Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-05-05
Che l3ortaee 5futi,1el.
RAVEN MA, OHIO:
M onday, mays6. 1851.
The Wings and the New Constitution.

The Wings and the New Constitution
Whatever hopes might have been enter
tanned when the new Constitution first came
from the hands of its trainers and was SUBJ
mited to the inspection of the people, that it
would meet with no organized opposition
from either political party, yet recent indi-
cations but too clearly demonstrate that the
whig press and whig leaders are striving to
rally their entire party to take ground a.
gainst its adoption. Though after a full
and thorough discussion Of its various pro-
visions in Convention, upon its final adop-
ton in that body but l3 whig members
could be found to vote against it, and tho
the greater portion of the press Of that par
ty spoke favorably Of if, still there is an in
fuence, most potent influence at work to
induce that party to oppose its adoption.
The people of Ohio have for years nourish.
ed and fostered institutions and intrests in
their midst which are separate and distinct
from the interests of the people. Under the
sanction and authority Of law privileged
moneyed aristocracy has sprung up in this
Wanted republican State, and grown pow
erful from the industry Of her people, which
will bring into the contest its entire efforts
and all its corrupting influences to prevent
the adoption Of the New Constitution, and
the curtailment of their powers and privi-
leges, and the assertion Of the Equal Rights
and privileges Of the people. This money
power has long been privileged from bear
ing its just proportion Of the expenses of
government, and has enjoyed privileges
which were uncommonto the mass Of the peo-
pie and destructive Of equality. To prevent
any curtailment Of their unnatural and un-
just privileges, and to still continue their
exemption from the just burthen of taxation
will the bankers and charter-mongers exert
their utmost exertions for its defeat. This
is to be expected ,and that subsidized press
will render them all the assistance in their
power. But it will truly be cause of as
tonishment and regret if the people shall
permit an instrument containing so many
needed reforms to be defeated. There is
no reform provided for in that instrument
which was not clearly demanded by the
people when they elected their delegates it
was all in the programme and they demand
ed its performance, and they will ratify it.
There can scarcely be question that the
people will triumphantly adopt Constitu-
tion containing so many much needed re-
forms. and possessing SO many advantages
over the old one providing
For the election of al officers by the peo-
pie;
For biennial sessions of the legislature;
That acts Incorporating banks shall be
submitted to the vote of the people and be
by them approved before becoming laws;
That the property of corporations shall
be taxed the same as that of individuals;
That dues from corporations shall be Sc
cured by the individual liability Of the stock
holders;
Prohibiting the passing special acts con-
ferring corporate powers-requiring all
such laws to be general, and authorizing
their future amendment or repeal;
Providing for the prompt payment Of the
State debt, and to prevent the creation of
any future debt;
For bienniel, instead of annual, sessions
of tie Legislature.
A plan for securing, the adoption of all
needed reforms in the future without cost or
delay.
These, with many other excellent provis-
ions, should and will commend this instru-
ment to the favorable consideration of the
people But the friends Of Reform should
not be s, sanguine of success as to neglect
their duty. The party of special privileges
will work, if not openly, yet secretly. to de-
feat it, and already have they commenced
the work. The Statesman Of the 2sth ult.
says: "The wings Of the center have start
ed another travelling agent abroad over the
State to rally the wings OF the cifcumfer-
ence against the new constitution. He traT-
els under pretence of attending to Sprivate
business" The private business of whig-
gerry Of course-their private purpose is to
defeat the new constitution by private man
agement and private opposition. They al
ways work privately in new issue, for
they are always towards in such cases.
They fear their own shadows-therefore
fear the light"
Loss and Gain.
The Whig last week copied from the
| State Journal an article asserting that the