From the Myunlainreri
THE STATU CONSTITUTION.
No 1.0 ....
After a lapse of nearly. rortTY-SKVEN
t.aup, llio people of Pennsylvania arc a
liout 1o nsseniblo in Convention, by their
mitliorizcri agents, for the purpose of con
sidering tllO F l! N n A M K NT A Ij LAW of tllC COlll-
lnonwcnltli. Tlio Constitution which is
now to be reconsidered, and if necessary,
revised, was "done in Convention," tho
HCcond day of Scptemder 1700, and pre
sents, in its various provisions, the clearest
evidence of political wisdom and pure re
publican virtue.
The period at whie.li the present consti
tution was ordained, was highly favorablo
for the proper performance of a task so im
portant. The spirit of tho Revolution was
still active, and continued to pcrviidc and
animate the popular mind; the principal
scenes of that momentous stniimlc were
fitlll irlowinif in tho vivid recollections of
those' who had iiarticinated in their glory
or escaped from their terrors', and many of
tho most prominent actor? in tnc great rev
olutionary drama, were still in existence, to
. t .1 ' 1.... .
consummate ny ineir wisuuni wiuu uiun
valor had begun.
The ircneral prevalence of correct infor
mation on the subject of constitutional law,
was another circumstance which distin
guished, in the most favorable manner, the
Ticnod at which our constitution was con
sidered and adopted.
The enlmntenetl discussions wlucn ac
companied the formation and adoption of
.i .... r.i... it. ',.t o. . i..l
ItlO coiisuiuiioii oi mu uiiuuu ouuus, mm
liceir scarcely concluded, when tho people
of Pennsylvania met in convention to amend
their form of irovernmcnt. The arguments
In favor of, and the objections against the
federal constitution were fresh in the minds
of the people.
V.'hcn we consider, that the soundest
statesmen of that dav distinguished them
selves in tho important controversies which
originated in a choice of principles, for the
establishment of rational liberty, and that
the most powcrhil minds were brought into
conflict in making that choice; and when
avc take up the number of "thk i nnuiiAi.
jst," and conleinplate the range of thought,
the grasp of reason, the power of argument
and the lorcc ot truth therein evinced, the
'conclusion is irrcsistablc, that at that day,
Human iuoiits were wni.r. understood, and
that ample securities were then provided
for their protection.
A National Convention, over whose de
liberations the rATi:n of the Republic pre
sided, had recently held a protracted ses
sion in the metropolis of Pennsylvania.
In.-that Convention, Benjamin Franklin,
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton,
Roger Sherman, James "Wilsox, John
Dickinson, and Roiiert Morris were a
inong only their cnuals, as regards purity
of purpose, and a high and a holy patriotic
devotion to their country.
The arduous labors of that convention
were recommended to the people of tho U
nitcd Slates, by the most eloquent tomrucs.
the ablest pens and tho greatest weight of
unuiuuiur, uiui puniupa over uiuieu ineir
influence in the establishment of civil policy.
The political writings of IIamiltoj;,
Madison and Jay, were, of themselves,
sufficient to distinguish and consecrate that
period, as an epoch in political science,
which certainly had no parallel in tho annals
(of tho past. The entire history of civil
government, in all the variety of its forms
and principles, had been carefully explored,
tnid subjected to a critical analysis and a
severity of investigation, that never lost
sight of the practical purposes to which it
was applied.
From this cause alone, it would be fair
to infer) that the people of Pennsylvania,
in 1T00, understood the principle:! of civil
alid religious liberty, as well as any other
community of freo and enlightened men.
Hut we are not dependent on inference
only, in our efl'orts to sustain the position
for which we contend. The constitution
itself bears strong internal evidence of the
wisdom and tho virtue of the republican pa
triots by whom it was framed, and the peo
ple by whom it was adopted.
The names appended to the constitution
under whose provisions the people of this
commonwealth have enjoyed the blessings
of good government for roitTV seven years,
would, in the absence of any other recom
mendation, impart great force to tho claims
of an instrument possessing less intrinsical
perfection. James "Wilson, Thomas M'
Kean, Alexander-Addison, James Ross,
William Findley, and Aliiert Gallatin
wcro lar above the intellectual stature of
common men.
