The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-07-08

A0I6 H6tGCr 1fOU 18Oas Re Il ssSOOs
He Dstsnss tho AttStude Of tho Democratic f"rty-
The Inss~msnt Presents the Best Settlement Of
al DDwcness-Hs Defects 7rVeing and can
EasitN BE- amended

MONTICELLO, FLA, June 30.
To tie Editor Of tie Iynsss- Union
NV attention has frequently been called during
the past few weeks to criticisms upon my atti-
tude towards the New Constitution. II has been
suggested that have changed my views since
the adjournment of the Convention and that
stand ready with others to destroy our work and
reopen this question for fresh agitation, at the
risk of party discussions and new deals In our
State politics Some have inferred this because
Colonel Fildes has, In the editorial columns OF
the Consttution, published some unfricndly criti-
cisms of the new instrument, and On account OF
the kindly relations that have always existed
between ~, 1t has been inferred that our views
upon this subject are the same. This was sen-
der basis for such an dea for each OF US does MS
own thinking, and all who know the editor OF
the Cdnststutson well are perfectly aware that he
is supreme in his sanctum: NO man controls
him there, and our friendship for each other has
never been of 80 exacting character as to re-
quire each to hold the same views as the other.
It seems hardly necessary to say this after Colonel
Fildes' recent article in the C0nstttutson. and
have no fear of being long misunderstood by The
people, and seldom go into print on my own &C
count, but many Of my friends. in view of the
circumstances, have expressed wish to hear
from me upon this subject through your col
umns, and have decided to yield TO their de-
sres.
Among the reforms which the Conservative
Democratic party of Florida undertook 10 carry
out in 1875, was the revision Of the Constitution
of 1868. The subject was discussed by our ora
tors all over the State; 1t was keynote that
always evoked popular applause. The Legis
latures of 1877 and 1879 contained majorities of
our party friends, and they did all in their power
to secure the promised revision. The question
was submitted to the people at the earliest posi-
BILE period under the terms of the Constitution of
1865, and this was at the State election in 1890
But the Gainesville Convention failed to endorse
the action Of the Democratic Legislatures, and
the people voted not to hold Constitutional
Convention in the November election
A study of the election returns in the Congress
ional election which followed two years later,
shows largely reduced Democratic vote and
this result was brought about in part vt least by
this defeat. Up to that time our majorities
were on the increase. We carried the State by
majority of about 500 in 1876. In 1873 it had
increased to about 2, $780, in 1880 to over 5000 In
1882 we had divided party in the first district
and disheartcned one IN the second. David
sons majority fell from nearly 1000 TO less than
700, and Finley lost his district with an adverse
majority of nearly 300 against him, although he
had the reinforcement of Sumter's Democratic
majority of 400 from the first district This left the
net majority in the State at 400. Such lesson
OF adversely was not lost upon the leaders of our
party whose counsels prevailed at Pensacola.
Pope was in the field ready with the war cry of
a Constitutional Convention the Republicans
were prepared to change front on the question.
An opportunity was left the Democrats to retain
their vantage ground and they wisely availed
themselves of it. The Democratic Legislatures
which had met fresh from The people in 1881
and 1888, still true to the pledges of 1876, had
taken the necessary preliminary steps for fresh
submission to the popular vote of the question
of revision of the Constitution An endorse
ment of this action would fully pledge the en-.
tire party to this measure A failure to recon-
rnopd IN no Dpnnpratic would ha
notice to the people that the party had relin-
quished this great reform. The former course
was adopted all over the State, our speakers ad-
vocated the holding of the Convention, and
again our majorities increased. The enemy
was routed at every point The majority for
the Convention was the largest majority ever
given at any popular election in Florida upon
any vote.
The Convention was called and 80 well salts
fed were the people with the course of the DEM
ocratic party in exhibiting courage equal to its
convictions that many counties which had be-
fore been represented wholly oy Republicans
sent Democratic delegates to aid the revision.
The Convention had large Democratic ma
jority. Its roll of members shows that it in
cluded many of our representative men. Upon
every measure the Democratic delegates came
to an agreement within their own ranks. There
were troublesome questions upon which 1t
seemed impossible to harmonic, but spirit oil
patriotic compromise prevailed and united action
was reached by mutual concessions. No article
entered the new instrument that did not receive
the support OF the large body of the Democratic
membership And the number of Democrats
who voted against any article on its final passage
was in most cases altogether inconsderable.
Upon its completion the instrument represented
the conclusions of the representatives OF the party
and as their work it went to the people 1t has
been subject to their inspection and Considera-
ton for nearly year and the time draws near
when final action must be taken upon it.
propose here simply to give my views as to
the duty of the Democratic party with reference
to it. l may have something further to say a
little later to its merits 1t Is to be considered
here mainly from party standpoint. The OPP
portunity is at hand to fulfill the long neglected
promise of1S76. The Convention-called by our
Democratic L Legislatures, endorsed by our Pen
sacola Convention, advocated by our Governor
whose majority was elected by our Democratic
voters has discharged its duty. Priad fdcSe it is
good Democratic work, and unless the Demo-
cratic Conventions, to be held this year, declare
against it, the party is responsible for it. To re-
pudiate it, to reject it. wM haze similar effect to a
resolution condenaning orr National State Demo-
cratic Administration. 1t will be such confes-
sion of failure and inability as to invite future
defeat. OF course, if the work of the Convention
is failure, like honest men, we should confess
it, and admit that the members of the COnven-
ton of 1868 understood the wants of our people
Detter Lnau tuOSc no met ilSI year. anu titI Tile
latter failed to carry out the views OF the Demo-
cratic constituencies who elected them.
But was it failure? II so, in what respect?
No public man in our own ranks outside of
the editorial fraternity, has taken an open stand
against it. Even our political opponents have
failed to criticise it adversely. Like all human
instruments it is not perfect, and of course in
such population as ours with many and diverse
interests there are opposing views on some i'm
portant points. This instrument presents the
best settlement of these differences that coutd he
made Outside Of objections arising from such
causes, which all might reasonably have antici-
pated, the defects which nearly year of news
paper criticism have developed are comparatively
trifling and such as can be easily amended. It
has been demonstrated that it costs more than
$4,000 to revise the old instrument The new
can be amended absolutely without expense.
The Democratic party, the Convention, the
people of Florida have no reason to be ashamed
of the new Constitution. 1t has been we'll re-
ceived, the feeling in its favor grows as il is read
and understood, every thing indicates its adop-
ton, 1t is a good piece OF work and adapted to
the wants of our people and State. Its adop-
ton will settle political question that has been
a constant source of irritation and danger. A
new Convention would not be likely to frame so
conservative an instrument.
If we wish to retain the power entrusted to
us by generous people, we must meet its grave
responsibilities with courage and fidelity. We
must not invite failure by treating our we'll ma
tured work with neglect and leaving its success
to chance Nor Is it wise to give our political
opponents an opportunity to snatch from US in
the very hour of victory the honor and glory of
accomplishing this great work and settling this
question of new Constitution If the Demo-