The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-06-20

SAN MATEo, FLA, Jun

his utterances with great care lest his logic on
flre should carry us where we ought not to go.
1t behOOves us to remember that no man is infal-
lible, and that the more ably an important meas
ure Is advocated the more needful is the presen-
tatlon OF such objections thereto as may be
deemed worthy of consideration. shall be
greatly obliged, therefore, If you will grant me
little space for the discussion of some of the top
les handled in the remarkable letter of Mr..
Campbell, which find in your issue of June 81.
In the first place, il has never been impressed
on my mind that the Democracy of Florida is
pledged to give the State New Constitution"
have not the platform of 1875 before me- but
know such an obligation was not present to my
own mind when l determined to enlist in that
year, and, according TO my recollec,iDns, that
topic had no prominence IN the Democratic
press of the State, or in the arguments of Dem
ocratic speakers. Il remember many things con-
tanned in the exceedingly effective speeches de-
livered by yourself, Mr. Editor, but do not re-
member that you held out the prospect of
New Constitution" You charged upon the
Republicans gross violations of the Constitution
as 1t stood, and the wrongs which you de-
nounced were chiefly such as were remediable
by good legislation and good administration
While cannot feel that the Democracy of the
State is justly chargeable with having been false
to any obligation to the revision of the Con-
stituton, am quite ready to say that think it
unfortunate that some amendments TO that in
strument have not been consummated, and that
measures adjusted to that end should be put on
foot at the earliest opportunity. There will be
no difficulty In bringing about this result if our
people can come TO an agreement as to meth
DDS, and think we should all be ready 10 de.
clare that no decision which may be reached on
that point shall cause us 10 he dissaffccted to-
ward our party. My own preference inolnes
toward the submission of amendments by the
Legislature.
l. This method has great advantage in point
of economy.
2. Ii affords ampler opportunity for popular
discussion and mature deliberaton on the spc-
cific changes that may be proposed.
3. The creation of New Constitution is a
very radical measure, and one fraught with the
most momentous consequences and it is posi-
bic for Constitution, revised from beginning to
end, TO be more Objectionable on the whole,
than our present one.
4. The theory of Democracy requires that the
people, standing at the ballot-box, should be con-
suited on all changes in the fundamental law
and, as things now stand il seems to me proba-
oble that, if New Constitution should be sub
mittcd as a whole to the popular vote it would
be rejected.
content myself with the mere statement of
these points, and take pleasure in assuring you
that, if the method of revision by Convention
shall prevail, | shall have no word of complaint
to utter
| cannot coincide in the view that the Consti-
tuition was violated by the informal balloting
for county officers at the last election, though,
for various reasons, shall never be in favor ofa
repetition of that experiment / will say too,
that never perceived any usefulness in the con-
ventiOns. recommended by Governor Drew, for
the nomination of such officers l have always
been inclined to think that, if were Governor
under the present Constitution, should take my
own measures for acquainting myself with the
qualifications of candidates for appointment.
Still, none OF those modes of recommending can
didates entered into official action, although
they had their effect in preparing the way for it,
neither required nor prohibited by the the Con
sliiution. Moreover, we cannot close our eyes
to the fact, that by acquiesclng in these proceed
ings, Governor Drew and Governor BIoxham
subordinated all personal preferences and aims
To the wishes of Democrats in the several coun.
ties Oi the many things which attached me to
Governor Drew, not the least was his manifest
determination not 10 use the immense patronage
vested in him for the purpose of building up
Drew party; and there are no facts within my
knowledge which convince me that Governor
Bloxham is not practicing similar abstinence
If suspected The opposite of this, my feelings
would be very different from what they now are;
for, whatever else may come to like, am very
sure that | shall never approve of Democratic
bossism, of Democratic rings, or of personal
party within the Democratic party.
wish TO say few words on the manner and
! spirit in which the subject of revising the Con
stiluiion is To be handled 1t is as clear to nv
mind as the sun at MONDAY that this question
ought 10 be kept out of all State and Con
| gressiOnal Conventions. Democratic unanirnily
| of opinion on the wisdom or unwisdom of call
| ing Constitutional Convention is a thing i'm
possible; and should anticipate nothing but
disaster from an effort To compel unanimous ac-
ton upon it. AS far as Congressional Conyen-
ton is concerned this question: of course, has no
business there. A Congressman, 10 his official
capacity, has no more to do with the revision of
our Constitution than with.the Binomal Theo.
rem. If the matter is not put at rest before our
next State Convention, it will be sufficient 10 es-
tablish the rule that no Democratic Governor is to
interpOse his veto to prevent the carrying out of
any Constitutional measure concerning changes
in the fundamental law, upon which the Legis-
lature may agree Let all the battles be fought
| in the nominating conventions of the several
! counties. Let Democrats ia those bodies support
men who show their views as to the revision of
the Constitution, and then let the minority, in
each case, cheerfully acquiesce in the result and
work manfully for the election OF the nominees
There was never time when the duty of pre-
serving Democratic harmony was more impera-
tive than it is to-day. 1t was never before so
| manifest that all time-hOnored rules and copsti
tutiOnal obligations are to count for nothing. and
that all considerations decency are to be thrown
to the winds when they stand in the way of in
iqnitous Republican schemes Everything gives
| way before the brute force of the barest ma.
| iority. II is assured that minorities have no
rights which majoriiies are bound TO respect.
The Democrats Of Florida would show them