The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-05-28
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY.
JAS. R. MORRIS, PROPRIETOR.
wooDsF4ELD. OHIO, MAY es, 1851.

WOODSFIELD. OHIO, MAY 2s, 1851.
0r We call the, attention of our read
ers TO the following article published by
the Democratic Central Committee. 1t
may be beneficial in aiding some to form a
proper estimate Of their duty in the coming
election. Look at it friends-read it-re-
fleet upon the matter and then do your du.
ty according to your own sober judgment.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF OHIO.
In less than one month you will be cal
led upon to decide upon the constitution
which the Convention have submitted to
you for your approval or rejection. That
decision should be made with candor and
upon proper examination of the defects
OF the old constitution and the improve
ments made in the new.
The new constitution was framed by the
united labors and mature deliberation Of
the ablest men in the State. 1t was agreed
upon with unparalleled unanimity. OF
the hundred and eight members who com.
posed the Convention fourteen only voted
against its final adoption. Men of all par
ties and of every diversity of sentiment
concurred in Its provisions. This very
fact is no slight presumption in its favor.
But your decision should not be made
upon this ground. 1t should rest solely
upon the merits Of the new frame of gov.
ernment.
The question is: Does the new consti-
tuition reflect and embody the wishes and
will of this people? Let us examine:
!. The evils Of the election of State
officers by the Legislature have long been
apparent IN this State. The people have
earnestly desired that the election Of all
officers should be committed TO their hands
They are the source Of all power in civil
government. They are the governed, to
them alone, should be entrusted the selec-
ton of the officers by whom that govern.
ment is administered. In accordance with
this clearly expressed wish of the people
in accordance with the fundamental prin-
ciples Of liberty, the new constitution pro-
vides that all officers, Executive, Legisla-
tive and Judicial, shall be elected by the
people.
Q. At various times, in both branches
of the General Assembly of this State,
there has been great difficulty in eflectng
an organization. For weeks the business
OF the State has been delayed by an equal
division of parties and the refusal of either
TO give way to the other Time and money
have been squandered-the public inter-
ests sacrificed from the absence of any
provision in the old constitution by which
an organization could be effected and bu-
siness despatched in spite OF party preju-
dices and party pride For this evil the
new constitution has provided complete
remedy. The election of Lieutenant
Governor, who is by virtue of his office,
President of the Senate, will secure the
organization OF that body. All factious
delay is also prevented by giving him the
casting vote in case of tie.
The organization of the House Of Rep.
resentatives, is secured by requiring the
mode Of such organization to be prescrib-
ed by law.
8. Upon the subject of public debt
the New Constitution contains the most sal.
utary provisions. Experience has shown
that there is an almost inevitable propen-
sity in those who manage public affairs TO
be lavish in the expenditure of the public
money. To protect the people against
this lavish and unnecessary waste-to sc.
cure them, in the future, against an enor.
nous public debt like that which now i'm
pedes the growth and prosperity of our
State, the new constitution makes ample
provision. Tho General Assembly is pro-
hibited from contracting debt over seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, except
to repel invasion, suppress insurrecton,
defend the State in war, or to redeem the
present outstanding Indebtedness of the
State.
4. Under the present constitution the
General Assembly has been in the habit of
exercising judicial powers. AT almost eve-
ry session. much ofthe time of both houses
has been devoted to the discussion of ques-
tons of divorce. The public money and
the public time have been spent upon a
subject exclusively private. The new
constitution absolutely prohibits the exer-
else of this power. "The General Assem-
bly, shall grant no divorce nor exercise any
judicial power not herein expressly con.
ierred."
s., The evils which have resulted from
the want of circumspection in granting
corporate powers have been sensibly felt
by the people Of this State.
There is no reason why corporations
should not pay their debts. They should
not be distinguished from individuals in
this respect. The creditors rights should
be as inviolate with corporations as with
individuals. The simple question Isl
Shall The poor laborer, who has in good
faith. with toll and sweat, constructed some
public improvement. or the rich corpora
tors. be the losers? This is the simple |
question, divested of all sophistry, and
every honest-hearted man in the State can