Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-09-17
The Convention,

Editors ADDeal: The necessity for a
Constitutional Convention seems to
be felt and acknowledged by every
one. The evil acts of the knaves and
madmen who have governed and con-
trOlled the State since the wal require
greater power to correct than is pos
seSsed by the Legislature. Hence it
is settled that we are to have a Con-
ventiQp to frame a State Constitution.
Assuming that the number of dele
gates will be equal to the number of
representatives in the Legislature,
Shelby county will be entitled to two.
The formation and adoption of a
Constitution by the people is the high
est act of sovereignty, and is at all
times of the first Importance, but es-
pecially is II 50 in Tennessee at pres
ent. The Constitution is the highest
law of State. If statute is found to
be unWiSe, ineXpedient or injurious,
it can easily be repealed or changed
a experience may suggest. Not so
with q Constitution of q State, 1t is
never changed until time has demon
strated its absolute necessity, and
even then with reluctance, inVOlv-
ingtime, trouble and expense. Hence
in electing delegates the abiest men
are always selected. No men
should be selected as delegates who
were not profoundly impressed with
the magnitude of the duties devolv-
ing upon them-men familiar with
the laws of the State and the history
of the Legislature, who know the
wants and necessities of the people
Conservative men who hold, as lid
Lord Bacon, that antiquity deservath
this resource; that men should make
a stand and discover what is the best
way; but when the discovery is well
taken, then to make prOgression;"
men who deeply feel that the
grandest, most difficult, most pleasing
to God of the achievements of secular
wisdom and philanthropy, is the
building of a State" Such men. i'm
my opinion, are eX-GOv. Isham G.
Harris and Col. VIM. H. Stephens,
Though a native of Maryland, Col.
Stephens has resided in Tennessee
from his childhood, is entirely famil-
lar with the laws of the State and
the history of her legislation.
He possesses great industry, and
is an accomplished scholar and
profound lawyer. OF Gov. Harris, it
is not necessary for me to say any
thing in cOmmendation. He is too
well known to require it. His repu-
tatiOh is national. Still, let me say,
that having been born in Tennessee,
where he has always resided, as high
~ esteemed and as fOndly beloved for
his noble qualities of head and heart
by the people of the State as much as
any public man ever was by any peO-
pie, he possesses qualifications for the
discharge of the duties which would
devOlve upon him as a delegate
equaled by few and eXcelled by no
in the State or country, and
would exercise more influence than
any other man in the Convention.
Whether Gov. Harris and Col. Ste
phens would consent to serve a. dele
gates, LIDO not know. l know to do
so would involve a pecuniary loss to
them, which neither are well able to
bear-bOth having been impoverished
by the results of the war. They
both returned to the prac-
tee of the law, quitting on again
the robes of that pr0fession-ancient
as magistracy, noble as virtue, neces-
sary as Justice land are doing a lu-
business. Both, however.
have able partners, as competent to