Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-02-22

/ The .sdoplion of the constitutisA Il, an |
otll1f and ! diner66t matter. 1.-The en- |
stifution doee not sstabli,h government
upon prcpsr principles 4 should b rsjtct-
ed Questions u policy or party Should
have no influence. 1t should be weighed
in the balance Of patriotism and public vir-
tue, and II found wanting i should be
promptly voted down. III discussing the
principles Of the constitution we should be
governed by the feelings Of candor, and
wise policy. Slight and trivial causes
should be omitted, and IN enlightened
view taken Of The entire subject. II other
words, the demagogue should cease bis vo-
cation; and the tinuneaning sneef-tlie low
appeal to prejudice OK party--should be
banished. Il is = subject for ERE side re-
fection--honest homespun delibcration.--
Every man should do his own thinking,
and from careful investigation come to his
own conclusions. aa s.,e s.,ii. $500
That there will Be any found opposing
the constitution because we shall loose the
disbursements Of the general government,
/ am charitable enough not 70 believe; at
least would pray heaven to avert so dire
calamity from my country as should con-
ceive SO sordid principle would infict
upon it. The price Of liberty cannot he
fxed in dollars and cents. Let not such
an imputation ever fall upon Iowa. In the
corrupt days Of Rome she sold tyranny to a
,yrart. That was commodity that had a
price. Venality and corruption were in
the ascendant; but it was long after liberty
was banished, and public virtue derided by
the people. s saE nala .9SworT
What are the serious objections urged
against the constitution? That the Judges
are 10 be elected by the peoplep And
pray who raises this objection? Is II the
people themselves? Do the people. thus
complain Of their incarucity 10 select their
own Judges? May it not be said, in full
candor, that if the people can elect Leg
islature who are capable Of making Judges,
that they can elect Judge just as we'll,
without the Intervention Of Legislature?
1t is libel upon the good sense Of the peo-
pie and the principle Of self government,
and not suggested BY . proper spirit Of f.
deity to our institution.
, But it is said that the evil effect will be
seen in the Jndge-that the demagogue and
political trimmer will succeed by dealing
out his Judicial favors in advance Of his
election. This position presupposes that
the people are corrupt, and that this worst
of corruptions will find favors---or that
they are too stupid, and dull, to detect the
lowest species Of demagogueism and venal
trucking.
Those who believe the people can be
made the dupes of the nefcenary, alone
can adhere to this objection. The, people
will be as honest and as particular in Sc
lecting Judge as they will Governor or
member of the Legislature, and will suffer
as little abuse in their confidence and choice.
Self respect is sufficient embargo to for
ever silence this objection.
i But s'the salaries are too low-compe-
tent men will not accept the Offices" SC
They are high enough for those who pay,
in all conscience-let US try them. 'Tis
not the most avaricious that are the most
honest, or capable. True, the pay is not
large--not sufficient to excite cupidity or
induce corruption; but several Of the west
ern States commenced with equally low
salaries and felt none Of the evil conse-
quence which it is urged will follow in the
adoption of our constitution. This must be
considered rather an objection BY official
expectants, than fault in the constitution
ITSELF
The objection s'that corporations are re-
pealable at the pleasure Of the Legislature
are liable as individuals for their debts
and that they cannot take from a citizen his
properly without has consent, can hardly be
replied to with candor, or reflected upon
with common gravity. The converse Of
], these provisions would say, that the Leg
islature might create a body polite, that
would be above the reach of the Legisla-
trrcsor the people, and independent of beth
that the members shoula have the indi-
yidaal benefit Of all the profits, but the peo-
j pie sustain the losses-a prospective bank
,rupt law to the incorporators, pardon in
advance, premium for fraud, licence to
swindle the peoplc-and that even the
quiet citizen, wlo, BY long life Of indus
try, had acquired little home, should
yield it up at, the bidding Of the corpora
ton. Surely, the rights of citizens are
or ought 10 be too sacred to be made
the playthings Of corporate policy o.
cupidity. Public policy may be urged in
/ favor Of this objection; but that policy must
be tyrant indeed, that will delegate such .
power to The private fortune hunter. Tits
enough that the sovereign power Of the
government can exercise this privilege;
and even then it should be chained down
10 most urgent public necessity. The oft
izen should not be interrupted as matter
Of mere convenience or fancy--strict ne
Icessity alone should induce the govern
ment to disturb the citizen in that which
: it is almost its only purpose to protect him
in enjoying. s as N
Depend upon it. public prosperity can
never be advanced BY injustice to the most
humble citizen, however specious the pre-
tence. elss ta SfAFA
Lii conclusion, l would say, that if The
people believe they are capable Of elcctine
. their own Judges--let them vote for thu
, constitution.
If they believe an honest man will re-
main honest when elected BY them as well
as when elected by their Legislature vote
& for the constitution. If thew believe that