Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-16
Providing FOR THE CONsTITC-
TfONAL CONVENTION.

pRoyIpTNG FOR THE CONsTITU-
TfONAL CONVENTION.
After a great deal Of unnecessary
delay, the Legislature of our State has
passed the law providing for Copstitu-
tional Convention. The number Of dele
gates that is TO compose this body has
been agreed upon and fixed at seventy
Eve. The time for holding the election
of said delegates is the third Saturday in
December, which is the 18th day of the
month. The time appointed for the as
sembling Of these delegates has been des
ignnled ss the second Monday in Jann-
ary, 1870, which will be on the lOth day
of said month. The delegation has been
apportioned according to representation
in the lower branch of our Legislature;
that is, each county will be entitled to
a number of delegates in proportion to
the amount of representation in the
House. Their, according to the law.
Shelby county will be entitled to two,
and voice in the election of the dele
gate from the Pictorial district. mskir g
three in all. The time is quite short
before the election comes of. and being
80, it equires quick action on the part
of our people. Let US now select men
for this Convention thet will be credit
to the Sta,e-msn Of learning and ability.
Availability should not be our only aim
in choice of delegates, but talent and vir-
tue should recommend themselves to our
favorable notice. The matter of making
the fundamental law, known as the Con-
stitution, will require men Of experience,
with perfect familiarity with cur system
of government, and knowledge, too, of
the science of governme nt generally. We
want men in this convention who have
lived long enough to have seen some OF
the workings of our Stale laws, and who
can readily perceive the changes neces-
sary to create harmony and prevent dis
cord in our society. We don't require
any more experimenting, or popular
izing. or dsmsgoguing. Whstth country
demands is pesceable system Of govern
ment, founded on the experience of our
learned men, with the necessary changes
that have been forced upon us by the
bsyonet. Our knowledge of government
teaches us that no system is worth bsu-
bee nnless it has been proven By expert
ence TO meet the requirements of the
people. The common law Of England
and of America is not legislative enact
ments of the popular will, but the long
experience Of ages. So With the fuuda-
mental Law of our State. 1t shonld be
the experience of wise men of this Coy
eminent who have lived TO see it tried in
detail, and know its defects il any should
exist. II, for example, we had such q
body Of men constituting the Convention
in. this Safe as assembled in 1929 to re-
wise the constitution of Virginia, then we
might feel secure 10 theit wisdom, as well
as being proud Of The men representing
.. Among the distinguished members
that composed the Virginia Convention
referred to above, were James Madison,
James Monroe, John Marshall, John Ty-
Ter, Benjamin Watkins Lsigh, William
B. Giles, George c. Dromgoole, Chap
man johnson, William Smith. Phillip
Nicholas, John w. Jones. Johh 7. Mason,
John Randolph. Phillip P. Barbour,
Alexander Campbell. Phillip Doddrige.
Charles Feutou Mercer, John Roaue.
Littletsu Walter Tezwell and Abel P.
Upsbesr. This convention was com
posed of uinety.six members. elarge ma
joriiy of whom were the most disIlp-
guished men Of the nation. The number
was not then regarded as too large and
expensive, hut our Legislature was loath
to allow the people the small number Of
seveniy-6ve, for reasons kept within their
own bosoms. This number, however, will
euabls the people OF the State to meet in
convention. aud irsnnact what is needed
for a csmplete reformation Of the State
from the foul, political touch Of Radical
ism. Constitutional bodiesin this country
have assumedlh right in some instances
10 refuse to submit their action to
the people for approval or disspTrJvsl.
We think the genius and spirit Of orr
government is that such action should be
referred 10 the people; and whenever a
Conveutios has refused 40 to do. there
has been more or less pickering and dis.
content, IS if an attempt was being
made to foTestaII the wisbes Of The peo-
pie. What we desire isihai 10 change
shall be effected in the Constitution
unless with hearty approval Of a ms
joriiy Of the legal voters 10 sbe STATE;
aud whatever msy be agreed $500 IN 3
majority shall alsays command ouE sup
mort and ohaerfni aconiasfaaoe