OCR Text |
Show CONSTITUTION FOR THE STATE OF UTAH. On April 27th the convention completed the preparation of the constitution for the hoped-for state of Utah. The document which it has prepared is to be submitted to the people on Monday, May 22d, and the registered voters will have an opportunity of voting for or against it on that date. The convention has evidently been earnest and conscientious in its work, though a greater length of time was occupied than was expected. The constitution as prepared by the convention meets with general approval. It is broad and liberal and especially strong in its guarantees of the rights of all citizens and of religious liberty. Of course its principles and provisions, for the most part, are not original with the convention. The work of the members and committees consisted almost entirely in selecting from other similar documents such provisions as were desirable in the one in course of preparation, rather than in originating new constitutional principles. At the last session of the convention, an attempt was made to add an article to the document, containing a prohibition of polygamy in future, but validating polygamous marriages already contracted. The attempt failed. It is to be hoped that there will be a full vote on May 22d. Every voter has now an opportunity to make an effort in the direction of emancipation from Territorial vassalage and the evils resulting from it, and when a strong people unite at the polls in asking for that which it is their right to enjoy, the moral effect upon the world, and even upon their enemies, is marked and beneficial, even though their request be denied. The effort should be as earnest and united as if its fruition was a foregone conclusion, or it is due to the people who created Utah to put themselves right before the world and posterity in this matter. Besides this, it is far from certain that their efforts this time will not be productive of great good, if not of complete success. |