Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-20
: SPEECH OF
MARSHALL Ne. STRONG,
IN THE COUNCIL, FEB. 5, lS45

I
On the Bill provlding for another
Co0yenfion. i,a case the Constalu-
| fion should be rejected
Mr.. President: 1t is admitted on
all sides, that this bill is the most i'm
nortant measure OF the session. A
greater number of the people have
asked It's passage by pt lition than that
Of any other law, and a deep interest
is fel, in the subject all over the Ter
ritory. Let Us treat it, then, with that
candor, and fofbearance, and sincere
desire to arrive at the truth. which has
thus far so much distinguished the de-
alterations OF this body; for by so do
ing we shall secure to ourselves the
consciousness of having done our duty,
which is the best shield against all the
ordinations Of calumny A great
variety of topics may be with propriety
touched upon in this discussion. upon
some Of which have reflected much
and felt deeply. In my remarks. |
shall condensc my thoughts as much as
possible, and avoid repetition. | be-
speak the favorable attention of the
members, and if | pursue the course j
have marked out, doubt not it will
be cheerfully given.
The bill under consideration pro-
vides that in case the constitution now
before the people. should not be adopt
eG by them, then new convention.
consisting Of fifty two members, shall
meet in June next for the purpose of
amending it. 1t is unnecessary to re-
fer to the details OF the bill, for if there
arc any here who will vote against it,
they have the manliness to confine
their opposition to its main object.
If the constitution is adopted, this
law will have no force. and will DO no
injury. If it is not adopted, this law
will prevent our being delayed from
coming into the Union for one year.
The people, by an overwhelming ma
liority, have voted that it is time for
Wisconsin to be State. We are the
representatives Of the people, and no
one Of us would, or ought TO, attempt
to thwart their will. Those then who
think the constitution will be rejected
will of course vote for this bill. Those
who have doubts whether it will be
adopted or not, will vote for it, because
they would run no risk upon such a
subject. Is there any one here Of so
sanguine temperament that he can
say. that he has no doubt but that the
constitution ,otH be adopted, and say
it too not for the purpose Of effect up
on others. but with full conscious
ness of its truth in his own bosom?-
Il cannot be. The minds of very
many people arc still unfxed upon the
subject. The late convention, after
having been wholly absorbed in the
subject for ten weeks, thought it right
that the people, having their ordinary
avocations to attend TO all the while,
should have four months TO make up
their minds, and can we now say that
they have decided the question in six
weeks?
But even if ono had no doubt upon
the adoption Of the constitution, il is
bis duty, in my opinion. TO vote for
this measure Indeed, the original
law calling convention, ought to have
provided for another. in case the con-
stitution was rejected. The constitu-
ton should stand full upon its own
merits, and we onght not to say to the
people. that unless you adopt this. you
shall not become n State for another
year, you shall vote under duress, we
will compel you 10 adopt this one or
we will punish you. Suppose the late
convention mad had the power TO pro-
vide for another, in case OF the rejcc-
tion of the constitution. would any
member of it dared TO vote against
such provision? Are not we now
placed in as delicate and responsible a
position as they would have been, es-
pecially altar we have seen such an ex-
preston of public opinion? The only
/ objection which have heard made to
the passage Of this law is, that il will
prevent the adoption of the constilu-
ton. The very objection admits, that
without extraDeous considerations, the
constitution would be rejected. Now
it is of the first importance. that this
instrument should give general salts
faction, or at least suit the majority
But if it should not, and the minority
comnel enough TO vote for il, by such