The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-06-04
10 the whig Voters of Belmont
County.

s;oa of my vote on the final passage of the
NV Constitution. in the Convention, and in
xplanatiOn Of the vote intend 10 give Soi
Is ratification.
would not feel called upol to do this,
Wss il not for an address TO YOU from the
Ihig State Central Committee, on this sub
pct. in which several reasons are urged 10
induce you to vote against the adoption Of
that instrument
The old Constitution was admirably fra,
med 10 meet the wsnts of the people at the
time 0f It's adoption, but no one viii contend
that u Constitution framed at that time, and
under the then existing circumstances, would
be very suitable for this aye, and for pop.
plation Of two millions. l.tl.4
Then, without much danger, the ipkOl,
po'eer Of the State Was entrusted TO the Gen
,Fal Assembly, There was at that period
no great temptation TO abuse that entirely
conrrolling 0Ower. When the State had in,
creased in wealth, and the patronage of that
body became valuable, it began to be abused,
and the abuses constantly and steadily in-
creased, until the time of the call for the
Convention. BY system oflogrolling, that
body had saddled the State with an enOr-
mous debt, which has for many years, and
viii for long time to come, hang dead
weight upon the people. Finally, nothing
could be done except by bargain between
the members Judges were traded off fol
Banks; new counties for railroads, or plundei
lava. high offices were traded for the passag,
ar repeal of some general laws, until legisla
ton became mere squabble for the loave.
and fishes, and the General Assembly haC
fallen into utter contempt.
The Judiciary was so restricted that i
could not properly perform the duties impo
sed upon it; this loudly called for remodel
ling,
undeF this state Of the ease, the member
pf the Convention We're elected, not to max
anew Constitution but to amend and revis
the old one. Disregarding this, the mem
bers when assembled, decided that the,
would fgsMe an entire new instrument
Those who were in favor ofthat course wer
pOt Democrats alone; many Of the Wing
thQgght that the proper course. This eours
did not meet my appreciation, but it was il
AccDrdanae with the course OF other Cenyen
lions for the like purpose. l 3..5 $50.
1t will be seen by reference to the journa
af the proceedings, that most of the wh
members with myself, voted against til
nleasups ennsidored so obnoxious by tn
State Central Committee, when in our pow
er TO do so, as separate propositions.
BcgFp the final vote was taken, the viii:
= meAbeEs wero compelled to make up thei
minds whether they would go for or agains
the Constitution as a whole. They had
strong appeal made to them from Colunsba
s. 20 against that instrument in one soil
phalanx; but on consultation, great major
1v concluded that the best thing that coul
pe done under all Of the circumstance
would be to vote for the Constitution, havin
hcfore left their marks on the various prov
sioQs in detail, and haying obtained at tn
slo-a asagy important mqditieatlensia eaF f
yor, g,t 8
Now who were the whig members of tn;
Convention? Can you doubt their judi
incnt prudence or patriotism? Surely yp
90 not, y
THAT there are many defects, and som
Spa>chievouS provisions in the new Consttr
ljon, readily admit but can we reasonabl
eArast better body Of men of our party
be assembled for such a purposes Probah
smother Convention would result in SOM
Ahiga worse for us.
Letlus look for a moment into this instr
ment, and spe what are its good qualitic
and chat We baye to gain by its adoptio
And here let me observe, thatit Is much mo
easy to point, out defects in, and find fau
witb an instrument like this, than to pr
luop perfect work, or answer objection
Let Us always keep this fact in view. that
Constitution must be compromise; it wou
Rcycr do to frame it to suit any party or Sc
ZION, @
FirSt and mast iRpaEtaRt Of all, the pa
ro'aage of the Legislature will be taken Ell
t;rely away from that body. and the @HptC
fiom to'do wrong, be wholly removed; an
tiking into consideration, that it will me-
pnly every other year, and have little to d
.bus topass general laws, we may confident
hoRs that the acts Of thatihody will be pur
tnl that Legislation will again rise to usefu
pcss and responsibility. .
We cannot hereafter, under tho new Coz
stitution be traded off to the free seilers /
the democrats one year, and suffer the san
mortifieatinn at the hands of our aWp par
The next session. As the General Asscmb
cannot pass special laws Of Incorporation, al
rs the materials for bargains and trades b
tween the members are taken away the
will be nothing left to lQq,rolk about in th
body. Or much remain for lobbying ogtsi'
of the house.
All the immense patronage which has
hong aud etfectually disturbed and corrupt
,he General Assembly, will be returned
The Jpssaarle, fram whom it ought never to ha
been taken, in whose hands it must be sa
The people will directly elect all of tho
The are 70 exercise any authority over theI
iEhis Is yight; those who support the Cover
ment. ought tq distribute the faY9rs
We will have Judiciary which will fn
answer the demands Of the people, and | a
quito confident il will not be more expense
fhan the old system.
We viii have % system OF equal taxatii
for notwithstanding the General Assent
under the old Constitution, had the pow
% frame equal tax laws, still it was
bqend to Do #, and experience shows that
apBE9achqd That BaiRt very slowly. / e
CIDER 1t right to tax property employed
Banking asother properly Is taxed. Ift
chsytegs III existing banks c4enpts tbs
from equal taxation, net them escape. if II
will- BY that means; the Convention
shown its viii to bring them under that ru
Have we not bcenlong enough tributary
such institutions Ft .'itit
An efpetual bar is pstto further incTe'