The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-08-05
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

day night:
THE NEW CONSTITUTION.
He said there was q demand for re-
form-the existing Constitution had re-
ceived judicial Interpretation from tbs
highest tribunal Of the State, and was
to be taken subject to such interpreta-
ton as component part thereof. Un-
der that Interpretation. all the unjust
and oppressive legislation by which We
suffered was sanctioned. BY such in
depreciation, Registration Boards and
test oaths were sanctioned aud author.
lied. Under it the voice OF the ma jority
could be stifed, and the State commit
ted to the hands Of an oligarchy, with
power to perpetuate their rule. The
people demanded reform. All the re-
form needed is embodied in the new
Constitution now submitted, which
does not contain a single new feature
which can be accounted an insuperable
objection; and now, for those who de-
manded reform, to vote against it, is to
stultify themselves, a1d TO ,impeach
their own capacity for self.government.
Examine the exemption clause rs an
objection. This was deemed necessary
to place us on an equality with the
Western States, and to stop the henor.
rhags Of emigration to the West, where
always has existed an exemption OF the
widows dover, and land is never liable
to levy under a writ of feri tactas or
sale under execution. Our laborers will
be encouraged to buy small homes in
stead Of being migratory or nomadic.
Again, aliens allowed to purchase and
hold property and encouraged to settle
among US, to build our internal improve,
ments and develop our mineral wealth:
We have secured to US by the new Con-
stitution an independent and pure
Judiciary, protected from intimidation
by the Legislative branch Of the Gov
ernment; permanent security against
the seizure Of the State Government by
an oligarchy-by the prohibition Of ell
Boards of Registration, the abolition Of
test oaths, whether religious or politi-
cal, control and regulation Of corpora
tons, and of the tax on travel and
transportation by railroads; free educa-
ton to white and black, (but permanent
separation of The races in the public
schools, thus guarding US forever from
the dangers OF amalgsmations;) limita-
ton OF the power Of local taxation for
internal improvements; safeguards
against corrupt and private legislation;
and many other sound and salutary
reforms, some of which are not to be
found in any written constitution in the
world; and we should be proud Of the
opportunity and jealous Of the honor OF
being the fret State to adopt them.
There are no objections OF q serious
character. The counties are left free TO
adopt whatever system oflocal self-gov-
ernment they may choose This is
new and important provision, and may
be called the perfection OF selfgovern-
ment. On the other hand, the individ'
ual is left free to vote by ballot or viua
voce, a. he prefers, which is the perfec-
ton OF individual liberty in exercising
the franchise. Upon the whole, while
no human work is perfect, it is one OF
the best written Constitutions in the
United States, being the latest and full
est embodiment OF American experience
in the science OF self government
TIE STATE flckE,.
To build up and preserve a party,
requires loyalty to organization. Take
the example, for instance, of Virginia
and Massach usetts. Under the old re-
gime in our honored State Of Virginia,
an independent candidacy for Governor
was not known. To justify boiling q
nomination, the delegates must either
have exceeded their powers or have
been influenced by bribery. In the case
of the Parkersburg Convention, no
charge is made OF bribery, and it is ad-
mitted that the delegates acted within
the bounds Of their delegated authority.
No proof has been or can be adduced.
We must sustain the ticket or abandon
the party. To vote down the new Con-
stiiution is disloyal to ourselves as citi-
zsns; to elect Jacob is to be disloyal to
our party. 1t would be heralded as a
Radical victory, and endanger, if not
cause the loss OF the Safe, 10 the Pres
idential contest