The true Democrat., 1854-07-26
Proposed Convention to Remodel the Constitution.

Proposed Convention to Remodel the Constitution.
 Many of the reasons of the Gazette for ad vocating the call of convention to remodel the constitution of this State, are absurd and ridiculous.
 In its last number it advocates the "e,tens;;on 9 tue eIectlveJ Jronchise'' and the "lesseninq the number cf Representatives and Senators'-two movements directly at variance with one anoth- CT, and both absurd and ridiculous. At yari- ance With each other, because one proposes the extension of the right of suffrage and the other, by diminishing the representation of the people in the Legislature, diminishes the vazue of that '7ght. They are absurd, because the present constitution guaranties the right of suffrage to every free aoate male citizen, and to each county, one representative in the legislative depart ment of the government. The ''e1ective trun- chise'' therefore could not be extended,'' for we have no abolitionists among us who desire to clothe slaves, or free negroes with the right of suffrage, and no boomers who would extend that right to females; and the number of repre- sentatives could not be lessened' because their is no county in this State that would submit tamely to be robbed of her voice in that Legis- lature that has the right to impose taxes upon her people. It is absurd then to talk about going to the heavy expense of calling con- vention for the purpose of ertendamg the elective franchise or robbing the smaller counties of their representatives in the Legislature.
 Its other reasons are equally as absurd. It wishes to give to the Legislature the uarest,1ct- ea poa0er to establish free banking" in this State and flood the country with little swindling shops, and, at the same time, to tie upits hands on the subject of internal improvement. Is not this strange doctrine? Is 1t not an absurdi- ty? What sort of constitutional provision would that be, which would restrict the Legis- lature, in all time to come, to particular objects of internal improvement? How many years would elapse, before the necessity of another "conventon to remodel the constitution" would become apparent?
 The editor of rhe Gazette writes upon sub- jects of which he is strangely ignorant He does nor seem either, to possess a mind of his own. In his last annual report, as Auditor of the State, he recommended amendments to the constitution by the Legislature, but now censures in the strongest language all efforts to amend the constitution by legislative action. He is for one thing to-day, and tomorrow he is against it.
 Change! change! is always the cry of that class of politicians who have nothing to lose and every thing to gain by revolutions. We have scanned the reasons of the Gazette for re- modelling our constitution with great deal of interest, but we have as yet, seen none that will justify the step it proposes and advocates. The expense of a convention will be very great, and the policy of holding it is very doubtful. The arguments advanced in favor of it are of no force The alterations suggested are either ri- diculous or positively wrong. Some alterations we admit would be advanta- geous to the State but they are few, very few, and such as might readily be effected through the Legislature.
 The Gazette says that many of the members of the Legislature "are utterly unfit and in- competent'' for the work of amending the con- stitution. We ask how does he know this?-- Are they not elected from among, and by, the very same people who elect our Legislators? :? If the people are incapable of electing eft and competent' Legislators would they not be equally incapable of electing members to con- stitutional convention? We do not appreciate the Gazette's dstincton--it is a distinction without difference.
 The question of convention to remodel our constitution is one of very grave moment, and we trust our citizens will consider 1t maturelv before they act. They should think of the heavy expense-an expense of from 50 to 75 or 100 thousand dollars--and they should re- fleet upon the alterations suggested, many of which are absolutely iniquitous and calculated to inJure the present prosperity of the people.