The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1874-02-07
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
We note that Mr.. Harris, of Calves
ton, as a member of the house COM
mittee on Constitutional Amendments,
is opposed to calling convention to
form II constitution, and favors the ap-
pointmcnt of commission of five,
seven or nine men to draft one, and
submit il to the people for ratification.
Efratilied by the people, it will become
their act. Very true. But what voice
will the people have in forming it"
The alternative would be arbitrarily
presented to the people thus: Take
this work of five 'men appointed Tor
mot elected by you-vote this consti-
tuition they have made, or continue to
live under the detested constitution
forced on you by Radicals and bayo-
nets in 1869. 1t is the precise principle
and modus operandi of 1869. Then the
cry was, "Oh! it is villainous consti-
tuition, but we can only escape military
rule by adopting it. Let us swallow
the bitter pill now, and rs soon as our
rights are restored, the people can
make new constitution through a
convention of their own choosing"
Was not that the way in which the
present Radical constitution was forced
down the throats of the people in 1853?
We repel the idea that any appoint
ed commission of men, whether five
or seven, should be clothed with that
high exercise of sovereign power
evoked in the formation of an organic
constitution for million of free peo-
pie 1t is at war with the very initial
principle of republican government.
1t was suggested and canvassed as
then dernier resort by the last legis'a-
ture, and, after being considered, was
cast aside.
On the contrary, the constitution
should be framed by the largest practi-
cable representation of the people. II
is fashionable to say that n body of
thirty or sixty can legislate more wise
" than Il larger body. Admit, for AZ
gument's sake, that this is true. Vet
the rule does not apply to the deliber-
ations of constitutional convention,
for the good reason that it does not en-
gage in miscellaneous legislation, but
stands charged with single duty, the
formation of constitution which shall
embody the best rules, principles, limi-
tations and machinery Of government
to guarantee the protection of life,
property, liberty and happiness. We
undertake to say that the great vot-
ing majority of the people un-
derstand, appreciate and desire
these things as well and as much as
men in tho learned professions. Then
the true democratic-repubiican doc
trine on the subject is, to have large
assemblage of delegates, chosen by the
people themselves, from all parts Of
the State. The seaport interest is one
the vast stock-raising interest is an
other-the untold lumber interest of
the east is another-the iron interest of
the northeast is another-and the vast
coal and copper interest of the north
west is another-five great distinct in
terests which may be considered more
or less sectional in character. Then
IN, thncn fhn 0mriRrlI Itilrnl
| interest common to the whole State
the question of internal Improvement,
of immigration, the judiciary, the
county tribunals, the general subject of
corporations and mOnopolieS, the
drainage of our means by foreign in
surance companies and Others of great
moment, which may be considered as
common to all-the whole supple
mented by the life and death question
of frontier protection.
We hold that convention to insure
full expression to the popular will and
secure wise and durable constitution,
with iudicious concessions, checks and
balances, the whole resting in the
hearts of great people as THEIR con-
sTITUTIoN, should be composed of one
hundred and twenty. members-one foi
each senator and representative. Then
we shall have an organic law, sprung as
nearly as practicable in representa-
tive form of government, from the
brains and hearts of the people them
selves. When such an instrument
shall be ratified by the people, of thei'
own free will and accord, 1t will stans
as a pillar of light, guarded by thu
hearts of those by whom it{was made
and for whose welfare ann happiness
it was intended.
We want no star chamber constitu
tion forced on us again as choice 0
evils. We are a free people, possess
ing the same rights ofself-goveFnmcn
on,i ,,,od;6ad covarpiontV rs ppunsyl