The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-04

NEW YORK HERALD.
New York, wednesday, June 4, 1eAS.
Political and Moral Reforms ~ the state
Constitutions.
One Of the most significant movements of the age,
affecting both the moral and political elements Of
society," is that resulting from the desire for change,
existing in the minds of the people in various por-
Mons ofthe Union and the interpretations into their
State Constitutions of new principles and new views
which have been forced upon them by the events Of
recent years We alude particularly to the new
Constitution adopted by Convention Of the State
of Lcusiana-to the passage Of the bill in this State
for appealing the people in favor Of State Con-
vention-to the recent events in Rhode Island-and
to various other similar movements throughout the
country, all growing out Of the same desire for
ameliorating the condition Of the people, and ex-
tending the principles of civil and religious liberty
on all sides.
The new Constitution agreed upon by the recent
Convention in Louisiana, and which will be sub
mitted the people of that State in short time,
very remarkable in some Of the new principles in
corporated in It's provisions. Not the least signif
cant nre those in reference to banks-state debts
and duelling Strong and positive clauses have
been introduced in that Constitution for ever pro-
hibiting the incorporation Of banks as chartered
companies-and also the issuing of State bonds OF
the mourning of State debts for any other purpose
than the mere expenses of the governmental
which we may add, the remarkable clause disfran-
chlsing all who may be in any way concerned In
duelirg. These principles, both of political and
moral character, have BEEN forced upon the
minds of the intelligent people Of Louisiana.
in consequence of the events of recent years-the
extraordinary revulsion Of lSS7-the bankruptcy
and failure Of hundreds and hundreds of individuals
institutions and many States-the consequent abo-
lition of debts by the unprincipled Bankrupt Law,
passed by Congressman various other movements.
The conviction has gradually been impressed upon
the intelligent people of the present day, that the
time had come, when barrier should be interposed
against the recurrence of such deplorable events,
equally destructive to the reputation of the country
its industry its liberties, and morals. 1t sin
glar fact too, in the history Of these events, that
the banking system, as organized in this country,
has been the foundation of the extraordinary State
debts incurred in various States, and may be said
10 be the originating cause of the reputation and
bankruptcy in these States. The licentiousness-
Misunderstanding general Generalization
that have appalled, good men, have as naturally fol-
lowed from these financial errors and disasters, al
the thunder follows the flash.
It's singular fact when we look back upon the
revolutionary era, that similar series of financial
events equally deporable in the early period of the
revolution, caused the founders Of the republic to
prohibit the States from issuing a paper money
directly by their own power, and struck from the
Constitution any authority to create National Bank
This power grew up afterwards indirectly, and
we have no doubt illegally and contrary to
the spirit and intention of the trainers of the Con-
situations Of the Republic and the various States.
After the termination of nearly fifty years. series
of depoable events growing out Of this creation Of
banks and encouragement of unsafe financial sys-
tenn, leading States, communities and individuals
into all sorts of indebtedness find breaking forth
among the people spirit Of sound sense, prudence
and honesty similar to that which actuated the Con
vention that framed the present Constitution. Thu
spirit has been manifested to some extent in Rhode
Island-to much larger extent in Louisiana-and
is now in its first movement in the State of New
York The new Constitution, which it is said vii
be adopted by the people of Louisiana, prohibits tn
incorporation Of banks-running into State debt
duelling, and various other political and moral dis
orders. We cannot doubt that the people Of New
York, according to all appearances, will show by al
extraordinary large vote upon the project for calling
Convention in this State, that they are fully dis
posed to act up to the requirements of this reform
ing spirit. When the Convention, meets we arr
quite assured that similar financial and moral if no
social reforms to those that have been incorporates
into the new Constitution Of Louisiana, will b,
adopted by the people of this State.
ia wary trua that there q ureat deal of u,,s
theory and wild philosophy afioat in various sec
tons of society, which will, no doubt, be mixed ur
with this movement in this State. But we do moi
believe these elements will be able to effect any
lodgment sufficient to drive away the mo
raj, political, religious and sound reforming princi
pies that are at work Indeed, looking ahead
we see it distinctly foretold by present events tha
the time is fast approaching when the present bank
ing system must pass away, and be succeeded by
perfect freedom to all individuals who wish to en-
gage in that or any other species OF business. Tn
principles Of economy, integrityand justice are be
ginning to revive, after the terrible convulsions in
the elements Of society and government that W
have seen during the last fifteen years, both her
and throughout the country. The appeal about to
made to the people of this State in favor of the con
vention, will no doubt be answered in the affirma
tive by an extraordinarily large popular vote, an
the movement here will no doubt have powerful
influence on the surrounding States. So that Their
is affair prospect that the reforms of the presen
day, which have been generating during the last few
years, have come to head in Louisiana, and ar
now in the first stages of progress in this State
will spread over the whole country, and leave u
with better principles, and more correct financial
moral and political views than we have had durin;
the last fifty years-a period of time which may b
regarded the youth of the republic, full of entel
prise, but mostly experimental and characterised b.
great deal of error which time will correct
PAVING THE Cry. = The Corporation are nov
patching Broadway in several places. In ten days
will be as much broken up as ever. The presen
mode of paving the streets is altogether inefficient
Rrond,ua.r n laast cuol.t "a h dao.n4l,r p>u.<3