The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-01-14
The Constitutional Convention.
WEsTvILLE, Jan. 6, 1885,

W ESTNILLE, Jan. D, 1851.
EDITORS CLARION: | have read several
communications, recently in your valuable
paper, by VI. r., discussing the question,
''-hall we have a Constitutional Conven-
ton ," NJ r. makes considerable effort to
convince "all the world and the rest of
mankind, and more especially the Legisla-
ture, that the calling of a Convention is in
expedient, unwise and altogether unneces-
sary. The whole tenor and drift of his
effort may be summed up in one word "LDa-
pcriaitsm," and why he used so many words
To tell what he might have told in onc-we
believe is to throw dust in the peoples eyes,
divert their attention from the real points
at issue, and make n mountain out of q
molo-hiIl. We do not intend noticing all
the objections which NJ. r. thinks will hold
good against having a Convention He
thinks the expenses are too great. l venture
the assertion that the economy a new
Constitution would inaugurate, would
save money enough in less than two
years to pay every dollar of the
expenses. The offices of Chancellor and
Lieutenant Governor would be abolished.
That of County Superintendent of Edu-
cation and the registration system would be
50 changed as not to lessen their efficiency,
but at the same time to greatly reduce eX-
penditures He thinks because the present
Constitution is largely copied from the old
therefore il is good enough He forgets to
say anything about the Radical innovations
which have been engrafted thereon-and
which the electors of Mississippi have or
dained shall remain only as long as they
can be properly removed. Hear him: eff
the whole framework of our State Govern
ment could be made less democratic and
more restrictive-the right of suffrage
largely curtailed-the number of officers
s1aataI NV tho r,aODIa ynoda 1nrotion
of terms longer and larger powers intrust-
ed to fewer hands, then he would favor call
ing 4 Convention. and yet NJ. r. claims to
be a Democrat. In the language of one of
Nississippi's most gifted sons, 'If that is
Democracy | am not Il Democrat" If
every true Democrat in the State don't say
this is imperialism" or king Grantism,
then we will confess we don't understand
the meaning of words. We infer that Nj
r. is either anappointee or expectant, and If
Grant ever gets into office he will carry up
these papers as evidence of the faith that is
in him.
Advocating the ideas that NJ r. does,
and yet proclaiming himself a Democrat,
what does he mean2 Has Democracy
dritted into this channel? 1t may be that
his has; but not many others, | hope. He
suggests that one amendment could be
made to the present instrument, which
4
the right of suffrage" The people say
there are saveral The office of chancellor
he abolished. All officers elected by the
people. County superintendent of educa-
ton, and the registration system amended,
and others we do not mention.
NJ. r. thinks the striies and chickering's of
an election an objection. Do not these, ac-
cording to his confessions, accompany ev-
cry election? Therefore we should have no
81 IL Il II
dition of affairs be perfectly delightful to
him? He fears the result would be bad,
the commissions would be terrible, leaving
behind traces and scrars for years to come.
We apprehend nothing of the kind.
Mississippians are not made of the
material to shrink from any res
possibility where duty calls. This
has been demonstrated upon many a well
contested field. Since 1865, we have dis
posed of matters successfully of much graver
Importance than calling a Constitutional
Convention, and shall we shrink from this,
because, of some imaginary breakers ahead?
Hardly. We have managed the 'ele-
ment" he speaks of successfully, and we
can do 1t again, and that, too, without the
shotgun policy Away with all fears in re-
gard to the whole matter. The Convention
will be composed of the best men in the
State, men, who have been tried and not found
wanting. Every interest will be repre-
scented by brains and honestly
then who can doubt the results, the omin-
Gus predictions of NJ. R., to the contrary?
If the Legislature does not call a Constitu-
tional Convention, it will certainly not re-
fleet the sentiments of large majority of
the people. We believe Mississippi is the
only reconstructed State which has not had
a Convention, and shall it be said that her
people are any less intelligent or courageous
than other States which have had Oonstitu-
tonal Conventions, and have those |
States which have had them ex-
any of the portentious
results which NJ. r. prophecies for Missis-
sippi? 1t is nice thing for appointed Office
holders TO know that the dear people pay
the expenses, and that they are beyond the |
reach OF the populace-that the Office |
belongs to them, and not to the people. /
When this state Of things is quietly sub
mitted to, it is only the prelude to the |
Imperialism so earnestly advocated by NJ. |
r.
If the present Legislature does not call
Convention the next ieiU
and there will be but little discussion when /
It meets in regard to the work to be done. T
The people of Mississippi are FESTIVE, living /
Inder that miserable abortion, imposed |
1pon them by the Ames carpet-bag regime,
o satisfy Radical hate. They have determin-
ID that the foul instrument shall no longer
disgrace the fair eseutcheon of her people.
The decree has been written; the edict
igned the work of our enemies must be
plotted out; the protest of interested par
II n