The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-04-05

such choice. And if in the General As
sembly then next chosen as aforesaid
such proposed amendment or amend
ments shall be agreed to by two-thirds
of all the members elected TO each
House, then it shall be the duty Of the
General Assembly to submit such pro-
posed amendment or amendments to the
people in such manner and at such
times as the General Assembly may
prescribe. And if the people shall ap-
prove AMI ratify such amendment or
amendments, by majority of all the
citizens of the State voting in their IA
-yor, such amendment or amendments
shall become part Of this constitution"
By this clause We are furnished plain,
simple and convenient mode OF making
any desired addition to the constitution,
also the striking out Of any Of its OBJ
jectionable features.
This plan being pursued, the people
have time TO consider and discuss the
proposed changes, to interchange opin-
ions and views, to see the objects, pur-
poses and workings Of the proposed
changes, and u act calmly and thought
fully and without passion, thereby
avoiding the risk Of fixing upon them.
selves an Objectionable organic law be
cause Of acting hurriedy. They can
see precisely what they are asked to DO,
and can do it Understandings. In view
OF the magnitude Of such step the time
is not a whit too long, it being only a
little more than two years, within which
time they win have the benefit Of the
discussions in the Legislature in which
the proposed changes originated as well
as Of discussions BY candidates for the
succeeding Legislature, and as well as
the third opportunity when they are
called to cast their votes for or against
the amendments. This course will give
Us light and enable US to exercise our
individual judgments in the matter,
while the convention plan is all dark
ness and uncertainty 1t will in the
end accomplish purpose as quickly a
that now proposed, and certainly more
satisfactorily; and, what is still better
with no additional costs, as the Legisla-
ture can only set sevcnty-five days, anC
will always set that long, so that til,
expenses will he the same, with or with
out proposed constitutional amend
ments.
If the Legislature that passed the Law
authorizing the calling Of a Constitu
tional Convention had instead have
made the propositions to change under
the section Of the constitution quoted
they could have been passed upon by
the people just as quickly as the Consti
/ tutonal Convention could do the work
Why this was not done am unable t.
see. only know that one member
wanted some things, other members
wanted other things. 1t seemed they
could never agrec-that their wide di
verslties could never be reconciled, ant
the only relief was to throw the whole
matter INTO utter confusion and dark
ness and take their chances, each, foi
their pet measures when the convention
should be assembled, without restric
ton as to the length Of its session OF
the policy Of its proceedings.
Democrats, the old boat is too sound
its materials too good and staunch to be
snapped of for one to be made of tim.
Der yet to grow, and Of kind wholly
underlined by the proposing builders,
Let us see the new vessel before We
abandon the old but sound one Say to
Mr., Radical spider. We will not walk
into your parlor, but the democracy will
harmonic and brush away your cob
web existence in Tennessee.
DEMOCRAT.