Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-12-29
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liIadelphia convention which was unior
:" both parties, of the whole nation
opposed terms of construction and Unior
iceedingly moderate and reasonable, ye
y ey werenot accepted, VIII new propo-
tions have more efIeetp Idoubtis. True
may be said that that was mixed con
eention; there were men there who ha(
,isulted and traduced Democrats through
at the war, and who still do so. This i
'ue. But the principles there adopted
ere in substance Democratic principles
he character of the men could not affec
Ie truth of the principles, nor preven
Ieir adoption, had there been with ma
'rity of the people sincere desire to ac
ept them. Will still stronger assertion
{ these principles by a strictly Demo
ratio organization by the form of Nation
Convention, effect change in the popu'
r mind? 0ris it proposed by the Con.
ecticut call, that the Democratic party in.
Isnds to advocate National Convention to
mend the United States Constitutions Il
5 is, / see no necessity for it. The
Constitution Of the United States does
hot need any remodeling. 1t proved
while rigidly regarded, North and South,
lts capacity to organize the best Govern
,nent ever known among the human race
The departures from it, whether to achieve
recession or the Republico-abolitio policy
adopted over its ruin, has not yet given
evidence of large advancement toward ma
Ierial or intellectual prosperity. And if
che abolition of negro slavery, which is a
matter accomplished, owing to their proper
exclusion from holding rart in the Gov
rnment through office and suffrage, should
..all for different basis for the apportion-
inent of members Of Congress among the
rtates, this of itself is too small matter to
Justify calling National Convention to
feet. For my own part, locking to the
destruction ofthe Southern system of labor,
and the time required for necessary recon-
struction of their social institutions conse-
quent thereon, would have been content
and am, could it be done, to go on without
further change until some experience Of
the effects of the new order OF things upon
the country should determine what altera-
tion in congressional representation, if any,
should be necessary. This in times of or
dinary excitement would be the course of
craftsmanship. But we are not living in
ordinary times, we are living in times
when men like WENDELL PHILLIPS, who |
for quarter of century boasted his ha-
tired to our constitutional system, are the
leaders of prevailing and popular thought,
and dictate now, as they have always done,
the policy of hatred and destruction to our
free institutions-dctate to Congress too
ready to usurp and absorb all power, the
means and excuses best calculated to mis-
lead the masses, while constitutional sane
lions are overthrown. OF course, at such a
time, propositions from Democrats for
of the States to alter or amend
The Constitution, would only aid the
schemes of those who de-
lire, under pretense Of loyal regard for
sanctions, the destruction of
III those that may initiate against their
continued party ascendency. But consti-
utional change is probably not what is
lined at by our Connecticut friends. It's
probably National Convention to fix a
common statement Of Democratic. princi-
lies and policy. But is this necessary?
s there any material disagreement among
Democrats now as to what should be the
ction Of Congress or the President3 Are
We desirous of renodeling the Federal
judiciary, to make it mere mOuth-piece
( the mob? / think not. We are now,
8 we have ever been, desirous to
reyent latitudinarian constructions of
he Constitution of the United States,
" which, under the plea of the "gen-
raj welfare" acts Of oppression or CO.
rcion of the States, shall be done, in viola
ion of the spirit and intent of that instru-
1ent-acts such as the Cincinnati CONNER
ial proposes under the pretense of Con-
ress leaving the adoption Of the Republic
an Amendments to Conventions Of the
tates, and not to their Legislatures, al
sring by Congressional legislation the
oters in States, and making Negroes citi-
ems of the United States, to remodel its
government and Constitution. This is
uually, If not more UNANIMOUSLY unconsti-
ltional, than the degradation of States to
erritories, but less likely to be compre-
ended to be such by the people. Will We,
-hile the very air seems thick and foul
18th such anarchical propositions, help
latters by adding new issues through a
+ational Convention, to disturb and con-
Use the general mind, or add strength to
democracy, or firmness to position main
lined in defeat, under insult and in peril
II years past? But It is said that JOHN
On may waver or change. l do not yet
,e the evidence of this. But suppose that
Q does. We did not elect him. We arc
OF responsible for his changes or his acts,
tberwise than as we judge them for the
eli being and perpetuity of our whole
,untry. We have not received his
atronage. We owe him nothing
nj approval and sustainment wherein he
oes well in his high position. This much
as already been accorded, and will be to
,e end. But the Democratic position has |
zen and is--the unconditional restora-
ON Of the excluded States to their place in
ongress and in the Union, and then If
mendments of the Federal Constitution
I. z.,,....ol ,,aooeaarv. thew can be consti- | |