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

bad can be disregarded, thus sttempt-
ing 10 ward off evils by others OF a
scracely less magnitude.
These features Of the constitution
are not only bad of themselves, but
they are still more Objectionable when
we reflect that they will produce other
laws still worse. They are seeds Of
evil which will produce an hundred
fold. We are Just about TO start 10
our course as nation, and it is as inn
portant that we have correct princi-
pies Of government, as it is for young
man to commence business for himself
with good habits and correct moral
principles. Nations have their youth,
their forming, fixing period of exis-
tenee, as we'll as individuals. II we
take the down-hill road at first, we
shall be too apt 10 follow il with in
creased velocity. Good or bad con
stitutions and laws, are not only effects
but causes. They spring from good
or bad state, but afterwards they have
most powerful effect in producing in
society the very qualities which they
contain themselves.
! Adopt this constitution, and we shall
have an expensive Legislature, which
cannot make so good laws as would a
less numerous body; we shall lave a
miserable judiciary; we shall have con-
fusion and uncertainty in every branch
of our laws; the respect for law and
government will be lcssened, aud the
bonds Of society loosened; the sacred
influence Of the family relation viii be
impaired; and credit, enterprise and
business, most injuriously Affected
We are now in country of vast re-
sources, yet undevoloped for want Of
capital. We need capital 10 improve
our water powers, to build up oar vii
lagos, and carry on various branches Of
business which can be done at great
profit. While money is plenty in the
New England States at six per cent,
il cannot be borrowed here II twelve
per cent. al as our laws grow poorer
aud poorer, the rate of interest will
become higher and higher. 1t is fire.
qucntly admitted by the supporters of
the constitution, that the merchants
and business men of the Territory are
generally opposed to the constitution.
Do they not understand their own in
terests? Is il not better for them that
the farmer, mechanic & laborer should
be rich, than that they should be poor?
Do not pee,le trade ascending TO their
means? Whoever heard of a merchant
selecting an impoverished country as
place eminen;ly favorable for trader
On the other hand, is not the farmer,
mechanic and laborer benefited by
the construction Of mills, by the build
ing up of villages, and by almost any
outlay Of capital in the country' Sir,
we are mysteriously and intimately
connected together in the present
state Of society, by q thousand ties, so
that almost every individual in the
community is benefited BY the pros
perity OF any other individual, and in
iured by his adversely. There is no
diversity Of interests between persons
Of different pursuits, and all attempts
to excite preiudices between them,
are most reprchensible. II our own
business men then so uniformly object
tothese provisions, business men abroad
will be likely to take the same view,
even ii the provisions were abshactly
good. Our credit abroad viii he seri-
ously impaired. Now almost every
merchant in the Territory buys his
goods in New York city on credit
Under this constitution he must either
purchase no goods or purchase them at
GREATER price, on account OF the in
creased risk of crediting II he buys
at a greater price, he will charge his
customers the same excess, and also a
still higher price for his Increased risk
Ia creditiag. @! "but this credit is
terrible thing; we wish TO cut of all
credit Does not the farmer, when
he sows his wheat in the fall. credit
his farm for yeare When he raises
a horse or an OK, does he not credit
him for thrle or four vears9 II Re had
an hundred acres covered with grain,
is it not as proper that inc merchant or
mechanic who has furnished him with
some of the necessaries Of life, should
wait TO DO compensated for his labor
until the grain ripens, rs we'll as the
tarmer2 1t requires capital 10 carry
on any branch Of business pro6tably,
and some branches require a great out
lay OF capital Would YOU, then, saw
shat no young man, however well