The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-11
NEW CONSTITUTION.

Our 0DSefVatlOnS uurlnS toe past Ie"
weeks, convince us that the Wing papers
in Ohio are generally coming out in oPPo
sition TO the new Constitution-and from
the fimsy objections which some OF
them urge as reason for not adopting it,
we incline to the opinion that they array
themselves against it more on account that
the Democracy and the Free-soilers urge
the propriety Of adopting it, than for any
Objectionable feature which exists in the
new Constitution itself.
There is class of men among almost
every political organization, as the expert
ence in every discerning observer Of poit-
ical transactions will readily admit, who
have no set of principles oftheir own, and
nothing TO guide or shape their course Of
action, except it be an opposition to every
thing done or advocated by their oppo.
nents. 1t does seem TO US that this unwise
opposition to the new Constitution by the
Wing presses of Ohio, proceeds more from
their hatred of the Democratic and Free
soil parties, than from anything really OBJ
iectionable which is contained in that in
strument
1t is true, the Democrats first put the
ball in motion to get up the Constitutional
Convention; and it is also true. we believe
that many OF the reforms introduced into
the new Constitution, were such as TO &C.
cord more with the doctrines that have
been taught by the Democracy Of Ohio,
than with anything that has been advoca-
ted or put forth by the leaders OF the Wing
party. Nevertheless these reforms which
have been introduced into the new Consti-
tuition, when stripped Of their party char
acter, are such as will meet the wants and
wishes Of nine.tenths of the people of Ohio,
without regard 10 the party they may nomi-
nally belong to.
Some of the Wing editors who declare
their intention to vote against the adoption
of the new Constitution, have the candor
to admit that it contains some reform or
improved sections, but because some other
sections do not come up to the demands
of the age, they will reject the whole, and
prevent any adraace--any improvement
upon the old Constitution.
The idea of rejecting the new Constitu.
ton because it is not perfect in all its fea
lures, is, to us, absurd. live are TO adopt
the plan rejecting every new law or con-
stitution because il does not meet our own
individual views in every particular, we
may as well at once abandon all idea Of
ever efecting any reform or advancement
hereafter, either in Constitution or law
PERFECTION in anything need not be look
ed for or expected, either in the present or
future: it is one of the moral impossibilities.
We can only labor to Advance towards
perfection-and we may continually pro.
gress, but we can never arrive 10 that
state which will admit OF no further i'm.
provement.
Candid men Of all parties, we believe,
will admit that the new Constitution is bet
ter than the old one-that it centains sew
eral reform features in it-and none that
are more Objectionable than are contained
in the old one. The question to be decid-
ed at the June election, is not whether we
will accept the New Constitution or anoth.
er one that is perfect; but the plain, prac-
teal question involved in that election will
be, ,ciH zoe accept the neao Constitution or
retain the old one? II we reject the new.
of course we retain the old one, which all
admi, is imperfect in many particulars,
and inferior to the former;-and by thus
voting, we, in effect, put off all chances Of
Constitutional Reform for atleast ten years
to come.
The Constitutional election in June next,
in our opinion, is a very important one; it
will decide whether the people Of Ohio, at
the present time at least, are to have a re-
form in their Governmental affairs, and
hereafter to progress and improve upon
the first change as fast as time and circum-
stances will permit, or whether they are to
remain STATIONARY, without improvement
orchange, like the laws Of the Medes and
Persians, irreyocable, even after experi-
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