The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1916-02-18
MAKE CHANGES IN CONSTITUTION
BY AMENDMENT.

The time is at hand when it behooves every
person loyal to the principles embodied in Missis-
sfppIs present constitution to declare his attitude
toward that excellent document and enter his vigor-I
Gus protest against any radical change in it's provis-
ions. The organic law of this great State, as it stands
today, is the creature of Mississippi's best intellect,
patriotism and craftsmanship and has served to pro-
tect this commonwealth from the menace of negro
rule and has advanced it to the peaceful prosperity
OF a white mans government. When a vicious rule
of iliterate interiors threatened to engulf our be-
loved State in a ruin more hideOus than slavery, the
masterful mind and splendid courage of such men
as George, Walthan, Lamar, Sykes and others. rose
that met every onslaught and protected against
every threatened disaster. Experiencing the bene-
fits which have come to us from this tried and
potent constitution, is it wise, until it has failed to
its use and displace it with another, untried
and secured at great expense-especiaiy, in THESE
times of stress, made doubly so in this State by the
European war and the ravaQes of the boil weevn?
What argument has been adduced by the clam
orers for a new constitution, save their own desire
to fashion another more to their liking, or to meet
failed thus far to establish? Not one sensible rea-
son. as yet, has been given, why the present consti-
tuition should be supplanted by a vague cOncep-|
ton of what another might be to meet a changed
condition, existing more in imagination than fact.
These champions for a new constitution declare
that the present one was formulated to meet the
conditions Of another time, inferring by that state
ment that there is a wide difference between the
conditions in this State now and then, but submit
no evidence other than the inference.
The fact is, conditions are practically the same,
except the Improvement that has been wrought by
the operation of that constitution, which they now
seek to abolish. We have the same negro popuia-
ton, exceeding the white voter, and equally void of
those qualities which would make them safe cleo
tors. True, the percentage of illiteracy is less
among them, but that does not increase their quail
fications to become voters, for education does not
necessarily remove moral %obliquity. If it is to recon-
struct the constitution so as to confer upon this ele-
ment of the States population the right to vote
without other regard to qualification than that of
educational smattering, then, indeed, have condi-
tons changed. Such changed conditions do not
warrant, however, throwing down of the bars Of
the constitution and permitting a vicious horde to
~tosgrasp the reins of government. If we need a
new constitution, then it is up to those who demand
it, to show wherein our present one has failed, and
then outline one curing its defects. The Weekly
has not observed where either of these things has
been done, therefore it appears that the demand has
no tenable foundation upon which to stand. We
grant that every effort, whether in art or in letters,
carries imperfections, by no means impairing its
build a more perfect structure. That our present
admit, but these are slight and can be remedied by
amendment, at small cost, and without endangering
those rock-ribbed constitutional principles given to
us by George, Walthall and Lamar:
Let us perfect this constitutional safeguard until
it meets every changed condition OF our State. Let
us do it by amendment, where it needs it, and pros
per under its wise provisions in the future as we
have done in the past.-The Aberdeen Weekly.