The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-12-23
Constitutional Convention.

We regret TO see some OF our Democratic CO.
temporarles taking ground against n Constltu-
tlonal convention, for reasons that must prove
unsouni upon further reelection, and which are
most eflectually disposed Of by the following
article from the Doyiestown Democrat, one of
the ablest and strongest Democratic journals in
the state: I'D
We are sorry to see opposition to re-
form convention springing up in quar-
ter where we did not expect ii. In some
parts of the State Democratic papers
are taking ground against amending the
Constitution, and are willing to let
things jog along as they how are. We
have heard Democrats say they are op.
posed to any change just as we are on
the eve of coming into power. If poll
ticians were perfectly fair and Just there
would be some force in this remark but
as they are not, it has no weight. Con-
stitutious and laws are made to restrain
aud punish wicked men, for good ones
do not need them our Constitution does
not do this, and 1t must be so altered
that it will. IF power Is not taken
from the corruptionists who now con.
troll legislation, it Is very doubtful
whether the Democratic party can ever
get possession of the state government,
and the only way to do it, will be to
make new Constitution that will rem
der pOwerless corrupt. combinations
The present Constitution is not up with
the times even with the Democrats in
power. 1t Is out. grown. 1t will no
longer restrain the wicked. As every
Democrat who goes to the Legislature
is not a saint, we wish to prevent them
from falling into the sane corrupt ways
that have so diSgracel the II R,dicii par
~ thn la II fnt Nv, Nhnntd l,tt
ashamed OF the Deaioera, ,ic party t. bp
guilty of the political crimes the RldI-
cal party has committed since | came
into power. Our desire is to see such
Constitution made as to restrain wicked
and bad men of all parties in future.
To accomplish this it may needs be
ironiclad, but let il be such if nece ssa-
ry. All good men ag ee that pubic af
fairs fairy reek with corruption aud
rottonnes~, and that ~ change IL abs,
iutely necessary, il we wish to save the
state. Why should Democrats oppose
a reform in the Constitution There is
no difference among them about the
evils complained of, and they agree up
on the remedy. To say that it should
not be amended because our party ex
poets to come into power soon, is almost
equivalent to saying that we want an
opportunity of repeating the evil deeds
we so much condemn in the Radicals.
We have heard Democrats oppose con-
reform because the Radicals
favor it, which is not very sound rea.
son in the least. But the Radical party
is not unit in its favor. Their best
men approve, while their worst men
oppose it. Their corruptionists will
use every means to prevent a reform
convention being held but while this
is being done, the good men of both
parties should unite in the measure, and
give to the State a Constitution worthy
her great name, and which will secure
to us an honest government
Among the propositions of Radical
politicians is that of having the Legis.
lature frame some amendments and
submit them to popular vote. This
has been done before and amounts to
nothing. The Germantown Telegraph
calls this a deceptive proposition, and
well it may. How can we expect a cor
rupt Legislature to do anything to re-
strain their own evil doings? We
might as well look for the inmates of a
to get up system of pris-
on discipline. There is only one thing
to be done in the matter of Constitu-
tional reform. a convention must be
called at as early a day as practicable
and rev Constitution made adapted
to the age in which we live. 1t should
then be submitted to a vote of the peo-
pie, and if ratified, go into immediate
effect. We do not SEE how anybody can
oppose this proposition, and we hope
when the matter is fully presented to
the public there will be but little or no
opposition from any quarter.-DOyles.
tO,UR Democrat. .f "H.