The New York herald., 1867-04-01
The State Constitutional Convention.


little over two hundred years ago Rich
ard Nichols, the Governor of the Colony, il
announcing to "the inhabitants of Long Islam y
that "his moste gracious Majesty" had con
ceded to them for the first tins the right t
meet in General Assembly "to settle good
and knowne lawes within this government for
the future" gave them the following advice:-
"You are further to imoart to the inhabitants
from NEE, that / do heartily recommend to
them the choice of the most sober, able and
discreet persons, without partially or faction,
the fruite and benefit whereof will returne to
themselves in full and perfect settlement and
composure Of all controversyes and tho pro-
pogacon of true religion amongst u.s."
The State Convention for the revision and
amendment of the constitution is to meet in
about three weeks ITO settle good and known
laws" within this State, and we commend to
the citizens of New York in 1867 the advice
given by Governor Nichols to the inhabitants
of State is the instrument that protects all
citizens in their rights, and upon TIE wisdom
with which 1t is framed depends the prosperity
Of the Commonwealth and the happiness
Of the people. A convention Of revision should
not be partisan or political body. 1t has
character altogether distinct from that of a
legislature, where laws are passed with the
ayowed object of aiding the party in power
and changed again with every change of ma
jorities. Its work must be satisfactory to all
the people of the State, to minorities as well
as to maorities if it is to be as solid and endur
ing as the fundamental law should be- The
State cannot afford to change her constitution,
as she changes many OF her statutes, with the
varying fortunes of political parties. II is there
fore essentially necessary that the delegates soon
to be elected should be chosen from among the
"most SOBER able and discreet persons, with
out partially or faction" and should repre-
sent aiI interests and all classes. They should
not be politicians, or at least should not be se-
lected for political and partisan considerations,
and tie majority should be free from the pre-
judices and intrigues with which political life
is certain to impregnate the mind. All
interests in the State should be represented in
the convention, and to that end we should seek
to secure as delegates representative men in
law, finance and commerce: the farmer, the
merchant and the L.echanic. Such citizans
as Charles O'Conor; William nj. Evarts,
Mr.. Astor, A. I. Stewart Moses Taylor,
Francis B. Cutting, Dewitt c. Listiejohn, Ham,
iIton Fish, William Kelly, Charles }. Folger,
Andrew d.. White, and othersv Of similar
standing in various parts OF the State, are the
sort OF men who wouif be likely TO, give us a
good constitution, free from psrtisarship and
jobbery and acceptable to the people.
If would be well also to encourage the
Southern leaders in their recent unqualified
recognition of the eqpsl rights efthe freedmen
by'electinv some &C ed coiored citizens as dele
gates to the convention as Fredericlfs;
Douglass, tho lecturer; Professor Dyy, the elc-,
qucnt burf,cr Sell.sMsrtin, stre~prsacher, and.'
Thomas i DowlirS The great oyster house,
miiliomwire. This sis new and a mixed age,
andwhife the South h going selidfy for the prr-
lftiesl equality Of he negro it VILE not do sor
tksgreAt State of New YoiE. to, show her 1s2S
ta,2ind he times