Democratic banner., 1846-11-09
DEMOCRATIC Ban NIB R.
PUBLISHED
REGULARLY on erery Monday Morning
AT LOUISIANA, PIKE COUNTY. Mo.
s. r, MURRAY, Editor and Proprietor.
For the Banner.

ny GN
ton as to what remedial means will now be
adopted to cure the imperfections of the
present organic law Of this State. 1t is
suggested by some that the evils of our
Constitution are too onerouS and impeIa-
tive to awaitthe action of a Legislative body
chosen for the purpose of reform and re-
lief. Here we have it suggested that this
ensuing Legislature should accomplish that
work by amendments, whilst others con-
tend that the multifarious demands of the
people and the many radical changes need
ed in our Constitution are more legitimate
y within the province of regularly elected
and definitely instructed Convention for
those purposes When We Come TO ~analyze
the last suggestion thoroughly, there are
more cogent reasons presented to view in
its favor than are obvious at the first glance
l cannot conceive, that a body of~delc9ates,
elected and deputed for certain specific
purposes, can as, legiteimately, or as
c~opetently perform other worksunadvised
therein the nature of which is superior.
to itself. The legislature is the creature
of tho constitution.-The object of a
constitution is to prescribe the limits
Of the action of all the departments
Of a government under it. Otherwise
the various departments of government
would have a carte blanche power and
:ne people would be the tools ofthcir cupid
ty and caprice. The charter ofour liberties
and rights aiirms, that governments de-
rive their just powers from the consent of
the governed. To create the organic law
Of a government or State, is peculiarly
originally, and l~cgitimatcly, the work of a
body of delegates fresh from the people
with positive and definite Instructions
elected upon principles and deputed TO en-
body those principles in a constitution or
at least to re present them. The aggregate
win of the people must be the law of tie
land in all free governments. Any %consti-
tuition embodying contrary principles to!
those of majority of the people, is neces-
ssrily despotic. | must admit that tie COLI
s~tituticn of this and many other States is
susceptible of Legislative amendment
But at the same time | think it should be
tesorted to only in emergencies. For in
et,nce, l think, if it ever be proper for a.
legislature to touch that sacred Instrument,
it may be done by this ensuing Legislature
in order to equdlize representation-but
further, hands off. Our constitution par
t~icularly is very unfortunate in its policy
of legislative amendments. Two thirds
of this Legislature may propose amendments
and two thirds of the succeeding one mCyi
adopt them. There is no prerequisite,
but that the amendments must be publish
ed some three times in every newspaper in
the State twelve months before the next
election. These are just SO many useless
words. 1t certainly will not be commended
that this is the vote Of the people upon
such amendments, yet il is in lieu Of it. Al
solemn mockery of right and justice this.
By reference to this (twelfth) article of
the constitution, it will be seen that it is
sportive. There is no stringency upon the
subsequent Legislature to adopt the amend
ments of the former. There is no decision
from the people upon them, So l suppose
legislative caprice is the only source ofac-
ton. The elementary nature of our pres
ent, rather ensuing Legislature initiates a
gainst the idea Of correct radical constitute
onalreform. To say nothing of the distrust
excited against Legislative assemblies in con-
sequence of their log-rolling and election
eering schemes. We would ask how have
the members of the ensuing legislature
been elected? Have the great fundamental
and doctrinal principles of a democratic
constitution been discussed, decided upon,
and the members elected npon their merits?
Have not the members been elected upon
some local questions extraneous to the
oraaf cardinal Drinciplna of ranuhI;o,,;,o