Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1917-06-28
Time Opportune For
Constitutional Convention

The suggestion has been made that
the progress Of the world wide war
renders the present an tnopportuns
time for holding q Constitutional Con
vention. But the reasons advanced 10
support that position really constitute
. strong argument Why the CONVEX
tson should be held now.
& Not 10 q generation has the spirit
Of patriotism been 20 aroused and
so manifest among the people OF Ten.
.4eseee as It 10 today. Its fires ere
Stunning on tens OF thousands OF al.
tars with a new warmth; under the
appeal Of common responsibilities and
common sacrifices the underlying
love Of country Is asserting itself with
richer meaning and mission than
this generation has ever seen.
And every movement aAd every
proposition whose inspiration and aim
is the service OF the public veal and
the advancement of the states high
est destiny. be the state community
or country. will receive from the very
fact OF it's patriotic birth a spontane-
Gus and unified support which, under
other and less congenial conditions,
would have been delayed Or, per.
chance, denied.
/ The movement to hold a convention
to revise the organic law of Tennes.
see Is essentially, fundamentally, sole
ly and confessedly patriotic in its con.
ception and It's objects. II was born
of the people. and for the people,
It will afford opportunity for the en-.
ercise in the council chamber of the
same spirit Of patriotism which will
be holding Tennessee in the van Of the
sisterhood OF states rallied beneath
common flag-however far flung the
call OF hard pressed allies may sum
mon 1t to be unfurled.
Men of prominence Will gladly give
their services under present con.
dltions In a convention, whereas in
times OF peace they might not feel dis
posed to take the tins from their pri-
vate pursuits. The call to arms will
draw but slightly from the ranks OF
those who should be sent to the con-
vention, for its delegates will be com.
posed principally Of men mature in
years and experience. The gravity Of
the world crisis, instead OF demoralix-
ing such q body of men, will bring to
them a deeper realization OF the Inn
portance Of the work to be done by
them in convention assembled.
This war will not last always. And
when 1t is over, there will be a great
revival OF business and q strong Coca
petition for that business. Now 10
the time to hold the convention 90
that changes In our organic law can
be recommended to the people ana
be adopted by them in order that Ten.
nessee may take her proper place
among her sister states. and get her
share Of the prosperity which win
sweep over this country.
The vote on the amendm ents suK-
after the war Is over,-csrtainly not,
IL the war is ended before 1918, for |
that election will not occur until
some time IN 1913. The convention |
will not meet until October 50, 1917. |
1t will deliberate not less than two
months. It will fix tho date OF the
election on the amendments, after
com leting its duties. II by any Dos
sibility. conditions should be sach that
the immediate holding Of that election
would be unwise, the convention IN
It's discretion. can postpone Il to any
future date. So this Is . perfect safe
guard to the fear that has been en-
Hressed