Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-04-29
The New ConstItutlon.

OefeTai weeks nave elapsed since the
adjournment of our Constitutional Couyen-
ton, and it sretifes US to be able to state
that the response which comes to us from
all parts Of the State is of the most encour
aging character.
The unanimous voice of the Democratic
press is in favor of the adoption Of the new
constitution; and we have every reason to
believe that Il will be acquiesced in by the
people. As far as we have had the
means of ascerraining the sentiments Of the
people on the subject, we have no doubt
that large majority of them will, on the
18th day of June next. vote for the new
constitution and the clauses against banks
and the colonization of emancipated slaves
amongst US.
The. new constitution, while we are
free to confess that it does not meet our
views in every particular, is very great
improvement on the old one. And We are
not sure that it is the very best that could
be framed. It is emphatically constitu-
ton for the protection of the rights and
interests ofthe people, in many respects.
The section which declares that the Gen.
eral Assembly shall, at the fret session
thereof, after the adoption of the constitu-
! tinn, and from time to time, as occasion
may require, pass laws for the securing
liens to mechanics and other operatives,
! for work and labor performed and materi~
ais furnished, is most salutary and just
The mechanics and laborers of this state
have been swindled out Of millions of dol,
lars by dishonest contractors and bank
rupts, and this provision is to protect them
against similar outrage and wrong in the
future. The difference in the old consti,u-
ton and the new on this subject is, that
the former leaves it optional with the Leg
islature to protect mechanics and labors
from swindling contractors and dishonest
employers, while the latter requires the
Legislature to pass laws for their protec-
ton. Under the old constitution, railroads
and other corporations, are exempt from
liens so that laborers are often cheated out
of their hard earnings. This evil, hoHev-
er, will be guarded against in ease the new
shall be adopted. The new constitution
puts railroads, and other corporations, on
the same footing with individuals. This il
what we have always advocated. And We
have DO doubt will be the means of induc-
ing thousands of honest mechanics and
laborers, though they have acted with the
party heretsfore that is now laboring Coz
the defeat Of the new constitution, to vote
for its adoption.
The Republican press Of the State, with
out al exception, it is true, is opposed to
the adoption of the new constitution, but
not so with the honest masses. The peoA
pie have been so often humbugged by the
Abolition newspapers of late years, that
they are becoming wary Of deception
The whole partizan press cannot induce
them to vote against an organic law, be-
cause it does not protect swindling corpora
tons and create special and exclusive
/ privileges.
That the new constitution will meet with
bitter opposition from all the corpora
tions of the State, as well as those persons
who have derived their sustenance from
special enactments and swindling paper
money institutions, may be expected But
the people, the honest hard workinr-Feo-
menry and mechanics of the State will
stand by it. We regard as q certainty its
approval by an overwhelming vote.
The Chicago Journal, and few of the
more sensible of the opposition press, are
beginning to doubt the success Of their OPP
position to the new constitution, and are
gradually preparing their readers for tb.
result which stares them in the face. All
at once they have made the discovery that
1t is not party measure--that it will be sup
ported and opposed by men Of both parties.
Now this is only to get out of dilemma.
They see that a majority of the people are
in fayo. Of the new constitution, and conse-
quently ure preparing themselves to make
the most out of the matter they possibly
can. Hence, theg raise the no-party cry.
The people however. will not be humbug-
ed By any such subterfuge.