Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-07
House Of Delegates, Monday, January 90
CALL OF A CONVENTION.
Continued

(Continued.
Ma. STANARD moved that the AYES
and Noes should be taken. On such an
important question, it was proper for the
votes Of the house to be recorded.
Mr.. RANDOLPH Cof Amelia)-Hoped
that the motion of posiporement would
prevail. Had the gentleman from Frank
I'm confined his observations to this eues.
ton, he would have been in favor OF 60
ms into committee Of the whole on the
resolution for calling convention, but
since he has fully entered into the discus
sion OF its merits, the object FOR going into
committee is answered, & to do go now,
would be an unnecessary waste of time.
Cur Bill of Rights secures to the maiori,y
OF the community an indubi,ab,e s. unalie-
nab'e right toreform, alter, or destroy The
constitution, when the public veal may
require 1t. No man or this floor est
mates more highly (said Mr., r than
20, this invaluai,le privilege. Let us re.
We're il, +; let us cherish ii as he safeguard
OF cur liberties, but let US not abuse il by
an unnecessary exercise Gift, Founded
on this Bin 'cf Rights, Distinguished pa
tr'ots, equally distinguished Tor their wis.
dom, formed onr present constitution,
IMAM wh.ch Few, IN my opininn, approach
nearer perfection. At the period Of it's
institution, when an inappropriate tvran
nv, pa;hc;icoIiy described in the prean-
Die, enunemitpg the various instances Of
rcyal misiule. drove to DESPAIR The ,hinly
scattered inhabitants of this then widely
extended wilderness, The genius OF liberty
animated its councillors, and by her sup,
Ported braved the storm which hung a.
yer them. Ii was under the influence of
this spirit, that the Bill OF 2igb,s and our
present government, were formed, in
comparison With which he cold specuis-
tons OF the theorists must sick into dis
regard.
rs human institution i. mus, be i'm
perfect; the wisdom OF man cannot de.
wise that system of gpvsrnment which
'2ili please US all. THIS, however. has
Proved sanitary in ito operation, and ex-
periSrce, The best ieGcher, speaks loudj,
IN rs favor. When tie grsss, o'eius,a,1 of ),
government are secured, let us no, quib5Ie
abou. minute; forgovernmen. IS a. best
an EVIL imposed on us by our vices.
wherefore hazard the experiment? + is
dangerous ore; the conflicting oaini
ons ct muiii.ude are not easily recnncil.
ed. and dire necessity alore, should in.
dnce US 10 adopt the expedient. lie cnnld
DOT perceive the necessity Of the rres.
sure; we are all equal, We are happy
the liberty OF the press,,r b. Jury aud
religion, are secured by he pressnt con
stitn,ion' Why, then, hazard certain
blessings, for those which a new system
may produce, but the dangers and con.e
quences OF which cannoi b, foreseen?
The right of suffrage. il had been said
ought to be extended. yet it is Admitted,
ilTai some evidence OF attachment cusht
be required TO give tie right, but what
thai evidence shonid BE-, would be sub.
jecs OF great diversity Of opiniep. With
out advocating the present requisite, he
world only observe, that it is at presen
easily acquired and equally in the power
oil us all. There we're other objections
to The present measure, flowing from,the
mode which is proposed for Calling con
venGon. 1t should never he done BY our
ordinary Legislature. We should be
warned by the experience of pennsyIva
MIA Uatil the people themselves call for
an amendment to the constitution, until
they demand q convention to be called, we
ought rot ourselves to interfere.
MR. RoBERTsoN- --Heard with asto.
'nisbment and regret the motion TO post
pcDe the consideration Of this subject.
Shall the Legislature devote its whole
time TO cuscling laws, the most frivolous
and uninteresiing, and shrink from the
discussion of principles, upon which The
liberties and happiness of the people de-
pead When important questions are
bought forward, was !, not incumbent
upon the house 10 bestow upon them ih.
most mature and deliberate considcra,i.
onI Gentlemen have insisted that The
constitution requires no amendments. if
this IS the case, scrutiny need no; be fear.
ed (; examination will only tend to esta
bsh the fact: If is detective, remedies
can and ought TO be applied. Do they sup
pose tha, society istobc always stationary,
and that the science of government is ne
yer TO be Progressivel When the pre-.
sen; constitution was formed the theory
of politics was in its infancy. We had
tot the advantages of experience, and The
American n,ind was Still taiated with pre-
juAices imbibed from a p ,yernmept. nos.