Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-08-04
COUNTY CONVENTION.

| SOONl WV iOINs
We regret much that time did TO permit
our late county convention, to consider mat
tiers in connection with the constitution to
be framed, and give some instructions TO
their candidates. We know if they are
good democrats who have been nominated,
we have guarantee that they are in the
main, liberal in their feelings and will en>
deavor TO procure such an instrument as
will correspond with the spirit of the age,
and aid in mans further progress and devel-
opement. But there are many details, a.
bout which there almost as many differences
of opinion as there are men, all Of which
are essential and which we should like to
have heard some expression OF our county
convention with regard To-. How this can
now be accomplished we know not, but we
should certainly like to soc some communi--
cation between candidates and their conslit-
uents by which al interchange Of sentiment
can be had and some common ground of
view attained. II is no ordinary occasion;
il is not the flaming OF a law which The next
Legislature mey repeal, but permanent
instrument which must fashion institutions
for years A good constitution will exer-
else most saluiary influence mot felt mere
ly in the general by the State, but which
will come home to the house and home of
every man of the State. TO their funda.
mental law, do the United States owe their
rapid growth in greatness. We are outstrip-
ping the world, young as we are, in all the
attributes, both of matter and mind, which
make great and good nation. 1t is to the
principles Of our constitution which throw
open The door OF wealth and fame equally TO
all, whereby all melted 10 tux their utmost
energies in the onward race. that we owe
it. But We have just commenced after all.
Great as we are,we have scarcely glimpse
or an idea of The elevated position social,
moral, political, pccuniary, ard what not
that man is capable Of attaining This
progress GIFT does not depend on) is yet
intimately connected with this constitution.
Give free action to all mans powers,
yield no peculiar nor special privileges to
any man or set of men, but lei each and ev-
cry one occupy precisely TIM same position
SO far as the advantages and favors Of govern
mcnt are concerned and there is no fear
but mind will continue TO expand and man
60 upward in the scale of being, until he
attains the elevated position, above the
petty objects, the petty hopes, the fears and
mlseries of bis present condition, that he is
capable ofaitaining and TO which he natur-
ally belongs. Man is not now moving in
in his natural element or sphere; he is as
little at home, in his present social condi-
tion, as fish out of water. His constant
struggles for happiness are the result ofthat
false position; and they are no, struggles in
vain, struggles fot phantom which does
not and cannot exist; no such thing, il is The
God within which prompts the strife, and
the struggle will never cease Till the end
is attalned,and so sure as the power Of God
Is omripotent, so sure is suffering man C.
vcntually, of aitalning this result 1t is the
duty Of social and political compacts 10 help
on not retard their strivings, and how it is
best TO be done, is the great question. Ii
is bcs, TO be done by Stacking in no wise
mans freedom; give him free scope, no, by
law, but by Withholding law Mans liber.
ties arc not SO much restricted by the rights
You tako from him, as by the special pow
ers and privileges you delegate TO others.
As we said before let all occupy the same
ground, and our past progress will be but a
faint indication of our progress TO come.-
Look abroad upon the face of society,"
Does II never occur to the great mass of
mankind, that the myriads in every society
who live without any useful employment,
are enjoying the benefits of special laws;
are supported by such laws extracting for
them the substance 9th mass. Such pc
culiarIy are laws granting banking privileges.
BY these laws men are permitted in a bare
and shame-iaced maRRer to accumulate to
themselves the substance Of Others without |
rendering any equivalent in return. Thsn
again take the laws which stand between
debtor and creditor. Look at the armies of |
men supported and sustained BY these laws
Are they necessary to the we'll being of man
90 they minister TO any requisition Of soci.
'y; not bit Of it, every end they seek to
attain can be vastly better attained without
them, and they are simply laws granting