Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-03-15
The Atlas aud the Convention.

The Atlas Of the 14th inst. has a very long and
very verbose article on the Constitutional Conven-
tion. 1t attempts to explain the whole mystery of
the Wing defeat, lays down the role Of the Conven.
lion, discusses the moral characteristics Of our ci-
zens, gives us Colonel Schouer's opinion upon the
policy that ought to be pursued by the majority in
the Convention, and says, "the prayer Of every
Massachusetts man ought to be-God help me from
ever being placed within the power OF political OF
party judges"
The reason assigned by the Atlas for the defeat Of
the Wings, is that they did not ,Ush to hare major
ay in the Convention {! In fact, it was very diff
cult to get Wings TO stand as candidates for dele
gates and more dficfs till, to get folks out to vote
for them. The Wings wished the Coalition to have
the Convention, and they gave them just TO see
what they would do with it. This courtesy on the
part Of the Wings reminds us Of the conGe cension
OF Burgoyne at Saratoga. He gracefully laid down
his arms, because he wished the Yankees to have
them, merely that he might see what they would do
with them. If he could, perhaps he would have
kept them. II COL Schouler would be credited.
even by the greenies Of his party, he will, perhaps
be able 10 explain to them, why il was, that the Le
gisature was kept in turmoil for fortnight; the
laws, constitution, rules, courtesy, and everything
else that stood in the way. tramped under foot, for
the purpose Of forcing through the repeal of the Sc
cret ballot before the election Of delegates; and wby
those almost frantic appeals were made TO the peoples
through the Wing press, to permit the Coalition
TO get control Of the Convention II is unouestion.
ably true, that difficult to get Wings of char
acter TO stand as candidates, aud more difficult to get
voters to The polls, to support them. Alter the re-
cent scenes int the Legislature, it was perceived that
the honest portion Of those who had adhered to the
party would not sustain their nominations, and men
of ordinary shrewdness do not choose 10 accept nom.
nations to be spit upon and spurned by their own
party.
The Atlas says, our people do not believe in par
y constitutions, radical changes and if the Con-
vention attempts tn make them, the people have the
power, and doubt will exercise it, of rejecting
them. 1t is gratifying to observe, that at least one
OF the Wings is getting a glmmering Of wisdom,
through The darkness of the factions defeat The
Atlas cOniesses that the people have sovereign power
The dethronement OF Lord and Bliss has probably
prepared the Atlas for this very radical admission.
The opinion Of Col. Schouer concerning the Dol.
icy Of the Convention, is of little Importance now
as that grave and eminent gentleman will have an
opportunity, in the Convention, of unfolding the gIo.
rles OF his genius. and the treasures Of his wisdom
but the prayer prescribed by him. for every citizen
OF Massachusetts, is matter of more immediate i'm
portance. We do not kHow how the old covenant
sof Kilbarchin would have reshed the idea Of one
of their descendants making litany; but we are
Tree to confess, that though somewhat preatica in
form, il is very good prayer, after all.
We wonder if Colonel Schouler is aware that il
is pretty well adapted to Massachusetts, under pres
ent Circumstances. Our Judiciary is party Judica.
ny. 1t ID Wing, some Of it's members being most
bitter and Incorporate in their partzanship Party
Governors appointed them on account Of party SER
vices at the recommendation ofparty councillors
The very las appointment TO the bench made by Gov
Clifford was of man, VIGOROUSLY the most violent
and noiay political decaimer in the State. II is ali
fudge for the Atlas and other Wing Journals to roll
up their eyes at the idea Of party Judges; and to de-
claim about can elective judiciary being an outrage
on the minority" Is the election Of Judges in New
York an outrage on the minority? 1t is universally
confessed that the judiciary Of that State is now
superior TO what il was under the appointment
Of the the executive. Do the people desire good
government in the State. and justice on the bench?
Donot the people appoint The Governor who ap.
points the judgesq II they are capable Of choosing
man who s pre- emnently qualified to nominate the
Judiciary, why can they not choose the judiciary al.
sol We caunot see what reason the Atlas has for
distressing the people in the matter of elec,inO
judges, seeing that he people elect those who ap.
point tbs judges. III ia notorious to every person Of
observaion that men get appointments to responsible
Offices bom the executive, who are so unfit for them
that they could haze been elected TO them bv
the people, This, however, is a question for the
people themselves, 10 settle II they do not wish the
judiciary TO he elective they will cay so, and the pre
sent system wiIl continue; If they dol wish pop
uar Judiciary they viii say SO, and Col schouler
and bis Wing friends will be constrained TO bow to
their sovereign will.
The people of Massachusetts have confidence in
the members Of the Convention, and, we think, with
reason. The names Of those who will lead in that
assembly are sufficient guarantee of the wisdom
which shall characterize It's deliberations. There
will be no hasiy. cOnsidered, rash. political vaga-
res Incorporated in The Constitution, as might have
been the case il such incorporate and headsTong
desnagogues as Lord and Bliss had gained the con.
troll Of the Convention. The Atlas need not trouble
isef about tho policy Of the Convention. Foriu-
lately ET Massachusetts il viii no be controlled by
be Atlas, or its friends.