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

the universal expression was an earnest,
honest and fixed resolve that the democ-
racy must and would unite that there
should be no longer division, but that it
would have one platform and one can
didate, and would settle the State debt
upon a fair, just and..equitable basis
The people may sometimes be led
astray by artful demagogus and selfish
politicians and persuaded to make mis-
takes, but they can't be in error long.
They will see the error and correct it,.
They now see that unless they take the
management Of their public affairs out
Of the hands Of those who are seeking to
keep up division and agitation for purely
and solely selfish purposes, that ruin
must follow; therefore, they are fully
alive to the questions at issue-they un-
derstand them, and will settle them,
pettifoggers and demagogues to the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
| also found that our people are not
10 be caught in the meshes Of the Radi-
cal spider woven for a Constitutional
Convention. They appreciate the fact
that the present Constitution has saved
them from bondage for ninety.nine
ycars-that under it no Legislislaturc
can bind the people for longer term
than two years, nor can it mark out a
policy for or cmbarrass its successor
that bribery can only bear fruits for
two years; and they say this is well
enough, and We had better let well
enough alone. While am on the sub
jecl of a Constitutional Convention, |
would like for some Of its advocates to
inform the people what virtue there is
in the proposition over and beyond the
luxury Of an expenditure of at least
one hundred thousand dollars of the
peoples money? Can it be that IA peo-
pie who are already complaining Of the
burdens Of taxation are ready to vote to
that burden an additional weight of at
least 1000? Let each voter and
taxpayer ask himself: For what end
am | asked thus to increase my taxes
and those of my neighbors? What do
you propose to do in that Constitutional
Convention ? Why is it that a Consti-
tutional Convention is necessary for any
purpose2 If | vote for convention at
at all, vote to turn the entire organic
law loose, to gather together Il body Of
men from all parts OF the State with rs
many different views upon the many
questions of constitutional law as there
are representatives in the body, and
with nothing defined for the voter to
act upon when he casts his ballot. 1t
is impossible to calculate the conse
quences Of step so unpointed, so un-
defined, so obscure. Come, advocates
IF the Constitutional Convention, let us
zee your propositions show lis the
,lans upon which you offer to change,
'es, to abolish the organic law and up
IN its ruins build a new one. We are
lot so burdeDed with money as to be
iunting for ways and means to increase
,ur taxes and enable MS to invest hun
lred thousand dollars in convention
lottery that does not 50 much as con.
descend to inform us of single fixed |
purpose outside of radical declaration
that m rie'c Of tie recent decision of the
Supreme Court IN the 1903 case a Con-
'tithional Conpention Is necessary to set
le tie State debt.
1t has come to pass that constitutions
ire not regarded with the solemn rever-
'nce and respect which were paid them
n former times This fact should be
;ept constantly in the minds of the peo-
he, who must, for their own protection,
cave nothing undone to enforce consti-
ltional guarantees and prohibitions
me Of the main things to be done for
lese purposes is, to have every man to
now and feel that the constitution is a
lcred instrument and the basis Of free,
government that it must
nd shall not be lightly and hurrledly
'mpered with; that as it is the foun I
alton of all other law, and that all 9th |
law must conform to it and obey it, i
nat therefore the constitution should /
My be altered, amended or abolished "
tier full, deliberate, sober and serious o
election and discussion Of its supposed t
elects and the merits of the amend. o
cnts and alterations suggested to be s.
,cessary These were doubtless some !
the considerations that led to the b
loption Of section of article XI of the d
esent constitution, which ordalns, n
Any amendment or amendments to fe
is constitution may be proposed in the v
mate or House of Representatives al
d, if the same shall be agreed to by o'
ljority of all the members elected to nj
III of the two Houses, such proposed fe
endment or amendments shall be en- NJ
ed on their journals, with the yeas =
nays thereon, and referred to the or
neral Assembly then next to be at
sen, and shall be published six les