The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-04-01
.-~.vl, ii For the Spirit of Democracy.
To the Electors of Belmont & Monroe
FKLLow CITIZENS:

FxIIow CITIZENS:
Involuntary absence at Mariett
Court prevented the regular appearance of thi
number last week. The second number treated o
the convention bill. Great anxiety was felt FORT
passage. If the House had concurred with tn
Senate. the popular vote wpuld have been taker
next fall and as it is not to be supposed that the Peo
pie either could or would vote against their OWL
advancement and their own happiness, the conse
quence would have been the call of conven
ton to sit in lst9, in the great calm which always
succeeds the political storm Of presidential elec
ton. The old champions of the measure were toe
sincerely desruus of its success to risk Its passage
by any qualification of personal vanity. Accord
ingly we held back TO see if some new man would
not introduce bill of the kind, well knowing that
every father is partial to his own children. In this
calculation we were not disappointed. Wilson oi
Darke, introduced bill, and we thus obtained an
accession Of strength At the moment Of it's intro.
duction, your Senator instantly and impuIsively
F. rose and returned him public thanks 10 your be-
half. This great measure thus commenced its ca
resr in the Senate under very happy auspices
We made no set speeches about the matter; but
We introduced il into our debates whenever an op.
portunity arose. Truth is always consistent with
itself; and accordingly we found many opportun-
ties, in our occasional debates, to show out the de-
fects and the evils of our old, miserable worn-out
system. We pursued the same course in our COM
mittee rooms and social circles till open opposition
almost gave way. The bill was then put upon its
engrossment, and twenty five members voted for
il and eleven against This was more than two
thirds. The moment the result was announced
clap pf congratulation resounded throughout the
democratic benches. 1t was an impulsive and in
stsntaneous exhibition Of grati6ed feeling. The
Speaker of the Senate administered, privately, a
gentle reprooi saying that he was afraid that some
Of his political friends would be driven from the
support Of the measure by seeing too much demo-
cratic fire blazing out. This may have been so,
but how is il possible for men to control their in
stantaneous impulses. Such impulses act like
siectricity. The next morning Stutson, of Frank
lin and Madison. retracted his support of the bill,
and asked to have his name recorded on the other
sidea Whether his apostasy was occasioned by
this demonstration Of democratic zeal 10 Of course
unknown; but we bad enough Senators without
him. When the bill was put upon its final pas
ssge, Graham, Of Starke, was momentarily absent.
Il was agreed that the voting might proceed. the
result not to be announced till the Senator from
Etarke could come in and Vote II was moment |
Of intense anxiety. Some said that Mr. Graham's |
vote would only make twenty-three; il so the
MEASURE would fail Others believed that his vote |
would make twenty-four, which would be just
snoogh. Hesoon appeared and put an end 10 sus-
psnse BY voting for the bill in a clear and manly
voice. The eannunciation spread lively Joy through
me Senate; fof man must be made up Of cold
SIsy. who could witness unmoved the passage Of
this great measure Of popular reform. And we did
not fos she moment anticipate defeat and misfortune
in shs House. This bill can never pass % mere