Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-04-19


ton, and incorporate in the Constitution some
Of the more important distinctive principles OF
ite creed $50 we subscribe, with sincerity 81
heart, to every word contained in the closing
sentence Of the first paragraph above quoted.
The two parties differ widely, on many points
where the constitution must be no. check on
ly, but barrier against favorite measures Of
sha unsuccessful party. Az upon the choice
Of delegates 10 that convention so much de-
ponds, we cannot commence the work Of ex-
animation too soon, nor pursue it too studious-
", as the time is close at hand when each par
ty, TO enable its candidates TO canvass their
districts, must make their selections. As the
selection, 10 districts where the system Of
county conventions has been adopted, is thus
soon TO be made, the s,rictest scrunity should
be exercised, on principles pertaining to the
freedom Of mankind, with prominent aspirants,
as there are those, in both political parties,
who differ with their political friends, as to the
extent which the liberties Of the people should
go, and what constitutes tyranny and despo.
tism. Even in this enlightened age of the
world, an instance is on record, even among
people who boast of their christian feeling,
where a gray-headed old man, whose moral
character bid defiance 10 the tongue Of Sian.
der, was torn from his family, and confined in
prison, through the iron CRATES of which he
anl De-
countrymen bearing the emblem of Freedom
and Independence, and heard the roaring cam
non, on the same ground where it sent death
and destruction 10 those who would enslave
US, and that, too, for no other crime than hav-
ing expressed a religious opinion, differing
from the opinions of christian churches. Ha-
wing paid the penalty Of the law, and obtain
ed his freedom, he has sought refuge on our
soil. Shall he be compelled 10 fee to the In
dams TO enjoy the freedom Of opnion-of
speech? We have no fears Of an attempt ev.
er being made to make his offence crime, but
we cannott too strongly guard against the pas
sage Of any law, restraing the freedom of
speech, as enjoyed under our present laws.
In several Of the States ministers Of the Cos.
pei are prohibited from holding ofice-in one
at least, person may be executed for enticing
slave from the master. Even in the State
adjoining US on the south, the poor debtor may
be deprived of his liberty. and plunged in jail,
at the pleasure Of his hear,less creditor. Nor
are these the only sections where man is re.
strained of his liberty, under penalties oppres-
slve and barbarous. In the capitol Of the T.
nl'ed States, in daily Intercourse with'goyern.
sacns dignitaries and members of Congress, is
an old and faithful public officer in nyiscn
b0u"de, TUT no uIrer cliuc t,an having refused
to pay an extravagant demand, out Of the pub.
lie funds. The soil Of our Territory has been
stained by the blood Of human being, split at
the whipping post, under law of the United
States, for the crime of horse stealing. We
have cited these few, out Of the many ins,an-
ces within our knowledge, where, under high
authority. persons have been unjustIy restrain
of their liberty, and punished in a barbarous
manner, without criminal intent, and others
for crimes for which they might atone with
less pain, and more profit 10 the government.
10 guard against such uajust pains and penal
ties, by constitutional prohibitions, is the du-
~ Of both political parties, and we hope that
the neople will datermina thu. M eu"h ~rr-~-
s'Ve ana lnhuman laws shall ever stain the pa-
ges OF the statutes of Iowa, and Thus Mace
ner In advance of the parent government and
her sister States, in exhibiting prevalent feel
ing of humanity.
But there are questions Of vital Importance
10 the people Of Iowa, upon which The two
parties will disagree. and each exert their Ut.
most powers to succeed in establishing the
correctness Of their views. Foremos. among
'hese vs. the power to incorporate banking in.
s'itu'lons-the Wings for reserving that pow
er to the Legislature, and the Democrats oppo.
sing 1t, to certain, limited extent. We
are strongly opposed to the Banking system,
believing it to have wrought destruction to the
best interests Of the people, both in the purse.
and in creating and promoting an arts .ocracy
OF wealth, tending 10 destroy that sociabili,v
and equality in society which it should be the
highest pride Of man to promote; but, as our
constitution and our laws extend no farther
'han our boundaries, we do not deem it expe.
dent to prohibit the Legislature from creating
State Bank, with branches, carefully re-.
s'I'c'eo; but no private banking institutions.
we cannot forsee what may hereafter be the
necessity for banking institution, created BY
The action Of States in commercial intercourse