Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-04-12
W. Err l6.

gree uron and hen such government Is form
ed only be altered by the majority, in tho
constitutional and legal manner provided for
the frame of government
Any attempt on tho part of any portion of the
people. whether they constitute majority or I'M
norltv. TO ovcrturn the established government,
and impose upon the community. by
any other than the legal and constitutional means
provided by the existing government. is but at
tempt at revolution: and only be justified in
extreme cases. the only means of relief from
gross and UNJUST oppression, when all other means
have failed.
As expressed By Washington " The basis of
our political system is the right of the people
make and alter their constitutions of govern
mont; but tho constitution at any time exists, till
changed by explicit and authentic of tho
whole people. Is sacredly obligatory upon all.
! | recognize and admit. in its fullest sense, tho
right and authority of ajority of the people of
the United States. of any of the States.
control the enactment of laws. and to change and
modify their constitution form of government.
Whenever they may desire TO do SO. legal and
constitutional manner. Tho Constitution of tho
United States points out the means by which it
MAY be amended The constitutions of the sew
cral States contain similar provisions. These
governments derive their Just powers from tho
consent of the whole people. The provisions
which regulate the mode of amendment of
equal validity with any other provision and it
follows n necessary consequence, that
mend in any other manner than the pointed
out IN the constitution
1t was certainly snprnsned "han cons.itu
ton framed. that the provision for its amend
ment would be binding upon tho people, else why
take the trouble TO insert 1t. 1t renamed for
modern :. Democrats y to mako the important
discovery. that the Constitution Is but abstract
declaration. which may at any time be disregar-
dcd swept away by more expression of tho
will Of majority of the people. in their popular
assemblies.
would suggest Mr. Speaker to the gentleman
from New Hampshire. Mr.. Burkc,) who has cho-
sen to present himself before the House god
father TO this precious bantling of the 'DenOcraf
ic Ne,nbers of tho Legislature of Rhode Island,
that if his object is TO democrdtize the State gov
ernments. it would be bettcr for him commence
his operations at homo. The gentleman will find
in the constitution of his State, ample
field for tho display OF his genius, and abundant
standing New Hampshire has manifested such u
devotion to the principles of modern democracy
as to enttc her to the aPpellatlon of the "Gibral
tar of Democracy sho has constitution con-
tanning, as belicve, odious, aristoc ratio,
and anti-rcpubcan features, than any State in
the Union. In the Bill of Rights with which her
constitution is prcfaced, the right of conscience
Is asserted follows: Every individual has O
natural and unaenablo right to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of his conscience and
rcason.'' W g also find tho following declaration
in regard TO the right Of suffrage and the right to
hold office: ''All elections ought to be free, and
every inhabtant of the State having the proper
qualifications. has equal right TO elect and be cleo
ted INTO Office. Now would ask the gentleman
what are the .proper qualifications for holding
office, according to the principles of New Hamp-
shire Democracy.
/ The 18th section Of the constitution Of that
State reads follows:
Eyev member Of the House of Representatives shall
be chosen BY ballot; and for two least
ding his election, shall have been nhabiiant of
State, shall hare uiAn tie may
be chosen 70 represent, Of tie oac Of hundred pods,
! one-hait OF which to be a freehold'
1t contains further provision that the Repre-
sentative shall be Of the Protestant religion.
The 23th section of the constitution contains
the following provision:
Provded nevertheless that no person shall be capable
Of beng tho Protestant
gion, seized Of freehold his right, Of
the value Of tso hundred polds lying within :his State"
/ In the 42nd section of the constitution is this
provision:
o unless, the time of his election he shall have bee"
inhabtan of this Sta for years next preceding
shaIl be Of the Of thirty and
Of ire h,drd po,aas OF which shall eon.i., Of
freehold his right, ithin this State unless
he shall be of the Protestant religion"
! What then. | would ask considered the
4 ..propor qualifications for office in tho s.Demo-
! cratic State Of New Hampshire, 1t seems,
from tnclr OF
tant qualifications Is wealth. According to their
+ democracy, the poor should be excluded from
office. and the rich alone should be allowed to en-
jov its benefits. Not satisfied, either, with this
odous property qualification, notwithstanding the
flourish in their bill of rights. about the liberty OF
conscience when carving out thor Democratic
notions in their constitution. they exclude from
office those who ire Of the Protestant religion.
This kind Of ..Democracy" may suit the people
of New Hampshire, but assure you, sir. it would
! Kind OF Democracy which we do not desire. 1t
does appear me. Mr.. Speaker. that the gentle
man from New Hampshire had better blot this
stain from the constitution of his State be-
fore he attempts TO interfere with the institutions
, Of other States.
II has become n frequent practice. discus