Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-05-21
THE MASS MEETING TONIGHT,

The meeting called BY the County Union
Committee, to be held at the Court House in
Virginia, should be attended by every citizen
whose engagements do not forbid. At that
meeting nominating committee will be ap-
pointed to select ticket to be supported BY
Union men at the election on Monday week,
for delegates to the Constitutional Convention
Whether the people will, in September next,
vote in favor of State Government, is OF
course beyond the power of prophcsy to fore
tell. The uncertainty Of the white man is
proverbial. Last year they voted with great
unanimity in favor ofthe change Of the form OF
government; but when, in January, the Con-
stituticn was submitted to them for ratifca-
tion they rejected it BY vote of FIVE to one.
That Constitution came nearer being a
perfect instrument than, any similar in
strument in existence and unless the ap-
preaching convention see it, as they very
likely NAV do, to adopt that constitution bod
iy, and report i: back to the people for re-
consideration Of their vote, we doubt whether
they will be able to produce as creditable 4
document. There was only one feature IN
the constitution upon which its enemies made
any showing of opposition, and that was the
clause taxing mines. That may possibly be
stricken out. Ifso, there will be no foot-hold
for any opposition TO the instrument itself.
The strong and affirmative expressions Of
loyalty, and condemnation and execration Of
traitors contained therein, made that class
and their masked sympathizerS squirm, but
they dared not make much ado about it.
They merely threw the weight Of their votes
with those who opposed the constitution on
other grounds. The reyulsion of feeling be-
tween the time Of the vote on the State Gov
ernment question, and that on the adoption
Of the Constition was most astounding; and
If the latter vote is considered as test OF the
true sentiment on the question Of State Gov
ernment, it exhibits 4 fckleness that speaks
but III of the capacity Of the people for Self
Government. It must be believed that, the
defeat Of the Constitution was attributable,
not to desire TO retain the present Terrific
rial system, but to objection to the mine-tax-
ing clause, which was harped upon so loudly
by its opponents, and 10 the unfortunate pol
icy of tacking ticket of officers on to the in
strument to be voted for at the same election,
and making the adoption Of the Constitution
depend upon the success OF the ticket. That
is rock that can be avoided by the next
convention. But whether or not the public
mind has changed upon the subject of chang
ing the form of Government, it is a question
upon which they are forced to pass judgment.
It therefore behooves all good Union men to
see that the Constitution which is framed
shall be as far as possible .unobjectionable.
and that If it shall be decided to throw off
this anti-republcan and colonial form of
government, and assume the position Of a
Sovereign State, We may have fundamental
law worthy OF the age and suited to the wants
of the people. For this purpose let us see
that such Nominating Committee is ap-
pointed, as will ensure the selection Of a
ticket composed of loyal, substantial and sa-
gacious citizens. There is brt little to
be done by the Convention if they enter
upon their work in a proper spirit. The for
mer Constitution and the debates of its franz
ers will be before them. There is nothing
required to be added to that instrument; and
hthere are superAuities and errors, they
can be readily stricken off, and the work is
done. Be on hand, tonight, then, every
body.