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

State Government Of Iowa.
We understand ,ha, the Legislature, a,
its late session passed Bill, which calls
upon the people TO cleo. Delegates who
are to meet. in May mex. TO form another
State Constitution. We have no great
objection 10 such a movement. although
a better mode involving less expense
and more speedy results, might have been
adopted. We know tina. some had scru
.ples as To the legality Of that other mode;
.bu. it Involved the same principle that was
observed by the Legislature wuen '"ey
presented the defeated Constitution before
the people second time. and if one was
legal the other must have been so like.
wise. Blu, we have no disposition to
cavil or find faul. with the Legislature for
their action in this matter. We feel tina,
the vote called for in the selection of Del.
ega,es is more imporsan. than any other
on which they could exercise their suf-
frages. l, includes not only their own,
but the welfare Of millions who shall
come after them. They will commit to
men the laying of foundation, on which
a supers.racture is TO be reared cores.
ponding in shape and fashion herewith.
This supers.ruc,ure may not be complet.
ed for ages, but if the foundation be pro-
perly laid at 6st-if in stability. SYM
me,rical proportion and complete finish
il will command the admiration and ap
probation Of ALL-then. as noble edi-
fee. may it 60 on to completion without
the danger Of ever being destroyed. Its
workmen will TO the lales, time be count
ed master builders. They will inherit a
fame which will make their children
and their childrens children proud Of such
an ancestry.
A foundation may be laid Of very diff
ferent character. A majority Of work
men may be selected who will insist up
on an order Of architecture OF their own,
irrespective Of durability. symmetry or a
desire TO secure the rights Of all. |. may
be laid with such contracted dimensions
and with such design as will completely
shut on. from the building, all who differ
with them. although those who may thus
be debarred an entrance have as good a
right Of possession as themselves. Can
such building stand! Will no, opposing
elements combine 10 ensure i,s desiruc
iion? l. canno. stand. Ii will meet the
fate Of Babels Tower; for similar spirit
and one principle governed in the con.
s'rncs'on of both. Opposing elements
will combine to throw down its " walls. and
uproot its foundations, until a broader
platform or foundation shall be laid, on
which ALL can harmoniously stand.
But We mus! drop metaphor and turn
TO sober prose. |. is our desire tina, no
party strife should characterize I'll cleo
ton for Delegates. The question through.
out The Territory should not be whether
the candidates are Wings or Democrats;
but II should be. will they frame for the
people and for the government Of our fu.
ture State such Constitution as will no,
be par;izan in its charac,er-one that shall
be so destitute Of the peculiar opinions and
measures of either party as to be occep,s-
BILE 10 both Wings and Democrats! ANY
one giving his pledge. and who possess.
e. corresponding qualifications for such
an office. we would mos. cordially sup
port, whatever nigh. be his politics.
we may be considered somewhat i'm
Fortunate IN pressing this principle. /,
IS because we believe j, to be the ONLY
srue basis for any instrument, that can
ieg'ilma'ely be considered purely demo.
cratic Constitution. lie, the Constitution
De parszan in its character, and the mo.
men' Tue party opposed 10 i, gains the as :.
tendency, u ceases to be democratic. be
cause !! IS opposed to the majority. This
basis Tor ne.party Constitution meet.
! the appreciation Of the people pener,l,v
we have conversed with many sterling
democrats ON The subject, and thew. al,
acknowledge lis fairness, and would oe
glad to vote for a no-parly Constitution.
II commends itself to their notions of de.
mocracy-and they are right.