Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-06-10
The Contest.


our organic laws and of our local and State
institutions, perhaps for all coming time.
Therefore, it behooves every man who
expects to reside in this State in the future,
to be duly prepared for the contest. There
is too much apathy on this subject. The
people, We fear, are n t sufficiently interest.
ed in the momentOus work tefore them
The time for decision and work is short,
and we earnestly hope it may be appro-
priately improved. We appeal to eur
friends who have read the new constitution
and made up their minds to support it, to
be on the alert. Our enemies are circulat-
ing all manner of falsehocds against the
instrument, and securing, as it were, the
very internal regions TO find voters who
will vote against it. From the Governor
Of the State down to the lowest Republican
official, tie same unrelentipg opposition is
being manifested. Indeed they are maxi
ing desperate effort to retain their posi-
tons, fearful that the people will not re-
elect them should the new constitution be
adopted and they be thrown out Of office.
Such being the motives of the chief OPP
pOnents, is it any wonder that we meet
with the most jealous opposition in this
contest 2
But let US prepare for the onslaught
! Our cause is noble ne. 1t is the cause
Of the people-the cause of the taxpayer
and the poor lab0ring man against the Of
fee holders and their hirelings and the
would be monied aristocracy.
We would say to honest men-to those
who earn their bread by the sweat of their
brows, OR by some leg itimate and useful
calling, on next Tuesday they will have an
opportunity, which if not properly improv
ed, may never return to them again. The
Issue of equal rights and equal laws,
against corporations and monouolies and
swindles is before them. 1t remains for
them to say whether we shall have the
new constitution and be liberated from the
thraldom of bankers, spectators, idlers
and Office holders, or remain subject to
these enemies to humanity and equal rights
amongst the people.
If it had not been for the opposition
made by the Republican ofice>holders,
wildcat bankers and negro wOrshippers,
the new constitution would scarcely have
met with opposition from any quarter. 1t
is certainly document that should receive
the support of every well wisber of the
people. The safeguards it throws around
our homes and the protection it guarantees
to labor are matters in themselves sufficient
to arouse the people in its favor and to
cause II full attendance at the polls on next
Tuesday. And there are other important
amendments contained in it, commencing
it TO the favorable consideration and sup
port Of true men and patriots.
We have not space to allude to all the
salutary provisions contained in the new
constitution which cannot be found in the
present one, but we must mention few:
In article 4th, section 18th, of the new
constitution, it is provided that no person
who has been, or may be, collector or
holder Of public moneys, shall be eligible
to seat in the legislature, or to any Office
of profit or trust in this State, until such
person shall have accounted for, and paid
into the treasury, all sums for which lie
may be accountable. This is most wise
and just provision, and would put a check
to the wholesale plunderings that have
been going on in the State for the last few
years.
The provisions in sections 34th and 35th
of the same article are alike important to
our future safety and prosperity. In these
sections it is provided that the State shall
not borrow more money than is absolutely
necessary for the present economical ad-
ministration of government, the sum being
limited to City thousand dollars, and that
the credit of the State, or any county, city,
town. township, or school district thereof,
shall, not, in any manner, be given to or
in aid of any individual. association or
corporation, nor become subscriber to the
stock Of any corporation or association
whatever. Who, except friend of State,
city and town bankruptcy, aud high taxes,
can find fault with this?
And then the liberatian Of the State from
the two mill tax and the prohibition of the
legislature from releasing the Illinois Gen.
trail Railroad Company from paying the
sum Of money secured to the State by the
presen: charter of that company, are pro-
visions imperatively demanded by the ex-
igeneies Of the times. But why enumer-
ate further? Every man of sense who
has read the new constitution aud compar
ed it with the present one, must admit that
the former is far the best in numerous par
tIculars.
Freemen Of Illinois, it remains for You
to determine this great question. Will you
turn out on Tuesday and vote for the new
con stitu,iOp, or will you stay at home or be
led by the dishonest men who are arrayed
against it? If the new constitution be vo-
ted down, the day will come when every
man in the State, will be sorry for it. To
the rescue then, noble sons of Illinois, and
adopt a constitution under which all class
es will have their rights and be protected.
FEsTIvAL-The ladies Of the Congrega
tiOoal Church, in this city, give STRAW
berry Festival" this evening. for the benefit
of their church. We learn that they have
made preparations to render it most
| agreeable affair and We trnst that thai