Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-25
PUBLIC LEDGER.
A CONVENTION TO AMEND THE
CONSTITUTION OF TENNESSEE.

CONSTITUTION OF TENNESSEE.
Orr very able contemporary OF the
Nashville Union and american takes a
like view with that held by ourselves ana
EXPRESSED in the LEDGER few days
since, deprecating the idea OF at once
electing members to a Constitutional
Convention. The action, as we have
seen it stated in some papers, that the
Executive Committee Of this county
thought of addressing communication
to Governor Senter, requesting that ne
favor the plan OF electing members at
the next August election to State Con-
yentiou, has, as we predicted, been re-
earded as premature and hasty. We
should be careful not to fall into the same
error that has characterized the doings
of eur Radical opponents, before The
termination of the late civil war, In
the Reorganization of the State. 1t Is
known to be a part of the history OF
those times how these people acted, re-
esrdess of all former precedenis In Inc
goyernment, and with such indecent
haste az TO render the entire proceedings
a sham and burlesque On Republican
government. The civil affairs of State
should, as we apprehend. be conducted
with slow dignity, that ought at 81 times
to insure right action, secured by delibera.
ton snd the exercise Of good sense. The
thing of electing, next August, delegates
TO q State Constitutional Convention Is
in itself impraclicable, for the want oil
proper concert of action throughout the
State with those who might think the
suggestion a good one. And We can
reach the end desired in almost as short
a time by adopting the course Of ALLOWING
the Legislature to designate some day
mon which the thing might be done BY
tho people. Then each Of these modes
pointed out is contrary to ths present
organic law of the State, and we can only
accomplish our purpose in a proper
manner by appealing to the people, who
have il 10 their power to pull down or
build up, as they regard most eonsonant
with their peace, prosperity and happ'-
ness. Then, as We have stated before,
let the suhject of Convention to amend
our present Constitution be prominent
before the people in this section, SO that
every candidate for Governor and the
LEGISLATURE declare bis views on this
most important matter, that the people
may in an indirect way express them
selves for or against the Convention. II
the members elected, msjofity of shon
are in favor Of calling convention. then
the Legislstnre should not hesitate for
want of authority TO 30 direct The
Legislature is the creature and agent OF
the people, and whether their instruction
be written as in the constitution, or YER
bally expressed at the ballotbox, in
either case, we hold that according TO our
system of government, the Legislature
is bound to obey. The constitution
itself is mere written rules for
the guidance of the peoples agents,
and these same people can not
go tie their own hands by this
organic law as to preclude themselves
from doing what is most ardeaty desired
by majority of the community. The
constitution Of State is contract
between parties, the observance Of which
carries with tia moral obligation. There
is only one party to the instrument, and
that is the people, and they have the
right, being the only parties interested,
to say whether such constitution shall
exist or not. That there should be au
immediate change in our organic law, ia
now admitted by all parties in the State
Then we leave Governor Senter TO use
his influence in this canvass in having
this most desirable thing brought about
with the least possible delay.