The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-12

&c opInlons q lhe &C..

mo Opinions OF the Press.
The Dallas Herald contains very able
article on this subject, which We subjoin.
It win be seen that it fully endorses and sus-
tains tho position Of the STATESMAN, but
giving fresh reasons, which renders 1t the
more acceptable
We note that Dir. Harris, Of Galveston, as
o member Of the House committee on con-
stitutional amendments, is opposed TO call
ing q convention to form constitution,
and favors the appointment of acommission
Of five, seven or nine men to draft one, and
submit i to the people FOR ratification. II
ratified by the people, It will become their
act. Very true. But what voice will the
pople have in informing it, The alternative
would be arbitrarily presented to thepeople
thus: Take this work OF five men appointed
for mot elected by you--Yote this eonstitu-
ton they have made, or continue to live un-
der the detosted Constitution forced onyou
BY Radicals and bayonets in 1862, 1t is the
precise principle and Eloflais,a0 poranaS Of
1869 Then the cry was, sOh I it is VII
famous Constitution, but we can only escape
military rule by adopting it. Let US swaf
low the bitter pill now, and as soon as our
rights arc restored, the people can make
new Constitution through q convention Of
their own choosing Was not that the way
inwhich the present Radical Constitution
was forced down the throats Of the people
in 1907
We repel the idea that any appointed
commission of men, whether five or seven,
should be clothed with that high exercise
Of sovereign power evoked in the forma-
ton Of an organic constitution fora million
Of free people. It IS at war with the very
initial principle of Republican government.
4 was suggested and canvassed as q then
dornicr resort by the last Legislature, and,
after being considered, was cast aside.
On the contrary, the Constitution should
be framed by the largest practicable repre-
iftation Of the people,. It is fashionable
to say that q body of thirty or sixty can
lceislate more wisely than a larger body
Admit, for arguments sake, that this is
true Yet the rule does not apply to the
deliberations Of q constitutional convention,
for the good reason that it does not engage
in miscellaneous legislation, but stands
charged with a single duty--the formation
Of Constitution which shall embody the
best Tulcs, principles, limitations and ma-
ohinery of government to guarantee the
protection of life, property, liberty and
great voting maiofityof the people under
stand, appreciate and desire these things rs
well and as much as men in the learned pro-
fessions. Then the true democratic-repub-
lican doctrine on the subject is, to have q
large assembloge Of delegates, chosen by
the people themselves, from all parts of the
State. The seaport interest Is one, the vast
stockraising interest is anothor, the untold
lumber interest Of the east is another, the
iron interest Of the northeast is another,
and the vast coil and copper interest
81 the northwest IS another-fvc great
distinct interests. which may be consid-
cred more or less sectional in character.
Then comes IN with these the agricul-
tural interest common TO the whole State,
the question Of internal Improvement,
Of Immigration, the judiciary, the county
tribunals, the general subject Of corpora
lions and monopolies, the drainage Of our
means BY foreign insurance companies and
others Of great momcnt, which may be con-
sidcrod as common to all-the whole sup
plemented by the life and death question of
frontier projections
We hold that o conyentlon to insure fun
expression TO the popular viii and secure a
wise and durable Constitution, with judi
cious concessions, checks and balances, the
whole resting in tie hearts Of great peo-
pie IS THEIR CoSsgrf crIoS, should be COM
posed of one hundFod and twenty members
-onc for each Senator and Representative.
Then we shall hayt an organic law, sprung
IS nearly as practicable in q representative
form 81 governments from the brains and
heazfs 81 the peSplo themselves. When
such "a Instrument shah be ratified By the
people. Of their own frco win and accord, it
win stand as a pillar Of light, guarded BY
che hearts q those by whom il was made,
and for whose welfare and happiness twas
Intended
We want no star chamber constitution
forced on us again ns a choice Of evils. We
are free people. possessing the same rights
81 sell oleintotn aud nodded sovereign
s EenpsS Sania uhicb has lately made
tCohslIuli0n 6 pietoet her people against
FeI 1nt corrupt moHoroiics ~ s Ohio,
which is now Iraming new Constitution;
tie stme t.a lchuseits or any other
State We claim 90 more. Then let us
exercise ihc RIGHT ehe blood-Dought right,
IS bccone.h ~ onichtened and patriotic
reonie, proud 81 tier history and jealous
sc t1eir honor. aud never abandon our man
hood ~ dCicrlling car most sacred rights
toI1| on 81 men, however learned
ana pune. Nho are not 81 oQroWn selection.
te c'lbarhe Ctlpa apaper, although
htf % The frontier, edited with
rked aliEss, discusses she question Of q
rtIcn,l convention, with ssnienious
nelsnicsilY ad force lie drives di-
s o. point which constitutes the
ee and pr'e. a5iisiy q newspaper writ
IS r1litr
lf b,toe. Democracy snd Raai-
n