Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1859 — The Constitutional Convention. [ARTICLE]

The Constitutional Convention.

Let every voter remember that an important question will be propounded to him when he hands in his ballot on the second Tuesday of October. That question will be, “ Are you in favor of a Convention to amend the Constitution ?” This question should be met with a prompt and well considered “Yes” or “No.” Every voter should give this subject his most earnest attention, inform himself of the practical workings of the present Constitution, probe into its defects, decide whether in his judgment it can be changed for the better, and then when he comes to the polls, having his mind firmly made up, he will be able to answer this important question understandingly and without hesitation. But if, on the contrary, he gives no thought to the subject beforehand, the question asked him as he hands in his ballot will take him by surprise; he will be confused; he will hesitate; and at last, if he gives an answer at all, lie may give a contrary one to what he would have given if he had previously considered the subject.

We trust there will be no silent votes on this question. A silent vote—that is, a refusal to answer affirmatively or negatively —will be equivalent to a vote against amending the Constitution. Every one should record himself plainly for or against the proposition, and not by his silence, leave his views to be inferred. In this country of ours, where the people are “sovereigns,” where they tire their own lawmakers, wfi hold it to be the duty of every one legally qualified, to vote at all elections, to vote tor all officers to be elected, and to vote on all questions submitted to the people for their decision. And to do this and for the public good, it is indispensably necessary that each voter should, by patient study and careful reflection, firmly make his choice prior to the day of election for whom to vote, and how to vote on questions submitted for his decision. Every voter is, to a certain extent, responsible for the laws enacted and for the manner in which they are executed; and this responsibility he cannot avoid, nor should he seek to do so.

The act authorizing the vote of the people to be taken on the question of calling a Convention to amend the Constitution, was adopted without regard to party, both Democrats and Republicans advocating and voting for it. And in like manner should the people refuse to make it a party question, but each one vote upon it according to the dictates of his own judgment, unbiased by the fact of how this or that party leader may desire the vote to be cast.— South Bend Register. '