The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-06-09

day, all advertisements and n0tlceS Tor pub
cation, must be hsndcd in on Saturday.
Something about the New Constitution.
Oar neighbors Of the Tribune and Clipper,
to judge from several lugubrious articles in
late numbers Of their paper, appear to be
quite distressed and indignant at, what they
are pleased to style, our fragrant inconsis-
tency in having, while the Convention was
in session, said something in opposition to
certain provision in the new Constitution
which, as whole, we advocate and intend
10 vote for. II
We never thought that our neighbors
would die of superhuity Of wisdom, and
therefore must suppose they are ignorant of
the fact (for who can doubt their entire hon
esty in the matter p that ii is the common
est thing in the world, in all dellberative
assemblies, for member to figatmanfully
and to the last against certain provision Of
an instrument, which as whole he intends
tosupport. We referour neighbors 10 the
reports Of proceedings in such cases.
There were several men in the Conven.
ton almost as astute and learned os ouI
neighbors themselves, who opposed the pro-
vision in question, but whose names are,
nevertheless, recorded in favor of the new
Constitution; and wings at that. We hope,
therefore, our kind hearted neighbors will
reconsider their judgment and reverse it lest
in persisting to affim it, they should ruin us
forever as demagogue and " office
seeker"
So much for Inconsistency. We will now
proceed to show what some prominent whig,
think Of the new Constitution. Gen. Ma
son, whose orthodoxy no good whig viii
doubt, voted for the Constitution in tn
Convention on its final passage. The sam
gentleman is member of the whig csntra
committee and he declared in presence o
the editor Of the Springfield Exposition an,
several others, that the address of that com
mittee against the Constitution was got VI
without his knowledge. Consequently the
appending his name to it was forgery
What do our neighbors say of such means
to influence the people
But further, the editor Of the Meigs Coun
ty Telegraph, whig paper, in very clear
candid and excellent article, disapprov. o
the address Of the whig central committee
in " its positions and its purposes. HI
says:
"The effect of such manifestoes is tt
make the vote upon the New Constitution
aparty one, and as we have intiimated ou
position, we object to forcing the matter il
this way. We will vote on the New Con
stitution as citizen OF Ohio, not as part,
man. We shall vote for those now 10 BE-
affected, and those hereafter to be affected
The history of parties in this Republic ba
shown that il is idle to legislate for part,
success for more than two or three wears II
the future.-Times are changing-ideas are
changing-facts are changng--the basis Of
legislative policy has materially changed
within few years---and parties have
changed, are changing, and will change =
Why, then, are we 10 look at this momen-
tous question, in party light? Neither are
we sympathizer with the timid conserya.
tism that will stand for generation in a
straight-jacket, rather than don a coat o.
modern cut for fear that something ma,
come Of it that they do not foresee. W.
believe in liberal conservatism, moi in :
stupid one.
We believe, in regard to the Judiciary
State and county debts, legislative powe
and patronage-the three great controllius
interests of the State, that the New Constit
tuition is better than the old. In regard tC
Biennial sessions, Corporations, &c, il i,
worse. But the advantages in our opinion
prepondente. and so we shall vote.
The great objection seem to be the an
portionment. This We do not care for 8
single farthing."
For he says:
If the Wings of Ohio will on,v ,Doyk
they can carry the Legislature, and without
they do so they do not deserve 10 have con.
troll of it,"
Again he says:
"The taking away from the Legislature
election OF Judges, and all other patron,
.ge, we look upon as great gain for the
State,-one that will be felt 6enefcialIy
long after Whiggery and Locofocoism are
names only historical. We will not there
lore sacrifice good thing that will endure a
century fora political advantage that might
result In the election of United STATES
Senator, if that much.
Another thing that great noise ;s made
about is, that the New Constitution ,,,. nre.
vents county from running in debt for a
railroad to benefit merchants in Baltimore
New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and 81
Louis. This is one Of the strongest reasoos
we have for supporting it. We know the
facilities with which communities can he
induced to run in debt, and we also know
how difficult il is to pay these debts. Let
commerce groove out her own channels
She has always done SO, and will con,inue
to do SO, whenever it sOia pay. If il will
not pay why should the bonds of the far.
mers Of Meigs county be solo in New York
ior 7Sce on the dollar, at 6 per cent. in.
terest, TO build a road for the benefit of inn
porting merchants and produce dealers in
other sections OF the United States. Yet
this wholesome provision is to be made The
special object Of attack. We cannot brinO
our mind to reject an instrument which con.
tsins such wholesome provisions, on mere
party grounds, or from party cons;derai; i;ons