Thomas M'Koan and James Wilson had
been distinguished members of the glorious
Congress of '70, and their names may ho
found on tho "great charter" of our liber
ties, tho immortal declaration of American
Independence. Judge Wilson was also a
member of tho convention of 1787, and
was honorably distinguished by his ener
getic labors in tho formation of the national
constitution; and ho was unquestionably
tho most conspicuous member of the con
vention of 1700, which gave to Pennsylva
nia tho constitution which sho now propo
ses to amend.
And, as a happy illustration of tho influ
ence which was exerted over tho destinies
of Pennsylvania, by tho enlightened delib
erations of the convention of '87, wo find
many of tho most important and salutary
provisions of tho Federal Constitution, (so
far as they were applicable to tho condition
of a member of tho great confederacy of
stiten,) hilerwovert with the Constitution of
this Commonwealth. ;
It is also proper to notice the fact, that,
at the timo when tho constitution of Penn
sylvania was devised, the wild spirit of un
governable democracy, which insulted Hea
ven and degraded the earth by its demoniac
licentiousness in France, had not as yet
spread its seductive allurements before the
advocates of liberal principles, on this side
of the Atlantic. The political philosophy
of France was, in its plausible inception,
well calculated to deceive those who con
tended for equality of privileges and rights.
Rut our constitution was framed and adopt
ed, before the pernicious doctrine of the
French school found active adherents in
this infant republic.
For this Providential exemption from so
great an evil, we should still cherish a live
ly sense of gratitude to heaven. For, firm
ly as our institutions wcro established by
the well-timed adoption of our Federal and
Slate constitutions, their perpetuity was
greatly endangered, by the destructive
cause to which wo have adverted; and some
noble minds in this country were deeply
infected with the infidel theory propagated
in France, from which nothing but its
practical atrocities couhl induce them to
revolt.
The loreffoni" consideration!; will ccr
tainly extort tho admission, that all the cir
cumslanccs under which our present coil'
stitutiun was formed and adopted, were dr
ci'.lcdly fuvorabhi to the prevalence of good
principles, and such principles were incor
porated in the fundamental law of Pennsyl
vania, by men who possessed sound under
standings and honest hearts.
From what has been said, we would not
be understood, as dissentino from the pro
prioty cl constitutional retorm. it was
however conceived to he proper, to notice
the circumstances under which and the
venerated persons by -whom our present
constitution was iormed and established,
ana we did so, lor this, among other rea
sons, that the delegates who are now a-
bout to exercise the highest rights of sov
ereignty for the benefit of the present and
succeeding generations, may be duly an
prised of the difficulty and the delicacy of
the task we have undertaken, and the high
responsibilities under which it is to be per
formed. To revise an instrument original
ly lormcd by wise and patriotic men, and
which has in some degree been sanctified
by the lapse of time, requires an equal de
gree ol wisdom and patriotism, it improve
ment be the object ol that revision.
The people, after repeated periodical de
liberations, Willed a constitutional relorm;
and this expression of their will demands,
and receives, our acquiescence. The small
majority by whom, and the peculiar circum
stances under which that will was expressed,
in connection with the singular apathy with
which iins great question lias been subse
qucntly regarded, have not increased our con
fidencc in the ultimate success of the
measure. The final submission of the labors
of the convention to the decision of the
people, (if itbe unincumbered with exciting
topics, and extraneous considerations,) is
rcucemmg principle calculated to inspire
nope and allay apprehension.
We tako no counsel from tear: although.
in reference to the matters before us, frequent
appeals have been made to that timid and
paralysing passion. All the Whig, and
many of the Anti-masonic papers, (lor in this
respect thoy can scarcely be distinguished
from each other,) have sounded the trumpet
oi alarm, anu indulged m the most gloomy
predictions, in relation to the "reform"
which is now contemplated in Pennsylvania.
