Year: 1870

The constitutional convention has at last


got ready for the business for which the


body was called into existence, and the


people now want to see them attend to it.


We believe that it is now conceded that the


convention in its material is considerably


above the ordinary standard in point of


ability, and that the gentlemen composing


it are fitting representatives of the patriot


ism and intelligence of great State.


Being such, they doubtless appreciate and
recognize one fact, which is that Illinois


sadly needs new organic law. Since the


present constitution was framed, the State


has made immense advances III wealth,
population, and all the components Of ma


tsrial prosperity she has, so to speak, out
grown the garments of twenty years ago,


and requires raiment becoming her dignity


and station now, and what is promised by


the foreshadowings of a yet greater future.
To prepare this rsiment, to construct those
laws which are demanded by the pressing


wants of q rapidly growing commonwealth,
| is the legitimate mission of the convention,


and the one primary object to which all
others should be subservient. The people
of Illinois do not wish that any member
shall sacrifice his conscientious personal
convictions on political subjects, whatever


those convictions may be, but they do wish,


and they have the right to insist, that he
shall not allow his opinions, however honest,
to warp him into mere partisanship. His
time and his talents belong to the State, and


should be used for its highest good, IN


tainted by selfishuess, undisturbed by pref
udice. There are hundreds of enactments
required BY the exigencies Of the situation
in Illinois, into which politics need not and
ought not to enter and in fact there are
comparatively few questions the discussion
of which in the proper spirit involves poll
tics at all. Let these be approached by the
convention with that wise deliberation, that
courteous forbearance toward one another,
| that honest determination to do right, which
are the distinguishing characteristics OF
gentlemen no less than statesmen. The
constitution now TO be prepared must, If


accepted by the people, exercise vast,
almost inrslculable, influence upon the


State for years TO come, and whether that


influence is favorable or the reverse, de.


pends altogether on the temper which actu-


ates the convention. Let the members


then, forget, so far IS possible, that they are
Republicans and Democrats, and, remem-
bering only that they are citizens chosen


for specific purpose, and clothed with
grave responsibilities, do their duty, their
whole duty, without fear or favor. Where
the two political elements are so equally
divided as in this case, and especially when


the party which expected to be master OF
the situation, finds the symbols Of power in


the grasp of its opponent, We must not look
for entire harmony, nor can we anticipate
that spirit Of compromise and Cancellation
| which is pre- eminently requisite in assem-
blages charged with such high and important
duties. There mus. be, and there will be,
sharp conflicts of opinion, debates more
| passionate than logical, and vast deal OF
| that useless chatter over Insignificant mat
| ters, which seems to be peculiar attribute
of our national character, but let their fnaI


deliberations bear no mark of parsisanship
| This the people demand.