Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-06-11
From the Eermont 9osrnaL :
Mr.. ELLIOT,
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
LETTER VIII.

The constitutional the United States is
the most illustrious monument of human
wisdom thar has existed in any age or ma
ton. Itcombines energy with liberty the
great desideratum of the most celebrated
statesmen of ancieHt & modern times. The
! provision ofthe constitution which renders
assainsble such amendments as time and
experience may require, is one of itsgmost
cstimable characteristics. But an instru.
ment so sacred should be touched with a
gentle hand. It;is time for every theorist,
and few have been more ardent theorists
than myself, to sacrifice the visions of his
imagination upon the altar ofnational nni.
son. :
Many Of the greatest and best men in
Virginia were opposed to the adoption of
the constitution. Could this circumstance
be considered as areproach, it would not
be applicable to Virginia alone; it was the
case in. large majority of the states. OPP.
position generally speaking from
the best of motives, from an attachment to
liberty, and from a fear that, were the con-
stitution Adopted, /" liberty would be bat a
name TO adornthe short historic page ofthe
halcyon days of America" Bat there were
peculiar features in the constitution which
rendered il peculiarly obnoxious to Virgi-
MIA.
The states were to be equally represent
ed ID the senate, an important branch Of the
government, a two edged sword placed in
avenue to the sovereignties of the indivi-
dual states, and checking equally the presi-
dent and representatives ofthe people,
should they attempt to exceed their cons
stitutional limits. Many of the greatest
men of Virginia thought it radically wrong
that the small state of Rhode Island should
have an equal voice, in the senate with the
largest state and as that idea still prevails
IN Virginia, and that stats possesses a
great and increasing influence over the
small states, 1t Is reasonable to conclude
that those who think the constitution wrong
will endeayor TO make it right, as soon as
they obtain the power. Nothing else can
be expected solong as g man is man AL
though jealousy has been considered by ma.
ny as a republican virtue ofthe first order,
we ought not however to indulge a ground.
less jealousy; nor ought we to accuse any
portion ofthe union Of design to change
the constitution, without unouestionable e.
violence. Upon this subject my mind has
been perfectly convinced, and / always ex-
pressed with true republican freedom, OPT
Mons, of the correctness of which, feel a
perfect conviction.
The sentiments of the celebrated Patrick
Henry, of Edmund Randolph, of Mason,
and many other distinguished Vimginians
respecting the constitutions, are on record,
and the record cannot he obliterated.-
The equality of suffrage in the senate was
a prominent objection. The mind ever of
the great Washington harbored a strong
preposseSslon in favor of the large states.
| have been Told By venerable member
of the convention which formed the consti-
tuition, thar Washington was decidedly Of
opinion that the small states took too high
ground, and that nothing but the indispen.
sible necessity of forming a constitution
previously to the dissolution of the conven.
ton induced him 10 support what he consi-
dered as too great a concession on the part
OF the large states. Various publications
OF a recent date, under the signature of the
venerable patriot, Edmund Pendleton. ia.
culcated, the Propriety Of several import
ant alterations OF the constitution and there
is every reason to believe that these publi-
cations were direct indications. of the pe-
neral sentiment in Virginia. MIR. Eppes, a
member OF congress from that state, in the
address to his constituents, in consequence
otwhich he obained his election, announced
his detesminatlon to advocate several very
important alterations of the constitution, one
of which should have for its object the re-
duction of the time for which the senator's
are elected, and also, if my recollection be
correct, to render them liable to be recalled
bv tbe Sfata IeoiSIaftraa M RracL