The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-05-28

ton to repudiate. Shall the supreme pow.
er of the State confer upon its creature
what it would spurn to take to itself! Shall
it pay its own debts with punctilious ex-
actness, and not force its creature to do
the same? Shall the State have one sys-
tenn of morals for itself and for its people,
and another for corporations! 1t may be
said that corporations cannot exist under
a constitution which compels them to pay
their debts. Let us try the system, and let
experience test the truth or falsehood OF
the objection.
6. The-taxation of corporations is an
other important reformation introduced
into the new constitution. tits we'll known
that individuals and corporations have
been taxed upon different principles. The
former have been compelled to pay taxes
upon the whole value of their property,
the latter upon their profits only. The
new Constitution provides that the proper.
ty of corporations "shall forever be subject
to taxation, the same as the property OF
individuals. This is equal and exact
justice and nothing more.
7. The system of apportionment is an.
other decided improvement upon the old
Constitution. The principle of.apporton-
ing the Representatives is fixed and per-
manent, and not wavering with the ascen-
dency ofpolitical parties. The RePresen-
tatives are apportioned among the counties
every ten years. The Convention did
not think it right to destroy the unity of a
county by dividing its territory for the
election of Senators and Representatives.
Where there are common local interests
there should be common representation
Upon this plain and simple principle the
Convention have acted in framing the ap-
portionment system.
Some have said that the apportionment
in the Convention was not just. The vote
in the Convention on the final adoption
of the Constitution shows that it was more
just than any apporionment made by our
Legislature in past years.
8. Too much legislation is prevented by
requiring laws to be general and uniform
in their operation throughout the State
The provision which requires the yeas and
nays to be taken on the passage of every
bill, and concurrence of majority Of all
the members of both houses necessary to
the enactment of any law, will be equally
ehicacious in preventing hasty and incon-
siderate legislation.
8. Every Constitution is the result Of
compromise. 1t was so with our National
Constitution. 1t is so with the proposed
Constitution of Ohio. Every mans no.
tions of the province and duty of govern
ment cannot be realized. Whatever i'm
perfections there may be in the proposed
Constitution, they are easily remedied. 1t
does not require the election and assembly
ofa Convention to supply the defects which
the lapse of years. and the growth in pop
ulation and wealth may develope. Avote
OF three. flths of both houses Of the General
Assembly may submit any amendment TO
the people for their rejection or approval.
If majority of the electors vote for such
proposed amendment, it becomes part
of the Constitution, and thus the enormous
expenses of future Conventions will be pre-.
vented.
10. We might dwell upon the ample
provisions made forpublic instruction-we
might speak of the enormous amount Of
Legislation prevented by required corpora
tons 10 be created by general laws-we
might enlarge upon the prospect and ben.
provement in our criminal code for which
the new Constitution provides, and upon
the despatch and consequent economy in
the Administration of justice which the judi
ciary system will secure.
In all these respects, fellow citizens, the
new Constitution is real substantial i'm.
provement upon the old frame of govern.
ment.
1t is to be regretted that there should be
any opposition to its adoption. That a
new Constitution is needed and desired
by the people was sufficiently tested by the
fifty thousand majority in favor of the Con-
vention.
1t is needed and desired. Let us then,
fellow citizens, rally to its support. Let
not its salutary provisions be lost by a su-
pine neg glect Of duty. Let us have Con-
stitution commensurate with the wants of
our great and prosperous State.
S. MEDARY,
S. D. PRESTON,
j. REINHARD.
S. w. ANDREWS,
THOS. SPARROW,
Democratic STATE Central Committee.
For the Spirit Of Democracy.
Mr.. EDITOR: Your correspondents have
favored us with some extracts from the Rev.
Sydney Smyth. A writer equal in talents
and attainments TO Sydney Smyth has
delivered similar sentiments. allude to
T. Darlington McCaulay, name that will
never be mentioned with more honor than
- docorvo, That rontlanan ononret