The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1872-02-29
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
Address by Hon. Francis Jordan, before
the Social Science Association of
Philadelphia, February 18th, 1872.

" ~ hESibENI, AND UENTLEMEN-
1t was not without reluctance accepted
the invitation Of your executive commit
tee, to submit to your association nv
views, in writing, on the amendments
which should be made to the Constitu
tion OF the State, by the convention about
to be called. That reluctance was based
not ouly upon want of leisure, but a
doubt of my ability to do justice to the
great subject. / heartily agree with
your committee, that "there is no ques-
ton DOW before the people of the State
more important than the changes to be
made in our Constitutions" The fact that
the people have declared for convention
by popular majority of about two hun
dred and fifty thousand votes, may be ac-
copied as an unmistakable declaration
that they are in earnest; and that every
citizen is expected to do his duty. Even
should l fail to accomplish what others
might have done, or what might, under
more favorable circumstances, be reason
ably expected of myself yet 1 hope.
through the kind aid of your association,
at least TO attract the attention of others
to the grave Issues and duties before US,
to excite discussion, reflection, and
deliberation and thus lead ultimately to
wise conclusions and action. Hence am
here, to contribute my mite into the
common treasury knowledge indulging
the fond hope that many others may be
found who out Of their greater treasures
will cast in more 1bundantly.
'1n American constitutional law, the
word Constitution is used in restricted
sense, as implying the written instru
ment agreed upon by the people of the
Union, or of any one of the States, as the
absolute rule Of action and decision for
all departments and officers of the Gov.
ernment, in respect to all the points
covered by it, until it shall be changed
by the authority which established it,
and in opposition to which any act or
rule of any department or officer of tie
government, or even of the people
themselves, will be altogether void"
In this discussion we have nothing to
DO with the Constitution Of the United
States, except to bear in mind It's supe-
ror authority as to all powers and juris
diciion conferred by it; and what is
written must be construed as appica-
bic only to the Constitution of the State,
unless otherwise expressed.
Long ago our wise and patriotic fore :
fathers laid the strong political founda-
tons OF our Commonwealth, upon the
grand and fundamental principles of
equality and justice-"Yirtue Liberty,
and Independence BY the Constitu-
ton, they distributed the powers Of the
Government into three branches,-the
legislative, the executive, and the judi
cial. 1t is not DOW proposed, as | un-
derstand it, to destroy or remove these
ancient landmarks, to reorganize our
Government, or to pull down and recon
struct our social fabric but rather to
strengthen the Old foundations, to fortify
agaiust external violence and internal
distraction, TO impose further restraints
upon ourselves and our agents, and to
utilize and adorn the noble structure
in every part Under this view OF the
situation, whilst keeping in remem-
brance established elementary priGci-
pies, we may safely dispense with all
profound disquisitions upon the science
of abstract government, or the phlloso
ply of Republicanism and accept aud
build upon that wise system Of organic
law which we inherited as our birth
right, making only such alterations
and Improvements as time, experi
ence, advanced intelligence, and ex-
panson have made necessary. We
know by both observation and
experience that every alteration is
not an amendment, nor every change an
improvement. "Prove all things. hold
fast that which is good" is an apostolic
| injunction, as sound in constitutions
law as in theology. Our people are slow
to move for radical reforms and are APP
to manifest but little patience or respecr
/ for those who clamor for reform general
". but who are unable TO point out
clearly existing evils, and plausible
remedies for their correction. We live
in practical aud utilitarian age anc
in the nature of things, the people be
inc the source of all political power, th'
government ''of the people, by the peo
! pie aud for the people" must conform
to and embody the popular ideas, senti
ments and couvictions In the vege
table, mineral and animal Kingdoms
growth and development are gradual
In our every day life the creates
amount of happiness results from
proper performance Of multitude o
small duties; and SO, | apprehend, !
will be found that the greatest practlca
good, aud the best Constitutional reform
will result from u number of what man
might consider, viewed separately, a
com paratively small amendments. Ih
mao who will do nothing unit
the opportunity to do somethih
great occurs. may wait all his LIT
10 vain whilst he who does wit
diligence whatsoever his hand 'fndet
70 do NAV ccomplisii much. Tbs