Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1846-02-14
n sa n ~ ~ ~, For lh Goseite.
State G0vernnlen
-.Duty Of the Democracy.

u a = ~. For ls Gazette.
State GOVernmAe mt..OrganizatiO
--Duty Of the Democracy.
M. Editor:-A ClrIzES begs leave,
through the columns of your paper, to call
the attention Of the public, and Of the DEM
ocratic party especially, to the law which
was passed at the recent session Of the
Legislature relative to the formation OF a
State Government. That law provides
that the election Of Delegates 10 form Con-
stitution shall be had on the first Monday
in April-that the Convention shall assem-
BILE in May--and that the Constitution
shall be submitted to the people in August.
Preliminary to the first of these events,
and upon which the successful issue Of
the other two will depend, should be the
immediate and thorough organization of the
democratic party, and the nomination Of
competent and firm democrats as candi-
dates for Delegates to the Convention.
We hazard much by inactivity at such a
time, and will lose every thing if not i'm
mediately upenthe alert. The object pro-
tposed--that Of forming Constitution for
thegovernment of ourselves and our poster
ity-is too important TO admit Of any delay
in our preparations or Of any dali lance
with The enemy. He is very blind man.
indeed, who does not see with what anx-
iety the wing leaders are watching their
opportunity to steal march upon us
and he is slave, deserving Of the chains
which they would fasien upon him, who
seeing their design, would not make it his
first duty. by means Of whatever energy Of
mind, and influence of character he NAV
possess, to defeat it. That the wings en-
terrain some hopes Of securing majority
Of members in the new Convention,
through the inactivity Of the democratic
party, and by means Of monyrelisns, is quite
certain: that they have some chance Of sue
cess, though not certain, is not impossible.
The decision Of the matter is entirely in
the hands Of the democratic party. II they
remain Indifferent to the result, or unor-
ganized, or show the least degree of favor
10 the treacherous and disgraceful system
Of ntongyelism-an almagation as revolving
to the honest mind as the amalgamation OF
the white and black races is disgusting to
the enlightened taste,-if the democracy
give countenance to this species of poli,i-
cal roguery, or continue to stand off as
mere spectators with folded arms, the
wings will most assuredly triumph and
their Convention will present US a Con-
stitution ireckled over with federalism
from top TO bottom, and patched together
with all the shiaplaster provisions known
to the wing catalogue. But if the democ-
racy take the election Of the Delegates into
their own hands, and act with the energy
and unanimity which have heretofore
proved their sincere attachment to their
principles, victory will again crown their
efforts, and Constitution embodying pure
ly democratic doctrines and nothing else,
will be the grateful reward for their Wig
lance and zeal. 1t is for them-the de-
mocracy--to choose whether they will let
the wings take victory by default--or
whether they will rouse up, and, like the
staunch republicans Of the old school when
marching forward to battle, have but the
single question to settle as TO ,cho shall be
first in the fight!
The Constitution adopted at the late
Convention gained for us the public appro
baton and applause Of the leading men and
leading presses of the democratic party
throughout the country. And why?-
Because of the light and economical sys-
TEN Of government which it imposed upon
the peoplc-the Safeguards which it in
terposed between the rights and interests
Of the masses and purchasable and unprin-
ciple lesislation--and because Of the gener-
al high. toned ard bold democracy of its
lie. ding features which conformed it to the
progressive spirit Of the age-a spirit
which disdains to worship at the shrine Of
Anticipated abuses, and which will never
submit silently to be choked to death with
the accumulated dust of ages. The old
Constitution, be it rememb cred, tho defeat
ed at home by combination Of circumstan-
ces not one of which went to its merits,
received the endorsement and applause Of
the most distinguished statesmen and the
most talented journals in the nation. OF
course reference is here made to the lead
ing men and papers con The Jackson side Of
the question: As il rose in estimation
among democrats, as natural consequence,
it sunk, in the esteem of whiggery every
where-and the objections Of its wing op-
ponents in this Territory found faithful
response in the breasts and prints of whig-
gerry abroad. But this is an item Of small
consideration at any time, and especially at
the present. The idea at which the wri-
ter desires to arrive is this-shonld we, as
democrats, in the new Constitution soon
to be formed, fall short Of the high grounds
assumed in our first effort, and thus bring
disappointment upon our friends abroad
and confusion and shame upon ourselves?
Shall we, merely for the poor purpose of
silencing the growls and groans Of hand
ful Of political opponents, desert our prin-
ciples and sacrifice the leading features Of
a great charter for the government Of a
great State which is destined soon to en-
brace hundreds OF thousands and Ultimate
" millions Of people. within its borders2
Again: what ridiculous variety Of child
ish conceits, absurd whims and gross in
consistencies we should present to half
laughing, half pitying world ny total SOM
merset in all our views, policy and prin-
ciples, in case we should abandon the car
dinal features marked out in the old CON-
stilution! 1t is far from the design Of this
communication to be even in the slightest
degree dictatorial in spirit; and it is equal