The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-01-22

tention, we will now proceed TO the
permanent organization OF this ConVen-
ton. Applause.
Speech OF Hon. Samuel Price, PreS'-
dent OF the Convention
On taking the chair, Mr.. Price said
Gentlemen Of the Convention:
thank you for the honor which YOU
have conferred upon me in calling me
to preside over your deliberations. 1t
is an honor which the ripest statesman
might be proud o., and l assure you !
shall cherish the honor as long as |
live of being called upon by the hatter-
inc vote which | have received, TO pre-
side over this Constitutional Convention.
Gentlemen, ! shall need your support
at all times. l shall have to throw
myself upon your indulgence and your
generous support. 1t will be my pur.
pose, gentlemen, to administer such
rules as you may adopt for our govern.
ment firmly, but so gently as to wound
the sensibIities OF no one. 1t will be
my purpose, gentlemen, to administer
the duties of this Office to the best OF
nv skill and ability, so as 10 accord to
every member justice, fairness and I'M
partially. ! feel embarrassed, gentle
men-and you may well imagine that l
do-undcr the circumstances Of this
call which has been made upon me, aud
Won must not expect an elaborate
speech from me; but, with your permits
sion, | will Say a word upon the subject
before US.
We have been delegated here by our
constituents 20 amend the State Con5tl-
tuition, or TO frame a new one. a
higher trust could not be imposed upon
any delegate body-to amend the great
Fundamental law OF one Of the States Of
the Uoitcd States.
We, gentlemen, have an advantage
over our predecessors. They were
hastily assembled together, aud many
of them without any constituents III
particular. They were irreguIary as
semblei together for the double purpose
of providing, in the frt place, Tor the
birth OF new State, and III the second
| place for the government OF a State.
| We have nothing to 60 with the birth
of the State. THIS State has been apply
called "the child OF the tempest and
we nav say that she was brought into
being nv means OF the CI5arean opera
ton, and it was uncertain for some
time whether she would live or not.
But she has lived. She has been nursed
into strong womanhood, and she
now takes her place among the great
sisterhood OF States. We have nothing
to do now with the tirth. We are
providing for her government. And,
gentlemen, in addition, we have. the
advantage OF our predecessors in this.
We have had the experience OF the last
few wears. We have had this Constitu-
ton upon trial for eight or ten years.
Experience has pointed out its defects,
and it is our duty, as the delegates OF
the people, TO remedy those defects.
Let US do it, gentlemen. Let US do it
fairly, impartially and justly. Let Us
make constitution without regard TO
party, without regard TO section, with
out regard 10 denomination. Let 1t be
so fair, 50 just, so equal in its operation
that it will effort the appreciation OF
every fair minded man, without regard
to his party affinity or his local resi-
dence.
If l had it in my power, wonld
scorn TO make Constitution for party.
Parties are up to-day and down to-
morrow. That might be one reason
we should Lot make a partisan Consti-
tuition. Another reason is-and a better
one-inirinsically it would not be right.
! Applause.
Let us unite our best efforts, there
fore, in making such Constitution as
we ourselves will be willing to live
under, and that we can transmit with
confidence TO our children and our
children's children, 10 the latest gener-
alton. Let us do it at once.
Gentlemen, if we go 10 work at once
and am a working man-if We 20
TO work at once aud unite our labors in
an effort, sincerely and earnestly, and
such l believe will be the case, l hope,
gentlemen, we will falsiiy the prediction
] of many out OF this.body that it is to be
a perpetual body. In my opinion, six
weeks ought to be sufficient TO do the
work properly which may come before
the Convention, aud in such a manner
that the results OF our labors may CON-
mend themselves TO the most favorable
consideration OF our constituency.
We have two objects to accomplish {:
We have in the first place, gentlemen,
TO make good Constitution, and in the
next place, we have to make a Consti-
tation that the people will believe is
good; because, after it passes from our
hands, it will have no validity until it
is adopted by them. Let us, whilst We
are steering clear of Scylla, not run
atoul of Charybdis. Let Us consider
well our action, that We may make a
fair, elevated, impartial, just Con-
stItution for ourselves, and such an
one as we can transmit to our posterity.
Gentlemen, fear, very much fear, and
l am embarrassed with the fear, that l
shall lot be able to realize the great
confidence You have reposed in me.
But, gentlemen, whatever talent / have,
4 oh,1,rx- II voo,-