Wc notice these appeals to fear, and these
lugubrious predictions, for the purpose of
uiiiuiuuir a pnuuipic which many protesscu
republicans seem to misunderstand. We
shall pursue this disquisition in our next,
and the succeeding numbers of our paper,
in obedience to the dictates of duty, and in
compliance with the wishes of many of our
readers, by whom the proposed constiutional
relorm is properly regarded a question of
uncquaied importance.
Extraordinary Suicide. The body of
a man wns tound on the bank ol the seine
at Rouen. In one of his pockets was found
a paper on which the following lines were
written m a trembling hand.
"She is sixteen, 1 am almost trice her
age. It is long since I saw her for the first
time; she thon smiled upon me with inno-
cenco of childhood, and her sweet liltlo
hands played with my hair.
She is sixteen this day and I am more
than forty her hands aro moro timid, and
her angel eyes aro abashed when I look
upon her. Why?
I would almost wager this child of six
teen loves me; for I have seen her weep,
havo seen tears in her eyes when any dan
ger has threatened me.
And I but I am more than forty and
she is scarcely sixteen yestorday she was
not so. Is she not too young forme, or
am I not too old for her?
It is bettor to detcrniiuo this business.
I destroy myself, not because I am more
than forty, but becauso sho is not more than
sixteen.
The body has not been recognized.
Paris Paper.
J he l'arisons commit suiculo as if thoy
expected to road accounts of their own death
in tho newspapers, and to receive tho con-
gralulalions of their friends. Evory sui
cide seems to have been prompted by love
of notoriety.
Office of the lire.
few Orleans May 5, 1837.
CAPTURE dP A MEXICAN BRIG OF
WAR BY THE NATCHEZ.
The schooner Climax, which nrrlvml
last evening, puts us ill 'possession of the
loiiowinff important intelligence.
Tho U. S. Sloop of war Natchez On the
17 April off the Umbos St. Jago, made a
formal demand upo'n thc Mexican authori
ties to deliver tip, and release the Ameri
can vessels, Julias Caesar, Champion, Lc
onidas and three others whose names tire
not recollected, which had been illegally
captured by the Mexican fleet, cruising off
the coast of the Republic of Texas. To
this demand no answer was returned. The
Climax was in company wtih the Natchez,
and had been brought to by the Mexican
fleet. A firing was commenced from the
fort and the Mexican brig Bravo upon the
Natchez and the Climax, and an IS pound
ball struck the Climax, came through the
port fqrward the forcrigging, went through
the deck into the larbord bow, started a
plank, and caused the schooner to make
three and a half feet of Water an hour.
The Natchez being informed of the situ
ation of the Climax, sent the camnninr nml
several of the crew to the assistance of that
vessel. Having repaired the climax, she
took her in convoy as far oil' as Matagorda.
In the meanwhile the Mexican brig of war
(formerly the Privilegio hove in sight, and
was taken possession of by the Natchez; a
prize crew were put on board, and she was
ordered to Pcnsacola.
Thcso arc the imperfect particulars we
have received. The taking Of tho vessel
may ue reiieu on; but wc regret the cir
euinstanccs that lead to'this act are not
more minutely detailed. Doubtless lhn ntr
gravation was very great, and that tho honor
oi ine American llag compelled the com-
manucr ot the iatcncz to take the step he
did.
The fact is that on the previous occasion
of Mexican folly and audacity, when the
Louisiana was so unjustifiably and illegally
captured, a similar course would have been
completely justihcd on the part ol Capt
Mcrvine.
N. B. The steam boat Grampus reports
that the Mexican brier is off the S. W.
Pass in the custody of the U. S. Sloop of
war atcnez, bound to Pcnsacola.
