Stats ceIefnment. and new Convention to


form q Constilutiol.
{"newspaper_name": "Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser.", "edition": "01", "page": "pNone", "byline": ""}
{"character_count": 2902, "word_count": 525, "ccnet_language_score": [0.9745000004768372], "ccnet_perplexity": [1097.4000244140625], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
men DO NOT gather grapes from thorns.
nor 6es from thistles," but every tree is
known BY its fruit. The new convention
= 70 assemble at Iowa City on the first
Monday in May nest, to frame constitu-
tisn for the future State of Iowa. This
constitution, il adopted by the people and
ratified by Congress. is to be the funda-
mental law Of the State, upon which all
subsequent laws are TO be founded, with
which no subsequent law must conflict,
and BY which all future laws Of the State
must, p certain extent, be shaped and
regulated. The near approach of the meet
ing Of the convention is sufficient reason
why the people should be awake to the
subject, and the press to sense of its du-
y in discussing the leading features which
It will cecome necessary 10 em5ody into
The constitution.


Inasnuch as the Legislature has called
the convention, it becomes the duty Of the
people, the concentration Of whose views
that convention is intended to he, to see to
u, that their views and wishes are proper
ly represented there. But as the mem
bers Of the convention are TO come from
The various portions If the Territory, and
- they are to be elected by sections en-
tertainirg different views, each from some
ether, it is quite plain, that that body
when assembled, will haye as great a va
riety OF opinion as exists in the different
sections from which the members shall
come. Now, if each section or county in
the Territory should instruct its Delegates
70 vote 30 and SO upon various questions
or 90 upon this question and so upon that,
and to oppose all others who should differ
from the views Of its Delegates and not to
yield their points, it would be very likely
that the convention would come to a stand
ifisach member obeyed his instructions
cecsuse It would hardly be possible 70,
them 70 agree upon detail Of subjects
= might agree with B as TO one feature Of
asection, and disagree with him as to an.
OTHER feature Of the same section. SO thai
If they 10th should adhere, they could no,
proceed. The effect, therefore Of such in.
structions to the several members Of the
convention would be TO delay its progress,
Il not totally prevent it arriving at any
definite conclusion, and to add to the ex-
pense cf the Territory. Therefore, we
may safely come TO this conclusion, that
mo member Of. that convention ought to be
bound down by particular instructions, but
be allowed to exercise his best Judgment,
guided by the aids of his wisdom, expert
ence, and5 foresight; consequently, it will
be seen that in choosing Delegates to that
scoavention, men of the best minds ought
to be selected men who are enlightened,
judiciosss, and discre.e. If by suffering
these delegates thus to act freely, they be-
tray their trusts, and do not carry out the
uM Of the people. the power of ratifica-
tiea , with us. If their action was ulti-
insfe and binding, our views as 10 instruc-
bon might be different.