American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-08

~ hiE SON I'm JlON' IL II OulcCLSA W
State convention to form constitution, thatit
cannot be legally called, excepting by prev
Gus alteration of the present constitution au.
thorizing it to be held. We copy the following
paragraphs from an editorial article in the Anne
rlcan Of yesterday.
at is known that by the existing organic
law OF the State, amendments to the consitu-
ton may be made by the concurrent votes Of
two sessions of the Legislature and the ratifying
vote of majority of the people. This mode
of changing the constitution, however, does
not find favor with the advocates of a conVen-
ton,
Another fact to be mentioned, is that the pre-
sent constitution, when it directs the mode, as
above stated, by which it may be changed, spe-
cities no other mode-thus virtually forbidding
any other mode.
In order, therefore, to the legal calling of a
convention, that clause Of the constitution must
be first stricken out in the authorized way; aud
provision most be made constitutionally for
summoning convention. This could be done,
if the people really desire a convention, with as
much despatch in point of time as the circum-
stances of the case seem to require.
1t the constitution embodes the sovereignty
OF the people, as it must, else it could not be
the paramount law, there can be no power ex-
stlng out OF the constitution to warrant de-
! parture from its directions. Containing within
Itself provisions for its own amendment, it may
be legally changed from time to time, as new
conditions OF things may arise TO call for mod-
tications. 1t would not be desirable among a
people having respect for law and order to VIC
late the existing constitution as a first prelim-
nary to the establishment of a new one For,
the precedent Of violation once set, there would
he no guarantee that the new constitution would
be regarded as of any real validity"
According TO our apprehension, the legisla-
ture may legally do whatever is not prohibited
to be done by the constitution, and that instru-
ment nowhere forbds the call of q convention
to remodel the constitution. 1t only requires
that, to render such constitution legally opera
/ tive, it shall have passed the Legislature at
two successive sessions. This is the ground
taken in the address Of the reform convention
of last year; and to this course we cannot see
any valid objections, unless the expense of hold
ing convention be consideration. Those
who favor rational reform-the correction Of
existing errors or blemishes in the organic law
have no desire to violate the constitution to
attain that object. They contend, that the le-
gislature has the power to call convention
notwithstanding the constitution prescribes the
mode in which amendments to the organic Law
shall be made-and in this position, we thinI
they are correct The constitution prescribe
that laws shall be made by the senate anc
. bnnSo of Ja1a1atac ;y;, -
the signature of the Governor. But the legis.
lature has repeatedly passed acts, dependent for
their validity, upon the votes of districts, coun.
ties, the city Of Baltimore, or Of the whole PEG.
pie of the State. This power not being denied
to the legislature, has been exercised without
dispute.
l, is further objected that specific objects o
reform have not been named, and that all thai
may be required, can be effected in the ordna.
ry way by the Legislature. We know very
well what the legislature can do; but the ques-
ton is, will it make wholesome reforms? vii
1t abolish the chancery court-establish bien
NAL sessions-reduce salaIes-eeuaize repre-
sentatlon-prohibit the increase of State debt
&c? yea, let the work be done without delay
We say nothing of any change in the judiciary
for we do not know what change could be ad
vantageousy made. Certainly not the election
Of judges by the people. That is an alteration
to which we never could give our assent, fol
we say in all fIankness, that the people are not
in our opinion, qualified to select judicial off.
GERS. We know that we have not the intorma.
ton necessary to constitute US competent vot-
els on such %, ston. Is it desirable to abol-
ish the lcens NC of attorneys? We think not
Every man can now plead his own cause if he
SO please; SO that the field is fairly open to those
who aspire TO plead at the bar. We do moi
consider it advisable that the door shall be
thrown wider open-for, in fact, with the pre-
caution of preliminary study and an authorized
examination, we have now, throughout the
State. members Of the bar, who would be more
appropriately employed at the tail of the
plough, or in driving plane, than in speaking
nonsese before the courts and juries. In short
we are not in favor of any measure which shall
disturb the order and harmony Of society; o,
which is not likely to be Of positive benefit to
the communicated, Of course, we are not the
advocates of party convention.
Laws OF THE UNION. The Republican
and Argus Of Saturday last, announces that
the Secretary Of State, Mr. Buchanan, ha:
selected that journal to publish the laws, treat
les, &C. of the United States. Although oul
friends of the Republican may not be greatly
benefited, in a pecuniary point of view, BY
this selection, yet the appointment is very pro-
| per, as showing disposition on the part of tie