The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-05
Reforming the Constitution.

:
When the old confederacy had in opinion of some
OF the States failed to effect the objects for which 1t
reformation without any threats Of coercion or talk Of
war. They assembled a convention which formed the
present constitution and provided for Union when rat
flied by nine States and between all the Stases ratyng
There was as much objection to the old confederation
there Ia now to the present Union, and there
against the Of the present ooniodersey
But notwithstanding all this forefathers proceeded
which won the admiration Of tho world, the nuiifyns
States Of the North excepted.
We know no reason why the example of forefathers
cannot be followed at the present timc-why a conven
tion outside of the present constitution and appointed
by the State Legislatures cannot assemble forthwith and
prepare constitution TO be submitted TO all the States
and binding between the first ten twelve fifteen States
that ratify it,
II may be urged that States not contiguous might fa
fy, and that the new Union would not be composed Of
contiguous and cotermnous States We do not think
there any danger Of this for the delegates would know
the sentiments and wishes of their States, and would
guard against this danger The Southern States without
consulting the North should appoint delegates TO such
convention and the constitution then agreed upon should
be submitted to all the States for ratidca-
lion or rejection. The submission of such a
constitution 10 the Northern states would pre-
sent an issue TO the conservatives and aboltionsts
which would enable the Union TO rally and defeat
the desrrctives The States not ratfyng would be
Of the unon divided among themselves local position
as well as political opinion. Under existing affairs the
black republicans having possession Of the organization
servatve sentiment; but the submission of new CON
sttution with the certainty of Its adoption by the
south and the permanent dissolution of the present
federacy would introduce revolution every Northern
state which would result in the overthrow of black re-
publcanism.
There are many thousands or persons nj the North who
despse black repubcansm much do the people of
the South These men are poweress at present. but the
submission ef constitution for ratification rejection
would present issue which would enable the Northern
conservatives TO rally and destroy black republicansm
Such constitution would form new confederacy Of
the Southern States, into which any Northern State
willing TO comply with the terms Of its ratification,
could enter, and some Of the Northern States would
ray such constitutions for between the manufacturing
tar III States Of New England and the farming free trade
States Of the Northwest there nothing save
black repubcanism, and this would be surrendered by
some Of the Northern States rather than submit to New
England policy.
Such constitution would unite the South and divide
the North II would tsansfer the battle ground the
North and so divide and distract those States that the
South would not be molested.
We have not undertaken 10 intimate what changes
should be made in the present constitution, indeed;
are not satisfied that II could be improved, but it's
vision by convention Is order 20 ascertain
If the wisdom of the States suggest improvements