The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

The Flick Auoadm.pt was no doubt
adopted by the popular vote of our
people on Thursday last. 1t would
seem that the radicals were compelled
to surrender their private grudges to
the popular demand for reform in our
organic law touching the delicate ques-
ton Of suffrage. 1t was too much for
them to say that the negro should vote.
and the white man should stand back.
That the negro Should dispose of our
property by the quiet and sure means
of taxation; that licentiuusness was
liberty, and all things were lawful
which could be accomplished in a
praceable way. The Radicals have
therefore called for amendment and re-.
form against the enormity of their own
acts. The amendment has been ap-
proved, and twenty five thousand male
white citizens over twenty-one years of
age are now as free as negro. They
can vote! They can hold Office
They can protect their own lives and
property without hiudiance. But this
is not alive have further duties to
perform. The government must be ad-
ministered according to the tenets of
our own faith, which is equal rights and
equal protection. The judiciary must
no longer decide the law in the interests
of political party, and use language
in announcing their decisions to conceal
their real purposes. We must have
economy. We must eurtail the number
of our officers. Economy and effcien-
cy must be our motto. We cannot
succeed on less.
We must have Convention to amend
the Constitution Of our State, organized
under the law of last winter. This
caa only be done by vote to be taken
in August for and against the PROPOSE
ton. The newly enfranchised have
had no voice in the government Of this
State at any time. They new have
their opportunity, and we trust they
will avail themselves of it to the full
extent of their power. Twenty-Five
thousand votes added to and cast in the
interest Of a Conventional party. cannot
be beaten in this State. 1t may DO
said that the Kauawha valley, acting
under false security on the Capitol
question, may uuitedly oppose Con
vention. II may be s,id that in addi-
ton to this the entire radical party
will oppose it, and we may give that
party the moral and material aid OF all
aoti.pa,riotic ofice,holders, yet all
combined against US, the opposition
must fail. The people have demanded
\ Convention, and they must have it.
Tho organic law must be reformed.
While we arc confident in the pow
err Of our own advancement. and
our new allies, it will not promote our
cherished purposes to commit any act Of
indiseretiOn. Let US confer together.
Let us be wise. Let US harmonic al ]
discerdant elements, aud present an
united front to the enemy on the 4th
Thursday in August, on the question
Of Constitutional Convention. To
do this we must have preliminary
Convention Of the Democracy Of the
State for the purposes Of organization.
We trust that the State Executive Com
mittee will call the Democracy together
in counsel. Let US meet early-organ-
ize and keep the ball in motion. We
suggest Thur:day, the lstday of June,
fer the time, and Wheeling as the place
for q State Convention Who will
second our melton? At this Conven.
ten let US announce our faith. That
The adoption Of the Flick Amendment
in no manner compromises US with the
reconstruction acts Of Congress, or Of
Negro Suffrage. Let US speak out our
opinions as free men.