The public announcement this morning
of the suspension ofsnccie navmrnH ,,H
the banks of the city, had the effect, as it
was natural to expect, oi creatifig a great
excitement amomr all clns
At an early hour this morning, Wall street
uuuiiguu wuii people who appeared to
have collected together-mflmk' in ncrrirt.,!..
t U J " WVkllUlll
what was going on Preparations had been
maue uy uie new :uayor to meet every c
mcrnencv that Jiiisrht nrisn. hv ...,11; r,,i
a large body of the military, the city watch
.mu iiiursiiais, who were Kept upon duty
during the greater part of tho day and last
night. From what we could observe, how
ever, inrougnout tho city yesterday this
measure was entirely unnecessary The
citizens have too much good sense and pa
triotism to need the intimidation of an arm
ed soldiery in order to .deter them from tho
commission of riot and outrage. The con
trary was the fact; men of every grade
cheerfully acquiesced in the measures adopt
ed by tho Banks, and seemed to look upon
h as mo naroingcr ol a better state or things.
In the Police office yesterday, there was not
a sintrle comnlaintif disnnlnrUr i,l,,t
o, j - V
which is an extraordinary circumstance.
.jjiresa,
Shad. It is supposed that fifty thousand
snau were laKcn in the nets on last Sunday
wcuk, near oiatcn island.
The Influenza Has been unusually pre
valent and fatal in Kentucky. In Frank-
lort several oi the oldest inhabitants and
many children have died of it,
There are about 325i000 free persons of
coior in ine united Rtatcs of these
33,000 in the state of Pennsylvania.
are
All nvlmuiltin i-.r-tl.l;..l. i r ,
K.Mi.uoi i u i-.-uiiyiiniiiiiuni mr couuier-
foitinir
O "twnwii infill iu-w vyiJUUliS
about (Oil (L'lvtf nnrn. CW nf tl
j -ft"' w..- V. ...W .1 (lij
taken. Another, well known. h imt vot
Ii is stated in a New Orleans paper, that
mere is not a single house ot worship in all
Texos. It may with truth ho said, there is
not another place under Heaven where thev
aro more needed.
A wag writes from New York that tho
times arc so hard there that oven tho watches
have "slormca!"
Wc suppose that after they shall have
been wound un they .will bo allowed to no
on tick a while longer.
Tho subscription price of a weekly news
paper about half as largo as the York
Gazette, printed in Vera Cruz, iu Mexico,
is 635 per annum.
Tlin lnninriK' nf llirt'ilnmnmvilirt t.l'.w n.
- '""J i"v' .uiii.iu iii.nbi ui
tho recent election in vRhodol Island was
more then 2000.
"Tom,"said a man to his friend, a day or
two since, I think it highly dangerous to
keep tho pills on hand now-a days,"
"Jim,"answered the other,"I find it far
more difficult than dangerous."
OfflCI Ot TM tL PATTlmT.
ChDtlcton, May 1. i
WAK ENDED.
The follow in" is an extract of a lcttct received in'
this city on llio 28th ulu from a lieutenant in tho
army, dated Fort Dade, 13th April, and says, j
"JcBsiip lias moved to Tampa Day, 6.0" miles from
this. The war is ended miimcstionably. Tho In-)
diatm arc coining in rapidly upwards of 1000 atl
Tampa ready to embark. There aro in the nation!
1080 warriors, tho world estimated them at from:
COO to 800. Thcif estimation of every thing litre,
fa itt n tit lit n t irrr-w ri !ri "
I'l.r- .......n.. ..... Tt-..!-1 T,
x nr. nm.ri.tiuiii ni aa IUIUUI l)r.li;iUll,
recently died nt his rPKiilnnnn in 1Mn!mnrJ
kct. ft. II. A fihnrMimo 'nrrivinna tn ImJ
.1 .1. i. !.. t....i i i , . I
uu.uu, hi: wuigiiuu nvu iiunureu ana sixty
pounds, lie was nearly six icct in height,
and measured round the body, seven feet
and ten inches! His coffin was two feet'
ten inches wide, and two feet high. So'
says the Boston Times.
LsniL'IKUMUWtn
MARRIED. I
On Monday the 8th inst. by Michael
Brohst, Esq. MnSAMUELHILL ofPcr
ry county, to Miss CATHARINE BRO'
CEUS of Northumberland county.
On Thursday last,' by the Rev. Jcremi
ah Shindle, Mr. SAMUEL KERSTE'IV
TER, to Miss MARY BOON, all of Hem-;
lock township.
