Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-11-06

stitution. And yet this body undertakes
TO dictate TO the people wherein they may
reform the fundamental laws of their lib
critics and rights The General Assembly
has no implied powers of legislation as
against the people; has no implied powers
of government as against the power that
makes government. If the Constitution
anywhere declares that the General As
sembly has any original or derivative i
powers to interfere with or control the
people in the exercise of their government
making powers, or that any other branch /
of government has, or that it is inferra- |
| bic from anything in government, logic
| or nature, we will thank the friends of this
measure to point it out to the people, that
they may, with one grand ground swell,
regain their lost liberties.
1t is essential to all governments that
there should rest somewhere power to
alter, reform or abolish it. In despotism
this power is lodged in the hands of the
despot In aristocracies it is lodged in the
hands of the favored few. In
democratic republican governments
this power is inherent in the people, and
in this State, the people have hitherto
been too jealous to entrust it to any
sssemblage, but have said to the Legis-
lature that, in small way, and under
restrictions and limitations, it might take
| the initiative in proposing amendments
the people, reserving, however, to them
/ selves, the "unalienable and indefeasiblen
right to alter, modify or abolish, at all
times, and in any manner, their govern
ment.
/ The people being scattered over large
territory, each individual in degree con-
fined to his own locality, in order to have
the voice and will of each and all stimuli
taneously-and without delay-it is neces-
sasy that some person, or some body or
assemblage of the citizens, should Origi-
nate proceedings, to have the people send
their delegates to a common point
Most of the constitutions point out how
this shall be done. Some require that once
in every 20 years, the people (without
| legislation, suggestion or permissiOn) shall
send delegates to the capital, to take into
consideration, such measures as they may
deem fit, amendatory of the form of govern
ment. InetherStates, asinthis, the Constitu-
l ton is silent on the mode and manner, in
which this vast machinery shall be brought
) into action. Our Constitution uses the gene
E raj language Gin such manner ashley the
people] may think proper" not under
+ taking to declare the manner by which the
people may reform their government, OF
{ the particular manner in which the great
!, | body polite is to be put into motion. The
e manner in which they come together is
, immaterial, provided the great popular
s originated and submitted. AS, however,
e every two years the representatives OF the
) people, from all parts of the State, meet
r at the capital, it is proper for this assem-
e blage, not as a Senate and House of Rep,
d resentaiives, or law making power, but
/ as body of citizens-coming from every
: community of the State, acquainted with
Il the wishes of their fellow citizens-to ori
d ginate such proceedings as will secure q
e unanimity of action, and effect the assem-
f bling of the people through eirdelegates,
s at am agreed and pre-aranged time and
d place This being done, these gentlemen,
e | Representatives and Senators) have
d acquitted themselves of duty MOI
J. imposed upon them as Legislators
It but as citizens. AS legislators II is proper
/, that they should pass all laws that vii
n tend to aid or facilitate this object ant
l. that will secure an expression of the PEG
V pie; but, unaided by this, the people havt
l. still the right to assemble, in any manner
is they think proper, for these great purpose
n of life, liberty and property. 1t seems
r that some members of the Legislature
" think, because it is their duty anC
d privilege to aid the people in their Assem-
lie bling, that they have the further right tC
,e dictate their wants in a governmental wa!
IS and circumscribe their policy and forms o
lie government, and indicate to the peOpl
a what the people ought to do, and interdic
l. such measures as the Legislature thinks !
( is unfit for the people to pass upon.
In the name Of all the gods at once,
on what meat doth this mighty Caesar feed,
, L Tbot ha hail an