The Plymouth pilot. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1851-1852, 1851-07-16
Communication.
For the Pilot.
OUR NEW CONSTITUTION.

Mr.. EDIToR:--
AS our new Constitution will soon
come before the people for adoption or
rejection, its merits and dement's should
be freely discussed. IF there is wrong
about it, if any of its provisions are cal
cula ted to operate oppressively, 1t is bet
ter 10 understand it now, than to not un'
ders:and it until after the constitution
is adopted. To some parts of the propo-
sed constitution, am strongly opposed;
especially, that part which relates TO the
exclusion of colored emigrants from the
State. 1t seems TO me, that the senti-
ment hefe set forth, is directly opposed
to those republican principles which we
profess 10 cherish. Now those who ad-
vocate this prohibitory clause, take the
ground that its adoption is necessary;
that without law of this kind our State
will be flooded with blacks. The real
question lies here. Is the proposed law
right? Is it in conformity with the spirit
of humanity and republicanism? Ifit is
destitute of both of these principles, it
should as matter Of course be rejected.
This, presume, will be admitted by all.
To prove that law which gives TO the
colored person no rest for the sole Of his
foot, which drives him with unsparing
rigor from the State, which even prohib-
its white person from relieving the dis
tresses of fellow being; to prove that
such law is contrary to humanity is
useless. What is humanity? All will
comprehend its meaning. To treat our
fellow men with humanity..is to compass
sionate thu unfortunate and relieve the
distressed. True humanity commiser.
ates human suffering everywhere-it ex-
tends helping hand; and looks upon ev-
cry human being as brother. Compare.
this spirit of benevolence and love.
which mankind should entertain one to-
wards another;s compare this with that
contracted principle which the follow
ing clause exhibits: "No negro or mu-
latto shall come into or settle in the
State after the adoption of this constitu-
tion. All contracts with negro or mu-
latto, who shall come into the State con.
trary to the foregoing section shall be
null and void and any ptrson who shall
employ such negro or mulatto or other
wise encourage him to remainin the S<ate
shall be fined in any sum not less than
ten nor more than five hundred dollars"
The reader can draw his ownconclusions
and follow out the matter as long as he
pleases-we must pass on.
2d. This prohibitory clause is contrary
. n ro trl 70 hos
ideas of liberty and equality, which we
as nation profess to advocate. My
friend Subscriber has touched on this
point, and will say but little. In this
same new constitution the declaration is
set forth. "that all men are endowed BY
their Creator with the right Of life, lib
erty, and the pursuit of happiness" Is
this doctrine true or notg If it is true
the prohibi;ory clause is false. The sem
timents of the two are perfectly irrccon-
cilable. There is an impossible gulf be-
tween them. Place them in what shape
you may: one is the opposite of the
other, SO long as their language and fea-
lures remain, Let us look at this mat
ter for moment. That person who en-
joys the right of life. liberty. and the
pursuit of happiness; that person enjoys
the right of going where he pleases. and
of remaining where he pleases (at least
In amy part of the United States so long
as his conduct is peaceable and orderly.
| This right, says our declaration, was be-
slowed upon him by his Creator; hence
no person or persons caa deprive him Of
TINS right without striking at the author
iity OF Jehovah, Himself But the clause