Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-08-11
THE CONSTITUTION.

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people, it is now. We are about to lay
the foundation of governmental edfice
which is not only TO affect our political, pc
pecunlary and moral condition, but also
that Of generations TO come. If any sup
pose that the formation of state constitu-
ton is only temporary expedient, and that
almost any kind of an instrument will an
swer until we can get a better, they are
greatly mistaken. TO effect any great OF
radical changes in constitution when once
adopted, is matter by no mems easy to be
accomplished; the history Of every state in
Union shows the extreme difficulty in pro-
curing changes. The friends of constitu-
iional reform in the state of New York, la
bored zealously more than six years efore
the legislature could be induced 10 take the
necessary steps TO call convention. YET
the evils complained ofby the people ofthat
state, were of character loudly demand
ing reform, and the earnesness of the peo-
pie TO obtain redress is fully demonstrated
by the Overwhelming vote they gave for q
Convention, as soon as they were permit.
ted TO give a fair expression at the ballot
any kind of constitution will do for the
present, and that the people can have BET,
ter onc at pleasure If the example of 9th
er states may serve as a guide, quarter o.
century may elapse before another con
vention will be called 10 remodel our pros
pcctive constitution. A quarter of a cen
tury, or even h,lf of that period, under a
bad constitution, is time enough 10 work
mischiets from the consequences of which,
generations TO come cannot be freed.
We need at the commencement of oul
career as sovereign and independent state
system Of common school or public in.
sruction, such as will afford encouragement,
for the education of every child in the state.
Unless we provide for the diffusion Of intel.
ligence and the education Of the masses we
shall commit ali gorgeous error which
may work our utter ruin All reliance on
laws, however wholesome or wise those
laws may be, in government where the
people exercise the powers Of sovereignty,
is unavailng, unless the people are educa-
ted, onl:g htened and made to understand
the elements ofpower. Ignorance is one
of the most dangerous foes 10 republican
institutions. Whatever else may be neg
lected, forgotten, or cast aside in the form
alton Of new government, the interests
Of education should be first and foremost,
to receive the sanction Of constitutional
authority.
But it is moi so much our object in this
article, TO point out the interests that shonld
be provided for, as the evils that should be
pu, away or guarded against. We need
10 place some restraints on the law making
propcnsilics Of the age, and unless bounds
are sci, or al least some safeguards provided
our statutes vii! soon run through ponder
Gus volumes, and become an unwicldly and
useless jargon. 1t is astonishing with wha
avidjty some persons cling TO the false no
ton, that the multiplication of law, conduce:
TO the happiness and security of the people
THE world is governed too much" is
sentiment generally admitted, in theory;bu
how many law makers stand up boldly 70
governing less? We say there must be re
straint placed upon the too great accumu
lation Of statute law; many Of the olde
states have increased their statute law I,
such vas extent, that an ineligible re
vision is next TO impossibo-ihe profession
are confused and the people COMPOUNDED -
The accumulation of reported decisions il
the higher courts throughout The United
States, has been asonishingly great dun in!
the past few years. The number of decIs
sions both British and American which ar,
regarded as authoraire in the courts, were
declared by Edward Livingston a humble
OF years ago TO be almost numberless: bu
they are multiplying every year with in
creased ratio, and heaven only knows whel
they are TO end, or 10 what mountain heiph
this vasi pile Of legal wisdom and folly vii
be suffered to accumulate. IF these decis
sions are allowed to go on, each ioymin!
part OF our already complicated legal sys
TEN, they will ere long out number the as
,ronomers computation OF the stars in til,
heavens. And yet according to the doc
trines maintained by the learned fithers an,
expoundcrs of law, every man in this grea
nation is bound to know what these decis
sions are, for Blackstone says every man i.
bound 10 know the law, and The cou,t
recognize the pFinciple.
There is another source OF law owe,
which The people of Wisconsin have no di
rect control, but which il may no, be amis.
TO mention, in order 10 show the increasins
tenden-y of legal enacimen,s. But few
persons are probably aware of the exten
to which the laws Of the United Slate.