Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-11-23
To the Editor of the Gazette:

The new constitution is among us, and
it gives general satisfaction to the masses.
They are pleased with its principles Of
economy, lis restraints upon State debts,
banking and other corporations, and upon
the various departments Of the govern
ment.
Many believe it will be adopted by a
large majority; but ii It's real friends think
it will have an easy victory, | fear they
are mistaken. There exists in the Terri
tory party, who would oppose this instru-
ment, if it had been handed down to us
from heaven on tablets Of stone. They
intended to oppose it 50 soon as they
found themselves in minority in the Con-
vention, no matter how Just might be its
provisions, no matter how correct its prin-
ciples.
Another class Of very honest men think
they must oppose it, because they opposed
the Convention which was called to create
it.
Another class oppose it, because all
their own peculiar views Of constitution
are not engrafled on its face. Some object
to it, because the Judges Of the District
Court are elected by the people: others,
because private interpretations are made
liable to pay their debts like individuals,
and because the Legislature have the right
to repeal the acts Of incorporation, when
they become injurious to the public. An
other class--and among them | am sorry
and surprised to find the editor Of the
Bloomington Herald-oppose the constitu-
ton because ii makes the salaries Of all
the officers too low. To this last class,
without intending the remark to apply to
the editor Of the Herald, have one word
in particular: when man inveigles against
the constitution, because, for the first ten
years Of government. it makes economy
essential, | begin to suspect, that he was
l.oking forward to some Tue, afipe post I'M
der the new order of things.
To all these classes Of persons, whether
cavilers or honest men, we have few
words Of caution. Admit all your objec-
tons to be valid, still is il net your interest
to adopt this constitution? Upon examin-
ing all its provisions, infer that you find
much to approve, and but little to con-
denim. II this little be really worthy of
censure, it will be opposed by others as
well as yourself. and you will find no diff
ficulty in amending the instrument to your
liking. Let me entreat your attention to
that clause in the constitution which pro-
vides for amendments: bare majority of
two Legislatures, and ratification Of
their votes BY the people can amend this
constitution, without costing one dollar.
All that is odious to you can in this simple
way be removed If you cannot get a
majority to 60 with you. the presumption
is that your objections are more specious
than valid.
But if You reject the Constitution you
incur all the expense Of new convention,
thing to be remembered by tax payers,
! if moi by those who want high salaries,
and you run the hazard Of loosing many o.
the provisions Of the present instrument
a hazard by no means TO be incurred for
light and transient causes. If you will ex-
anime the constitution candidly and--it is
to be hoped we will all do it, with the
spirit Of candor and compromise-pe perhaps
the clauses referred to will not be obiec-
tionable on the score of reason, though
they may be for their novelty.
PHOCIAN.