The Hillsborough Recorder

HILLSBOROUGH.

Wednesday, January 24.

We have this week given place to a piece evidently written by a "School Boy;" but in it we discover talents for writing, which a proper cultivation may ripen into acquirements ornamental to society and valuable to himself.

The following article was prepared for press some time since; but other matter presenting itself, which could not so well be postponed, we were induced to lay it over. Though the subject has since been taken up by our legislature and decided against without debate, yet we still consider it as deserving the serious consideration of every citizen of the state, and intimately connected with their prosperity and happiness. The happiness of the people is in a direct ratio to the perfection of the government under which they live; and perfection is to be attained only by the means of experimental knowledge. Our present constitution was formed in the infancy of the republic; when we had but just taken possession of our liberties, and held them amid the alarms and the turbulence of a revolutionary war. Can it be supposed, that under these circumstances a constitution could be formed so perfect in all its parts that the experience of forty-five years could discover no defects in it which would require amendment? Human foresight could not follow the operations of this instrument through the dim prospect of future years; and experience has shown to all of us, that to secure the equal enjoyment of our liberties, a revision must take place. In our opinion it is important that it should now take place. Under this impression we shall pursue the subject, and we hope not without effect.

CONVENTION.

The attention of the editor of the Halifax Compiler has again been directed to "this ponderous subject." As before, he is liberal in reproachful epithets, but so careful to avoid "throwing pearls before swine," that he has not attempted to controvert by argument even the most defenceless of our positions. The inference which we drew from his "few weeks' silence" has not been at all shaken by his attempt "to expose the weakness with which the subject has been handled by the friends of a convention;" we shall continue to believe that he is conscious of his inability to defend his grounds, until he attempts to support his assertions by a detail of facts. That we have not weakened what he has urged, may be conceded, for his positions originally could not resist the slightest examination. Indeed the whole of his treatment of this subject, is evidence that it is too "ponderous" for his management. For if he really believes that his positions are sound, and warranted by facts, his patriotism should induce him to pursue a course better calculated to promote his views than prevarication and arguments borrowed on the sandy foundation of unsupported assertions. If he really feels his "superior advantages, as well in principle as in argument," he should make use of those superior advantages to enlighten the minds of the benighted "western tribe." He should not continue studiously to avoid the points on, which hang the merits of the question, and thus cast suspicion on the purity of his principles.

In support of our arguments, we have before introduced several things requiring to be answered by our opponents; we will again exhibit a few of them for their consideration, and would request plain unequivocal answers from the editor of the Halifax Compiler, or any other "stickler for legitimacy."

1. History unquestionably proves that mankind, in their moral, political and domestic relations, have progressively improved through a succession of ages; but the enemies of a convention would induce a belief that this gradual improvement has arrived at its maximum and is now on a rapid decline. What are the marks and evidences of this degeneracy?

2. Nothing is more certain than that perfection in government, as well as in arts and sciences, must be arrived at by
a series of gradations: why then, when an acknowledged error appears in our constitution, should not attempts be made to correct?

3. The first article of the declaration of rights says, "that all political power is vested in and derived from the people;" and the 21st article of the same declaration says, "that a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty." Do not these passages in our constitution peremptorily demand that the sense of the people should be taken on this important question? and do not the members of our legislature violate the constitution they have sworn to support, when they refuse to submit to the decision of the people the question of a convention?

4. Can this be called a government of the people, and yet the people be denied the exercise of their judgment in so essential a particular?

5. If the enemies of a convention are satisfied that the majority of the people are with them, can there be any solid objection against putting the question?

6. If it unquestionably appears that a large majority of the people of this state are in favour of a revision of the constitution, is it consistent with the genius of our government that a portion of the people should have the power to withhold the privilege?

7. Was it not the consciousness of the right of self-government that aroused our fathers to action, and should not the same spirit be inherited by their sons?

We could exhibit several other points for consideration, but these are fully sufficient for the present. If the editor of the Halifax Compiler has any claim to that disinterested patriotism which exalted the minds of the heroes of the revolution, and is disposed to continue the subject, he will reply to these queries in a spirit of truth, and support his conclusions by facts instead of assertions, by natural inferences rather than vague surmises.

If the love of country be a prevailing principle, if patriotism warms the heart and justice guides the pen, the discussion of this important subject will not be carried through the devious paths of folly and error, but will be characterized with that candour which always accompanies the search after truth. In such a path we are disposed to tread: and if the enemies of a convention are actuated by the same spirit, a discussion may eventuate to the advancement of the public good.