The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-06-09
The Revolution.

dI lucHl.
The Revolution.
Some time since. the Eagle said that,
when the time for action arrived, Hamil-
ton County would be found in the fore
most ranks of the Revolulionists. From
the indications at the time. we somewhat
doubted the prophetic wisdom of our
neighbors; but one of them having been
a quondam resident of the county, we
thought we would await subsequent
events.
Well, the time has arrived but Ham.
iton County has not arrayed herself on
the side of the disorganizers. On the
contrary, from present indications it
would seem that the people, whom Lo.
cofocoism say is most aggreved by the
apportionment law, will have no hand or
lot in "ulterior measures.
John Brough, well known to the peo-
pie of this county, who has been honored
by them and who has often batled with
them, is unwilling to stake his reputa-
ton upon this revolutionary issue and
cannot see how a constitution adopted by
a few individuals Of the LOcofoco party
can have any binding efficacy upon the
people ofOhio. He enters the lists a.
gainst the radical demagogues of his own
party and shows up their folly in strong
colors. We recommend his remarks be
low to the calm consideration of the de
mocracy of this county, who as yet have
not endorsed the action oft wire work.
ers in town. Let them reflect but for @
moment and we are confident that they
will have no desire to join in the present
disorganizing and revolutionary scheme.
We do not desire to enter into a contro-
versy with our friends of the Hamilton
Telegraph, upon the abstract right ofthe
people to change their form of govern
ment. A correspondent Of that paper
has said all that we would urge with a
single exception. The authorities cited
from Mr. Benton, and others, have no ap.
plca,ion in Ohio, under present circum.
stances, for the simple reason that the
facts to which they were applied do no:
exist here. And for this same reason the
great abstract principle quoted by the
Telegraph cannot. and does not govern
the case. That the right TO change and
abolish government exists in the people
we are free to admit-bnt where the peo.
Pile, in the original formation of the gov.
ernmcnt, have surrendered-as they may
= legtimately do-this prerogative or pre-
scribed the forms and rules that shall cal
it into, and govern its exercise, they are
: as much bound by that as any other act
3 No other power than themselves cal
: trammel the use of this right;-the peo
I pie can do it. They have done it in Ohio
and it is not for them now to say that the,
I will repudiate their own acts, and pursu,
+ a different course. If the present con
I stitulion were silent as to the manner o
y its amendment, we should find no Difficult
: ty in admitting the principle conlendet
l. for, that such measure could be accom-
plshed by the spontaneous action of
= majority of the people-for thus alon'
l. could it he done-and the right woul'
stand forth untrammeled. But under tn,
Q provisions ofthat instrument, such thin,
is not admissible; for the people hav,
surrendered the right of spontaneou
b action, in favor of an authorized lega
I movement. lfno snch provision existed
then tho position of Mr.. Benton that tht
action of the people requires no legisla
tive permission would he good one; bu
: in conflict with such clause as our con
stilution contains, which though not al
5 absolute surrender Of right to change the
; form of government is declaration oftht
manner in which alone it can he done, the
5 principle contended for does not apply
The people cannot deny theirown author
ity,orstultify themselves. tits by loosing
sight ofthis distinction in the argument
of this question, that our friends of the
Telegraph, and others have, as we con.
ceive, run into error.