daunted at this event,
yesterday morning he took the back track
to Charleston, determined to go on board
the steamer which sails direct from that port
to New York. If he failed in this attempt,
he was resolved to take passage in the Isa
bel to Havanna, and proceed in that way
to the point of his destination Upon be
ing asked why he was so urgent to attain
the end of his journey, he replied that he
had started to see the famous dansuese,
Lola Montez, and that he would do it at all
hazards and to the last extremity. We
wish him a happy deliverance.
JS'orfolk Argus.
RALEIGH TIMES.
IVflks s mm
11 A L E I G II, N. C.
FRIDAY JAN. 30, 1852.
CITY SUBSCRIBERS.
Any of our city subscribers who are not
served regularly with "The Times," will
please give notice at the . Office. Wre have
a new carrier on the route, who may pos
sibly not know all the residences.
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.
We have seen the names of the following
distinguished gentlemen, among others,sug
gested to the Whig State Convention, either
by public meetings or by the newspapers,
as the candidate of our party for Governor,
namely:' John A Gilmer, of Guilford; John
Kerr, o'f Caswell; Win. II. Washington, of
Craven; Kenneth Rayner, of Hertford ; R.
B. Gilliam, of Granville, David A. Barnes,
of Northampton; and Alfred Dockery, of
Richmond. This is a goodly list ; and a
standard-bearer may be selected from among
them, under whose lead the WThigs of the
State may rally, with quite a prospect of
wrenching the government from the present
"uniiueal hands."
As the Convention will meet here on the
26th of April, it is right for every one to ex
press their choice, and canvass, if they
please, the merits of their favorites, that the
Convention may be better prepared to select
the man who, to competent qualifications
and weight of character, may be deemed able
to . join the all-important facuhy that he can
be elected. Though the Presidential ques
tion will, of course, enter into the campaign,
it would be idle for the Whigs to expect a
canvass upon national issues alone; and oiir
situation as to State policy is such, that
there are interests which it is highly impor
tant to consult in the choice of a nominee,
interests of such weight as,: in our judg
ment, of themselves to settle the question of
his election, without reference to his oppo
nent, who will doubtless be Gov. Reid.
As a good Whig, whatever we have to say
shall be said previous to the meeting of the
Convention; for, when the candidate is fair
ly nominated, we recognise the duty f sup
porting him fully, by all the means in our
power, whether our individual choice (if we
have one,) shall be gratified or not. But
we like to see a prospect of success ahead,
we must have hope, to inspire our exer
tions, our cause must be such as to awake
zeal and enthusiasm and to keep us alive
and active.
Upon what platform are we to stand as
to our State policy? for recollect that it is
Free Suffrage Reid we are to oppose.
Will the Convention "skip" this question ?
and leave their candidate and every other
man to Lis own devices upon it r We ad
mit that nothing is wanting but union and
orgaiiizr.tisn. IIow are they to be brought
about ? . ;
It is mighty useless for any body of men
in North Carolina supreme folly in any por
tion of the public press to attempt to ignore
the Convention movement in the State.
We defy the art of man to keep it out of the
canvass. The Democrats take the field with
"Reid and Free Suffrage by Legislative en
actment," upon their banner and what is
our candidate to say to it ? Is he to stand
"mum" when it is flaunted into his eyes at
every gathering in the State ? Is he to ap
prove it, and go for it too ? Then the peo
ple would be very apt to take the "real si
mon pure" at once, and discard the imita
tion. And yet we. see some papers in the State
trying to make it appear that this is a very
small matter, and no bar whatever to "union
and organization." Unless they mean to
give up the contest, they will think better
of it, and take their "round openly and fairly
upon the subject. But one straight forward
course will carry us safely through, leaving
the Eastern Scylla on one hand and the
Western Charybdis on the other ; neutrali
zingeverything like sectional influences,and
uniting the Whig party upon the broad Re
publican ground of popular rights, thcr false
position upon which broke them down in
the last canvass. Will they take that course?
THE TWO MODES.
The last Whig State Convention did not
come up to public expectation upon the
subject of amendingthe Constitution. They
were rather timid ; they did not exhibit a
proper confidence in the popular judgment
and discretion. Neither did the Democrats
but then Reid's proposition was simple
and direct, going to do away with a disability
of voters, which all of them could under
stand, and many of them had deeply felt. -It
appeared to offer them a present good-
how fallaciously time has since proved !
and the people lost sight of the fact that
the adoption of this change was but as an
entering wedge towards giving up the whole
principle upon which the compromises of
our present constitution had been founded.
The property qualification for voters being
given up, that for members follows ; they
stand or fall together. Time, certainly has
produced a great change, in regard to this
proposition. The people find it is not of
so easy attainment as they were led to be
lieve. And it will go nigh to be thought
shortly that a Convention is the readiest and
cheapest mode of effecting evea this change.
