Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-05-12
STATE COVER n MENT-CONVEN
TION.

impulses or humanity.
STATE GOVERNMENT-CONVEN-
TON.
As the question is now fully settled that we
are 10 60 into state government, we deem
1t of vital importance that the principal fea.
lures proposed to be embodyed in our state
constitution, should bs fully and thoroughly
discussed by the people. The constitution
to be framed and adopted, is to determine
in great measure the character of our flu
ture laws, and the policy or our Institutions.
Every voter, every taxpayer, and every in
habilant Of the territory, has an interest at
stake. Every citizen of Wisconsin has an
important responsibility resting upon him, as
to the results oc the convention. The bus.
mess TO be done is the business OF the pco'
ple--the whole people. The formation OF
the constitution is not TO be entrusted to any
particular profession or class men; no pro.
tession should be excluded; but let the PEG
pie see to it that the masses-the laboring
and producing classes are we'll represented.
If we must have high salaries for judicial,
executive and legislative offices, let the
honest tax paying farmers say so. Ga the
other hand, if the people are unwilling to
feed and clolhe horde of unnecessary office
holders, let them speak out before the con-
ven'ion assemblies. Now is the time to inter
change opinions, to propose plans Of gov
ernmenla form, and TO canvas the merits
of different propositions.
We want a better constitution torthe state
Of Wisconsin, than any other state in the
Union possesses; and if we would have such
We do not aim for constitution of superior
merit, we shall be sure not to obtain one
Model constitutions of2j states of the u
MON are before US; whatever among these
Is suited to our wants, our circumstances.
and to the spirit Of the age, we may adopt
But we should not content ourselves with
depending entirely upon the wisdom of 9TH
crs; mind is progressive-every thing a.
round us Of human origin or of human in.
yention, is susceptible of improvement
Science and art are continually advancing
with rapid strides and we pity the sckly
intellect of that man, who really believes
that human government has arrived st its
acme of perfectablity, and is no longer ca
pa5le of being bettered. For our part, we
believe that government isyet in its infancy
and that the progress Of mind will yet i'm.
prove human law, and render it far more
congeniaI to the true interests of man. How
to influence and control human actions by
legislative enactments, SO as to conduce to
the best good of the whole, is a subject OF
vast importance land doubtless will be sub.
Ject of investigation for ages 70 come. The
researches of mind bearing on the political
and moral condition Of man, are inexhaust.
able-they are as boundless as the universe
of God.
If tie people desire TO avoid oppressive
taxation for the support Of governments; ii
they wish justice accessible TO all without
vexatious delay; if they desire to prohibit
legalsed combinations of wealth from eat.
out the substance of the poor, If they would
have plain, ineligible laws--laws with no
justification of words or phrases, borrowed
and retained from despotic ages; and if they
would dispense with senseless technicali
ties and forms of legal falsehood, then they
must look we'll 10 the character of those
whom they send to the convention. Let
not the people be deferred by the cry Off
novation" or "radcalism;" there are doubt
less those whose political ambition is look.
ing forward 10 the spoils of office under the
new constitution; and there are those TOO
whose craft might be endangered by reform,
hence like the men of olden times, who OBJ
tanned livelihood by making shrines for the
goddess Dianna, they desire no radical
changes.
II is our intention to discuss as fully as
possible the prominent principles which
should be embed ed in our constitution,
although we clum no superior knowledge
IN relation 10 these important matters, vet
We hope to see good accomplished, by pro.
soking enquiry and investigation.
Monday, while we write, smiles upon us
with ,olerable degree fpleasantness, but
If the ssoldest inhabitant" ever Witnessed
more intolersble spring weather than the
last few weeks have furnished, we don't en-
Wy him his experience.