Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-03-15

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as decency would warrant, by bare ma
jority, and that under existing cncun1-
stances Gas well as all others) the ques-
ton should be put to the people, and dis
cussed, upon the broad principles of ex-
pedency They should reflect that The
people of Illinois are not to be frighten-
ed, or misled by clammor and sophistry.
The people know that it is not proper 10
change their constitution merely because
they have right to do it. No man in
the present enlightened age denies their
right. The question is, is it proper now
to do it !? Upon this question the citizens
OF Illinois will ponder long, ere they will
hazard our present form ofgovernmenl
for one that no man has yet seen, and 10
be framed by, no body can tell whom.3
1t is true that the details OF constitution
may be changed, without touching funda-
mental principles ; but it is likewise true
that the same power that can alter de-
tails, can abolish Fundamentals. Is i,
probable that ali the unusual means that
have been employed 10 influence egisla-
tive and public opinion On this subject,
have been resorted to, to change mere
details in the organic structure of our
constitutional ediiice, TO paint and plas-
ter it, and thar no design is entertained OF
new moulding the edifice itself? We do
not yet understand what these details
are; and if we change our constitution
every four or six years, we shall never
l. WI ~ ir ha Nf =
General Assembly last winter, il was
matter OF difficulty with the two houses,
lii what manner the votes for Governor
and Lieutenant Governor were TO be can
vassed; this difficulty did not spring out
OF any ambiguity in the constitution OF;
Ibis subject, bot resulted purely from,
the want Of experience and precedsut on
The question. We must OF necessity act
under constitution Tor many years be-
lore we Can understand il we'll, or see Il
extent OF its provisions, comprehend It's
defects, or learn how to amend it.
Gran. that car contribution is imper-
feet; does it therefore follow that we
| should try to amend it? Are we sure
| thai we should make ii better? We are
| Dut much wise" lhan we were four years
ago. Then we were mixed people
we are so still. Our convention was
composed Of individuals who differed
| much in their habrs, educators and con
stitutionai predictions. Hence the
constitution is the best compromise they
could make of their various opinions and
sentiments on the subject. 1t is not to
be supposed that we could organize ano.
lber convention whose members would
! differ less in sentiment and opinion OF
| that they would be able to give US a
constitution less incongruons 10 some o.
It's features. We remain essentially the
same people--sny convention That We
could form, upon any principles of "a.
tional calculation, could nat better on,
condition.
| If these considerations, with all other
growing ont OF his momeatous oucstioa
which will be noticed at more leisy r,
time, are weighed in the balance ofraa
son by the people OF Illinois, the reso
of the contes, will not BE- feared, BY
A FARMER.
| p. s. The Editors of the Illinois Intel
gencer have declared their intention to be IN.
! partial, and admit free discuss on IN their %.
per; if such is their determination, they vi!
insert the above in the In'eIigenoer, and
thereby convince ottheir sincerity.
4 FARMER.
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