fore of restricting the people's rights, we use
language which is not applicable to a Convention
called by the people to form a Constitution for
them, whereby they may impose restrictions upon
themselves in some respects, in order that they
may enjoy a greater amount of liberty and happiness
in other respects.
Let this proposition become a part of the Constitution,
and he ventured to say that there
would not be an article in the Constitution less
obnoxious—nay, more acceptable—to the people.
Something had been said of the motives of
members who advocated this proposition—that
popularity was their object. It was capital for
"Bumcombe." Now this was a strange motive
which destroys itself! We seek popularity by de-
priving the people of power! We seek popularity
by denying to the people the power of gratifying
the only object of such popularity! Let those
who ascribe such motives to others, reconsider
that charge and prepare themselves for their de-
fence from such a charge, if thrown back upon
themselves. He did not believe that he had ever
indicated any especial desire for public life,
This and a former trust confered upon him by
the people, are all he ever held. They were
more, than he desired or deserved. He did not
desire public life, out if he did he would not ex-
pect any action of his in this Convention could
promote that object. He who entered this Convention
in order to gain popularity, had, to use
the common phrase, "gotten into the wrong box."
No man who performed his duty here to the
State should not expert to gain popularity thereby.
He would have a record ever printed
against him of much that many would condemn
and many will pervert. He did not care what
course a member took, all would not he satisfied
Those whose views he promoted, if so fortunate
as to have any such constituents, consider him as
merely escaping censure whereas political oppo-
nents and those who have been disappointed by
his course, would be trumpte-tongued against
him wherever he should again appear before the
people. He who came here to obtain popularity
had mistaken the place where it was to be pro-
cured.
He who was guided solely by his duty, as by
the sun's light shining before him, would always
have that popularity, which is the reward of
honest endeavors, close at his heels as his shadow
cast by that sun. But he who leaves his duty
behind him, as the light of that same sun, in pur-
suit of popularity would have this shadow to
chase until his days were ended.
For himself he desired no other popularity than
that of having consciensiously discharged his humble
duty here.
Mr. JENIFER said that the committee of which
he was Chairman to which the gentleman had alluded,
always paid due respect to every matter re-
ferred to it. There was no member of that committee
who did not look upon the proposition of
the gentleman precisely as he did—there was no
member who did not think it was intended for
Buncombe.
Mr. J. said, articles had been introduced into |
the new Constitution, and very properly passed,
making it penal for certain crimes and misdemeanors,
the punishment for which was disfranchisement,
not only from office but from the
privilege of voting. And now it is proposed to
place a man who came here as a member in the
Convention, precisely in the same position as if
he had committed a crime. He would ask gentlemen,
the advocates of this proposition, in their
consciences bore them witness that they had not
done their duty, and of they would be afraid to
go home and place themselves before their constituents?
If it should appear that any member
had voted for his own aggrandisement, or to sub-
serve improper purposes, the people, who are
always on the alert to detect the misdeeds of
their representatives would sufficiently punish
him by not trusting him hereafter.
As for himself, he would have no office under
the Constitution unless by the free will of the
people, and so far as he was concerned, Mr. J.
said he felt, in the discharge of the duties de-
volved on him, that his conscience was unchecked.
He was willing to abide their decision, but he
would not disfranchise other gentlemen, because
he might not have done all that may have been
desired.
Mr SOLLERS confessed that he offered his
amendment for the purpose of killing the original
amendment. If his amendment should be
adopted, he intended to vote against the whole
thing. His friend from Anne Arundel, [Mr.
Randall ] had said that this was no place to seek
popularity. He, [Mr. S.,] agreed with him.
Rut his friend must reflect, that when be said
he did not seek office, the necessary inference
was that there were others seeking offices.
Mr. RANDALL explained that it was not him
who made the charge. He had said that no man
could get popularity by coming here.
Mr. Sollers said that he could lay his hand up-
on heart and say, that in all his votes he had two
objects in view—one to represent faithfully his
constituents—the other to stop by every possible
means in his power, this wild avalanche of
progressive democracy. He would appeal to
members if he had given any votes to please the
whole State, he had simply desired to please his
own people When his friend spoke of persons
seeking popularity, he should reflect that the impression
would go abroad that he, himself, was
doing this very thing; for of all the propositions
which had been introduced here, he would de-
clare that he conceived the gentleman's proposition
looked more like seeking popularity than
any other. If the gentleman chose in say that
he would not accept any office created by the
Convention, be it so. It might be, in his estimation,
the very highest notion of patriotism. As
for himself. He did not choose to say so. He was
always ready and willing, and had been ever, to
serve his pole. He said it fearlessly—he could
not inflict upon them a greater injury than to say
that they should not have the right to elect their
officer. They had four representatives here,
(three of them eminent ) who had served their
country in various capacities—should he disfran- |
