The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-08-19
For Congress, LIST District,
BENJAMIN WILSON,
For State Scnators-0th District.
JIM BENNETT,
III HALL,
VOTE FOR RATIFICATION

OlE fOlI hAllt lCAllVN
Notwithstanding West Virginia is
neither large nor a populous State,
there arc sections Of the State and elias.
SEES of the population whose Interests
arc, to some degree, in conflict with
each other. In order to live together
in one community, aud under one
common law, it is necessary that the
people Of each section, or those OF each
peculiar opinion should surrender some
Of their individual views FOR the sake Of
the general good. This is the law of
all associations, Of all society, and il
caunOt be disregardOd il men arc to live
together for the accomplishment Of any
good purpose.
In the Constitutional Convention last
winter, these sectional and individual
differences Of opinion were brought
forth. Each point was tested by argu-
mant, and the decision arrived at was
merely the voice of the majority, tic
supreme law in any popular govern
inont. Zach section. Of the State,
through its representatives in the Con.
vention, was required to surrender some.
thing in order to conform to the will Of
the greater number.
Take, for instance. the support of the
Free Schools Some wero opposed to
the system Of general taxation for pub.
lie instruction. but a majority OF the
representatives were in It's favor, and
The free school system was accordingly
pcpciuated aud improved. Another
instance il found III the manner of
voting at popular elections. Some
were in favor OF the rira pOrc method,
but Il majority favored the ballot. A
compromise was agreed upon, allowing
the ballot to be open or secret, just as
the voter m,y prefer. Another in.
stance is afforded by the provision con-
corning County Courts. Some of the
people desired restoration of the "oMI
County Court System" A majority,
however, preferred County Court
that should be free from many of tue
objections urged against the old Viz.
GINA court but still left it optional
with the people Of any particular
county whether thoy would adopt the
system provided in the Constitution or
not.
In fact, upon almost every importan.
clause Of the new Constitution there
was some difference of opinion in the
Convention, and there is some division
Of sentiment among the people Of the
State.
But what is now the duty of voters?
Mauifeslly. IL they would escape from
the present unjust aud one sided law; |
law which has been held to Justify all
the test oaths, all the prescriptions, all
the yilIainics Of the registration act all
the ou,ragcs which Radical politicians
have seen otto pcrpc,rate in the past.
they must vote for the ratification Of
the new Constitution. No matter what
their individual opinion may have
been, no matter What they may hare
preferred concerning the County
Coults, the Free Schools. the mode Of
voting, or any other subject that came
under discussion, and was submitted to
tho will Of the minority, they must
stand by the universal rule of all so.
ciety, aud give their influence for the
greatest good.
AL over the State arc found mon
who oppose this or that ia the new Con-
stitution. They should reflect that this
as we'll as all other instruments Of the
kind is merely the result OF compro.
nise, and that it isquitc impossible for
every individual to fnl all that he
wants in the Constitution Of State.
We cxhort our readers therefore, to
vote for the new Constitution as Me lest
organic ia,r that edH possibly be fmmcd
in Tie present state Of PaJlie sentiment,
and as presenting many features Of i'm.
provcment upon the present Constitu.
ton. The events Of the past have
shown that the present organic law is
powerlsss 10 protect the rights Of the
people against tho enactment Of test
oat6s and registration laws. Whatever
sins Of omission or OF commission the
late ConyentiOu may have been guilty
If, Il certainly showed no favor to pO.
litical prescription, and for this, il for
nothiae else, II msriied the favor oithe
Democracy. Vote "Bor ratification
assured that the new Constitution is
very considerable Improvement upon
tue old, and that it is the very best OF.
g,nic law that could be framed a; this
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