Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-21
THE DEMOCRATIC MEETING AT MIL
WAUKEE


1t seems to us there be no doubt of the poll.
cy of the Democratic party, at the present time, in
view of the late events. That the party was divi-
ded, and as would seem, nearly equally So in the
late contest on the Constitution is manifest by the
vote. The division arose not so much from differ
ence in principle between the divided friends, on
| questions of expediency and policy. There can be
! no necessity then for recrminations or denuncia-
tons, but the effort should be to endeavor to find
| and establish some common ground of views upon
which we can again unite, and maintain our
strength, and secure the ascendency of democratic
principles. This may require concessions on both
Sides not ofprinc ipe, for have but little divis
ion on that ground, but in views ofwhat is po-
lite and what expedient in the formation of anoth-
| er Constitution Our opponents are already con-
graduating themselves with the idea that from our
late divisions we are irreconcileably hostile to each
other, and they latter themselves that under spe-
cious names and with specious pretences, they may
carry the next convention and accomplish the OBJ
jectionable ends they desired when laborng to de-
feat the late one Shall it be so? can we not find
| without the sacrifice of principle, and yet uphold
| the Democratic faith!
We are generally well pleased with the ground
| laid down by Democratic friends of Milwaukee.
| We think however, they hardly yield sufficient,
| nor all they can yield with proprety, and with a
due regard to the Democratic principle The points
of difference, upon which democrats were divided,
! were known to be mainly the bank article, and
particularly the 9th section, the article embracing
exemptions and married Womens rights, and PER
| haps the article constituting the Legislature
| As to the first Of these, believe the principle
| they lay down, viii be fully subscribed to by the
Democracy OF Wisconsin. No special charters for
banking corporations, free banking law, unless
the the people distinctly signify their desire to have
such 4 law. For ourse!t, we should prefer to pro-
hlbt special charters and say nothing about a
banking law Of any kind. Ii persons choose, either
separately Or in bodies to Issue bank paper let them
do so, and let the people take it if they choose, all
persons engaged in it, being responsible for their is
sues as for any other debts they may contract. L.
general laws be necessary to regulate these matters,
| let them be enacted.
AS to the exemption we should differ with our
friends We yield to no person in our desire Tor
the establ shnent o. liberal exemption, but We 20
think it a matter winch may more properly be let
to subsequent legislation. Ii is not properly mat
| Ter for constitutional enactment and ery many
who voted against the Constitution, did it for no
other reason, than because they considered that lta
ture out o. place a great share of our Democratic
friends will INSIST that being left out OF the Son
stitution, and think they may do so, with pro-
pretty. We desire exemption ana a liberal ore
and shall labor Gor it till it be accomplished as
will, bat those who desire it in the Constitution for
| the sake of harmony, think had better waive
their opinions, to prey ent the loss of matters equally
| important. But again if it should be put into the
Constitution, the clause which "exccps such debts
as may be owing for the services of mechanics CT
aborers' must be stricken out for we feel confident
it cannot prevail with it in. There is no good rea-
son why exception should be made in favor of any
| debt a debt owing for material to build house.
| is just sacred owing for ba.iiding it and
a Gebt owing for the stove which hee a man warm
is Just as binding that for the clap-boards of his
| house, which were put on for the same purpo e.
One debt is Just as sacred as another for whatever
purpose contracted The Object Of exemption is
| that man may have home free from the Weiss
tudes of lie, as we'll for a capital on which he
may accumulate enough to pay his debts, as 20
preserve his family from want, and the degradation
and frequently crime which accompanies it. If
this be the object. upon what possible grounds can
| exemptions be made in favor of particular debts
| The exemption is either right or wrong-either
good or bad. Ii be good against one debt it is good
against all ; or if be not good against some debts
it is good against more. SO the friends OF exenp-
ton think, and upon this we believe they will in
sist
As to the constitution OF the Legislature, we go
IN distinctly for large body, which will repre-
| sent as fully possible in representative body
the ,ohote people. The history of the country dem
! onstrates them to be cheap as smaller bodies
and we know the rights and interests of the people
are more sacred in their hands, than in that of
|, smaller body. We are confident that that feature
of our late Constitution was not Objectionable, and
that the people will insist on it again
With the exception of the exemption article we
do believe the democracy of tie territory come
together on the basis proposedby The brethren of Mil
waukee and this point we think they will see boz
the propriety and necessity of yielding so far as the
Constitution is concerned How is it, Democrats of
kaclne9 Will you not think seriously oft COM
pare your views with your ighbor, and endeavor
| to harmonic what little differences. of opnon on