Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-08-08

He said he could no, help looking upon the
amendment as csiculat ed 10 curlail the peo-
pies rights, and as having no binding force
upon the action OF the Convention The
Convention would represent the popular
will, and il was not for the Legislature 10
say that it shall be cirsum.crlbed in its
action.
MIR. HARais>would remind the gentle
man from ST. Louis that by The Constitu
lion of the State such Convention as that
which it is proposed TO call has authority
TO change or amend the Constitution. The
people Of Missouri, in Convention assem-
bled, according 10 the Constitution. have
The inherent right 10 make any change in
that form of government they please. II is
the sum and substance Ct republican liber.
ty.
january l4-Mr. LYDAY. The Legs.
iaiure had no power 10 limit the action Of
the Convention, but the Convention could
ii il thought proper, limit its own, action,
and refer its dOings TO the people.
Mr.. WILSON, regard the amendment
as very important one. Suppose, Mr..
President, that this Contention attempt 10
pass ard does pass an ordinance Of secss-
sion, and that they proceed further and a.
mend the Constitution OF this State, upset
ing the State Government, how is that TO
be carried into eff.cI2 Why. sir. il must
be carried int" rffeol either by the scqu,es.
ence of the Government nnw in existence
or Gy force organized by the Convention IN
opposition to the Government.
| say, then :hst a minority of the VIII. lie
people might, through that Cnnveni ion,
commit Us 10 secession, and il might, also.
by changing the existing laws Of the Stale,
act itself up against the Government
Mr.. RAINS. All that this body can do,
Mr.. Presidents 10 call into ac,iui, The SOW.
ereign people in the character of Couven-
lion; bat when they assemble in their SOW
ereign capacity, they can do rha: they please
aud we cannot restrict them. Ii was u
member Of That Convention, in all prohabI.
lily should iavor The submission Of my acts
10 the people. They are the per.uns 10
decide whether they are rejecting the will
Of The people or not.
"Housr-Mr. wrLcH. 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 for the State,
and all the guarantees in that Instrument
will lie dependent upon tine will of ninety
nine gentlemen in that Convention. This
Convention, Issy will not be restricted by
any constitutional restrictions. ..........
"Mr. hARRIs. He thought the Con.
ventisn should be uni iammeled-tha, no re-
siriction which the general Assemble could
place upon its action would have any lie.
gal or binding lorce That the Copven.
lion would represent the sovereignty OF the
State and could, it il thought il advisable
abolish this Legislature Itself or even the
State Constitution. Hence The fulilry OF
attempting TO limit its powers. .-H3
"Mr. VEsr. The Convention i, 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 IegaIized forms
under which it must act We knos 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 shackes that we might |
Impose upon them would fall off.
Inthe Senate, Judge Thompson .nd
hat iii was presumption On the part Of the |
Legislature TO circum.cribe the action oil
he Convention by lacking on amend.
nents."
"HousE.-Mr. HARMON. This bill as.
'umes very large and extraordinary pow.
ers. II has p"wer 10 pchsnge the whole
oundaiion OF our government az common.
wealth. Il msy change the whole fabric
ipon which We stand. II will have power
o abolish the present system of internal
Improvement. II may abolish our common
'chool system and blot it from the statute !
book. II has the power 10 abolish the
Whole system under which we live, and
nay institute an independent republic. or
my other firm Of government that may suit
he feelings o. ia. .i.e members Of that body
: is the people, meeting in their Urinary
'sraciiy, TO abolish, ifthey choose, the SUI
'efsfuct"te III our present form OF govern
neni, aud build on the ruins thereof of any
orm OF government that tho people may
Indicate. The Convention may. il The mem.
'ers think proper, change the qualification
voters, and sdopt property quslifca.
ion. Now, would be recreant TO every
rust confded TO me by my constituents, not
0 reler the whole matter back to the peo.
lie for ratification or rejection. That C,n
enticn ifIay lake this State out Of the Un-
On, or il may make an alliance with SoulI.
m republic. ], may cut The Sisis Ioo.e
rom her present mooripRs, end cas-, her
drili on gu unknown sea, without pilot or
ornrsts. The Convention. I hold. is N.
eopie IN The exercise # their rssduary Sow
masses speaking in their
"rrreign capacity. Il is the AmphycIion,c
'odncii Of Greece. assembled, where the
hole people were required to vote on
ropo'iiiUn betore ii BEGAN. law. ''".o
ON LAcrYt AMENDMENT. JAN. l6.
"Mr, CoHRow said he preferred The bill
8 il originally came from the committee,
ut he was willing to take the amendment
'bich the gentleman from johnson, had