The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-10-01
TIE NEw CONSTITUTION. : TIE ELECnos 3,

was framed, in regard to the effects it was likely
to produce for good or for evil on our social moral,
and political condition. For year before the
session of the convention which formed il, the
friends and supporters of the alterations and
amendments suggested to be made in the old con-
sttunon, brought them before the public through
the press, ard discussed them with considerable
force and ability. They attempted to prove, from
the increase OF population, the extension of COM
msrce and manufactures and the various and
complicated relations emanating from those new
influences, together with the growing intelligence
OF the people, that to give them full scope and eff
feet, il became absolutely necessary that the con-
tempated changes should be made.
When the committee appointed by the conven-
ton had prepared the draft of the amended consti-
tuition, the subject was then brought before that
body in a more tangible shape, Its merits and de-
merits were more deliberately and practically dis
cussed, and finally II was sent TO the people for
their appreciation; at their primary election they
adopted 1t, and by that act have affixed to it the
seal of their appreciation, and far 1t has worked
we'll
On the other hand those who opposed this new
order of things (and they were neither few nor
from the continuous innovations (as they termed
them) made our political lnstitutlons-they
caught up the old and absolute theory of the mo-
anarchists of Europe, that popular governments are
the parents of faction and intrigue; and hence they
argued, that the bands of society would be loosen
ed, the arm of justice paralyzed, and the whole
frame of our State government overturned but
they should have born in mind, that those changes
were merely experimental-th both our State and
general governments were experiments, and sue
cessful ones too - and that, by them, the inn
portant fact has been fully demonstrated, that
an educated and enlightened people, are capa-
bic, through their representatives of self 60
vernment We have seen that republic, in
the true sense of that term, has existed here for
upwards of seventy years; and during that long
period, amidst the whrlwind of faction and party
strife, no citizen ever has raised his voice or his
arm against It. The alacrity with which Amerl-
can citizens rallied under the standard of their
country, during the two last wars in which we
were engaged with England and Mexico, and the
recklessness and daring with which they all ven
tured, and many of them sacrificed their lives, in
maintaining the honor of the country, is pretty
strong evidence, if any were wanting, of their de-
NOllOH W republican pIlHClPeS, anu TIC Ndiuc ticy
attach to free and enlightened system of govern
ment
On this point the London Times of the 18th INST,
IN speaking of the new French Constitution
says
what however, is more commonly expected from
national constitution is the precise form of govern
ment which is to give and execute laws in untry
and the ingenuity of all preceding legislators has been
employed to frame the nice balance of Sc
inda dap N int nj IN fha
berave gravity of the Legislature to avoid the pre-
ciptate decision of momentous questions by the
Of various branches of society and to invest
the executive power with due amount OF authority
and dignity That the study of the wise founders
ofhe great American republic the only men who ever
yet succeeded in concert in such task and to the
lasting honor Of the American people rash voice has
yet been raised to demand alterations in q consttu-
tion which has upon the whole accomplished its prn
cpal objects and fostered the growth of prosperous
and powerful nation For all these purposes however,
the new French constitution might be included in
article. In reality the whole political authority
of France is to be vested in one permanent Assembly,
composed of $50 me nbers, chosen by universal suf
absolute power. This is the whole affair The Pre-
tdent is also to be chosen the direct and universal
suffrage OF the nation but he is armed with prero
gatives to control the omnpotence Of the Assembly
and his actual power is mperceptiby SMALL except in
the exercise Of the patronage of the State
We find that. under our form of government,
twenty millions of people enjoy larger share OF
personal liberty than any other people, ancient or
modern, ever before enjoyed-that life and pro-
perty is more secure; agriculture commerce manu-
isctures and wealth, and whatever else conduces
20 the physical, moral, and intellectual improve
ment of mank ind more widely and generally DIFF
fused-our people better educated, more intelli-
gent, more happy and contented, than any other
people, and our government the most stable and
secure of any at present in existence. The con-
vused and chaotic state OF the governments of the
old world, when contrasted with the good order,
contentment, and happiness that reign amongst
ourselves, fully bear us out in what we have said
this subject, and proves the value OF our iastl
tutions, and their adaptation to the wants and re-
quirements of the people.
The opponents of the new constitution, having
such an array of facts and arguments opposed to
their views, ought to have paused and at least
gwen it fair trial before they found fault, or pre-
dicted evil. They should have watched its opera
tions and If they found it did not answer the end
for which II was designed, they should have
pointed out Its defects, and be prepared with
remedy. The constitution that was adopted by
this State after the revolution, guaranteed to the
people the right of remodelng and amending it.
They have frequently done so; and those who op-
posed the present changes, had abundant opportu-
nty of Judging OF the results former alterations had
produced the commonwealth; they, therefore,
ought TO have shown what these results were,
how they operated, and where the danger lay. II
they could not do that, and it was pretty
clear they could not, then 1t was incumbent on
them to slrow that the present are different from
the former, and peculiarly open to censure.
1t was said, however, and 1t was the only objec.
ton that had any substance IN it, that throwing
the election of judges INTO the hands Of the peoples
and shortening the term of office, would endanger
their independence, because the people were not
competent to Judge of the qualifications of men
aspiring to those high Offices; that men of eminence
in their profession would not seek or accept Of
judicial situations: and that those only of an infe