, 1862-06-14
Gbe UtthutrE.
NHY CHANGE NOW

cAI NDA1s JCAE IL, 15o3.
WHY CHANGE NOW
Since 1e47, when the present constitu-
ton vas adopted, the career Of Illinois, un
der the generally wise and bencfcent pro-
visions Of that instrument, has been one OF !
unparalleled prosperity, The population Of
The State has increased with uncxamplea !
rapidity, Wca1th las been multiplied as if |
by magic. The happiness and safety of |
the people have been carefully cared for
Justice has been wisely administered. The
public debt has heeE greatly reduced. The
credit of the State has been firmly estab- |
1ished. New branches OF industry have
sprung up and new avenues Of commerce
have been opened. Within her boundaries
the whole surEace Of Illinois has been
checkered over with railroads, carrying the |
means fertilization and the appliances Of
wealth to every mans door. Education has
HouEished vigorously. Progress in the right
direction has been rapid and steady; and
Today Illinois stands in the front rank of
States-1he fourth in the Onion; aud, any
where in the country, to be one Of her clti-
ze1s, is the just occasion for honest pride.
No one supposed when the question Of
the convention was agitatcd, nor get, when
the convention met and commenced its la
hors, that the whole Of the fundamental
law would be changed-that the constitu-
lion that had brought such benefits in its
train would be wholly thrown aside. The
necessity for partial reorganization Of the
supreme court, and the addition Of more
Judges to the bench; for the repeal Of the
two mills tx, and foc adjusting one or two
minor matters, was recognized. It was the
popular supposi.ion that the members,
elected by the a1iliation Of parties and
the Withdrawal Of the Republicans from
the politica1 field, would get together,
amend what needed amendment, and 90
home, leaving the old structure, under
which so much has been accomplished, te,
be the peoples refuge and shelter still 4
new constitution was not thought Of. But
The power stolen from the msjority by
succession Of no-party pledges that were
made only TO be violated, could not
be SO easily laid down. Harlly
vestige Of the old constitution remains. A
new instrument has been framed; and it
is not enough to say that it is intrinsieall;-
partizan in lis provisions. It is worse. It
contains matters Of high import to every
man and woman in the State, which
arc yet experimental-which will prob
ably be disastrous in their working; but
which, in any event, can be no improve
n1cnt upon What We now enjoy. Il pro-
eides for greatly increased expense in the
administration Of the State Government.
It creates host Of new officers to eat up
the substance Of tie people. It touches
The Judiciary system only to make it
Norsc. 1t strikes blow at all public i'm
proycmcnts, Ike those that have brought
the prosperity We have enjoyed. 1t
gives up the monopoly Of currency
making to the few bankers whose
Institutions have yet preserved thei1
Titality, TO the exclusion Of everybody
else. It makes Illinois the refuge for all
lie wild cats and red dogs-a pestilent
brocd-ot all the other States. It has set
up theory Of State rights, that may OF
may not mean rebellion against the Fed.
e1al Government; at any rate, it Is not il
ronsonance with the maxims and practices
under which the allegiance Of Illinois tC
lie Cnicn has been 50 hearty, cordial and
2tEYTr T. tJ4.o eS,A ,r ~. ~
and faithful executive officers Of the State
NEo are so intimately identified with tht
great popular cause. 1t plunges the people
into an excited political contest at the polls
at q moment in our history when thei
znanimity should be uEbroken by part
feeling. 1t robs the most populous, enter
prlsing and patriotic section Of the Stat
of lis just power and weight in tue legisla
ture, By an appostionment that is, to So
The least, Infamous. Il sets at naught las
of Congress: In prescribing the manner il
which the Gtate shall be apportioneu int
Congressional districts. It iaradcs III
sacred rights Of every individual b
the manner in which it permit
summary tials and imprisonnents b
single Justices Of the Peace. It makes n
provision for the transfer Of Judgments
liens, &c, from the old courts to the ney
thereby cnt;.iling 4 loss Of millions Of deb
now duc. In 3 word, it is full Of noyel:i.
an experiment. partisan instrument
scheme for defeating the will Of the m
5ority-an Egyptian device for handir
over the control Of this great State 10 Il
political policy and cieilizing inauenc
which are dominant in the localities in
which The light of the Nineteenth Ccnt,u
has not yet penetrated.
Aten ci illinois, Do you want such
Change at any time-aboye ell, at IL
time: Have we not prospered under Il
old @cgimee Where, in all Gods earth,
there political community that h
achieved so much? Where is the need
Ills radical revolution? What great weiyy
presses upon the body poltic, tlat 7
Should cast off the old moorings in q 81
Larhor, and, in these dark days, ft,at
Nl'on SEA Of which VIC know nothing?
this time for experiments il State vht
ali is prosperous? Have We nothing
lose: Is there no danger that in the (
elements AMI mutations to which the a1t
sien Of this new tangled and untried schc1
will give rise, that the State may fill ii
tii~ioyaI hands, and become the scene
civil strife, Involving Ill in common ruh
Ne slpca to you to answer at the polls
THE RESTORATION,
hfteT tic conquest Of the rebelious
t,:cts must cone the more tardy work
Restoration Of order and prosperity unt
tie Union, 70 the communities where tr
Epn has had full sway The occupation