Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-08-15
The C0NvENTION-ITs POWERS.
What the Legislature Thought.

EXTRACTS FROM THE DEBATES, PENDING
THE PASSAGE OF THE ACT CALLING
THE CONVENTION.
SENATE, January l2, 1861. Mr.. "seorr
offered an amendment submitting the ac-
tion oil the Convention 10 the people"
.'Mr. Parsons opposed the amendment.
He could not see that it would have any
force if passed. The Convention proposed
10 be held was a, Convention Of the people,
and while the Legislature had power 10
call it, it had no po,ver 10 limit or eircum
scribe ,ts action. Such course would put
the Legislature in position of dictator,
as it would debar the people from exer-
csing its sovereign functions except on con-
ditions.
"Mr. LrDAY followed in a few remarks
Of similar import as those oil Mr.. Parsons.
He said he could not help looking upon the
amendment as calculat ed 10 curIail the peo-
pies rights, and as having no binding force
upon the action OF the Convention. The
Convention would represent the popular
will, and it was not for the Legislature 10
say that ii shall be circumscribed in its
action.
"Mr. HARDIN would remind the gentle.
man from ST. Louis that by the Constitu
ton OF the State such Convention as that
which it is proposed 10 call has authority
10 change or amend the Constitution. The
people of Missouri, in Convention assem-
bled, according 10 the Constitution, have
the inherent right to make any change in
that form Of government they please. Ii is
The sum and substance CT republican liber-
ty.
'January 14-Mr. LYDAY. The Legis-
lature had no power 10 limit the action of
The Convention, but the Convention could,
if it thought proper, limit its own action,
and refer its dOings TO the people.
Mr.. WILSON, regard the amendment
as very important one. Suppose, MIR.
President, that this Convention attempt to
pass and does pass an ordinance of seces-
sion, and that they proceed further and a.
mend the Constitution oil this State, upset
Ting The State Government, how is that 10
be carried into effect? Why, sir, it must
be carried into effect either by the acqmes-
ence Of the Government now in existence
or by force organized by the Convention IN
opposition TO the Government.
| say, then. that minority Of the whole
people might, through that Convention,
commit us 10 secession, and it might, also,
by changing the existing laws oI the State,
set itself up against the Government"
Mr.. RAINS. All that this body can do,
Mr.. Presidents 10 call into action The SOW.
ereign people in the character OF Conven-
lion; but when they assemble in their SOW
ereign capacity, they caa DO uhat they please
and we cannot restrict them. If was a
member OF that Convention, in all probabil-
iiy should Iavor the submission OF my ac' s
10 he people. They are the persons 10
decide whether they are refecting the will
OF the people or not.
"HousE-Mr. WrLcu. Mr.. Speaker,
let us remember that in the hands OF that
Convention depends the destiny OF this en-.
tire State. They will have The right to
make new Constitution Tor the State,
and all the guarantees in that instrument
will be dependent upon the will of ninety
nine gentlemen in that Convention. This
Convention, say will moi be restricted by
any constitutional restrictions.
"Mr. Harris. He thought the Con.
vention should be uniIammeled-that no re-
striction which the general Assembly could
place upon its action would have any lie.
gal or binding lorce That the Conven-
lion would represent the sovereignty OF the
State and could, if it thought it advisable,
abolish This Legislature Itself or even the
State Constitution. Hence the futilny OF
attempting 10 limit lis powers.
"Mr. VEsT. The Convention is not the
creature OF the Legislature. 1t is the crea-
ture Of the sovereignty of THE PEOPLE, and
we as the Legislature, acting under the
Constitution, prescribe The legalized forms
under which it mu I act. We know the
great fundamental doctrine Of our Govern
ment is the sovereignty Of the people, COM
Ing through their representatives.. After
these delegates rise full armed from the
people, then these shackles that we might
impose upon them would fall of.
In the Senate, Judge Thompson said
thai lit was presumption on the part OF the
Legislature 10 circum>cribe the action Of
the Convention by tack;hg on amend
ments."l
"HousE.-Mr. HARMoy. This bill as
shines very large and extraordinary pow
ers. 1t has power TO echange the whole
foundation Of our government as common.
wealth. II may change the whole fabric
upon which we stand. Ii will have power
TO abolish the present system of internal
improvement. II may abolish our common
school system and blot it from the statute
book. 1t has the power to abolish the
whole system under which we live, and
may institute an independent republic, or
any other form Of government that may suit
the feelings Of the members OF that body
L is the people, meeting in their primary
capacity, to abolish, if they choose, the sd.
perstructure OF our present form Of govern
meni, and build on lhe ruins thereof Of any
form Of government that the people may
indicate. The Convention may, if the mem.
bers think proper, change the qualification
of voters, and adopt property qualfica.
tion. Now, would be recreant to every