Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-01-22

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There is NO question abou, the desire
Of a party To retain its sscendrncy and
perpe,ua.e its peculiar principles. Il isa
natural feeling. They may even 60 so
far az to think .ha. theirs are the only
correc, principles and that those Of their
opponents are wholly wrong. But they
are the voluntary members Of cavern
men, wh"se glorious ruling principle Is
that the m-jj'rny shall govern. New
whatever views they may entertain Of The
correc'ness Of the peculiar doctrines Of
their party, if there are majority who
refuse 10 coincide with them. they are
bound, by The democratic principle, I" be
governed by the majority, until they can
hy argument ant suasion gain sufficient
number to cooperate with them in trans
posing the majority. and thus effect a
change in the government. This is the
way each party is alternately in the as
Cc"ud"' W mHJ"'iN.
Now we want a Constitution that shall
no, be subject 10 these fluctuations Of par
~. One Which will ensure the rights OF
all and at the same time not interfere with
the peculiar notions Of either. One, un-
der which the party IN the ascendant may
carry on. it's principles. by ia,c. because
i, is the majority, and no, be a, all en-
tangled or identified with the law which
may be thus enacted. Such a Cons.i IL
ton would guarantee the rights Of ALL
Such a Constitution would be fair. |,
would be Democratic. II would be i'm
mu,able.
We have observed shynees on the
part Of the Press Of this Territory in
manfnlly meeting and entering upon the
discussion Of this question, which we
cannot view with commentator. We
have urged them to discuss this question
because we believe it 10 be paramount tc
every other. If democratic editors pos
sess that magnanimi,y and patriotism
which is their boast, now is the time tc
exhibit it. II Wing editors wish to d.
the State some service now is the time te
put forth their efforts. Although WI
have, single handed, urged and urged
the importance Of the measure which W.
nave been advocating, wi!hon. awakening
sufficient interest on tire part Of the press
TO secure their attention, we are thankful
that the Legislature has brought the sub
ject into such shape as to elici, JUS
such a discussion as the one we hav,
been seeking. Editors must now show
their colors and let the people know
whether they are for mere Party or no
Party Constitution.
We have no other ambition in this mat
ter than to see Iowa with such Cons,i
tuition as will offer an inducemen, to goo,
citizens Of all parties 10 settle among us
We believe tha. Constitution having 70
its basis the exclusion Of every peculia
notion Of either party, would secure ,hi
object. We believe it is the only correc
ba.i. for any s.ate Constitution. Parlie
in power may frame wha, laws the,
choose-.hey may carry out their princi
Piles to the extremes. length, by law; bu
never let them exercise their power il
framing an organic instrument so sacre
as State Constitution, by INTRODUCING
into i! their peculiar notions. Such ac,io
becomes subver'ive Of the very prineipl
Of Democracy. 1t is tyranny and onl,
tyranny. Let then, the issue be betwee
a party and no-par.y Constitution. an
let pledge be required from every can
dida'e. and we may expect Iowa will en-
ter the Union with Constitution tia
will be admired and respected by all.