On the other hand, the resolutions of the
Whig Convention involved a complication
of steps dilatory, not to say wearisome in
their working. They declared, in substance, j
that the Legislature should adopt some
mode. In accordance with the provisions of
the constitution, for taking the sense of ihc
people upon free suffrage, and the election
of State officers, Judges and Magistrates by
the people- How was this to be done ? -Was
the Legislature to put each subject into
separate bills, and have a specific vote upon
each ? Or were they all to be put into one
bill, and the people vote for or against the
whole? or how? There was an indctcrmin- J
ation a vagueness about the manner of
putting these things, unsatisfactory as well
as difficult. .We fear that that Convention,
as a body, were not very favorable to any
amendments of the Constitution at any
rate, they lacked the knowledge which has
since been eliminated upon this subject
aud the next that meets will be better pre
pared to understand public sentiment; and,
we hope, will fully act up to it.
It must be borne in mind that the Demo
crats propose the mode of legislative enact
ment for all amendments to the Constitution.
As a party, they are already committed to
free suffrage and the election of Judges by
the people for a term of yenrs. They pass
ed free suffrage in the last Legislature the
election of Judges is reserved for future
thunder. . If these were the only measures
proposed, the question would be narrower,
and there would not be so much ' dispute
abou the mode. But there arc several other
amendments which have been bro't forward;
and the. mode no longer remains an insigni
ficant question. By Legislative enactment,
one at a time, twenty or thirty years will be
required for the adoption or rejection of
them all; acid who wants to see the Consti
tution subjected to such a process ? Far
better have a Convention at once, when the
whole subject may be settled in two years ;
after which the public mind will be at rest ;
our Constitution as perfect as the condition
of the age will allow; and our Legislators,
no longer perplexed with disputes on this
subject, may devote themselves to the. de-
elopement of the resources of the Stat, its
improvement, and advancement in nil that
tends to its high prosperity and greatness.
MR. BUCHANAN.
Several of the Democratic papers in the
State are endeavoring to '..recommend this
gentleman to the people for the Presidency;,
and one of them in placing his name at the
head of his columns, launches out into a
lengthened eulogy upon him, extolling
him as u immeasurably beyond the reach
of defamation or detraction." If this be
so, Mr. Buchanan must have risen to an
elevation never before attained by nioital
man the best and purest of whom have
always been exposed to abuse and calumny.-.
The same Editor admits that his nom
ination would be an abandonment "of the
doctrine of availability,'-' for "the true stan
dard of qualification;" an ''abandonment"
which the Democratic parly, of all others,
may be least expected to make at. any time,
and are now utterly unprepared for.
Wre are inclined to believe that Mr. Bu
chanan is a tolerably sagacious politician.
On one hand, he has kept iii so well Willi
the Free Sailers and Abolitionists who rule
Pennsylvania, that a majority 'of the Dele
gates to the Baltimore Convention -from
that State are said to be in his favcr. On
the -other, lie bid extensively for the Seces
sion interest in the famous letter he wrote
to the Richmond 'Stale-Rights Association,
in winch he tickles up the--fancy of old
Virginia, by declaring that an adherence
to the resolutions of '9S is all that is neces
sary to preserve the Union ! That was
amazing sly -better than the Nicholsjn
letter, which, 'according to the Georgia Tel
egraph, was intended "for exposition one
way at the South and another at the .North"
Buck writes his letters to suit 'the. partic
ular section they are 'sent, to he goes for
pleasing.
lie may possibly do, however; for we
regard him to be about as unscrupulous as
the party to which he Lt longs. But what
will Cass say and what reason can these
Editors give fur now dropping him ? lie
was the very man before, .and suited them
exactly what . crime has" he committed
since,' that he is to lose their love iu this
unceroinonious, ungrateful way? Docs he
love the Union too well ? Cass is a patriot,
after all said and done; nobly and manful
ly has he stood up among the great and
good men of the counliy for (he Constitu
tion and the Laws: and .his national repu
tation is far above that of Buchanan in the
eyes of the country.
Our own opinion is that Cass will die
hard and wo be to the rival for whom he
is massacred.! If the Democrats drop their
Greatest and best statesman for any one of
those small politicians, Buchanan, Dallas,
Douglass, Houston or Stockton, an ele
phant in harness will be very difficult to
drive, and they will find Cass disposed to
create vast "noise and confusion" in the
ranks. '-.-'
EXCLUSION OF NEGROES.
In the House of Representatives, on the
19th., Mr. Clingman moved to suspend the
rules to enable him to offer the following
preamble and resolution:
Whereas some of the States of the Union
have, in their constitutions, provided for the
absolute exclusion of free negroes from their
several territories', while others have sought to
obtain the same object by legislation ; and
whereas complaints have at times been made
of these things by other States and nations:
Therefore,
JResolvcd, That, in the opinion of the
House of Representatives, it is the unques
tionable right of each one of the States of
the Union to excludeeither wholly or par
tially, from her territory negroes, whether
free or slaves ; and that the exercise of this
right affords no just ground of complaint to
any other nation or State. :
The motion was not agreed to, yeas 69;
Nays 85. All the members from this State
voted in the affirmative, except Messrs. Ashe
and Daniel, who appear to have been ab
sent. ; ' : ' : .. : . '
(jr A bill is before the Legislature of
Pennsylvania to prevent the immigration of
negroes into that State. The bill imposes
a fine on any person employing such ne
groes, or encouraging them to come into
the State; and imprisonment of the negroes
themselves.
