The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-12-09
Howl, Canhe ,lone.

that n0tw7thstahdtnS the clause providing lor t
the amendment cf the constitution after the year
1861 that the pr PIE might amend or abolish it
wilhiusix months or whenever they saw fit
Phispropositiou appears to be disputed, and it |
isgvsyely asked, hs,c can the people do any
such things Ho,c can the legislature do it, with
the constitution staring them in the face and
furbidding the act--that constitution which /
they have sworn to support? 1t might be well
TO answer that such things hdrs been done and !!
tue right recognized by the decision Of our
courtS-that the right to alter our censtitu-
items isau elementary principle, lying at the
5oundation ofsl, our free institutions, ard dis
tinctly set forth in the Declaration of American
Independence. 1t is admitted that they may
change their constitution in such case, but it
can only be by Reeolatioh. but we think it
may b. done without resortins to that method.
By revolution, is generally understood, the
changing or sbolisliinS of government by force
as wedd in cur memorable revolution, throw
ing off the yoke Of King George and establish
ing government for ourselves. But to make
revolution there must be ttgo forces, the one try
ing tosustaih, the other to pull down. But sup
pose the people were all ofthe same opinion, the
change could not be iorcible; it must be peacea-
hle. Now cannot the people. if they so desire
without resorting to revolution change their
constitution, although the people ofa preceding
generation may have inserted IA clause in it de-
clarins that it should not BE- changed? We
think they can. What is a constitution? And
what il its use? If the people could all meet in
q large plane, and personally make rules and reg
ulations for their government, there would be
no need of Constitutions. This would be
pure democracy. But as this is impossible it is
necessary that the people should select a certain
portion out Of their number to transact their
business ofa public nature, for them. The per-
Sons so selected, are strictly the agents ofthe
people. This is the theory of our government.
They are to carry out the icW ofthe people, and
can do nothing contrary to their authority
The people then delegate to their agents and
servantsscertain power and authority, by which
they arc to be controlled and beyond which
they cannot go. The instrument containing
these powers,is their aoarront Of AHorney-- Chat
Constitution. It ernanates from the people,
and may he certainly revoked by the people
Thcprincipal may at any time revoke the au-
th0rity Of the agent, unless the agent has ves-
ted interest in the execution % the power
Now, we admit that if the people put clause
IN thcirconstitution prohibiting its alteration or
amendment, for certain time, that tho ieyisla-
tafe, who are the agents Of the people, cannot
amend it, or pass any law for its amendment
previous to that time because it is their war
rant of attorney, and they of course, could do
nothing which it prohibits. But suppose the
legislature submits proposition to their painci-
pIthe people, asking them to change this Con-
stitution. May they not do so? They Ger
tainlymay 1t they could not they would not
pcssess the shadow Of sovereignty. The legiS
lature might say to the people, I'VE think it ad :
yisable and very necessary for your interests,
that your constitution should be modified. Cir
camStances have changed materially, since it
was framed, and it should be altered to suit the
new state ofaflirs. by the constitution, rs 1t
satnifs, you have prohibited any alteration; but
we hope you will change this, and authorize US
70 provide for its amendment, in several partic-
ulars." Suppose the PEoPLE By their uote, a.
gree to the proposition, that such change shall
10 made. Such authority givcn-who on this
broad earth can preseM its being done? We
should like to know. There can be no question
about il. Any other view ofthe subject would
cut up popular sovereignty by the roots. The
power to alter must exist somewhere. lift is moi
girea in the constitution, it must remain with
the people. All power is inhcrentin in them. They
are sovereign, not for day, Cr year, hut
through all time The people ofyesterday hay
ing fnllpower to reform, alter, or abolish theii
constitution, pnt in clause to prevent its am
enlment for hundred years. If that is to be
binding on the people Of the next generation
where IL their sovereignty? Gone, sold for
mess Of pottagc. Yesterday, we were sovor
eign, but to day, we are bound hand and foot
1.-THE people of one generation could thus bar
for or give away their sovereignty, the people o
ahc next generation might be left without
sestage ofpower, and as bad oifas galley slaves
The sovereignty ofthe people is the only thinl
We know Of that can neither be bought, sold
nor gwen away. Its God given power 70
the people to possess, but not to destroy. Ant
when any body ofmen, in convention or other
wise, be il Topeka or I4ecompton, attempts 7
suspend Or destroy this sovereignty; then, the.
deserve nothing but the whitening scorn an'
contempt OF our outraged people.