The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-07-23

number what have to say in favor of the New
Constitution, and in reply to certain objection:
raised against it. DEMOCRAT.
THE NEW C0NSTITUTI0N-N0. 2.
Mr.. EDrToR: i do not pretend to say tia
the New Constitution is free from objections
The question is, is it an improvement on The
old one--ls 1t more nearly up to the spirit anc
progress Of the times? 1t would be wonder.
full indeed if any body of mel could frame ar
instrument of this description which should b.
perfect in itself, and at the same time accep
table to each and every citizen. All Consti
tutions, from the Federal Constitution dowr
TO the one we are now considering, have beer
the joint work of many dssimilar minds, anc
as matter of course the result Of numerous
compromises. m.t
The late Constitutional Convention of THU
State was composed of thirty-six memoirs, snd
was in session forty two days. OF thsst
members dfteen were Democrats and twenty
one Republicans. They were all elected on
party grounds, and the organization OF the
Convention was necessarily regulated upon the
same principles. In the early stages OF The
proceedings there was much partisan zeal map
tested by the more radical of the Republican
members, which was promptly and success
fully resisted by the Democrats. These con-
ficts soon developed to the more conservative
portion Of the Republicans the evil consequent
ces of purely partisan feeling, and without
cling with the more rabid Of their polit-
ical associates, they began to listen to the
counsels of the Democracy. and the result was
that they yielded most Of the views snd pre-
JUDGES with which they commenced the ses-
sion, and closed their labors by cooperating
cordially with the Democrats ia all the princl-
pal features of the New Constitution. The
truth is, am informed, that the Democrats,
though in a minor ty, had the making of most
of the changes proposed. -a.s
Now, it is a fact, and one which, it not
known, ought TO be taken for granted, that the
Convention embraced the highest character
and the best ability belonging 10 the respec-
tive parties in the State. AS men Of wisdom,
would they submit weak aud indefensible
instrument to the people? As men Of integri-
ty, would they seek to supplant the old Con-
stitution with one less honest, and less suited
to tie public necessities Of the times? We
must take it for granted-common courtesy
and common justice require that we should
take it for granted-that those honorable gen.
tlemen did give the whole subject their most
honest, deliberate and careful consideration
and this being so, shall their arduous labors,
running through period Of forty days, be
tossed to the wind upon mere er parte state
ment, and whistled down the wind because il
is not Democratic enough in one place, nor
Republican enough in another? Common
Justice requires US to take il as whole. and
from that point OF view should we determine
"wheiher'tis better to endure the ills we have,'
or seek remedy in sew order Of affairs.
THE SCHEDULE.
This portion of the New Constitution is
justly complained of as fixing the representa-
ton in the next Legislature so as to give the
Republicans unfair advantages. This is true
but there is an existing law of the Legisla-
ture, passed under the Old Constitution, which
does precisely the same thing. THERE Is NO
HELP FOR THIS. In either event we must bide
our time. We must out live it-there is nc
other remedy, neither under the Old Cons;itu-
tion nor under the New. The difference,
however, is slightly in favor Of the adoption
of the New Constitution--for by that means
we shall the sooner have an opportunity to
elect new Governor, as well as a Lieuten-
ant Governor, and also at no distant day the
Supreme Judges. In this matter the Republi-
cans have done what all parties too often do
they have taken advantage of their majority 10
keep in power as long as possible. But as the
Convention have confined themselves in this
matter TO the terms of a law already in force,
and from which there is no escape except in
the lapse of time, the Schedule should be nc
fatal objection to the adoption of the New
Constitution.
shall leave TO Judge Hall, who has yet to
finish his series of articles, to elaborate the
main features of this part Of the New Consti.
tuition. The history of this proposition, to
which many have taken exceptions under the
Impression that it would introduce colored
children into our common schools, is simply
this-it was drawn up and presented by Judge
Hall, and was voted for by every democrat
Clark, of Henry, and Wilson, Of
Jefferson, both Republican leaders, and both
extremely radical in their political views, bit.
terly opposing it at every step! This is the
political history of the proposition-so that ii
any body was in favor Of sending negroes an.
mulattoes to our free schools, they must hav.
been the Democratic members Of the Conven.
ton. The wording of the Constitution is this
The Board of Educ alton shall provide for the
education of the youth of the State, through q
system Of common schools. This is the Law
OF the Constitution-it is the rule and author.
ity under which action shall be taken-but the
details of the system 10 be put into operation
are left to the Board Of Education and the
Legislature. Does any one suppose that they
will ever attempt to thrust colored children
into white schools? The Constitution Of In
diana, framed by Convention overwhelm
ingly Democratic, and in which it is provided
that no more negroes shall settle in the State
has the following clause in regard to educa