Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-02-25

HE CO6NENItVN 4UESlAON.
The proposition for convention to re-
wise the Constitution, now pending before
toe Legislature, is not received with much
favor by the people or the press. The
Somerville Falcon says: "Thore is no need
of new Constitution. The old one DOUBT
less has its defects but answers very well,
ald we have no assurance that body Of
extreme reformers would greatly improve
it in any respect. When the State is hfr-
raised with almost unbearable burdens in
the shape Of chronic debts, and when the
people are suffering for the want of pub
liz school system that has long been denied
them on account of financial embarrass-
ments, we think it suicidal to go to the
expense of holding Constitutional Con-
vention when so little is &c be gained there
By. Besides, the precedent of repeatedly
tampering with The Constitution is very
dangerous one. Every party that comes
into power will soon, learn to demand a
new Constitution suited to its particular
whims and prejudices, and We will never be
secure in the maintenance of any principle
o, fundamental doctrine in politics.
The jackson Wing and Tribune says
''some areFsanguine that it will be called;
others are equally sure that it will be de-
feated," aud that paper "shares largely in
this latter opinion" and it adds:
Heretofore, we have opposed this mad
| scheme through our columns, but not as q
| partisan. We have urged that it would ex-
| cite popular commotion, increase taxation,
| and in all probability fail to improve upon
| our present Constitution. Viewed from a
| political standpoint, it is calculated to
arouse the most serious apprehension. We
| denounce the move to cal Convention as
4 a well devised scheme to restore the Radi-
! cal party to power in Tennessee. The
| question of Convention is now urged as a
| reformatory measure, and under this finn
| sy texture it has seduced here and there
| good men into its advocacy, but it will be
| noticed that its chief fuglemen are
| members of the BroWnloW dynasty. By
\ our own discussions and folhes, we have
| reduced, if not frittered away our once
overwhelming majority, and change of
| a few thousand votes will hand us
| over to The party, who stole the school fund,
| and DISTINGUISHED the white men Of the
State. Is it cheerful picture that such
| men have even well grounded hope of a
return to political supremacy? We think
not. There should be no discomfort at the
| present conservative rule in our State. We
have an enlightened Judiciary, whose her.
cple2n laoors enti.le it TO the lasting graft
tude of the car and the people. We have
| a well organized system of inferior courts
presided over by honest and capable Judges.
We have an honest and patriotic Governor,
whose soul is bent to the elevation of the
masses and the protection Of tie honor of
our State. No change proposed would IN
sure US more capacity, efficiency or integri-
ty. Our State is well governed, and to dis
place our present rulers by the substitution
Of Radicals would be so Unwise that We re-
coil at its bare contemplation. Let the
people speak out, and 6enounce this radical
programme as it deserves to be denounced"
The Covington Record takes equally
strong ground against the proposition for
convention, which it regards as "one of the
widest schemes of ousted Office holders and
intriguing politicians which marks the his
tory of even these times of political degen-
eracy and corruption" That paper adds:
"What assurance have we that another
convention would frame better Constitu-
ton than the one we now live under
That there are defects in the present Con-
stitution is true. Like al human handi-
work, it is in some respects imperfect; but
another Constitution framed by another
convention would DOUBTLESS have equally as
many, and perhaps more serious imperiec.
tions. The convention of 1870 comprised
the brightest,and best talent of the State,
and We can hardly expect to find in another
convention a wiser, pursr or more patriotic
body of men. The fundamental law of the
land ought not to be altered for light and
trivial causes, That government is best
which is best administered aud where the
liberties of the people are preserved under
IFS Constitution"