SHERIFFALTY.
To the Electors of Columbia county
ELI.OW CITIZENS: At the solicitation of a
number of my friends I have been cncouraccd
to ener niysclfos a Uanuiuale for tho ofhec of
SHERIFF,
at the ensuing General Election. If I should be so
fortunate as to obtain a majority of your suffrages, I
picugc inysen, so iar as my anuiucs win aumu, 10,
perform the duties of the office ilh integrity anJ
humanity.
I'ETER KLINE.
May 20, 1837.
SHERIFFALTY.
To the Electors of Columbia county :
IELLOW CITIZENS: At the urgent solicita
tions of numerous friends, I offer myself as nl
candidate for the oflicc of
SHERIFF.
onuiiiu i ucso lonuniuc as to receive a majority oi
votes, anu procure my commission, 1 pledge myfclli
to execute the duties ol trie olhcc with lidclity and
impartiality. ELIAS McIIENHY.
May 13, 1837.
Tailoring Business.
A CARD.
The Subscriber
II a ETURNS his acknowledgments to his mime'
DjQ. rous friends and customers for their past favors,
and would now respectfully announce to them, that
lie has received the latctt
From Philadelphia, and as there are material chan-l
ges, invites persons desirous of having their gar-LStarks, Leonard Roup, George Stinc.and others, con
ments madein the neatest and best style, to give him .taining SEVENTY-SEVEN ACRES, more or less
a call. He will endeavour to please all who favour, (
him with their patronage, by executing lus work
in a neat and fashionable manner, and at the short
est notice. PETER R. HEIGHMAN,
Orangcwllc, May 13, 1837.
W ANTED I
A Jourucyinnn Tailor,
Who will find constant employment. None need
apply except a good workman. ALSO:
AN APPRENTICE
Is wanted. A lad between the age of M and 17
years, of industrious habits, who wishes to learn the
Tailoring business, will find a good situation, by
applying immediately to
PETER R. HEIGHMAN
Orangcillc, May 13, 1837.
ESPECTFL'LLY informs the public that he
curries on the above business in Almlinvillc,
and that he keeps constantly on hand an assortment
of
-oe- j j
AND
WOOIi MATS,
Which he w ill warrant of the best materials, and
well manufactured. His shop is on Alain .Street;
and ho will feci grateful for a share of patronage
May 13, 1837.
A SStftf2 TORI'S
ILL bo sold, at public vendue, on Saturday
the 10th day of Juno next, at the public
I,nc,w,f l(l.,,r, ll,!,.,i.M. n, A!rmll' Mill
in llloom township, Columbia county, the following
property, viz: Tho one undivided sixth part of a
Tract of Land, j
Situate in said township of Rloom, adjoining landj
of John lijrton, and bordering on Fishing creek
late the property of John Stettlcr.
Solo will commence at 10 o'clock in tho forenoon.
of said day, when nttendanco will bo ghen andi
terms ol salo made known, by
PHILIP STETTLER, Assignee.
May 13, 1837.
NOTICE.
All persons having claims against said Joseph'
Stettlcr, are requested to present them at samo timo
nml nltlpA fnl bnltlmTinnt nml nil nnramiB imlnliloil
.............. j.v. ......
are solicited to be iu attendance and make prompt
payment. rilli.ir blhl 1 iiliU, Awignce.
May 1J, 1837.
I
ytHS
ITEW GOODS.
The Siihr.Tili'
ETUKNS llin Hiniilta tn r.ln.nn . .t.
vuowiiivib JU1 I11U
.natronflffn wlitrh Tin lino
.since he has commenced business in Bloomsburgi
He hopes they will still continue their usual sup
Iport; and he ltns nntv Hia nUi.ii.A c cr : .1. '
.a large and rashicnablo assortment of SEASONA
Iir.T'. nnnina i .. . .
uuuuu, y iiitu nave utuu carciuuy selected,
i.-muracing ino latest styi ol French, English and
American ' .
