Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-04-05
Ger the Cousait,.li~n.s,

favor ef IL early organisation Of State
government, and approve The leading fea-
lures Of the instrums,nt salmi,tsd BY the
convention for adoption or rejection, should
cast on Monday next. 1t is the ballot
which large majority Of the qualified
electors Of the Territory intended to vote,
previous to the change made by Congress
in our boundaries; and it is the ballot they
will still vote If they but take the time and
trouble TO reflect and investigate. The
danger, and the only danger, is, that too
many will be influenced by impnlse--that
first impr essions, honestly entertained but
hastily arrived at-will determine the re-
suit. We're the election three weeks oil
We should regard the ratification Of the
constitution asplaced beyond contingency.
All the people want is to be convinced
that the connexion between the constitu-
ton and conditions Of Congress is not so
close os 10 compel us to take them both
together; and nothing is necessary 10 sat-
isfy them on this point but time for exam
ination and discussion. The people are
opposed TO the boundaries prescribed by
Congress, and will continue to oppose them
until all prospect Of obtaining lines that
will be more satisfactory becomes hope
less; 6,d i Is not necessnry, IN order to
manifest this opposition, TO rots dam the
constitution. We held our convention and
framed our constitution without any action
on the part Of Congress, and we can ratify
or reject the latter at such time, in such
manner, and with such understanding, as
we see fit. The act Of Congress cannot
be satisfied by any implied assent to the
conditions laid down as essential to our ad-
mission, such as that which it is contendcd
would be given by the adoption of the
constitution. 1t contemplates clear, posi-
tive and emphatic action on our part, in one
of two ways, and will be satisfied with
nothing else. As we are at present au-
thorized 10 vote by our statute, we could
not accept the boundaries of Congress at
this election in the. manner required by
the act even if we were DESTROYS Of SO
doing, because the act contemplatcs that
the vote, if taken at all, shall be taken d.
rectly upon the amendments, and for this
we have no provision. The phraseology
Of the act shows clearly enough that those
who enacted il into law believed that we
had made provision in our law for deciding
upon the constitution and amendments sep
arately and disconnectedly; and this i'm
preston is authorized by the wording Of
the constitution itself, which declares that
"this constitution, together with such
amendments as may be made by Congress,
shall be voted for," SC. The inference
drawn by most men from this language
would be that q poll was to be opened for the
amendments, as well as the constitution:
and under this belief, it is evident, the law
prescribing the manner in which the assent
Of our people should be given TO the sew
e.al conditions imposed was adopted by
Congress. The acceptance, simply, Of
the constitution, under these circumstan-
ces, could not be construed by the Presi-
dent into such compliance with the law
of Congress as to authorize the issue of
his proclamation declaring Iowa to be a
State, but it would still be necessary for
the Legislature 10 act afirmatively in the
matter.
Monday next is the day upon which
the fate of the constitution is to be decided,
and we call upon its friends to stand firm
~ by it. If lost, it will be lost through
misapprchension. If rejected now, those
through whose instrumentality such re-
lection will be effected under the belief
that the Legislature will present it before
them at the August election in = shape
which will insure its adoption may discov-
er, when it is too late, that they have
reckoncd without their host. The charac-
Ter Of the Legislature no one can determine
10 a certainty, whatever the probabilities.
1t may be favorable to State organization,
and it may not. AT best it is running a
great risk-a risk which can be avoided
with the most entire safety. The way 10
avoid it is to vote "FOR THE CON-
STITUTION," and afterwards make the
best terms it is possible TO obtain in rela-
ton TO the boundary. A failure on our
part to act at all in relation 10 the condi.
!, tions OF our admission as effectually keep.
us out Of the Union as the most positive
negative it is possible for US 10 interpose
affirmative action is expected and required
Of us-we must make known our assent
To say that this assent is given if we rat.
ify the constitutional construction wor-
thy Of quibblers, hair splitsers and stick
lers for technicality, but unworthy d
Al q