Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-02-28
FIRST PAGE.
Democratic Meeting AT the city Hail.


pose oc taking preliminary steps towards the cleo
zion of delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Col. James Eslabrook called to preside; and
Geo A. Dresser was chosen Secretary
A Committee of one from each Ward was cleo
Ted TO nominate "a Committee of three from each
Ward, who shall Recommend democratic Candle
dates for delegates the Constitutional Convention.
1t was moved and voted that when the meeting ad
iourn it do so 10 Wednesday evening, at IL past z,
to meet at the Democratic Head Quarters.
This preliminary business being seuled; and Mr.
Calvin C. Pratt having made some remarks. Hon.
PIiny Merrick was introduced to the meeting and
was received with much applause.
Judge Merrick was of opinion that there was not
much use in talking about thing that was 10 be
done. The people had decreed that Convention
was to be held revise the Constitution, and twas
the duty of all good citizens to fulfil this Decree.
We all had an interest in the revision Of the Consti
tuition He hoped we are all had a common object
in lis revision. He hoped are all for the
mon good. we are for liberty, and for democracy,
which is the cause Of humanity.
Judge Merrick reviewed the opinions of Govern
or Clifford and Judge Thomas in relation to the
right of the people 10 call Convention to revise the
Constitution. He was astonished that men emf
nent in their profession, and intelligent, could
venture TO declare the exercise Of that right be Of
doubtful constitulionality. There doubt about
il. Not the shadow of doubt 1t the first
right, Inherent in the very beng of our system Of
government. 1t the first right recognised from
the Rock of Plymouth TO The borders of the Pacifc
that the people are sovereign. They eau say to
their legislatures as the centurion of old said to his
servants &C.," and he goeth, to another, FCome''
and he cometh.
Judge Merrck read from the Constitution OF Mas
sachusetts ITSELF the terms on which that Conslu-
ton was sanctioned. It recognized the sovereignty
of the people in the most explicit terms; and de-
clared that ''the people have incontestibe,
enable, and indefeatabe right TO revise, amend,and
totally change the Constitution if they fit. The
General Court is empowered to make orders,
ordinances and statutes, in order 10 accomplish the
will of the people, but it has power nor authori-
ty to control the will of the people.
Judge Merrick said that the Wings, not many
years ago, held the opinion that the Legislature
subordinate to the viii of the people, and they only
denied this principle now, with the hope of defeat
ing the objects for which the Convention called.
They said now, that all the reforms we wanted in
the Constitution, must be made by the Legislature.
But, said Judge Merrick, the people indepen-
dent Of the Legislature The people can rise in their
majeeity, and say WILL, and their will must
prevail in spite of the Legislature. He referred to
the case of Rhode Island, TO prove that the very
mode of amending the Constitutions which the
Wings now denounce unconstitutional, form
erly held by them 10 be the only right and proper
mode. He next referred TO the object to be at
tanned by the Convention. He said that the ques-
tion Of equal representation settled question,
there would be dispute upon that point, but he
hoped that the Constitution would, in addition TO
this, be popuarzed. He hoped that the people
would secure the right to elect their own town,
county, and city officers, instead of having them ap.
pointed by man who knew nothing of their quail
fcations, and who was too often controlled in his
appointments by interested cliques.
The people established government for their
protection, and The protection of their property, and
what were Sherfs and o;her executive officers but
the servants of the people, whose duty 1t pro-
tect their best interests! Who so fit then as those
interested, and best acquainted with the mer-
its Of their fellow citizens, chose the proper men
to fill responsible executive Offices? When this gov
ernment established, it vas not considered safe
to trust the sovereign people with the immediate
control of their own executive affairs; but the ex-
perience of three quarters ol.a century has demou-
suated, not only the safety, but the expedency of
allowing the people TO exercise this right.
Judge Merrick perfectly willing ,also, that the
people should elect their own Judiciary, if they, in
their sovereign wisdom, saw fit; the same time,
he believed that it would be better to allow the
present system to remain, for the present The
question Of an elective judiciary in Massachusetts,
had yet to be well considered, and he, fol one, was
OF opinion that this not the proper time to
change the present mode Of appointing the Judiciary.
All these questions, however, Of equal representa-
ton, of popular constitution, and of the election of
the Judiciary, would, doubtless, be welt considerably
the people, representatives, and whatever they rec
commended, and the people approved, he would bow
10 with respect.
The speech of Judge Merrick was very power
fu one. II was earnest, eloquent, and logical and
loudly applauded. He closed 10y urging the par.
ty of progress ia the State forget for season all
minor ephemeraI questions, and unite on this one
great question of Constitutional reform. He urged
them to vote for men who were known to be favora.
bic to progress and liberty, and to reject those who
under the name of conservatism, would perpetuae
system of legislation which the Commonwealth mad
outgrown. All the citizens Of Massachusetts who
were not inveterate Wings could unite in one great
party to establish just basis Of laws. He hopedthat
such would be the case; and that 10 the known
friends of Constitutional reform, only, would the
people conhde the momentoua duty Of reforming the
Fundamental law.
Mr. Henry Earl, from the nominating Committee,
reported list Of three from each Ward to cons
lnte Committee to nominate delegates to the Con.
yention.
The report was accepted and adopted, and the
meeting adjourned.