The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-27

either State or federal that 90 much asonshes the most
enlightened foreigners the facility and general acqu
essence with which all changes In the fundamental law
are effected The most unimporiant modification in the
elementary or constitutional system OF any government
in Europe can be accomplished only by Of violent
popular connections or revelation government there,
whatever may be iis FORM suenders power only at the
point OF the bayonet All the great revolutions in Eng
land in France, and. recently In the several Ger
manic States may be referred conclusivey proving
wha, is here advanced.
Under all the European systems, taught that
the fundamental constitution Of the government is some
thing too sacred 10 be profaned by vulgar hands has
been bat few years since every tyrant egned specially
by the grace of God Louis the Eleventh OF France Hen
y the Eighth Of England and Paul the Madman OF Russia
claimed TO owe their dadems TO no earthly power. But
that deluson has been dsspated and such elaborate ar
gumens 10 establish its nationality and policy those
OF Fner and Samasius. instead Of leading the authors
to preemeni and honor would render them the laugh
Ing stock OF the world.
II was by slow degrees and by Harcuean efforts that this
mighty change in the sentiments OF mankind was fully
1t had TO be enforced by the arguments OF
the greatest and wses the world ever had up
10 that day known il had be consecraed by the blood
OF patriots and martyrs the scaold and OF heroes on
the field before its justice recognised and its authority
obeyed. Both rulers and people seemed reluctant. the
first yield their assent, the last TO accept it, and to
Joy the blessings il must Of necessity confer
At length however, the principle which lies al the
foundation Of all tree government rreversiby fixed
and acknowledged. that man can govern himself, and
that ali governments instituted 10 the good OF
the governed Even in Europe this sound principle Of
freedom s theoretically conceded by of her poll
ticians, although in general practically denied The
tremendous revolutionary throes and commissions that
have shaken the basis of every continental throne are
but the blind struggle of the 10 reduce this great
theory 10 practice How far they will ultimately sue
ceed or how soon, can be answered only in the wise
counsels OF Providence. But whoever seeks TO study
this system in its purity, and Il carried honestly into
operation must his attention to own free States
Here we nt only the principle but we act upon
whenever we see fit Perhaps the tendency OF TINS
power is to be employed too often and somewhat too
hastily Experience alone must justify or condemn the
acts To that trbunal-ihe most august IN the wordwe
leave the decision
Since its first formation, the federal constutionthe
most absolutely perfect instrument OF government ever
devised by man-has been essentially modified and
amended Nearly every State consttuton-and probably
every one with the single exception of Rhode island
that modern land OF the Modes and Persians "where
the laws alteeth not" with her colonial charter
has been amended or changed several times In Of
the States conventions have been called for the express
purpose OF amending and altering their constitutions and
in others these changes have been accomplished through
the instrumenaiiy OF State legislatures and popular
votes as the constitutions themselves prescribed. The
States OF Pennsylvania and Texas and possibly Others
have within this very year changed both their constu
TONS in this latter mode in the very essential par
ticular Of eieeting their Judiciary by the people What
though some learned and experienced Judges have thus
been displaced and the benches made for those
whom chance might select 10 fill their places. Not
murmur OF dissatisfaction is heard The men, how.
ever well or i'll qualified they may be, will take their
seats judges of the highest courts with all the author
ity, power. and respect that belonged to the old.
The new constitution passed for Kentucky is just going
into operation California has just been admitted into the
Union with new constitution from the hands Of new
people AT this very moment conventions for similar pur
poses OF alteration Of their constitutions are in session
Virginia and Indiana, and in few days third will
assemble in Maryland, and another in New Hampshire
To what degree these conventions 10 be in ses.
sion will carry their Innovations existing systems
we do not know but il is certain that they clothed
with plenary powers. The judiciary, the basis Of taxa.
ton and OF representation, the and authorities OF
Offices and in short. all the great political interests OF
society are in their hands and yet there apprehen
sion felt for their safety precautions taken against
abuse The people feel that their liberty is secure
from invasion as il surrounded by wall Of fire. Re-
.pect for public opinion, deep stake in the changes
they make themselves the guarantee that these con-
venons will not transcend their duty or their power.
II is probable that years from this time there is
not State constitution in the Union that will not have
undergone some change The people the architects
who built up. and who claim the privilege to alter or pull
down as they please. They will do 80 in tranquy-in
decorous, rational manner-in which they will display
alike their wisdom and their power What wouli have
caused any government in Europe trembs to s centre
will here be achieved without any prejudice the peace,
prosperity. or freedom Of a single human being. st
And thus II is that in North America is exhibited one
Of the most sublime moral spectacles in the wosld-of
constant series Of experiments that making TO frame
the best form Of free government for OF
Some OF these experiments may be Elusive, but the gen.
eral result must be beneficial to the whole human
Il is probable the federal constitution will for some
time stand untouched. The hand Of innovation will not
be frequently lightly laid upon that glorious work OF
our usrous revolutionary patriots, nor, ndsed till
the last extreme Of necessity has arrived We do not
ser that perfect We do not deny that one or two
innovations might be made in il which calculated 10
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