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

of Rights, partly because it provides Tor Indian
and Negro testimony, and partly because 1t
provides that "in all criminal prosecutions
and in cases involving the life and liberty of
an Individual, the accused shall have right to
speedy and public trial by an impartial
jury" &c.
! The provisions with regard to Indian and
negro testimony is undoubtedly blemish up
on the new nstrument--but inasmuch as the
legislature had the right, ard have already ex
ercised that right under the cid constitution, TO
m AXE this same provision, do not see how
we shall gain anything on this score by voting
down the new constitution.
Your objections to the clause relative to "tne
right Of trial by Jury" secured to criminals, IL
good against the new Constitution, are equaiiy
good against the Constitutions Of all the States
in this Union, and even against our old one,
I COR IN all of them you will find substantially
the same provision. [For the words, "LiFE
AND ,rsrRry., >; "a particular, see Bill of Rights
in the Constitution of each of the following
States, viz: Pennsylvania, Ne" YORK, Con-
uecticut, Vermont, Rhele Island, Nassau
setts, Kentucky. Mississippi, Alabama, yir-
ginia, Delaware, New Hampshire and MIS-
souri,
The right Of trial by jury is everywhere pre-
served inviolate. Ii conflict Of jurisdiction
between the U. s. and State authorities could
arise here under this provision in fugitive
slave case, it could arise equally well under
the Constitution of any OF the States, either
north or south. The fact is that the provision
will have precisely the effect here, and none
other. that it has in other States. 1t will APP
ply only 20 cases arising under the laws of
the State, and can no more effect or defeat any
other law of Congress. The Convention GER
tainly did not contemplate such construction
as yourself aad others have given it,, and the
best legal talent IN that body, judges Hall,
Johnston, Harris and VIM. Price, all Demo-
Gratis, were fully satisfied that no such con-
struction ever could be given to this provision
by any judicial tribunal, and that no such
construction ever could be given TO this provis-
ion by any judicial tribunal, and that no con-
hct could ever occur. Thinking thus, these
gentlemen; together with almost all the DEM
ocrsts present, voted for the entire Bill Of
Rights.
AS there is then substantially no more rights
secured, no more power conferred in these res
poets by the new constitution than b. the old
one, do not see why we should be appealed to
as Democrats to array ourselves against the
whole instrument, or even against the Bill of
Rights. r..
BANKING.
The article on corporations, which provides
or giving the people liberty to say whether
they shall adopt by their own votes banking
system or not. was voted for by every Demo-
crat present, excepting four-our own dele
gates, Messrs. Hall and Robinson being among
those who voted for giving to the people
of Des Moines county and Of the state this
truly Democratic privilege.
That such proposition, should meet with
the opposition of large majority of the private
bankers, shaving shops and three per cent a
month skinhints throughout the State was TO
nave been expected-it is their interest to
keep out competition-it is greatly their inte-
rest to oppose home banks SO long as they can
get money from abroad at cheap rates, some
of it "dog cheap" at that and loan it out to
their victims here (for our whole people are
more or less their victims in the matter tf prof.
it and loss) at 2 to 3 per cent per month; but
it was hardly 10 be expected that Democrats
would be appealed to as party men to deny
themselves or to deny their neiglbors, the poor
they shall have banks or not. No intelligent
man will say in advance whether he would
vote for or against any charter which might
be submitted; but all men would like to have
an opportunity of examining it, and of deter
mining for themselves whether it be their in
terest and duty to vote for or agrinst it. II
men can get money at OF 10 per cent under
Banking law OF their own, they would prefer
it at that rate than to pay from 25 to 40 per
cent, which is now the rule throughout the
State. Every State in the Union has bank
ing system--every Democratic State in the
Union, and Democrats everywhere, excepting
in Iowa. have long since abandoned the idea
of pure metallic currency. The doctrine has
become obsolete. Democratic Legislatures
are busy every year in granting bank charters,
and Democrats everywhere have gone to bank
ing. Even some OF our own citizens, unable
TO do anything Under the old Constitution,
have been compelled to 60 abroad to obtain
bank charters, aud thus make their capital
acconmod alton. Perhaps we may prove the
superlative excellence Of our democracy by
adhering to an ancient prejudice-but whether
We shall display any practical wisdom or ''put
money IN our purse" by SO doing, admits Of a
doubt, to say the least.
IL there was any one thing more generally
unders ool among the people than anyother,
as reason for changing the old Constitution,
it was that the restriction against Banking
might be removed. Now that the Convention,
by an almost unanimous vote of all parties,
have justified the public expectation in this re-
gard, il does seem to me little strange to call
upon Democrats to undo what they had assist
ed in accomplishing. For one, think that
our delegates, Judge Hall and Mr.. Robinson,
reflected the will Of their constituents on the
subject, and sincerely trust that they will be