Year: 1878

and Scientific Pess OF April 18Th, is SO
good and appropriate at this time, that
we copy it entire:


The State is now preparing for the
choice OF delegates to the Constitutional
Convention. The people have been look
ing forward to tins convention AS the
tribunal which shall right wrongs and
curb abuses which act ms brake uponour
industrial progress. The recent Lrgi>l la
ture laid aside consideration of numerous
important matters, because higher pow
er than a legislature has been Invoked by
the people. The people had appealed Ia
Caesar and t. Cesar they must 90. This
was the right view to take Of the matter,
and if the State is true to itself a. the
elections which will soon take place. there
Will be found sovereign relief for wrongs
and a favoring aegis beneath which our
State will enter n new era of industrial
prosperity and progress. Everything de-
pend, upon the choice OF representatives.
y
will be a permanent blessing II wrong
choice wll either be disappointment or
curse. 1t is true that the people have
the power either 10 accept or reject the
work of its representatives,, bat it is none
the less desirable that they should make
assurance OF acceptable work. for, II this
be not secured, the hard earned money
which the convention will cost might as
well be cast into the bay. What il the
worl: to be done and whst are the qualif-
cations for doing it.?


What is Constitution ? 1t is the
highest form of written law. 1t is the
essence ofju~tice. 1t is the epitome Of the
life and health Of the State. 1t is the in
strument by which the highest tribunals
OF justice must measure their decisions ---
1t is the final test Of the truth Of all egis
lative ensctments. tits the surety undor
which the highest citizen hold his position
and his emoluments ii Is the protection
by which the humbIest citizen guards his
labor and his home. Ii is the nerve 0fin-
dustry. II is the vita point Of popular
existence which no poison can enter with
out resulting injury to the humble
member OF the body polite. A. peoples
have advanced in civilization aud enlight
ment, their constitution, havendvnnced in
the scale Of universal justice and in tluer
regard for the rights Of men. Tue eon-ti-
tuition which is true to this age, is indeed
bulwark Of liberty; n cornerstone Of
Justice II keystone which holds in true
relation all the corporate and individual
rights Of citizens.


Such being the fact, the question ari.es,
who shall make Constitution ? Evil
dentIy they must be men who know the
right and can zealously maintain it. Men
who can discern the truth in principle aud


in its practical workings in the affairs Of
life. They must be men OF unsullipd in
tegrity; men with whom we would trust
all our personal interests if we needed a
custodian for them. Men Of whom We
say Ills word is MS good rs bis bond"
men who are tar above the SUI picion Of
wrong doing, whose whole intercourse
with men has spread abroad throughout
the community feeling Of confidence in
them. But the qunIty OF honesty and
integrity alone viii not suffice. To hon
esty there must be added the highest and
widest intelligence.


In addition to abstract ideas and per
ceptions Of right and wrong in principle,
there must 0e represented in the convict
ion full acquaintance with our material
interests and ;he causes affecting their de
velopment. 1t would be well that the
steps of progress which our State has
made should be constantly in mind, Tor
from them, in many cases, may he learn
ed :he true course toward needed reforms.


Such considerations rs these, and many
others allied thereto, should enter into our
Judgment when we come to delegate mrn
to make n new Constitution for us. We
have made no allusions To particular in
terests, for these will doubtless assert
themselves in all minds.