Mariposa Democrat., 1857-04-29
coysTITuTroN,L REFORM.

II needs no lynxeyed expert TO detect the many
errors, crudities and incongruities Of our political
SYSTEM This state of things results not much from
design, as from reekcssncss, oversight and apathy
Though there abound reprehensbe individual insan-
ees at whose door lies much of the responsibility for
present s at the same time It must be confessed that
much chargable to the apathy Of the whole people,
who initiated and bore part in carrying on Che State
Government. Mismanagement and msgovemment
have been the proveal malades of the infant States
of this Union Perhaps because in graphing the Wild
ness of nature the attention of nation builders is too
much engrossed in the rugged task to heed the de-
mands of the distant future or because oversight Of
social duties naturally springs from rude state OF so
ciety. Allowing for enlightened agencies and
more rapid transition, the formation and development
cf each nascent American State is more than the
revived history Of every people that have burst the
bonds of state of nature and emerged into the rma
ment of civilization The variations vaclations and
sluggish advances of the latter have visible counter
part in the former The modern pioneer partakes the
same sturdines, energy, fondness of physical adven-
ture and daring achievement as are found in accounts
Of the Teutons, Goths and carly Saxons. What won
der then amid such preoccupations that the minue,
complexities and accessories of moro refined system
are ignored and overlooked2
Owing to popularity of circumstance more than the
usual crudity, confusion and distortion sprnging
from such sources have fallen to the lot Of California.
The universal absorption of the people in the wild and
exciting pursuit of gold at first begat indifference in
the formation and conduct of her political system
We do not sufficiently practice the indspensa-
bic duty of free people-a watchful supervision
and participation in public affairs with the zeal and
sense of private interest And should oftener bear
in mind that true freedom is question of proportion
ing and division of burdens. Until this is observed,
we may expect abuse failure and disaster, however
good or bad the Consultation. The past seven years
evolve the conclusion that our "poitca experiment"
is almost miscarriage and many dispair of substan-
tial amelioaon except by thorough remodellng and
reconstruction. Unless something Of the kind is done,
the same excesses and irregularities may be expected
to continue, and the body polite through in ability
to escape, may eventually sink exhausted under
the incubus. If the above views are correct, what
ought to be done to avoid disasters vivdy reflected
in the mirror of the future The spontaneous sugges
tons of sefprcservaton forbid hesitation or further
persistence in the path have taken and appeal with
emphasis for the reparation reconstruction Of the
political fabric. Few or Cafornians desire longer
to abide the present grievances and nearly every well
wisher of the State would hail with welcome and rev
wing hope any reasonable plan Of amelioration We
therefore say-amend the State Constitution purge II
and the laws Of the Augean errors with which II is
infected The experience Of the past-the urgent de
mands Of the present require it, In that event this
highly favored land instead of struggling, would be
adorned with a smiling civilization.