Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-05-24
Gssts County Arrala.
Island Pond, VT, May %

When ore exercises uuiounded criticism
or assumes superior intelligence very few
things are more ridiculous than when he
meets the Just ridicule ana cNpu,Gre OF 4
the ignorant. And now that disciple
of Martin Luther Is coming To abe 'front.' F.
and with the Doctor Eck's of the press
stards respectant IN matters OF Geosra'
Ihy and history, although all facing one
WAY in matters concerning the great con-
stitut;onal reform. even the people OF
Ayerill. even the dogs" thereof take ON
n curious expression. Wendell Phillips
was a well informed man. lie knew the
history, geographical condition, the ma
ture of the peoples wants, and the means
through which reform Should be accom-
splshed. Every reformer ought To. y
censor of the people generally, and
especially one who Sagciy assumes 10 adj
wise the Young, should have that candor,
information and Judgment out OF which
alone safe advice can come. There is a
very ancient example of a young man.
son of very wise and Just man, who
was persuaded that heavy yoke was
upon the people. He was told by the old
men of his time that II he was kind to his
people if he pleased them and spoke good
words to them they would be his serv-
ants forever. But hcforsook that counsel
and natural results followed, Human
nature is substantially the same today,
and even ignorant people may be stung
10 intelligence enough to exclalm Are
thy servants dogs that they should dc
this" But our modern Luther evidently
sees that his chastistment with whips
and scorpions and ridicuIe of the honest
peasantry of the State is somewhat I'M
becoming in his own eyes. With the same
breath he makes alluSion to threats OF
revolution and with harsh but attempted
conciliatory tones appeals to the good
sense of the little fellows who a week be
fore had been nothing to him. This re-
former run wild then goes on to tell how
the great reform can be accomplished,
namely: For the legislature of 1896 to
call a constitutional convention, He
rouses a feeling of pity when seen bruised
by running up against the fundamental
law of the State for Article %, Section l
OF the Constitution declares that the Sen
ate every tenth year after 1880 may
make proposals of amendment to the
Constitution of the State. 1t provides
how the people shall vote on those
amendments, and how they shall be
carried into effect. Now there is very lit
tie danger of the bright young men o
Vermont following such craftsmanship
as recommends the next legislature tC
call Constitutional Convention, becaus,
they have read that any such proceed
ings "is hereby abrogated." We have NJ
advice to give young men except to go tc
well informed men to obtain proper rule:
of action and not to a man who wOulC
recommend constitutional convention
Will plN IOi NNNll NhctStNAAN
population, etc, thus proceeding to TIL
reformatory work in a manner entirel.
unknown to the Constitution and i'll ell
tire disregard or inexcusable ignorance o
the plain fundamental law of their Owl
State. We have confidence in the Sagacit,
of our young men that they will go t.
the virtuous for lessons of virtue, to tn
honest for instruction i'll integrity, ant
to just, intelligent and courteous source
TO learn what will be most productive c
the happiness and prosperity OF the pee
pie; and that they will not go to ma
who assumes to teach them reform i
constitutional law while he is wofull
ignorant of the constitution of his ow
state.