Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-18
l'Hse Of Oelegaies, Monday, january 2,
CALL OF 4 CONVENTION.
(Conciuded.)


Mr. AYLETT--It was not nv iptention
to have spoken on this occasion; j have
not thought much on the subiecl---no, so
much perhaps, its importance aud my
duty required. should not have risen.
, had It not been for an observai ION which
ieHt'om the gentleman from Dinwtdbie ?
ne says that no man who calls himself "a
republican can be opposed TO ire PROPOSE
on Tor the salt OF convention | have
considered myself republican and as i
Shaii vote against The MEASURE, feel il
duty which owe myself 10 offer s,me
OF liic reasons which influence my opini
on. The gentleman from Dinwiddie has
asked whether the people are not com
Potent to The purposes OF self govern
Iaent; by this question he has rafuted
himself; for if il is admitted that the oeo
pie are thus competent to Judge for them
selves, L should be glad to know how we
come at this time 10 agitate this quesii-
on Has the great body of the people ne
uione1! Have they complained Of any
grievances under the present cons,i,uti
onf No; they have not, and we ough.
therefore TO presume, that they are salts.
ned ne petitions on your table, sir
emanate from two solitary counties, form.
ing an insignificant nninorily---in using
the word insignificant, I would by no
means be understood as applying il to the
peHuoncrs themselves, but only to their
numbers when compared with the great
body of the state. Shall we then assume
that power which belongs only to the peo-
pie; and without their consent, presume
to recommend change of that conslitu.
ton TO which they are attached! If the
people themselves were here assem-
bed l avn sure they would be CD
posed TO change al this time: consti.
tutions ought ever to be held most sacred.
II would be ridiculous to summon con-
VentIon alter convention for the purpose
ot amendment, when no real necessity
Tor such amendment exists. Should such
be the case, the acts of your conventions
would soon be regarded with no more
yenerailon than those of an ordinary le.
glslature. The gentleman from Franklin
has made sundry objections to our con.
sliluuon, some OF which will attempt to
answer as concisely as possible. His frst
observation relates to the legislative
branch OF Our government on account of
its immense powers.
He says We may if we please divide the
money in the treasury and the stock in
the bank but no man in his senses can
think such an event probable. 1t is es-
senlial to the existence Of society and go.
vernmeni, that power should be vested
somewhere, and where can it be so safely
trusted as with the immediate represent
taiives of the people Might not the PEG.
pie themselves if assembled in mass
exercise the same power?
Qiere Mr.. 3. interrupted for the pur-
pose of explsining.) am not much ac.
customed to public debate feel consi.
derable embarrassment from interrup;ion
II will endeavor TO recole@ myself. I
may have misunderstood the gentleman.
But he finds fault also with the legislative
appointment of the governor; how is this
evil to be remedied! Is it likely that the
people could make better selection of a
governor than their representatives COM