The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-06-30
Specific Amendments.


pOrtt without violating your DDS commands
"Well--ahem --oh-ah-good morning"
SPECIFIC Amendments.
We wish 10 offer to our readers few thoughts
and facts upon a subject which at present inter
ests many minds. and Ia the discussion Of
which several papers In Kentucky are earnestly
engaged. We refer to the "open clause" as it
is termed, or that provision by which specific
amendments may be made in a Constitution
without involving the revision and reoonstruc-
ton of the whole instrument. Such a provi-
sion seems to US worthy Of universal adoption.
We are heartily In favor Of il, for the following
reasons;
LIST. Because we believe it to be right. No
Constitution. with whatever wisdom it may be
framed, or however we'll adapted Il may be to
the period OF it's formation. can provide for all
future emergencies. In the working of the
best govsrnments, unanticiPa.ed evils, Of great
er or less magnitude, will appear II will be
found that Some essential principle has been
overlooked, or that some principle has been in
;roduced which proves oppressive in its opera
ton. Now IL seems to US q matter Of simple
right that, when such evils are disclosed, the
people, for whose benefit Constitutions are made,
and upon whose power and will humanity speak
ing, all governments depend, shouId have the
opportunity Of speedily correcting themt Of re-
moving features which prove Objectionable. end
Of Introducing such as experience shall make
desirable.
But unless the specific amendment principle
is recognised in Constitution, this power can.
not readily be exercised; virtually, il is denied
for often people win endure an evil for years
rather ihan subject themselves to the expense
and trouble and hazard of revising and remod.
cling whole Constitution.
Some, we know, will say that il is better that
au evil or many evils should be endured, even
for years, than that Constitution should be e.
posed TO change. Not so, say we. Consultations
are made for the People, not the People for
Constitutions; and il a Constitution prove de-
fsctve or adverse to the welfare Of society, the
very purpose for which that Consultation was
framed requires that il should be changed. And
this thought brings us to another reason in IA
vor Of the specific amendment feature.
2. We say then, in the second place, that
we approve Of introducing the specific amend
ment clause into the new Constitution because
We believe that such clause, while enabling
the people to remove evils that may be disclosed
from time to time, piH insure the general staSiIi
ty aad permaneace Of The Consfitufion.
Why is it that changes can be effected in the
United States peaceably and without danger,
which, II attempted in Europe, would shake the
Government to its very foundations, or perhaps
rend the social fabric ssunderi Because in the
United States, under our republican institu-
tions, the power and right of the people to make
any needed change are recognised, while In
Europe, at least in dsspotic Europe, the power
and the right are denied. In the one instance,
government is regarded as harmonising with
the people, and therefore Is an object of interest
IN the other, government is viewed as something
apart from the people, IL not antagonistic to
he people, and therefore is an object Of suspi-
zion. So with Constitution. II 1t DENY or
'eem to deny the right of the people to correct
md remove evil, it becomes a thing apart from
he people, and is in danger Of being regarded
With GOODNESS, If not with aversion; but let Il
lilly recognise the right Of the people to make
my and all needed changes, and It will be felt
o be In hormony with the people and will be
egarded with confidence and affection. Changes
nay b. made from time to time, but they will
lot be made rudely nor rashly, and the esse initial
haracter Of the Constitution will remain un-
hanged. Years upon years will be added to the
uration Of its existence, but il will never be |
iewed as old and decrepit. 1t will blend the |
&c, and be regarded with increased affection
nd pride. We are therefore in favor of the
pecific amendment clause. because it will give
, the Constitution, no to speak, a power Of
slf- adaptation to the changing circumstances
society, thus keeping It in harmony with the
pirIt Of each successive age, and securing its
eneral stability and psrmanence.
;. We are in favor of this principle because
has been recognised in the Constitution of
10 United States, and in the Constitutions of
xenty -four States Of the Union. In some Of
lese Constitutions the power which the princi-
le gives is much more restricted than in others,
ut the principle IL the same in ALL So gener-
|, almost universal recognition Of the pri n
pie affords, to say the least, strong presump-
on Of its correctness.
In another number Of our paper we will con-
nue. the discussion Of this subject.