Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-05-03

JlNB CLARKE, Bitter.
BURLINGTON: SATURDAY, MAY 3, 1916.
The Consfttutfen--Its Rejection,
ResuacitaftOn, SC.
The expecEaiion Of the friends Of the
constitution and The advocates Of State gov.
eminent, that through the action of the
legislature xl4cA is to assemble next week
an opportunity will be afforded them in
August Of voting for the adoption Of the
constitution, without compromising them
selves in favor Of the boundaries prescrib-
ed hy Congress-an opportunity which
msst Of them believe they have not yet had
-hsa been advertcd to by us on several
occasions. In this county the democratic
candidates, in anticipation Of the defeat Of
the constitution, all openly committed them
selves in favor of such course previous
b Tie election; and the hundreds of dem
ocrsts who, to manifest their dislike Of The
conditions Of Cong1es, reluctantly cast
their soaes in favor Of rejecting the consti-
tuition, did 20 under the firm belief that at
the August election they would have the
privilege Of expressing their real senti-
merits in relation 10 that instrument itself.
This is too notorious here to be denied,
language Of the import stated having been
heard in all directions on the day Of and
previous TO the election. The same ex-
peedation, we are assured, prevails in all the
lower counties; and as many Of the MEM
bers are pledged on the subject, and those
who are not may he supposed to stand
ready TO carry out the popular will, we
tliak the enmament Of law sach as is de-
sired may be calculated on with reasona-
bic degree Of certainty.
~ night be expected, our neighbor Of
tho uawkeye objects strcnuously to the
coarse proposed to be pursued by the Leg
ixlatare. The editor, in specializing upon
tie subject, arrives at some queer conclu-
sions. Under the supposidon that the con-
stitntion should again be presented to the
people and ratified, he remarks:
awhat would be the consequence? Not a re.
quirement Of surA Constitution would be bind
ing-no legislation based on its principles would
fs<sh f~I
oould enforce authority-law and order would
b. annihilate&-and the people would virtually
resolve tHeDselves back into the same element
asy socid1 slniD in which the government found
tse0 w1ea e krst threw it, Territorial jursdic-
tisa sroua1 them. And why? Because that
vry Constitution has been repudated by the
people u : way the most solemn, the most ef-
heeIse, md il the only legitimate way in which
0My eean express their opinions on the sub
III. h bellot box made the decision and
nco ~ thas b no appeal. And because,
finthes, there y DO Constitutional way in which
they cen now reconsider their vote; and il there
Mas, To people have given the Legislature no
instructions on this point in the election which
hes jaA esrs held throughout the Territory"
Such doctrines as are here put forth
may find favor with that class Of men who
are ever ready to sacrifice substance tc
farm, but BY the mass Of our fellow citizens
tlsey win be indignantly repudiated. They
are worthy the Algerines Of Rhode Island
who prefer to live under kingly charter
10 constitution Of their own framing, but
tAally unworthy Of men friendly to pop
thar government, and approaching the re-
AAioasliP they bear to it. What! are the
people, in their sovereign capacity, to be
Tsevenied from taking such iniatory or 9TH
e. steps towards the formation Of State
government as they may desire, merely
bseaase Of the absence Of any prescribed
fsm2 Are they, in the formation and
adoption Of constitution, necessarily t.
IL hsnned IN by arbitrary rules, and com.
peeled to proceed in manner and form al
hid down By either law or custom? Ava,
viii sneh narrow minded doctrines-suci
sAbssrsisnce to techIcality. The estab
ishoent and adoption d the constitution i.
efifself An oct Of civil revolution. II is til,
enbedinens ofshe popular viii; and wheth
Ct done according 10 previously prescribe.
fsrns, . By simultaneous movement O
fl,e people without any such forms, is equal
. ~ binding and equally legal. What mat
tsrs i that The People have once rejects
liz eonaitufion. IL they new desire 10 ador
III And Whist boots Il that custom ha
szndioned the presentation Of State consti
tn1isosfo the people by conventions? Their
= No hw or Congress reqniring such con
vsnfions to be held, and il the freemen ,
Iowa choose 10 invest any other tribun;
viii The power Of framing constitutio
fsr dseir government, they have clear an
undoubled right to do 80. The Legislator
ai,ouf 70 assemble, although not elected wit
that view. might present an entirely ne,
Constitution to the people, which, If AZ
p-eved Of By clearly ascertained majorii,
would Be = obligatory in all its details
any similar instrunent that ever emanate
from the halls Of convention. Nay, flu
der: 4 i moi going too FAR 10 say that an
cne individual-even the editor Of Il
Hswkeye k.heelf-may prepare and or,