Year: 1866

ConstitutionnI Convention.


The project of calling n convention of
delegates from all the States for the
purpose of proposing such amendments
10 the Federal constitution as may seem
necessary for the eXtricatiOn of the
country from the difficulties which now
Lrset it, is being favorably discussed by
many of the leading Journals. 1t meets
with almost universal favor in the
southern States, and receives the gener-
al commcndation Of the conservative
press of the North. There can be
very little doubt that such couven-
ton would do much for the pacitication
ofthe country, even if not entirely suc-
ccSSful III removing from controversy
the questions which now vex our peace.
Ii is probable that the men selected by
the different States as delegates To such
convention would be possessed of
more patriotism and greater breadth of
craftsmanship than average members of
Congress possess. 1t is probable that
the convention itself would he actuated
by more liberal and less partisan spirit
than has been displayed in our national
councils during the past five or six
years. Constitutional Amendments
framed and proposed by such men as
constitute the present Congress VIII al
ways be Objectionable to large masses
q: the people, and will always fail to
furnish an acceptable basis for the set
,Ioment ui our national difficulties. II
is certain that 10 compromise will be
proposed by the present Congress upon
which even the most moderate men Of
both parties, the men who are now
nearest each other in political belief,
though afflicted with different party
organizations, can cordially agree.
None but the most ultra measures will
receive the sanction of the present Con
gTesS, and it can scarcely be hoped that


the next will hc much better. Ii is,


therefore, to say the least, improbable
that any settlement which will COM


maud the appreciation of three-four;hs
of the people will be reached during
the next three years, if we rely upon Con
crcss alone to propose it. The financial
condition of the country will not per
Init the restoration of peace and pros
prrity to be so long delayed; and all
The people, of both parties, except the
most vindictive of the radical leaders.
earnestly desire the speedy settlement
of the political questions at issue. a
constitutional convention seems to offer
H." only means now available for the
paciication of the country. 1t Is doubt
ful, however, whether even this may be
called available or within reach. The
calling of such convention Will re
Quire the assent of two-thiTds of the
States, and it is much to be feared that
the concurrence of the requisite number
cannot be obtained. 1t is worth trial,
however, and we would like to see
some steps taken to give the matter a
practical test. There is 4 deadlock i'll
the political situation. Each party is
powcrlcSs to proceed any further. The
constitution cannot be changed with
cut the consent of some of the southern
States, aud it is certain that that con-
sent will not be given to any measure
likely to be proposed by either the
present Congress or the next. At the
same time, the entire legislative power
of tho government is i'll the hands of
the radical party, and will remain 50
during nearly three years to come, and
there is no probability that the Con-
gress will recede from the position
it has taken. The nation must
remain in i is present unsettled condi-
ZION, growing no better, and possibly,
not much worse, until after the Forty
First Congress meets, i'll the winter of
l-i9, unless relieved from its difficulties
by constitutional convention. But,
for all that, we have not much hope
that the radical legislatures of the
Northern States will permit tie adop-
tiou Of such an expedient. Radicalism
lives only upon agitation and thrives
best amid scenes Of social strife and do
nestle discord, and the leaders of the
organization know full well that the
return Of the nation to peace and quiet
will involve the final ruin of their
party.