Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-27

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bank article was unhcard of Until It
appeared by way Of amendment in the
convention. The elective judiciary
received more discussion, but not such
that any one could tell how the major
lty thought upon it. When any poIit-
icsl principle has been long agitated
in the public mind; when both sides Of
it have been fairly discussed; when it
has been made political test at the
elections; then you can tell what pop
ulsr opinion is in regard to it. But
when great questions Of fundamental
law suddenly arise, affecting ell the
interests of society, and requiring the
profoundcst investigation, how can
any one say that this or that side is
popular9 Or suppose that the first i'm
pressions of those who had thought
some upon these subjects were iayora-
BILE to these provisions, is that conclu-
sive evidence Of the opinion Of the
whole people? Or ought those first
impressions to be forever adhered to,
although further investigation may
show them to be erroncousl Or even
supposing that public opinion was in
favor of these provisions, ought not he
who differed with that public opinion
and thought il fraught with evil consc-
qucnces, boldly and frankly TO express
his own, and thus appeal to the second
sober thought Is freedom Of speech
and opinion prescribed? Are the peo
pie intolerant2 No, Sir. The very
doubt implied by the question, is an
insul. TO them. There are no two
leaves upon any tree alike, and no two
persons who ever thought precisely a
like. Some pretend 10 ih:ak like ev-
cry person with whom they meet, and
express their opinions in the same man
ner the two old women did IN tho fol-
lowing dialogue, viz:
LIST W.-What do you think OF the
revolutionary war?
ID WI think pretty much as yen
do.
LIST W.-WelI, so DO /.
Such opinions are very valuable, and
much respected every where ! am
satisfied, Sir. that the people wish to
hear both sides Of all these questions,
that they desire TO arrive at the truth.
and so to decide as will best promote
their own interests. Should any one
of these provisions be submitted to
vote of the people al town meeting
in any town in this Territory, and a
fair Discussion should be had on both
sides, | am confident that the vote
would be against it. The opinion Of
the members OF the late convention on
these subjects, they having had no
means Of aseertaining what public o.
pinion really was. is Of no higher au-
thority than the opinion Of ary other
l25 uln OF equal ability, who should
happen casually to meet together. In
deed, their votes in some cases, were
no true index to their own opinions,
for many ayowedly voted against their
better iuiment, because they supposed
by so doing they were acting in accor.
dance with public opinion.
9th. sThe constitution can Ne easily
amended, and these Objectionable fea-
lures will be removed" This reason
Is directly contrary to the latter one.
Amendments can be rneae q !. By eI
vote OF two-thirds of all tho members
elected to each house, il they are az
forwards sanctioned hy~a majority Of
the people who shall vote upon the
question. The vote OF any member
Of the Legislature, who shall be abscet
on account Of sickness or Tor other
cause win be counted against the A.
mendmeut, and il viii require two
votes in It's favor to balance il. II is
thought by many members that this
was more difficult method Of amend
ing the constitution than those usually
adopted. A large convention has just
adopted these provisions, many are
urging that they are good and exceed
ingly popular when the constitution
is once adopted there viii be great
reluctance to change it, and can any
man entertain rational hope that the
country will be freed from these evils
in this manners Besides, practical
difficulties win arise from such acourse.
Suppose married woman is holding
$4,000 worth Of property under the
provision Of the constitution, aud that
section should be struck out by amend
ment, who then will own that proper
"? Ii is The very essence of eonSti-
tuition that il should be the fixed and
stable law Of the land, the iouudstion
OF all other laws and institutions. and