Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-10-09
Constitutional Convention.

a speech made by Col. Savage at
Sparta in 1882. Col. Savage believes
that a Constitutional Convention
should be called, and the organic law
amended. If a new Constitution is
adopted, it will provide that the pres
ent officials hold the offices until their
terms expire, conforming their action
to the provisions of the new Consti-
tuition:
He said he was for a Constitutional
Convention to revise the organic law.
Ofice-seekers, office-holders, and par
ty leaders would oppose this move
ment. They say take care, it will
put the wrong men in Office, or put
us out of Office. 1t will give the Dem
ocrats the advantage, or it will put
the Republicans in power.
Hebelieved there weregood and bad
men in all parties, and he was for
Convention for the good of the people
without regard to parties, and to bet
ter the organic law, from which all
laws flow. He had faith in the peo-
pie, and little confidence in party
leaders. His policy and motto was
"relief for the living, security and
liberty for the unborn"
The present Constitution of Tennes-
see was fatally defective, made by
men acting under fear of the Federal
policy of reconstruction, and who
were elected when thousands of our
best citizens were disfranchised by
corrupt and partisan legislation, en-
forced by Brownlow's Judges, among
whom was your present Governor
Hawkins. The people were now wide
awake and there will never be bet
ter time for revising the Constitution,
correcting evils, and guarding against
future dangers.
A Constitution is the work of the
people. They elect delegates to a
Constitutional Convention, who are
powerless, except to draft and recon-.
mend a government. Nothing but
the voice. of the people at the ballot
box can give it life and power. A
farmer builds house; in few years
he finds alterations or repairs neces-
sary, to protect him against rain and
storms. Your new fences do well for
short time, until some cunning
brute finds way over or under them,
when you are forced to repair or re-
build to save your crops. If brutes
can do this, will not bride takers and
lobbyists find ways to plumber your
treasury, which must be stopped.
You revise your laws every twoyears,
and much of the work of each Legis-
lature is repeating laws which expert
ence shows to be against the general
welfare. You take a census of your
wealth and population every ten
years. Your Constitution declares
the right of the people 'to alter, re-
form or abolish the government in
such manner as they may think
proper" The "manner'' is not pre-
scribed, and this right isleftto chance,
or to the grace and mercy of the Leg.
islature. 1t is right declared with.
out remedy prescribed; and is SC
embarrassed that neither the people
or the lawyers know much about it.
Every constitution ought to direct its
own revision every ten years. Re
vealed defects couldbe amended, anC
things necessary in the light of prog
ress and experience could be added
Let the people know that once in ter
years they are required to make new
rules or approve old methods, and
the popular heart and brain vii
study and apply the proper remedy
for evils that now beset us.
There are six elements or factors ii
American government. Bastard Dem
ocrats and Federal bondholding arts
tocrats never mention but three fac
tors, and these three the lowest anC
least honorable,
LIST. We have the people, whicl
means every man, woman and chile
in the State, which is the Sovereign
I'd. The Constitutional Convention
composed of men selected by the PEG
pie to write and recommend form
of government to be adopted at tn
ballot box.
Sd. We have the electors or voters
who choose the agent to make, ex
pound and execute the laws.
4th. A Legislature to make laws.
18th. A Judiciary to decide whethe
or not this Legislature has made Law