The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-16
From the Buffalo Commercial AdU1tisU
Constitutional Conventions.

The convention to form a new constitution for
Ohio, is now in session at Columbus. Michigan,
on Monday, elected delegates TO a like convention.
And Virginia and Maryland have taken the initia-
tory steps In the direction, and will soon have
their organic laws in process OF being remodecd.
Within the past ten years spirit Of uncasiness APP
pears to have taken possession OF our people, and
an idea that their forms Of State government were
becoming antiquated and inappropriate 10 their
present condition. Such has been undoubtedly
the case in most instances. In fact, single one
does not now occur 10 US wherein we think the new
has not been an improvement upon the old. More
enlarged and liberal principles have prevailed and
stronger and more stringent guards have been
thrown around those points wherein the rights OF
the people had been inirngcd upon under old sys-
world Its course Is coward and upward" Pro-
gress in every thing is the distinguishing feature OF
our people Society Is ever changing; and, unlike
the nations of the old world, the SOP Is not content
TO tread in the path of his ancestors, who through
preceding generations plodded their way along,
unchanged and without improvement
But the genius OF our countrymen Is ever active
ever going out and grasping after something new
something more ample 10 confer happiness and TO
beget prosperity than that enjoyed by those who
had gone before them. This lie the case, not only
in science in arts, in literature law in short, in all
the departments Of life, but in all those things which
tend 70 higher and more perfect civilization. And
hence political constitutions 30 soon become in
applicable in their provisions TO the actual condi-
ton Of society. Still think that often their re-
mO0elnE ~ entcrcO upon HOil tVo 5nkhe c"trcSt
and that il would be frequently better TO bear the
Inconvenience OF existing system OF govern
ment than 10 change its radical features. Stabili-
ty is great element in the strength OF any form
Of government. When tickle policy IL once com
menced there is no limit, and the organic law OF
| the State may be changed whenever II suits the
caprice or interest Of bare majority. We all
know the great reluctance with which most OF our
countrymcn approach even the discussion OF the
| subject of amending the Constitution OF the United
States.
And il is this veneration in which that instru-
mont is held that constitutes 20 much OF its moral
binding force upon our people. Let II but become
the sport Of every one who is not satisfied with all
| it's provisions, and IL would soon be as rope OF
sand-scarcely invested with cohesive power sufh-
cient TO sustain it's existence. The same prin-
ciple holds good in reference 10 State constitutions
and although we not opposed to Topping OIL
whatever becomes offensive, in the progress OF time,
and the introduction of principles developed by the
operation Of the institutions OF society, yet we feel
that il is too often made light matter OF, instead
| Of one Of grave importance, demanding the most
solemn consideration Of frecmen.
The movement now on foot for cffecting constitu-
tonal reform in several Of the States will doubtless
be productive Of avast improvement, particularly
in Ohio and Virginia, whose organic laws reach far
| back into the past history of our country. There
some other States, too, which might be benefit
| ted by change, but the people have not yet been
| awakened TO it's necessity.