Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1823-03-01

lie good, all that is desirable for the adj
vancement of justice, and all that the
most devoted friend TO his country, and
the equal rights Of the people could re-
qpre.
II is an invldious task, at all times, 10
at'enpl political reformation, and more
peculiarly 50, when it may conflict with
settled habits, and long established pre-
JUDGES and it is not less SO, to aim al
the correction, Of what may with per-
fect Justice, be believed to be the errors
oil many of the most honest, intelligent
and liberal men Of our state.
We hold il to be a seli-eviden, propo-
siton that good governments, admit OF
changes in their soperstructure, whilst
the foundations remain unchangeab BILE.
The wisdom of man is certainly moi per-
feet, nor is he able to foresee the effeo,s
which may be produced from an infinite
variety of accidents, which according 10
great emergencies, necessarily require
new provisions, in the constitutions, or
forms of government, to prevent or cure
the mischlets, arising from them; or 10
advance objects of primary Importance,
which nave been recently developed,
As it is not within the compass of hu-
man cxertions, to constitute govern
ment, that shall last forever, it becomes
doubly important TO suit it to great and
pressing cxigencics, and to provide for
and anticipate such corrections, as will
have tendency 10 produce the great
est sum Of aggregate happiness. He
thai would resolve 10 persist oss,ins,ely
in the course upon which he frat entered,
or to cast censure on those, who would
60 cut of the way, in which their prede-
csssors have trodden, would as far as his
eXertions would contribute, render the
worst OF errors perpetual. Changes are
the unavoidable result Of the orgsnizs-
ton oil governm ent, aud the presienc>
ofman can go no farther, than to institute
such, as relation to the physical pow
ers of the people, their manners, habits.
or interests, safety and happiness, are
suitable and adequate, to what is iudeeA
10 be expedient and necessary He WI
would at all times, oelige all people to
q
system OF policy, at once destru Give 81
the very object, II nigh, be his desire
to accomplish, when a ditierent resul,
might readily be effected, by proper
discrimination, OF the necessity of a
change, in order to adapt the laws to
policy required BY the mos, i'm erious
circumstances.
Those, who seek the good of the pub
lie, and pruienly institute means pro
rorllonah'y and adequate to The accom-
plsbnient Of it, ON kht 10 be entitled q
least 70 the reasonable confidence of thr
community, whist those who resist tae
relief sought, wlh he clear and maai- ,
fest view OF sustaining the corrup. pr |
vate interest o. few, and OF securing AID
Perpetua'iog ,helI power and pcrsonal
grandlsetpent, merit as they no doub |
will receive, the execrations of every
honest heart.
Having thus shewn, as We believe. /.
thai II was not only, the right Of the poo-
ple 10 require Of their Representatives,
she submission of this important CUES
zion, bus that they were bound by every |
sense of duty to acquiesco in the general
call, and that the yoics Of the people.
VII has been emphaticaIly called 1--WE
Wsan TO profane allusion) the voice of
Goa, ought to have prevailed, let US in
qulre whether the times and the reasons
assigned have not justified them, in the
course pursued.
The most sceptical opponent to a con-
vention, will not deny that there are m any
important amendments and alterations,
required in eur present constitution, both
as it reg -rds matters Of political ccono-
my, and the just distribution Of the
pow RS OF the government, nor that il
tbe representative the people believed
this, II oecamcs his duty, as well from
eense OF proprlstt, as the NEST solemn
obligations OF his oath of office, 20 sub
NIL ne question TO the people-aristo-
cratc.l features were introduced, into
oef eonsuintion It's formation, borrow
&c from one Of the states which mad
COPIES hem from the grant or charter. by
" iseh II had formerly been governed
w'iis a ebony OF Great Britain; features
Ri variance with ,hat purity, which
ought ever 10 characterize the pages oil
, constitution, formed BY the .escrndcnts