Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-08-03

whence we derive any Legal power tashake
Of TIE shscklesef Territorial bonds .-are1
not to be looked tos Do nat thsse sacred
instroments-the one = solemn compact
between our government and It's own peo-
pie, and the other containing the plighted
faith Of our nation to q foreign one-rise to
the dignity Of laws? Are they not declar-
ed, by the Constitution Of the Z. s., the
Supreme law Of the landa Why is IT,
then, that in the discussion Of this subject.
those who pirate so loudly about law should
overlook the wise, liberal, and expanded
provisions Of these supreme laws Of the
land, which bear directly on the matter in
issue? Is it because they owe their origin
to the great apostle of Democracy and the
author of the Declaration Of Independence,
and are therefore, like his consistent fol-
lowers, Messrs. Letter and Wright, OBJ
jccts Of hate to whiggery?
The fact is our wing friends are hard to
please in regard to this matter Of the form
alton Of State Constitution. According
to the opinions advanced by their great
leader and candidate for the presidency,
(Mr. Clay our whole movement is illegal
and improper. In his Virgin heller
speech in KY. and more recently in that
delivered at Raleigh, N. c. he takes the
ground that an act Of Congress giving it,
assent 70 the holding Of our convention is
absolutely necessary, and makes it helm
ous offence III the democracy that they adj
United Arkansas and Michigan, who pro-
cceded, as we. are now doing without any
| such law To form their constitutions. All
these objections are purely federal, and
have their foundation in the distrust and
fear that that party has ever shown to leav'
ing with the people the management oftheir
own affairs.
This is the first attempt that we have
ever heard Of to disqualify any citizen from
acting as member Of such convention a.
the one we propose TO hold. In all the
States and Territories which have held
like conventions the people have chosen
whomsoev-r they saw Gt to represent them
In many instances the delegates chosen
were not even residents Of the countie:
which they represented.
The act Of the Legislature calling con.
vention We regard as Recommendation
from the right Source to the people to re-
organize their form of government, and
coming from SO respectable body we wish
to see all its requirements complied with,
But surely there is nothing obligatory OF
binding in regard to it. The members o.
the convention can meet if they please, and
form constitution or not, as they may
choose. The constitution, when formed
may be accepted or not BY the people
They may believe that the government
framed for them by their agents (the del.
egates) is not calculated to secure their
welfare, safety and happiness, and there
fore decide that they are not yet ready fon
so material change in the constitution Of
their government.
1
In the first place, then, we contend
that so far as the Organic ! w is concern
ed, there is no power in it to prevent the
people from taking just what steps they
please in regard to state government, and
electing whomsoever they may deem hes,
qualified to orgaa.i-e that government for
them.
End. That the delcgacy is not an Office,
but trust or agency. Webstcr's signif-
cation Of trust is-"To place confidence
in; to rely upon. I'd. To believe, to
credit. Sd. To commit to the care Of, in
confidence, &c." Trust, therefore, we
think is the word; for we believe the peo-
pie If our county may ''commit 10 the care
Of Messrs. Letter and Wright, in conf
dence, their interests in the Convention. y
Sd. That if the delegacy be an Office,
and the organic law be Of controlling
force, that It must be filled by the Gov
ernor.
The people CT Arkansas proceeded TO form
their Constitution without any act even Of their
Territorial Legislature. Judge Rorer. Of on,
| town, then citizen Of the Territory Of Arkan-
sas, was memher Of the FIST meeting that was
held at Little Rock from whie a recommended
ton was made to the people of all the. counties
10 send delegates 10 a convention to form con-
stitution. which they did, snd which resulted in
their admission into the Unon