The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-07-16
A Democrat ON the New COnsti-
tuition.


Awr:ter in the Fl. Madison PLATA Dealer,
democratic paper, concludes an able article
on the new Constitution, as follows. We
sould publish the whole article, IL we could
find room, for the benefit Of those who have
been led to believe that the new Constitution
10 Republican measure, and 10 supported by
that party alone. The srticle alluded to, Is
commended by the Editor OF the Plain Dealer,
himself ranking among the warnest advocates
OF the new Constitution. The democratic pa
per At Des Moines, and others in the North,
are doing good service on the same side.
Hear the writer in the Plain Dealer, said to be
Judge johnson:
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
This 10 presented as a separate and distinct
question, and is no part OF the new Constitu-
ton. II Is the duty OF all honest presses to so
advise the people, that they may vote with full
knowledge Of the subject.
An effort has been made, and perhaps been
successful. In some quarters, to identify this
separate question with the new Constitution,
Thls iswhcily unjustifsble, and 10 only In
tended to deceive the people. ,s.s>
The submission OF this question OF Negro
Suffrage" was unwise and uncalled for, and de-
cted by q strict party vete.' :
No great injury. however, we should pre-
sumo, can result from permitting the people to
vote ,oA this, or any other question.
It's not without precedent. The democratic
Constitutionibf Michigan presented similar
question TO the people Of that State on the first
Monday Of November, 1850.
SUMMARY.
In the foregoing article, the leading features
vt the new Constitution could only be exam.
ined. Some Of the ablest and most reliable
democrats in the State, participated ia this
work, and gave the instrument its conservative
character. II IT, entitled to an honest exami-
nation. and should not be put down by mere
clamor and appeals to partizan prejcdics.
Because the Republicans had nominal ma
lority in the convention, il 10 no reason that
democrats should asssail the new Constitution
Because majority OF the democratic pa.
pers attack, and the republican papers defend
It, furnish no reason that il should be rejected.
Dictation to, or by, newspapers Is equally OBJ
| iectionable.
The attempt to make the vote on the new
Constitution party question is most impolitic
and unfortunate. Some Of the best working
democrats in the State voted for articles most
utterly denounced BY democratic presses, viz
on the bill OF rights-on education-or corpo-
| Idtsous. ~ lt the 1ntent1cn TO read these gem
tlemen, and their friends, out of the democrat.
ic party? II 30, the result Of this campaign
will be sorely felt in all future elections.
| There 10 hut little doubt Of the success OF
the new Consultation, aud we would soreiy re.
greet to see the result claimed ~ Republican
victory.
In coming to the polls to vote on the new
Constitution, there Is one great question to b.
decided-the right of the people to say wheih.
er they shall have banking system or not
This Is the real cause OF the principal assault,
on that instrument, the :" Niger being mere
ly thrown in to flavor and perfume the discus
sion. The truth Of this will be impre ssed O,
or readers when they are told, that the wor.
" white " is retained in the new Constitution
wherever il is found in the DID,
We expect that every ,chite man in tn
Safe, will vote against .negro suffrage.''
We expect that every one who is willing b
permit to the people, to decide for, or agains
system Of bahking-to exercise the right O
self government--and who desires to affor.
the democracy all opportunity OF following u
the victory in April by a more glorious tri
umph in October, will vote for the new Con
stitution.