AMONO WHICH WILE DE FOUND
Cloths, Cassimcres and Satt'mellx. nf MC
fcrent styles and colours; Silks; Figw
ed Lawns and Jackonetts, European
American Calicoes Ginghams, Vest
ings, Eamask Table Cloths, Hosiery,
Gloves, Bonnet Trimmings, fyc. -c.
ALSO, Ladies1 Morocco, Seal, Pru
nellc Shoes $ Slipped, iler.'s Shoes
and Boots.
TOGETHER WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF
HARDWARE, IRON-,
China, Glass
PAI1TTSS OILS-
lfffcdicines and Byc-Stiiflfe i
.CEDAR-WARE, GROCERIES & LIQUORS:
Ml of which will bo sold on the most reasonable
tcrnis. Persons wishing to purchase, arc requested
. . , f . ' , --;:-.-
,to ca ' and examme his stock of Goods, and judgo
It
I (O" All Kinds of country produce will bo taken
in exchange for goods.
C. B. FISHER:
Dloomsburg, May C, 1837.
"SHERIFF'S SiULES.
Y virtue of sundry writs of Venditioni Emm
ntu, issued out of the court of Common tileaji
lot' Columbia county, and to mo directed, will be ex-
posed to public sale, at tbc court-house in Danville,
jon Sat unlay, ihc7th day nf May next, at 2 o'clock
in I Tl O flftimnnn. Ilin fnllrtwinnr nmtunlir a . A.
curiam
I'ract of giaftd.
Situate in Bloom township, Columbia county, ad-
iniliini. Un.l. nf H'llli.i. Pl.J. T-1 f t -1.
ij".'"b ...i.i." iii..i u.uiiv, uuiiii uuuuiT, JOIin
ancc, Conrad Adams, & others, containing EIGH
TY ACRES, more or less, whereon is erected a Log
HOUSE & BARN, m
.Seventy acres arc cleared land, and on the premises
is an APPLE ORCHARD. Seized, t.ilcen in cic
p.cution, and to lie sold as the property pf Frederick
" Ranizaiid Peter Rantz, Executors of the cstato of
t rcderick Rantz, dee'd, ALSO, a certain
. TliACT OF IrASHD,
Situate in Roaring Creek township, Columbia coun
t .1 : 1 i c ti... f ' t tt..i. a 3
, wiicrcon is crcctcil one
AND A LOG BARN.
About forty-six ncrcs aro cleared land. Seized, taken
(m execution, and to be sold as the property of Jacob'
uoup. uy
ISAIAH SALMON, Sheriff
Sheriff's office, Danville,
April 29, 1837. 5
Valuable Kcal Property
PROPOSALS will be received by the subscri
ber, at his residence in Esnylown, until the
Fourth day of July next, for renting, for one or
more years, the following property, to wit:
I A Good ?arm,
situate in Bloom township, about two and a half
miF.'i from Rloomsburg. Also, a
MERCHANT MILL,
situato on said farm, together with a FALLING
MILL AND FACTOR V", on the same premises.
Also, a
DWELLING HOUSE,
mh'jm wottcsti.
I, with necessary out-buildings, in Dtoomsburg, now
in the occupancy of Mr. C. II. Fisher.
CCT l he prclercnce will bo givon to thoso who will
' V,, "7 a, i.1
0 W "oxt' . .
osscssion given on tho
uio present i,ca
case tho Mill will 60
put in good order, and kept so!
J
Espytown, April 20, 1837.
JOHN BARTON.
TAKE! 1TOTICS.
THE Subscriber is about leaving this part of thn
country. & would therefore respectfully invito
those in arrears to him on subcripUon lUts, oVc, to
call on or before tho 1st day of Juna next, and settle
with him without further notice.
JEREMIAH SHINDLE.
Bloomsburg, May C, 1837.
JOHN S. INGRAM,
FFERS his professional services to the citizens
. uiuH.iia iuuiiij . iiu Hiu aibu aiiena 10
pusiners in the several courts of this Judicial district.
01 Uolumbia county. Ho will also attend to
Law ollico m the samo room with thepiintins office
jof tho "Columbia Democrat.''
3jpr dUEENSAVARE
JfeA
-tS.Mis si.