Juliet Signal

The New Constitution.

Several weeks have elapsed since the adjournment of our Constitutional Convention, and it gratifies us to be able to state that the response which comes to us from all parts of the State is of the most encouraging character.

The unanimous voice of the Democratic press is in favor of the adoption of the new constitution; and we have every reason to believe that it will be acquiesced in by the people. As far as we have had the means of ascertaining the sentiments of the people on the subject, we have no doubt that a large majority of them will, on the 17th day of June next, vote for the new constitution and the charter against banks and the colonization of emancipated slaves amongst us.

The new constitution, while we are free to confess that it does not meet our views in every particular, is a very great improvement on the old one. And we are not sure that it is the very best that could be framed. It is emphatically a constitution for the protection of the rights and interests of the people, in many respects.

The section which declares that the General Assembly shall, at the first session thereof, after the adoption of the constitution, and from time to time, as occasion may require, pass laws for the securing liens to mechanics and other operatives, for work and labor performed and materials furnished, is most salutary and just. The mechanics and laborers of this state have been swindled out of millions of dollars by dishonest contractors and bankrupts, and this provision is to protect them against similar outrage and wrong in the future. The difference in the old constitution and the new on this subject is, that the former leaves it optional with the Legislature to protect mechanics and laborers from swindling contractors and dishonest employers, while the latter requires the Legislature to pass laws for their protection. Under the old constitution, railroads and other corporations, are exempt from liens so that laborers are often cheated out of their hard earnings. This evil, however, will be guarded against in case the new shall be adopted. The new constitution puts railroads, and other corporations, on the same footing with individuals. This is what we have always advocated. And we have no doubt will be the means of inducing thousands of honest mechanics and laborers, though they have acted with the party heretofore that is now laboring for the defeat of the new constitution, to vote for its adoption.

The Republican press of the State, without an exception, it is true, is opposed to the adoption of the new constitution, but not so with the honest masses. The people have been so often humbugged by the Abolition newspapers of late years, that they are becoming wary of deception. The whole partisan press cannot induce them to vote against an organic law, because it does not protect swindling corporations and create special and exclusive privileges.

That the new constitution will meet with bitter opposition from all the corporations of the State, as well as those persons who have derived their sustenance from special enactments and swindling paper money institutions, may be expected. But the people, the honest, hard working yeomanry and mechanics of the State will stand by it. We regard as a certainty its approval by an overwhelming vote.

The Chicago Journal, and a few of the more sensible of the opposition press, are beginning to doubt the success of their opposition to the new constitution, and are gradually preparing their readers for the result which stares them in the face. At once they have made the discovery that it is not a party measure-that it will be supported and opposed by men of both parties. Now this is only to get out of a dilemma. They see that a majority of the people are in favor of the new constitution, and consequently are preparing themselves to make the most out of the matter they possibly can. Hence, they raise the no-party cry. The people however, will not be humbugged by any such subterfuge.