The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-11-11
A New Era.

Inc New Constitution has been f1tineO
by the people at the ballot box by . good
majority, and it is well. The old instru-
ment, which was the work the Republic
can party in the most revolutionary Pc
Rod which this country has known, and
in the most radical mood of that most
radical party, was wholly out of keeping
with republican form of government,
and unsuited TO this progressive age, and
to our growing and prosperous State.
Such an organic law could not stand as
the foundation stone of body polite,
whose constituency was fully imbued
with the principles of self-government,
and had the New Constitution been re-
iected at this election more successful
effort to supplant the old one with some
thing better would have been only a
question of time. Meanwhile the agita-
ton of the subject would have been a
source of trouble in the Democratic ranks
at every recurring election, and the ex-
pense of another convention would have
to be borne by the people at no distant
day, with the chance of getting some
thing more Objectionable than the one
just voted upon.
We say it is we'll that the New Consti-
tuition is adopted, not because it is free
from objection, for it is far from it; but be-
cause it is great improvement on the old
one in many respects, and especially in
the opening it affords for the continued
and increased prosperity of the State.
There can be no question that the great
power which was centered in our Execu-
tive under the old instrument was likely
to form serious objections in the minds of
immigrants, who had been accustomed to
different form of government in other
States, to becoming citizens of Florida.
They would naturally feel that their right
of suffrage was materially abridged when
it was confined to the selection of Gov
ernor, members of the Legislature and
Constables. Our people grew accustomed
to this small allowance of freedom from
the start by the force of circumstances,
when it was only by the grace Of some
military satrap that we were permitted to
vote at all, and we felt grateful to him and
our Heavenly Father for even the little
political favors we enjoyed. Therefore,
we can hardly realize how monstrous our
form Of government appeared in the eyes
of those residing in other States, where
"the government was of the people"
1t is we'll that the new Constitution is
adopted, because it opens new political
era in Florida. 1t has removed from our
elections two vexing questions,-the
changing of the Constitution, and the
liquor question. 1t is true some restless
spirits may want to be tinkering at the
| new Constitution because it unwisely
provides an easy way of amendment.
But our Legislators will, it is hoped,
appreciate the wisdom of letting it rest
intact now, for few years at least, after
the work and expense of framing it and
its acceptance by the people. Their good
sense will doubtless suggest that it be
given chance to show how it works be-
fore any plans for amendment are Sc
rlousIy entertained.
The adoption Of Article XIX RENTS
the liquor question to the counties, and
we have "local option which seems to
work well in Georgia. With the large
majority the Democratic party now has
in the State, and with the two questions
which promised to give it most trouble
out of the way, Florida can be set down
as securely Democratic in the future as
Georgia or Alabama.