The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-14
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-oT TIE
DEMOCRATIC COUNTY EXECU-
TIVE COMMITTEE,
10 TUE
DEMOCRATIC AND CoNSERvA-
TIVE VOTERS OF LEWIS
COUNTY.
Impcllod by au intense sense Of duty,
We call upon the Democracy to rally
again in their united. strength to guard
and assert their traditional devotion to
tho principles Of Constitutional safe
guards in their fundamental Law.
The Democratic NEIL bcrs Of the last
Legislature, impressed with the neces.
,i,y that the good people Of this State
should have afforded to them, an oppor.
tunity to revise and amend our State
Constitution, unanimously passed q low
referring to the people proposition for
call for Convention for this purpose.
to be voted on on the oath day Of Au-
gust, 1871.
The preSen 1t Constitution was adopted
in 1868, during the excitement oraag-
rant war, and has, from hat time to the
present, been regarded rs the work Of
the then dominant partnership Of its
trainers. And from that period to the
period Of the Legislative action referred
to, it was conceded by oil men, that
whenever profound p:acc should be at
taiued, that another Constitution,
adapted to the peace, harmony and
prosperity Of our people, should replace
that which was the work and result Of
war and its incidents. But immedi-
atcly following thoalvent Of Democratic
ascendancy in the Legislative and Ex-
ccutivc departments of the State, the
Radical party. to inpedo aud prevent
the fulfllmOnt of the pledges and prom
Uses upon which that ascCndancy was
attained, and in the hope Of the rcstor.
alton Of their party to power, ut once
organized and compacted their forces in
opposition to this Constitutional refOr-
nation; and, from that day to this,
they have, by persistent misreprcscnta-
ton, sought to misead and alarm the
pcoplc-to divert the pablic mind from
fair, just and impartial consideration
Of this vital and most essential reform;
aud we find their partizan leaders,
their reserves in Office and thei. Press,
united 10 active combination against q
simple proposition, which, stripped Of
political pcrvcrsion, is no mora than u
proposition to present to the People,
now. in period of profound peace. au
opportunity to pass upon a new Con:
stitution, more eiieetually to guard
against invasions upon their Rights,
Liberties and Property; for, whatever
may DO done by the Convention, must
be submitted to the popular judgment,
and will have no effect until and unless
II is ratified by the People at the polls.
70 whom can We appeal with more
confidence ola favorable response, in
behalf of the Call for Convention, than
to the Democracy? Certainly to none!
For their practices in the rast-the
teachings ofthe Fathers aud their abid.
ing faith, has worked convictionupon
their minds, that no Free Government,
or the blessings Of Liberty, can be pre-.
served to any People, but by a firm
adherence to justice, moderation and
virtue, and BY frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles!
That the present Constitution Of this
State is inadequate to, and has failed to
preserve and maintain individual rights
and fundamental principles, none who
will look back over the past seven years
can pretend to deny.
1t has failed to guarantee and protect
The voter, during and preceding the
year 1866, and before the diSfranchising
Amcndmsnt Of that year was adopted.
in bis right Of suffrage, and by mere
legislative prohibition. this most sacred
privilege was destroyed. and this de-
siruc,ion has been judicially held to be
in consonancc with the Constitution!
1t has failed to protect citizens, how.
ever exalted BY ability or moral worth,
however rich or however poor, against
a Legislative mandate 10 close the doors
Of the Halls of Public Justice against
righteous causes Of action, for the pro-
lection Of character or property, or for
the enforcement Of the obligations Of
contracts. And this. too, has been
held by the Radical Judiciary, to have
had the sanction Of the Constitution
Il has failed to allow persons, how.
ever upright or responsible, to admin
lister upon the estates of deceased friends
to become guardians Of the orphSds-
to teach ia the Common Scholastic sit
upon Juries of the country-to practice
tLeir profcssions-unless they would
take an expurga,ory Test Oath, which
is the common resort Of Tyranny, and
against the genius of Free Institutions!
And oil these denominations were held
to bc authorized by the Constitution!
All these, aal-otier attractions OF
Rights have occurred and have been
enforced; aud il will not do. in the
face Of the recent past, for the Radical
marty of this State to maintain that the