Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-01-20
STATE CONVENTION.

~ A ~ SOAN v ASAN ANAL
The propriety of calling State Conven-
ton TO revise the Constitution, is one on
which the people should reflect and deliber-
ate. 1t is of the very first importance, that,
in State pretending to be free, the repre-
sentation should be equal 1t is absurd and
unjust, as well as grossly an,i-republcan,
for one hundred men in one part of the
State to have as much weight and infu
ence in the Government as one thousand
free citizens in another part Of the State;
yet such is the practical operation of our
present Constitution. We hold it to be
certain, that one freeman should have just
as much weight and representation in our
State Government as another, and that any
other rule violates the first principles of
Republican Government. Yet our Consti-
tuition does so violate Republican Princi.
pies, and the inequality is every day be-
coming greater, and is purposely rendered
so by corrupt politicians for the express
purpose of obtaining an undue and unjust
influence in the affairs of the State Gov
eminent. A Convention is now proposed
to the people. 1t is to be based on the True
Republican Basis-Free White Population;
and TO secure this object, the members are
to be elected by senatorial districts, instead
of by counties. This Convention will
equalizc our representation, and make
some other salutary changes in our Consti-
ton. All friends of equal representation
and, in fact, all true republicans, must ia
vor a Convention proposed for such pur-
poses and upon such basis.
In order that the people may vote un-
ders'andngly, the law provides the details,
and describes what kind of Convention
is proposed. and what kind of measure
the people are called on TO vote for or
against The Convention, when once APP
proved, will be the act Of the people; and
if they vote for lis call. they will vote for
it on the conditions prescribed in the law.
Many would vote for Convention of one
kind, who never would vote for Conven-
ton of a different description; and all per.
sons must desire to know what kind of a
Convention is proposed when they are
called 10 vote upon measure of such vast
importance. 1t is just and fair that the
law proposing the call of Convention.
should state the terms and conditions on
which it is to assemble, the basis on which
its representation is to be founded, and the
manner in which its members are to be
elected. 1t would be un Just and unfair to
propose Convention in any other manner;
for, if it were done, the people would no,
know what they were voting for--they
would be voting in the dark, and would be
deceived by many false issues. But now
the people are put on their guard--a fair
issue is presented to them between equal
republican representation on the one hand
and the unequal rotten borough system on
the other. If the people vote for Con-
vention, they now know that they are
voting for the particular kind of Conven-
ton that is proposed and described in the
law under which they vote, and that is the
kind of Convention which they approve
and adopt by their votes. Thus the cleo
ton will be a fair one;-thosc who favor
such a Convention will vote for it, and
others against it, New Era