The Van Buren press., 1873-07-22
Constitutional Convention.

Atamost unexpected moment, we find a
call issued by portion of the Central Reform
Committee. By u strange coincidence we ma
the Republican newspaper filled win afgu-
ments In favor of this same movement Just
wha, prompts Mcclure to thus suddenly come
TO the point of advocating convention we
are at loss to conjecture. Perhaps by the
aid of his intimate acquaintance Wlth re-
publican appliances he may expect to con-
troll the election of delegates and succeed IN
assembling a convention, which will obey the
party whip, so vigorously welded 10y him
over the heads Of some of the Republican
mcmbers OF the Legislature during late ses-
,iou, That he desires n convention for any
good that may result to the whole people Is
preposterous Judging from his past political
history in Arkansas. As we understand thi'
matter there are two ways OF calling con
yention: One by an exercise OF sovereign
power by the people; the other by the action
of the Legislature The first Is impossible
and made SO by precedents. settled by such
men as Mcclure, and that Is the right OF the
Federal Government TO interfere in any state
election, that may not suit the Federal Exec
utive, and ofoverthrow ing any State Govern
ment that may not dance to the music OF the
Radical office holders by the bayonet. And
IA for the other mode, what confidence can
any one. desiring the good ofthe people, have
in the action Of the present Legislature'
Have they not been triedS and do We not
know they spent three month. in the la
borious operation oftrying TO find ways and
means not to DO III They made themselves
formidable rivals to Mr.. Dickens circumocu-
ton office, and if again assembled the people
may expect to play the unpleasant part Of
our poor and honest friend Doyle. The great
blunder committed by the democratic leaders
in Arkansas. has been in trying to hasten thu
shadow on the dial. We have been 50 merci-
iessly ground down under the political iron
heel OF Radical usurpation and fraud, that e
are too apt to follow the lead of sHnguine but
rash leaders. Mr.. Baxter has taken step.,
thus far, to insure that great boon SO often
promised and aerer bestowed by Clay ton and
lIadley. OF fair election. If We are to have
fair election and a fair count, we can make
the immediate calling Of Convention in the
next election for members Of the General As
sembly. And We can succeed, beyond perad-
venture. in elcc.ing men who will faithfully
carry cut this plan, without consultations
with politicians Of any party. with M hon
est and fair registration, and we believe we
will have such, we can elect delegates to the
Convention who will give Us u Constitution
fit for the whole people, and not like the
present one, made solely with view to per-
pctuate the power Of u party We want ne
clap trap concern, to be called tho =" expressed
solemn will OF the people. when itisintend
ed only 10 keep in power party, Nhethe
that party be Democratic or Republican. We
have no axes to grind in This business. five
know ourselt we are for the old democratic
rule "the greatest good to the greatest num-
ber" and cannot and will not overlook tn,
fact that constitutions are made or ought tC
be. for the protection OF the rights Of the mi
nority.