Indiana State sentinel., 1846-07-02
Published every Thursday. ]
constitutional Reform.

The following article is from the Albany Evening
Journal of June l. The Journal is a Wing paper,
yet its tone of liberality and "progress," this
question, has done it much credit We wish that the
few whig presses in this State who oppose reform
of our antiquatcd and imperfect constitution, would
ponder upon the generous sentiments of their New
York cotemporary If they would do this, it seems
to us their fears would vanish. Why should they
fear to trust the people with this matter!
The people Of this Commonwealth, by their dele
gates, met in Convention this day, to revise and
amend their Constitution. The necessity for such a
movement was founded in the changed and changing
condition of the State Its extending population and
unfolding resources, require corresponding constitu-
tional progress.
Our form of government was an experiment.
With but dim lights to guide them, our fathers could
not have been expected to form perfect Governmental
Chart All human systems susceptible of inn
provement The changes which have been wrought
in two centuries upon this Continent, prove all that
is necessary for argument. Those who would
stand STILL in an onward world will soon find them
selves practically out of it. The first Constitution,
formed when the State was emerging from a Monar-
chal Government was totally unsuited to the condi-
ton of things in 1870, when it underwent modIfica-
tions. quarter Of century has disclosed the
defects and suggested the amendments which are
now demanded.
OOiile OuI NOuSthtuttoh, OimCu, 10 ~ Woos
by good ard wise men, should bind us forever. This
doctrine, generally applied, would have left Science
and the Arts where they stood in the dark ages.
FULTON was a wise man, but how much of the USE
fulness and glory of his discovery would have been
lost to the world, if those who came after him lad
not enlarged and perfected its application!
Those who insist that Constitution does not
require amendment, err egreglousy. Its defects are
numerous and glaring The people have outgrown it.
They parted In accordance with the then spirit of the
prerogatves. They are now capable of doing for
age with too much of their powertoo many of their
themselves much that was entrusted to agents. They
want more freedom-more equality. They seek for
simple and less expensive form of government
They have determined to make their Government in
FACT and in PRACTICE what it is in NAME and in
THEoRY-purey Representative.
With this view, the abolition of many useless off,
ces is expected 1t is expected, also, that all State
officers will be chosen directly by the people,, Loca
legislation WILL 1t is presumed, be restored to the
Counties Representatives will be pOpularIsed, tha
the people may know for whom they voting, and
that Representatives may feel their responsibilities
And above all, it is expected that simple and cheap
Judiciary System will be established, that parties
may obtain their rights without being subjected &c
runous delays and still more ruinous expenses.
We have already expressed confidence that the
time designated, and the delegates chosen, to carry
out these Reforms, are alike favorable And great
indeed will be our disappointment, if the Convention
assembled should not submit good Constitution
for approval, to the people.