The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-12-28
70 IN. Editor Of The People. Pres:

| 10 the conclusion that the following article IN the
| Constitution OF this State, making provision for
| its amendment, ought to be abolished:
sncr 40. In order that the freedom ofthis com.
ealth may be preserved nviolao forever, there
shall be chosen by ballot by the frccmen ofts state.
on the last Wednesday in March, in the year ono
thousand seven hundred and ninety mine, and on Ike
last wednesday in March, in every seven years
thereafter thirteen PERSONS who shall be chosen in
! the samc manner as the council is chosen, except
that they shall not be out of the council or general
ssmby, to be called the council of cen,or, vbo,.hall
meet together on the first Wednesday of June pc,t
ensuing their election III, majority of whom shall bs
quorum in every case. except as to calling a con-
venton, in which two thirds of the whole number
elected shall agree; and whose duty it shall be to
inquire whether the constitution has been preserved
involate in every part during tho last septonary.
Including the year of their service,) and whether
| the legislative and executive branches Of govern
msnt have perf:rmed their duty guardians OF tho
people, assumed to themselves, exercised other
| greater powers than they entitled to by tho
constitution. They also TO inquire whether the
public have been justly laid and collected in all
parts of tho ccmmonw6a lth; in what manner the
public monies have been disposed of and whether tho
laws have been duly executed. For these purposes
they shall have power 10 send for persons, papers
and records they shall have power to pass public
censures, to order impeachments, ard 10 recommend
10 the legislature the rerelng such laws as shall
appear to them 10 have been passed contrary to tho
principles of the constitution these powers they
shall continue to have for and during the space of
year from the day of their elcctin and no longer
he upcilo Of hall L.
call a convention, 10 meet within two years after
their sitting, if there appears TO them an absolute
necessity of amending any article ofthis constitution
which may be defective, explaining such as may bo
thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as
necessary, for the preservation of the rights and
happiness othe people. But the articles TO be amend
ed, and the amendments proposed, and such articcs
as are proposed TO be added abolished, shall b.
promulgated al least six months befcrs the day an
pointed for tho election of such convention for tho
previous consideration of the people, that they may
have opportunity of in. tructing their delegates Oh
the subject.
We 6nd ut the present day mankind NAV be
divided into three class S. The class which first
attracts our notice, because the most noisy and
clustering consists Of those who take as starting
point, the fact that we are the most enlightened
people Of this most enlightened age, and have
made so rapid advances and such vast improve
mepis IN ali sciences, especially the science of
government, that it is altogether prepostcrous To
tread IN The footsteps of our more ignorant prede-
cessors; that any and every change is prima
facle an improvement therefore very cor
slstenty, ut indeed they can be SAID to be con-
sislenI IN any thing,) prefer a newly invented
machine, though never put in operation, 10 any
one which has long been in successful operation.
There is another class, who without examination
discard every thing which s new, as a silly
moiern invention, and are fatally fixed by the
force OF habit, in a course from which thew can
not he induced 10 deviale. Were The whole word
composed of such men, it would soon come 10 a
dead stand. Now | wish all and every nJyid-
ual OF both these classes distinctly 10 understand
that have not one word 10 say 10 Them For
until the first class will descend from their airy
height and come down 10 the level witt common
sense and common experience, and the other class
will burst their she'll and exercise The reason that
God has given them, it is utterly useles, TO talk
L. either.
But the re is between these two. a far more mn
merols class, who rely principally on the light of
experience as guide, an are cautious in irving
exper ments, but at the same time are devnutly
thankful TO their Maker that lie ha, made man
capable Of improvement ard has endowed him
with reason, BY the proper exercise of which he
which he lives. With this class of nv fellow
citizens, have strong desire 10 hold a conver-
satlon. somewhat prot acted, On the subject of
aboIlShlng the inrcgoIng article Of the Constiru-
ton ] with il might be literally convt rsation
an interchange Of our views on the subject; il
would be as pleasant as il would profitable Ia me.
But since am deharred this privilege, can cnly
give them my views on the subject. And altho'
do moi believe there is enc in this northern eli
male, who would think il di<hnnorabIe 10 chance
his opinion, when convinced ol Lis eiror-yet
! have not the vanity TO believe, that shall be
able TO change opinions which have been delib-
eratcly formed on careful examination of the
article. Still DO fiatter myself that can give
some aid IN forming an opinion on the subj CT
TO those who have paid no particular attention 10
the article; and have reason to believe this class
oil persons IS very numerous, from the fact. that
although, as is known 10 some, have for nea:
half century, considered our Constitution dc
iectye, and been anxious 10 see ii amended. and
made conformable to the constitutions of neigh
boring States, yet have no recollection thatI
ever turned thought upon this article with
view Of forming opinion, whether il did, or did
not provide the best mode OF amending the Con-
'titution, but naturally thought fayofablv of il
because cnnside ed errJniousy, now perceive
hat II provided the only mode in which the Con-
'titution could be amended. But en- advertinp
o what occurred at the last convention. | sus
,ected that the strenuous and nearly efictual
opposition TO the article constituting a Senate.
rose from the very singular, if not absurd pro-
Tison OF The arti' le under consideration. This
rrested my attention and led me tn a very care
ul examination of all is provisions. And altho,
could but think that the mode provided for
intending the Constitution, was not in accordance
With the great principle on which our govern
nents rest, and extremely inconvenienf, vet