The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-06-11

From the Belmont Chronicle, Whig.
To the Whig Voters Of Belmont
County.
desire to say few words in explanation
of my vote on the final passage of the new
Constitution in the Convention, and in ex-
PLANTATION of the vote intend to give for its
ratification.
Iwould not feel called upon to do this,
was it not for an address to you from the
Wing State Central Committee on this sub ,
iect, in which several reasons are urged to
induce you to vote against the adoption of
that instrument. j
The old Constitution was admirably framed
to meet the wants of the people at the time
of its formation, but no one will contend that
a constitution framed at that time, and un-
der the then existing circumstances, would
be very suitable for this age, and for pop
ulation of two millions.
Then, without much danger the Ohote
poaDer of the State was entrusted to the Gen
eral Assembly. There was, at that period,
no great temptation to abuse that entirely
controlling power 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 flog-rolling, that
body had saddled the State with an enor-
nous debt, which has for many years, and
will for a long time to come, hang as dead
weight upon the people. Finally nothing
could be done except by bargain between
the members. Judges were traded off for
banks; new counties for Railroads or plum
der laws; high offices were traded for the
passage or repeal of some general laws, un-
til legislation became mere squabble for
the loaves and fishes, and the General AS
sembly had fallen into utter contempt.
The Judiciary was so restricted, that it
could not properly perform the duties impo-
sed upon it, this loudly called for remod-
delling.
Under this state of the case, the members
of the Convention were elected, not to make
a new Constitution, but to amend and revise
the old one. Disregarding this, the men,
bers, when assembled, decided that they
would frame an entire new instrument
Those who were in favor of that course were
not Democrats alone; many of the Wings
thought that the proper course. This course
did not meet my appreciation, but it was in
accordance with the course of other Conven-
tions for the like purpose.
>, 1t will be seen by reference to the Journal
of the proceedings, that most of the Wing
members, with myself, voted against the
measures considered SO obnoxious to the
State Central Committee, when in our power
to do so, as separate propositions.
Before the final vote was taken the Wing
members were compelled to make up their
minds whether they would vote for or against
the Constitution as whole. They had a
; strong appeal made to them from Columbus
!, to 90 against that instrument in one solid
, phalanx; but on consultation, great maio
rity concluded that the best thing that coulC
), be done under all of the circumstances would
be to vote for the Constitution, having before
, left their marks on the various provisions il
, detail and having obtained at the close many
, important notifications in our favor.
E Now who were the whig members OF tina
Convention? Can you doubt their iudg
ments, prudence or patriotism? Surely yol
do not.
That there are many defects, and som,
mischievous provisions in the new Constitu
ton, readily admit; but can we reasonably
, expect better body of men of our party tt
! be assembled for such purpose?
, Probably another Convention would re
! suit in something worse for us.
l. e.. .-4 4.
ment and see what are its good qualities
and what we have to gain by its adoption
and here let me observe, that tits much NOR
4 easy to point defects in, and finds fault witt
!, an instrument like this, than to produce
. perfect work or answer objections. Let u
). always keep the fact in Yiew, that Consti
% tuition must be compromise: it would neve
a do to frame it to suit any party Or section.
h First, and most important of all the pa
: ronage Of the legislature will be taken er
q tirely away from that body, and the tempts
Ie ton to do wrong be wholly removed, an
i taking into consideration, that it will me'
4 only every other year, and have little to d
a but to pass General laws, we may confiden
q " hope that the acts Of that body will |
]. pure, and that Legislation will again rise
N usefulness and responsibility.
a We cannot hereafter, under the new Coz
= stitution, be traded off to the free soilers b
:. The Democrats one year, and suffer the san
in modification at the hands of our own part
the next session. AS the General Assemb
n cannot pass special laws ofincorporation, an
IN as the materials for bargains and trades b
1v tween the members are taken away, the
u will be nothing left to iog-roU about in tn
to body or much remain for lobbying outsit
~ Of the house.
On on All the immense patronage which has
All long and efectually disturbed and corruptt
IL the General Assembly, will be returned
be the people, from whom it oughtnever to ha
,ro been taken, and in whose hands it must
M safe. The people will directly elect all
,st those who are to exercise any authority ov
N. them. This is right; those who support Il
lat government ought to distribute the favors.
M We will have Judiciary which will full
me answer the demands ofthe people, and q
nc quite confident it will not be more expensi
in than the old system.
M We will have system of equal taxatic
vet for Notwithstanding the General Assent
N. under the old Constitution had the power
rel. frame equal tax laws, still it was not boa
to do it, and experience shows that il Z
M. preached that point very slowly. cons
AN er it right to tax property employed in Ba
! L king as other properly is taxed.
nd. 1.-THE charters of existing Banks exen