The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1889-11-15
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

e
of a Convention. We have agai
and again expressed our di,ap
= proval OF that costly scheme, bu
we have always fell that we wer,
giving space for discussion If
subject in which The majority o
our readers Ielt very little interest
Even the suggestion by the State
Democratic Executive Committee
thai the question be made a ques.
ton for discussion in the canvass
would have had but little atten-
, ton had it not been that our two
Senators at the conclusion of the
campaign seized Lhe cudgel and
began pounding each other pro and
con The Subject; and yet we are
told that The people demand IA Con
stilu'ional Convention, and their
servants should proceed to give it
to them.
We have said that a Conssitu-
tional Convention would cost
largely more tlan it would be
worth TO the Commonwealth. but
as The question begins to agiDate
ole may easily "sn'f the
battle from afar off, and in the
cloud ''nol bigger than a mans
hand" may see an unpleasant little
storm brewing. The press il di-
vlded, Oar WlSest statesmen are di-
vided and it is safe to say that the
people are divided more widely ON
the matters that are urged as be-
ing OF the greatest Importance,
and sufficiently important Of them
selves to justify the expense Of a
Convention The question of suf-
frage is a delicate matter to deal
with. 1t would be a grand thing for
the Democracy of Mississippi to
get rid OF the negro in politics, but
1t so happens that the only re-
course we have is the very much
mooted one ofproperty and educa- t
tional qualifcationtha must apply
to all classes alike. 1t is a question {
upon which the whites are not pre- !
pared to stand together, and one .
hat is calculated to destroy the c
Democratic harmony, the very an Y
'hor that holds us steady and safe S
n time of peril. 1t is very well a
0 say that that the white Demo #
racy Of the State would adopt D
ny Constitution the Conven- o
ention should draft, but ad- Il
that to be true is il wise -
Ist now to put party zeal to so Sc -,
ere a test. 1t would be an eXpe- t.
ment at best, and if it should at
Icceed the success might cost us W
ear in the end. A change in the =
Idamental relations Of the people ma
I'd Of that sacred compact which tn
have instituted to guard and WI
'Otect their own rights and inter pc
is is One of vast, indeed. most Inn
lemn import and in which a TAI
might lead to certain ruin i'm
the overflow of The strong and &c
'e power that now rules a nlas
'lIess people. The press and VIII
Ople should weigh we'll and de- ing
crate wisely. and calmly on this
eSIion. The sacred fire from
, alter Of the peoples authority soc
not be snatched by unhal- at j
red hands. foil
And furthermore an amended {
institution should beformed only gra
the best material Cf the State ~
he way Of statesmen. Would ma,
h be the elected delegates of a G
lvention7 Take our Legisla. secC
: for a sample of the peoples uer;
for instance. The proba. tbi,.
ly is thesdelegales TO a Consti- er.
onal Convention would be no G.
ter, and in that event the mate. Car
would fall far short of being =
best. They are good election II
and are popular, which con- surg
ties, III most cases, the long Il,
that gels the persimmon-the laln'
e--regardless OF brains. Hence.
iay let those who know what -
ecded and best prepare the n'"S
'er amendments most needed ie"
send them TO the people Iueil'
ugh the Legislature as u or : i''
c law now provides, and If il u''
t wanted let the people be free psi
ject it. oahc
held