Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-04-21
COMMUNICATED
STATE CONSTITUTION.

people OF This Territory have now cas-,
their votes for or against State Govern.
nent, and alth'o 1t is not yet ascertained
whether the vote is yea or nay,it is expec-
ted there will be a large majority in favor
OF The measure and if SO il is Of great con.
sequence that we begin TO think the matter
over and come 10 some conclusion about
what kind OF constitution we as citizens
OF a new State shall be the most likely 10
prosper under. One of the greatest rea-
sonsiwhy we should begin in season to
weigh the subject is lha, we may know in
season who are our best men for delegates
10 the convention that is to be held in Oct
next for the purpose of forming that all
important instrument called The constitu-
ton. Every one is well aware that in or
der to go right we must start right.
AS regards the right of suffrage,i it is TOO
late 10 say wno should or who should no,
have had the right Of ii granted to them in
the formation Of a State Government as
the act Of the last Legislature must be re
cognzed at the law by which we are 10 be
governed. But, who and what should The
constitution Of the State Of Wisconsin con-
slider entitled 10 the right oil suffrage. A
true democratic constitution would declare
that every man who is citizen of the u.
States and who has resided in the State a
certain length Of time shall enjoy the righ:
Of suf. age.
This would give the Irish, Swiss Nor
wegian, The German the French, &c. &C.
all the RICH, Of suffrage if they have be-
come citizens Of the United States, and it
would give all natural born citizens the
same right whether they be black or white
No mar Of true republican principles WI
contend that natural born citizen should
be denied The right Of suffrage let the col
or of his skin be what it may.
We contend that equal rights belong to
all men. Why then should the man TO
whom God has given black skin be kept
down. Cultivate his intellect and it is as
good as any mans. Let him once feel
that he has rights as we'll as other men and
he will as readily maintain them. | say
give men the The rights that belong to men
and if any thing lha, is not man claims
lEa. tights Or. privileges ofmens sura-them
away but let all men enjoy equal rights
am no, an aboliionst am democrat
and only contend for true democratic prin-
ciples, and do earnestly hope the constlu
ton Of Wisconsin will be entirely demo-
cratic in granting the right of suffrage. In
forming State Government It is the OBJ
ject Of all honest men to bring about bet
ter state of things than can exist under
Territorial form Of Government.
And in order to do this we must Of course
begin with the con- ttution. Our existing
Jaws are we'll calculated 10 keep up con-
slant stream Of litigation which costs the
people more every year than the amount
raised by them for school purposes. Now
in order 10 effectually remedy this evil we
must begin at the beginning Of a State
Government. Considerable has been said
about the abolition of our collection laws,
and in my opinion no good reason can be
maintained why it should not be DONE
One thing is certain, that if we wish to
put ia stop TO so much litigation and cost Of
cour is, the first thing TO be done is to abol-
ish these laws, and not only to do this but
10 simplify all other laws. | can see no
good reason why so many words are nec-
essary in statute law as are in most cases
made use IF to get out or at the meaning
Of the act. The less words that can be
used 10 come al the meaning Of any law
will render it the more easy of compre-
hensicn. Most men can understand the mean
ing Of what they read on most all subjects
except law, and why then cannot law as
well be made so as TO be as easily under
stood. Or in other words why is 1t not as
easily understood. | answer. The great
difficulty is that those who calculate 10 get
their riches by the profession of law, are
those who are quite too often entrusted with
the law making power, and Of course will
work for their own interests. If we have
no more law than is necessary and that
made simple and easy to be understood
those men who calculate to get their living
without ever geiing their fingers dirty will
find very soon that they mus, go 10 work
or beg their bread.
Their services would no more be need
ed in expounding the law. Then if we
would have good laws lie, US send men 10
on: legislature who wish 10 prosper under
good and equitable laws, and not those who
hope to prosper under bad ones. Ii we
could once get rid of the laws out of which
SO much litigation grows We should in a
great measure rid ourselves of the neces-
SHY of having 10 pay such a heavy tax to
defray the expense of other mems lawsuits