American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-05-01
CONSTITUTIONS.

@NNN so'N"N HNSN'NAo VI
tht country to speak of the national oonsti-
fulton as something so venerable and sacred
as to hold unique position midway between
enactments having their source in Divine
Inspiration, and those having their root in
human wisdom. Without claiming for it
precisely heavenly inlalibility, they exalt
it above all purely earthly productions, aud
hold it to be species of sacrilege to subject
IT to revision, so as to meet the growth Of
political society and promote and defend the
new wants of multiplied populations. If
the Democrats of either of these great sec
tons haa in years past and gone, ovinced the
same high respectfor the constitution, their
present assumptions of regard for it would
stand in different ard better light than it
is now possible to view them While their
zeal and devotion would be ranked among
blind infatuations, they would have received
credit foi feeling what they professed. Now
they fall under the imputation of protesting
a sentiment they do not cherish, and claims
ing degree of civism which is net in their
natures
For thirty years, in contradiction of the
plain letter of the constitution of contem>
poraneous exposition, and of Legislative and
judicial precedent, they endeavored to de-
duce from the instrument the most detesti-
Bile despotism that ever afflicted any portion
of the human race. Failing in this, they
labored so to ssonstrue it as to emascu,
late all its power and authority, and make
its overthrow a pastime Failing in this,
likewise. they made furious war against it,
not with words only, but by powerful arm
ies--the Southern portion Of them, openly
and in face Of the Sun the Northern por
ton, covertly and by stealth. As they sue.
ceeded no better in this, they have changed
their tactics, and pretend to be so enamored
of the constitution as to be able to give no
rest to their minds or bodies through intense
anxiety to plead for it, to swagger for it, to
denounce for it, and to do everything else
except to regulate their conduct and doc
trines in conformity with it.
Now, we never have pretended any such
consuming zeal for the constitution, for the
simple reason that we have not felt it. The
constitution is only law enacted with un>
usual formalities. The product of human
intellects, it partakes of the infrmaties of
the minds by which it was framed. Like
all mundane things it becomes eff0te, more
or less, in its different parts, and needs in>
vigora ting by Topping away the limbs out
grown, aud engrafting new provisions suited
to the fresh requirements. This was the
view Mr.. jefferson, when he said every ma
tion needed arevoluton every twenty years.
Not that he supposed a struggle OF arms was
essential every two score years to purify po-
litica institutions. There are other and
healthier revolutions than those Of violence;
revolutions that grow out of advancing ideas
aud elevating sentiments. These are nor
NAL in their origin and development, cor
responding with the gentler and more be-
nificent process of nature. 1t is in obedience
to the same conception that the present con-
stitution of New York provides that cons
vention Of the people shall be held every
twenty years for its revision: In accor dance
with this provision a constitutional coDven-
tion will soon assemble, and the indications
are that numerous and important changes
will be made in the organic law.
1t would be well if a similar stipulation
existed in the Federal constitution, How
ever that instrument may have been adapted
to the condition of the people at the time it
was promulgated, period has arrived in
which large notifications and Improvements
are needful in it TO meet the progress in
population, in interests, in ideas, ard in
emotions. The old bottle has been found
incapable of holding the new wine. This
does not proclaim that the bottle never was
good but that having performed all the SER
vice possible, new vessel, Of greater ca~
pacty, is now indispensable.
This view, we are aware, is offensive to
political pharisees. They hold that institu-
tions are supreme; men and women alto
gether subordinate that Sundays and
constitutions are intrinsic and personal, not
for use and convenience and that human
beings were created that these might be OBJ
served and respected If this race of for
malists would only die out they would lay
the worlG under unspcakable obligations.
The present constitution of Pennsylvania
was framed thirty years ago. Since then,
though some changes have been made IN 1t,
there has been no thorough and searching
GeFlblOD. IL ueCuS pClGIul ONCIhauhilE Et
and would get it if a convention were to as
semble. The late Legislature was pressed
to provide for the election of such n body
but the plunderers, inside and outside the
chambers, perceived that by this step their
craft would be endangered both Immediately
and for all future. They toos alarm, and
the movement, lest the source Of
their gains should be cut of. From this,
people Of the Comm onwealth ought TO take
hint. The only cure for Legislative cor
ruption, which has become 80 rank and un-
blushing as to scofat exposure aud defy re@
sponsibility, lies through such change as
shall make all who hold or want scrporate
franchises independent of the General AS
sembly. The brokers Of Legislation, and
members who traffic in votes, will never
voluntarily relinquish their opportunities
4 power which they dare not resist must
constrlin the order for convention and
then the people can apply tae remedy
PHI Gdzettc.
r A good story is told Of rather yerdant
agricultural laborer who, having by hook
and by crook scraped together fifty dollars
took it to his employer with a request to
tata charJa nf ~ for him A wear after the