Democratic banner., 1849-03-19

'A"st "h'ch lie Would not SANCTION. Is this
a proposition to amend the constitution? il
so, it must be made in the mode pointed out
in the constitution, published in a certain
manner and ratified after careful examina-
ton BY the next Legislature. Examine, said
he, the resolutions, and you will find in
them a compliance with the constitution in
but one particular, and that is the publica-
ton Of the proposition. Ard now he asked
if we, as a legislature, can violate the con-
stitution in the mode of proposing an
amendment, and also in the mode Of its rat-
GcaGon, why can we not also disregard it
in the matter of publication? The power
once given, there is no limit to curb us, the
Legislature gathers power and there is no
use of a constitution to guide them, for that
may be established and demolished at their
own sovereign will and pleasure. To show
to what dangerous extremes this doctrine
might lead, he proceeded to demonstrate
how, with the violation as a precedent be-
fore them, a future Legislature, protesting
great regard for the people, and confidence
in their intelligence, might become the sole
makers Of the constitution, and be able to
engraft on it almost without the knowledge
OF the people, the most odious provision;
for instance, they might propose an amend
ment by a bare majority, might call a spe-
cial election for a vote on the proposition,
and even neglect or refuse to publish it, in
order to inform the people of the cause Of
the election. In a case of this kind, thou
sands of intelligent citizens would never
hear Of the proposition; aud those who
might become aware Of it, would be called
upon to cast a vote on the most important,
perhaps Of all subjects, without reflection
or serious consideration. BY this means,
changes in the constitution would follow
each other in rapid succession, and that
~perrnanency and peace sought to be secur-
cd BY the people against Legislative iniu~
ence, would be converted into the grossest
Confusion and uncertainty. So far as he
was concerned, he was determined to cast
his vote on this prGposition. in accordance
with what he considered to be the spirit
and design OF the constitution. Gentle
men might say they can see no difference
between the proposition and the one to call
a convention in 1916, but he thought there
was a material difference. The one is an
actual proposition 10 amend, the other was
a simple proposition to be decided by the
people wheMer they would select delegates
who might meet thereafter for the express
and avowed purpose of altering or amend
ing the constitution. These delegates, too,
were fresh from the people, with instruc-
.kiOns upon the contemplated changes, and
more than all, relieved from the solemn
obligations imposed upon members of the
legislature to support the existing constitu-
ton. Members of a convention called for
the purpose of framing or amending a COIL
stitution, would merely take an oath to sup
port the Constitution Of the United States,
and a majority of them could make or I'M
make at pleasure. No. so with the legis-
%la:ure it meets for the purpose of framing
Ldws in accordance with the constitution,
and the people have wisely guarded therein
against violent and uncalled for changes
which nave always proved and ever will
prove detrimental to their peace and happi-
ness. The question of bank or no bank
was not now the Legitimate subject Of dis
c%ussion; if that were the question, he
Imagined there would be less difference OF
opinion than now exists in regard to the
passage of the resolutions. He thought
that the Democrats of the State were gen.
orally opposed to banking Institutions and
would unquestionably at the proper time
cease t. give them encouragement in any
shape, within the limits of this State, but
he believed also that they were willing to
go about this great reform in the proper
and constitutional mode. If he could lend
his support to this proposed amendment
without SC thorough a conviction OF a sio'
IIation Of the Constitution ; its spirit and