Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-08
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY g, 1851.
New Hampshire.

New Hampshire.
The constitutional Convention assembled at Concord
Wednesday, the 10th ult. and adjourned the
day. They were in session about 80 hours. We learn
from the Concord Patriot that the Convention decided
submit three amendments the of the people, viz
abolish the religious test abolish the pro-
perty qualification and to provide for econom
ical mode OF making future amendments.
The question is with the people. If they desire
to strike these odious features from their Constitution
they do so voting for these amendments, SUBJ
mitted.
We should make no further remarks upon the subject
but for the ungenerous of the Wing press atrb
utng the defeat of these liberal provisions the Demo-
cratic party. Now it is notorious fact that the Demo-
cratic party in both New Hampshire and Rhode Island
have been for 20 years. in favor of amending the Con-
sttuons of these States by omtng the property quail
fcaton eature-but it requiring two-thrds of the leg
isature pass law authorizing the call of Conven
on they have been able to vote so large
The religious spoken of is provision in Inc pres
ent Constitution of New Hampshire, which, qualif
cation for Office requires belief in the Protestant
ligion. Such feature be made party ques
ton Men of all parties, with strong religious preud
against catholicism would be likely vote for
tanning suc, provision.
A large majority Of the recent Convention were dem-
ocrats. The proposition make three amendments,
above named submitted to the Convention by Judge
Woodbury., of the Supreme Court of the United States
who delegate from Portsmouth.
Hon. Levi Chamberlain, a leading whig, moved that
the amendments be indefinitely postponed and supported
his motion vsth long and vehement speech against the
amendments and in support of the religious and the
property qualification in the Constitution; and the mo-
toE 10 postpone further advocated by Mr. Sawyer,
the late Wing candidate for Governors by Mr.. Stevens
whig candidate for Governor few years ago, Joel
Eastman, lately whig candidate for Congress, and
by Messrs. Freeman; Kelly, Marston Hoyt, and other
leading and prominent wings Judge Woodbury. in an
able and effective argument replied in favor of abolish
ing these tests and was supported by Hon. Franklin
PIERCE Gov Steele and other active and influential Dem
ocrats. We regret that we have not to publish
entire the patriotic speech of Judge Woodbury.. We
cannot however, omit the following beautiful extract:
But say that without this there is danger of
increase of Catholicism Dangeri when and Pro-
testantism left free combat it, when wrong Dan
gerl when Deity himself will favor the right Danger!
then that ustles prescription, why not 60 further!
why let it hold property and vote then why not the
principle, establish nqusition TO pot 1t down!
But he had said much at the last session this sub
iect and to which he referred for other reasons
not necessary this occasion TO more against the
continuance OF such prosecuting and ilhberal test.
The motion to reject failed by vote of ayes 81,
Isl. The vote in favor Of postponing So wings and
30 democrats Against posponng and in favor of the
resolutions 1l9 Democrats, 81 Wings. The Journal OF
proceedings show the facts we have stated. Now
although we do not claim this entirely democratic
triumph, ask candid reader il it just and fair
claim it whg measure 1t is evident that the wings
if they had had the power would have defeated the
amendments and retained these odious and antrepub
features in the Constitution. We make these
ments to repe foul slander the democratic party
who have always been in favor of all the most liberal
reforms.