The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-05-20
From the Myuniainser
TIE STATE CONSTITUTION.



sidering the FUNDAMENTAL LAW the COM
monwealth. The Constitution which is
now TO be rcconsidered, and if necessary,
revised, was "done in Convention" the
second day Of September 1900, and pre-
scnts, in its various provisions, the clearest
evidence of political wisdom and pure re-
publican virtue.
The period at which the present const-
tuition was ordained, was highly favorable
for the proper performance Of tas k so I'M
portant. The spirit Of the Revolution was
still active, and continued to pervade and
animate the popular mind; the principal
scenes of that momentous struggle were
still glowing in the vivid recollections of
those who had participated in their glory,
or escaped from their terrors, and many OF
the most prominent actors in the great rev.
olutionary drama, were still in existence, 10
consummate by their wisdom what their
valor had begun.
The general prevalence of correct inior-
nation on the subject of constitutional lar,
was another circumstance which distin-
guished in the most favorable manner, the
period at which our constitution was con-
sidered and adopted.
The enlightened discussions which ac-
companied the formation and adoption of
the constitution of the United States, had
been scarcely concluded, when the people
of Pennsylvania met in convention to amend
their form of government. The arguments
in favor of, and the objections against the
federal constitution were fresh in the minds
of the people.
When we consider, that the soundest
statesmen Of that day distinguished them
selves i'll the important controversies which
originated in a choice of principles, for the
establishment of rational liberty, and that
the most powerful minds were brought into
conflict in making that choice; and when
we take up the number of ''THE FEDERAL
IsT," and contemplate the range Of thought,
the grasp of reason, the power of argument
and the force of truth therein evinced, the
conclusion is irresistible, that at that day,
HUMAN RIGHTS were WELL understood, and
that ample securities were then provided
for their protection.
National Convention, over whose de-
liberations the FATHER of the Republic pre-
sided, had recently held protracted ses-
sion in the metropolis of Pennsylvania.
In that Convention, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
JAMES MADISON, ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
ROGER SHERMAN, JAMES WMsoN, john
DICKINSON, and ROBERT Morris were a.
mong only their equals, as regards purity
of purpose, and high and holy patriotic
devotion to their country.
The arduOus labors of that convention
were recommended to the people of the u
nited States, by the most eloquent tongues,
the ablest pens and the greatest weight of
character, that perhaps ever united their
influence in the establishment of civil policy.
The political writings of HAMILToN,
MADISON and JAY, were, Of themselves,
sufficient 10 distinguish and consecrate that
period, as an epoch in political science,
which certainly had no parallel in the annals
of the past. The entire history of civil
government, in all the variety of its forms
and principles, had been carefully explored,
and subjected TO a critical analysis and
severity of investigation, that never lost
sight of the practical purposes to which it
was applied.
From THIS cause alone, it would be fair
to infer, that the people of Pennsylvania,
in 1870, understood the principles of civil
and religious liberty, as well as any other
community of free and enlightened men.
But we are not dependent on inference
only, in our efforts to sustain the position
for which we contend. The constitution
itself bears strong internal evidence of the
wisdom and the virtue of the republican pa
trots by whom it was framed, and the peo-
pie by whom it was adopted.
The NAMES appended to the constitution
under whose provisions the people of this
commonwealth have enjoyed the blessings
OF good government for FORTY SEVEN YEARS,
would, in the absence of any other recon-
mendation, impart great force to the claims
of an instrument possessing less intrinsical
perfection. JAMES WILSON, THOMAS NJ
KEAN, ALEXANDER ADDISON, JAMES Ross,
WILLIAM FINDLEy, and ALBERT GALLAT1N
were far above the intellectual stature of
common men.
Thomas M'Kean and James Wilson had
been distinguished members of the glorious
Congress of '7G, and their names may be
found on the 'great charter" of our liber-
ties,--the immortal declaration of American
independence. Judge Wilson was also
member of the convention of 1887, and
was honorably distinguished bv his ener-