The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-10-01
The New Constitution.


We really are unable to see any connection
between the heading aud the subject matter Of
our neighbours, the S.atesman's, leader OF last
week. 1t is headed s.,The Diherence,'' but
the article is confined pretty mach 10 MIR.
IIedrck, the Republican Party, and the Cour-
Ter, between whom we are not aware that any
serious difference exists, ard between whom in
fact none is charged.
The article represents Mr.. Hedriss, during
the late canvass, as taxing ground against
certain provisions OF the new Constitution,
when the fact is he only took ground agalns;
those provisions by his sham Democratic op.
ponents, the wilc and visionary chiD,eras con-
CURED up by them to appeal to popular preja
dice, ard 10 brighten old women and children.
Mr.. llsdrick expressly stated that he did not
attach the least importance to those construc-
ti.ns, and it wosld have been strange, indeed,
il be or any other sensible man had done 90.
I: 40 happened 10 the late canvass, that the
Republicans took ground fer the new Consti-
tntion, not because it was party measure, az
it manifestly was not designed 10 be and was
not; but because il was in the main ashley I'M
derstood and construed il, great improvement,
upon the old one, and Embodied many provis-
ions which, for years, had been earnestly de-
sired and ,Inperatively demanded by the ag-
gregate Of the public sentiment Of all parties
in the State; and it 50 happened, ia the same
canvass, that the candidates, leaders and press.
- Of the sham Democracy, with few honor
able exceptions, took ground against the same
instrument, melted thereto ratherby forlorn
hope of breaking down the Republican Party,
than by any sincere apprehension that any Of
the alarming consequences would follow its
adoption which tkey talked about Tor hum
comb.
Well, the Constitution has been passed up
on BY the people. the supreme arbiters, and ii
has been adopted by them, and what do the
parties propose to do about it?
The Republican Party, SO far - we know
their views, IN relation TO the matter, are will
ing to acquiesce in the will Of the majority Of
the electors Of the State, constitutionally ex.
pressed, and to give to the Constitution fair
and impartial trial before raising again the
question Of repeal or amendment. This, it
seems 10 US, Is the patriotic and true ground.
Too frequent changes Of Constitutions should
be avoided. The organic law Of the State
should be stable, permanent, and Independent
Of the hasty and inconsiderate action of polit-
zeal parties. Nothing, It seems to us, can be
the source OF more well grounded apprehen
sion than the inauguration Of practice Of ma
king the Constitution party football at eve
~ election. Il would inevitably destroy all
respect for that instrument, and diyesi, OF all
those sanction. and securities which the fun
dsmental Law Of the land should have
Amendments of the Constitution will be re-.
quired, as they have been, when experience
has proved defects to exist. Such 10 re, the
case with the new Consultation, for il nas hot
been tried When il has been, and it is found
defective, we will unite with our fellow citi.
zens, in an effort to get it amendck in the way
provided Tor.
!, Such is our position in relation TO the new
Constitution, but we are sorry to see that it is
not the position Of our opponents. They have
made very loud professions Of respect for the
popular win, and have pretended great horror
'or factiSus resistance to law. But in this Ia.
,ssnce they do violence to all their professins
Ind bosstsd principles, by declaring fierce wa
,pon contribution fairly adopted, before i:
lAs sveo gene into operation. and before ore
i y ~