The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-08-19
Aboat OAjectlons to the New Cen.
gtftut1on.

AD00s VaDoctlo08 u the New Cen
st1tatlon.
Inquiry as to the reasons for dissatis-
faction with the new Constitution ex-
pressed by some persons in the white
counties, and in the counties of the
black belt" shows that the main objec-
tion springs from exactly opposite causes,
and hence the conclusion ia certainly
reached that if it were altered to suit
either class it would not suit the other,
and that in this matter no constitution
that could be framed would suit both.
The objection of some democrats in the
white counties is that any of the offices
are appointive, and in the black counties
that most of them are elective. We thus
state the case with no purpose to argue
that the. objections on either side are or
are not we'll taken, but simply to support
the assertion that it was a matter of utter
impossibility, in view of the diversity of
political and social conditions in different
parts of the State, for the Convention of
1885, or any other Convention, to make
a constitution that would meet the wishes
of all. These conditions were duly rep
resented in the membership of the
Convention, and the delegates from no
section of the State persisting in futile
insistence which would have brought
them to deadlock in their work, they met
each other as nearly on the middle ground
of compromise as could be agreed on. 1t
is to be hoped that in November the
same spirit of compromise will animate
the democratic people, and that those in
the white counties will not oppose the
Constitution merely because it includes
features which promise some protection
to their brethren of the black belt. We
cannot believe that they would he will
ing to risk the sacrifice of the political,
social and business interests of others
that they might exercise a privilege in
which no such risks to themselves are in
volved. We will not believe that they
could have so little kindly feeling toward
the true and tried democracy of the
black belt, who in all their political vicis-
STUDIES have kept their lines straight and
their ranks clear of faction and "inde-
pendentism," setting an example Of solid
and effective organization, and proving a
power in every State election.
Some regret that there was Conven
ton, and that the..State should not con
tinue indefinitely under the present Con
stitution, framed by the radical en-
envy to perpetuate their own power
and now club in our own
hands to smite them with. The dem
ocratic majority, however, declared fol
more in conformity with democratic re
publican institutions and the constitu
tions of other States of the Union Flor
ida could not always stand alone among
the States with such autocratic authority
vested in the Governor-such one-mar
power. The Convention was voted by
the democratic people, and if they do not
ratify its Constitution the Legislature
will certainly go to work mending up the
old document by the tedious method Of
amendment that it provides, and long
years will pass before the bone of con
tention Will cease to vex our politics and
distract the party-even if the tinkerin g
of various Legislatures should finally re
suit in organic law more generally &C
ceptable than that framed last year may
prove to be after coming in force. In it,
provision for prompt amendment it pro
vides an easy cure of its own defects.