The Nevada journal., 1853-04-29
ofthe Constitution

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Amendment 0fthe Constitution.
Mr.. Crenshaw has introduced bill into
the Assembly containing the amendments to
the constitution to effect which such hue
and cry was raised for convention, which
amendments, after passing the Legislature,
are to go to the people for sanction. This
bill has been laid upon the table by a
heavy majority.
Important considerations are suggested
by this action. 1t is not that the conventions
lists wish certain amendments to the consti-
tuition, fer here was the opportunity to secure
them. They wish the whole matter to lie
over another year, to fight for convention,
and its confidently anticipated result-a di.
vision Of the state.
We desire our readers to take note Of this
matter. The bill for convention was urged
on the ground Of the defects of the constitu-
ton. The bill fails, and with the bill all de-
sire for constitutional amendment on the
part Of its advocates fails alse. Why do
they not send to the people those vital
amendments, and let them vote upon them
They will rot do so because they mean to
make the convention bone Of contention in
the Legislature till they secure ito passage
The question will be hauled over year after
year, till its opponents are wearied out, or
enough men are packed into the Legislature
to secure its passage. Some men can only
live by keeping the public mind in aform.nt
Their only chance is in troubled waters, and
they perpetually agitate, not to serve public
ends, bat for their own selfish interests
They seize any plan for their purpose, and
no matter how nefarious, or inconsistent with
the public veal, urge il with the vehemence
that demagogues can best exert. Such is
the convention scheme, and such many of
its supporters. A cumorous, expensive and
uncertain machinery is to be setin motion to
answer the designs of such men, rather than
the simple, effective and inexpensive mode
proposed by Mr. Crensbaw. Another set of
men urge this convention from ulterior view s
Of another nature. They desire a division
of tho state to people the southern portion
with slaves. We presume this is an uncues-
tionable fact. As such it will call out the
determined opposition Of the best and most
rejecting men from all parts of the Union
in this State. Upon this point will turn the
contest year after year.
We believe the South looks anxiously to
day when it shall be consistent with its own
interests and those of the negro race. to dis
pense with slavery. All the denunciations
Of abolitionists have not, and never can, help
this result. The good sense and humanity
of the South are sufficient to this end and are
the only agents that ever can be instrumen-
tai Of good. Southern men in California are
not generally divided from their brethren Of
the North upon this point; and the opponents
to the introduction Of either cooleyism or
slavery on the Pacific will stand shoulder to
shoulder of both northern and southern orr
gin. Geographical distinctions happily have
little influence in this State: We woald, for
the sake of our Union, they had as little else
where.
But this battle is forced upon the state by
the conventionists. With pertinacity a.
mounting to infatuation they have urged
their project the past two years. But it is time
for them to publish more extended pro.
gramme of their designs. Do they intend
still to avoid introducing the issue of a con-
vention at the nominating conventions and
the pslls another year, and then try to SNUG
gle in convention men7 At the nominating
conventions this matter should be canvassed,
and candidates understood, fer at the polls
party lines are too arbitrary. But in the
conventions of either party the candidates
can declare their views, and thus the people
have some show of being represented. Then
let them SO into the legislature and again
canvas tho matter. The people will have
spoken, and duty will be plain. If then
majority is in favor Of convention the mi
,nority must acquiescc. Such came. be the