This bill seems intended to prevent fugi
tive slaves, as well as free negroes from ta-'
kin? refuse iu Pennsylvania.
WHIG NATIONAL CONVENTION.
It has been proposed in several papers to
change the mode of appointing Delegates
to the National Convention ; and, instead
of District Conventions, that those in at
tendance at the ''Wing State Convention,
from each Congressional district, appoint
the Delegate and alternate. This is said
to be a more convenient mode.
We confess we like' the 'old plan best ;
we like the people to be active and efficient
in-their movements. It is not best to trust
too many things to one set of delegates,
sent for a different purpose. We do not
know but the next proposition may be to
give these same Delegates to the State
Convention the power of agreeing upon
Electors, as well -and the same reasons
may be urged in- favor of it. What are
we to gain by the innovation? On the
contrary we shall lose much if, by any
means, we discourage the primary meetings
of the people, by interposing any plan
which renders unnecessary; their assembling
together and taking efficient steps for per
fect organization. Our people are accus
tomed to District Conventions for nomina
ting Delegates to the National Convention
and Presidential Electors the fairest and
most correct mode ; there is no need of
great haste ; and no reason certainly why
'! the people should have only one set of
Delegates, during a six months canvass,
into whose hands everything is to be con
fided. 1
I
Unless better reasons are suggested for
the change, than any we have seen, we
think it ought not to be hastily made.
The old plan has worked ;very well, and
the people generally carried it out right.
They can do the eame now.
5
So far as our Congressional and Electo
ral districts are concerned, we propose both
Conventions be held at Louisburg on Tues
day, the 6tA day of JlpHl, being the week of
the Superior Court. There are Courts in
every county concerned, at which meetings
can be held for the appointment of Delegates,
and one set will answer for both Conven
tions, properly instructed by the meetings
of the people. February county court we
can have meetings in Wake, Warren, Gran
ville and Halifax; Franklin and Northamp
ton, M-irch County Court; Edgecombe, Nash
and Johnston, at March Superior Court
aud all very properly, and in ample time.
Such are our views; tbey seem reasonable;
and, we trust, something like this course
will be adopted.
ELECTION OF MAGISTRATES.
Ought not the people to elect those who
impose taxes upon them, and control the
expenditure of the money drawn from their
pockets ? If there be any oppressive and
heavy taxes laid upon the -people :n this
State, it is done by the Magistrates. The
State taxes, in hardly any county, amount
to a fourth of those levied by the county.
The heavy taxes are those imposed upon
the people by Magistrates, over whose ap
pointments they have no control, and who
owe them 'no obedience or , responsibility.
At present, they cannot be removed or im
peached ; and are absolutely, for life, in
ilepe idant not only of the people, but the
Legislature by whom they are designated,
and the Governor by whom; they are ap
pointed. They-are nut limited in the a
mountof taxation ; and a bench of Mag
istrates may raise what amount they please;
alid, if they spend it as they please, who is
to call them to account? j
Now our members of the Legislature,
who share with the Magistrates the taxing
power of the State, are direcdy responsible
to the people, in accordance with the prin
ciple upoii which the battles of the Revo
lution were fought, that the people must
be represented in the taxing body, such
representation giving them the control there
of. But how a;e the people represented in
the bench of magistrates ? Only because
they are citizens, and bear a share of the
burdens they lay but to the people they
are in no way responsible. j
It is well known that many of the Mag
istrates of the State are wholly unfit for
the important duties entrusted to them.
But there is no mode provided by which
the people can get rid of thera except by
conviction of an infamous crime, or for
corruption and malversation iu office, when
their office is thereby vacated under the con
s;iu lion. j
Let us look for a mo.nen't,: at the trust
and power reposed in their hands. Tbey
have the power of taxing the people at
their pleasure, under die name of county
expenses ; aud we have already akl they
levy and collect four or f ve times as much
as the Legislature does from the people.
They build court-houses, jails, poor houses,
bridges, and lay off and regulate roads ;
they regulate the patrols, and govern the
whole police of their several counties.
They preside in the county courts ; have
exclusive jurisdiction of the probate of
wills ; grant letters of administration ; ap
point guardians, and control the settlement
of their accounts ; and direct and control
the management and settlement of estates;
and, upon the proper discharge of their
duties depends in a great measure, the
peace and safety of society. They exer
cise original jurisdiction m all cases of debt
and actions on account, to a certain amount
as single mngisUutcs, but to any amount