Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1851-01-04
MISSISSIPPI THE NOVEMBER con,
vENTION.

/ u u nol our intention % discuss tbs question
whetherihe legislature has the Constitutional pow.
eT b direct convention for the purposes oonism.
plated BY the late Legislature, or for any other pur
posr. The law has passed through all .egal forms;
and the people, By the election Of delegates to the
convention wi give riiaiity to that shieh might IN
the opinion OF some, have been disegArded ss nuga-
gatorY.
Viewing The matter IN this light and believing
Il 10 he the interest Of the people Of the State, that
a convention should be assembled the question is
presented what powers can be exercised by that
body l. !, the depository Of the sovereignty Of the
Stale Of Mississippi, acting within the pale Of the
Constitution and laws Of the United Stses, and sub
ec TO the voice Of the people at the ballot box or
are ts powers limited BY the act Of the Legislature,
which provided for the call Of tie convenient II
is conceded that no clause Of the Constitution pro-
ydes for the call Of a convention by the Legislature
had such provision been inserted in the Consttu.
tion either in general terms, or by the enumeration
Of the particular objects for which a convention
ght be called tn" right Of the Legislature to limit
the action OF the convention would admit Of less
donbt--but the power is not expressly gwen,
either COR general, or specific objects, those who
maini4in IL existence must show that il is not in
conflict with the Declaration Of rights" and il will
not tc sufficient for them 10 establish that Il is not
in conflict with the declaration Of rights TO call a
convention; but in th. case, the all important fact
that the limitation Of he authority of the contention
l. IL .ka -.
first, we say, admits OF doubt; bu. If the call be
sanctioned by the people, the objection is waived by
them. The second and most important question
Tie rsM n limit fe dc'ion Of The people in conren-
tion-rnus, be settled by the declaration Of rights
itself
That the position intended TO be assumed may not
be misunderstood il is proper to say, That il the peo
pie sanction the call of the convention by the cleo
ton Of delegates, il should be diNimfiy snnnunced
before The election # members, that te restrictions
attempted to be thrown around the powers Of the
convention, are regarded az nuiiy; and the con-
yenton, Shen assembled, will be limited only It's &C.
ton by the Constitution and iaws Of he T. Statss
and that for ts acts i Is responsible, not 10 the Leg
isature, but to the people Of the STATE Of Mississippi
at the ballot box.
The call of convention, that il, the qualification
Of delegates, manner and time of election and time
OF meeting may be said to be legs ative powers, not
denied to the Legislature; but the act of he con-
ven'on is the exercise OF political porer. This is
power above legislatures. "inherent in the people !"
and when assembled in their sovereign capacity they
amend or abolish their form OF government, at plea
sure, and cannot be restrained or ramelled by legs
latiye power.
But to the point; the message of the Governor
and the act of the Legislature, show coucusvely
that the convention was convened, in the language
OF the message, I" to take steps TO redress past
wrongs, and provide adequate protection for the ia.
ture and in the language Of the 9th Section of the
uct to provide for the convention, TO devise and
carry into effect the best means Of redress for the
past and attain certain security for the failure and to
adopt such m ensures for indicating the sovereignty
of the State and the protection of its institutions
as shall appear to them to be demanded. II u evil
dent this section dictated, and is in full conbrmi.
ty with Gov Quitman's message
| AT this time there are not many wise men or fools
who think that either the Quizotic Governor or his
tractabe and submissive Leg sature, will have much
voice in this convention, unless they can beat the
Devil as some of them have doubtless done hereto
fore, at hypocrisy and deception, to then views on
"Eederll relations. Are these restrictions pinGngl
We are interested in the Northern portion Of the
State, in having Term Of the Supreme Court, Con
stitutIonally held to lessen the expenses Of lidga
ton. We trust that the convention can so alter the
/ present Constitution nt the State Of Mississippi
dat our rights and interest may be provided loi in
this rcspcct.
/ What says the declaration Of rights
"Ayt, Sec. 2.--rhat al political power is in
her in tho people, and al free governments ar,
fnun1ed their authority, and established for te
beneh aud therefore they have at all times, an IN
alienao.e and indefessibe right TO alter OF aboGsI
their form Of government in such manner as they
may think exp edient"
With this we are satisfied as to the powers of tn
convention other. must Judge for themselves.
The "Doc'sration Of our rights" like Sampson Be-
fore the hlrgues of Deliah, is not yet shorn Of il
strength. God graft that Il may never yield to tn;
enemies og our civil institutions!