Sharp County record., 1880-08-26

was more troublesome than be was
before, l suppose that we might
pass constitutional amendment
purporting to abolish death. |
might defy any one to make an ar
gumcnt against such proposition
half as conclusive as can be made
against the amendment now pro-
posed. The experiment has been
tried. 1t has never been held that
such an amendment would be void
but it has been held repeatedly, and
according to the plainest principles
of construction, that the proposed
amendment to the constitution of
Arkansas would be powerless to at
tain the end sought. | do not think
that | am wrong in this proposition.
At least | may say that | have incl
IDENTIFY talked with many lawyers
on the subject, whose opinions are
entitled to respect, and that have
never heard any one express diff
fcrent opinion, or even a doubt on
the subject.
The only argument that | have
heard used for the amendment IS
this: That we should vote for it,
and get the question out Of our poll
tics. That is an argument quite
worthy of the amendment in ques-
ton. If we will only consent to act
on this principle we shall vote for
every measure that politicians pro-
pose. and the number Of our follies
will f5nd no limit save in the num-
Der of ovr days. There is more
etfectual way of getting the question
out of our politics than the one pro-
posed and that is by voting it down
by such a majority as that it shall
never be- beard from again. AS for
supposing that the amendment will
ever settle anything, that is prop,
ositjon that will not bear even cas-.
ual inspection. 1t Us only by defeat
ing unwiso schemes that we can
ever hope to bring our politics to
any higher level.
| wish to add ono word more, and
then | am done with this subject for
good. suppose that we all desire
to do that which will best promote
the welfare Of the state. | believe
that the state is taking care Of her
self pretty well, and will be quite g
success if we will let her alone
awhile. My avocations have called
me into other states for some time
in each year for several years past.
know the fact, and mention it with
feelings of pride and pleasure, that
tho state stands better now abroad
than it has ever stood | believe
better than any other southern state
She has many friends elsewhere
who would like to see her name
kept bright and untarnished, anC
who would be shamed by the pro
posed amendment. If she has any
enemies there is not one who woulc
not rejoice at its success. | DO no
think that anything can give the
state worse name than an &C,
which will be universally denounced
as an act of reputation. We may
qualify it as we will. Others will
not take the pains to discriminate
may be told that it is only senti
mental objection, but good name
is better than great riches. Com
pared with it, the purse is but trash
Anything that impairs the goot
name of the state will be felt in {
decrease of immigration and turning
aside of wealth. What We need is
a more perfect system of education
a larger population, and additiona
capital to develop our resources
We cannot get these by the pro
posed measure, nor by anything O
that kind. What can be more suici
dal than for us, with our eyes open
and with every opportunity for de
liberation, to do an act that mus
certainly injure us, and which can
not, by any chance whatever, do US
any good?