Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-01-31
H'nse Of Delegates, Monday, January 30
CALL OF A CONVENTION.

~ W 'ehe fito consideration petite
Old from the Counties of Henry and Pa
Trick requesting the legislature t. adopt
meals Tor calling a convention 10 revise
and amend the state constitution Z"
NiR. BALL moved that the question be
postponed I'll The 3lst of March. He was
opposed t. calling a convention at this
unie on account of Our political rel st,ons.
we should perhaps be soon engaged in
contest with some Of the foreign pow
ers. On prospects, abroad are cloudy,
aug revision, such as the present cues.
ZION contemplated required, beyond any
o'her, the enjoyment Of COMPLETE sun
shine. IL would be impossible to assem-
Ole convention and revise the CONSTITUTE
on, without raising Considerable ferms n, !.
Ill was idle to s asp at pGr!eE l,on.-
ine happiness Of the people was what we
All aimed at 1; bu, under the present con.
su.n''on, he people were contcntsd and
zap y. Some men are, to be sure, fond
ot change; bat ;his rs fondness as vet
Confined to their own bosoms: the people
az Large hEye not pa,taken of it. There
may be sorue defects in the present con,
Sutnt'on; Mr. ball admitted there were
some i: blu; II was perhaps impossible 70
get clear ct them altogether. re we cnll
convention ; if we open such a wide
1onf Tor aInsndfAent, there is not perhaps
I single tes'ure in The present CONSTITUTE
on' which We may be able to retain.
l nose VINO framed it at FIRST were pure
and enlightened men: they asse mbied a,
favorable time; could we row expeSt
'note able trainers, or a mere propilious
periods
MN bURwzLL, although he was inlis-
posed and extremely feeble, felt du-
y he owed TO the petition he had preseu-
ed and people heaepresented, 10 oppose
hs motion OF postponemen.. Ii was sur
using that the gentleman had s,,emp, ed
4" dispose OF Question 20 ,mpe tar, with.
cut discussion. How will the people ever
understand The teiects Of ,heir eonsitu,i-
N; how are they 10 be impressed with
ne necessity Of reform unless the pro
position IS fairly met and fully inyes,iga.
,edI
Whence arises the danger Of exanin-
ng Ihe constitution and coavening con
een'inli! Are we afraid that, like the Rs-
nan Deeemvirs, they will declare their
sit'hgs permanent ard their powers u,,.
im''ed II This be not the danger, whence
'htn arises all this apprehension /? A
gainst all these usnrpatunx. we had a hal
wark, which would never fail us, in the
information and intelligence of lie peo.
pie. Besides, this argument, if il proves
any thing at all, proves infinitely too
much II would teach us 10 conEihe r,
powers al ell to any set OF men from 1T
NpPrehensioh that they would abuse il.
II the constitution be detective. i, was
roper to amend IL; To expunge It's i'm
perfections and retain all its valuable E.a
.'nres. WhaI KIDD If an argument the
Fas It to say. thai We shonld MAKE 10 -
tori to introduce the most positive bene.
hts' from vague apprehension that un.
certain evils may possibly cnsue Do moi
our ordinary legislatures possess the ,nast
ex'enslyS powers! Sill do thew mo, met
and transact public business wisheut Duh.
lie usurpaiion! They meet here 10 con.
suit Tor the public welfare. and net tn vio
late the rights of he people, from whom
they rece yed their power. If we b,,ve
any Apr ,eI sons from the abused an
thorry ga convention, why should w.
exempt Ap' binary legislature frsm SINH
lar susPiE { IL is not 10 be denied tha
the prese ~ ;sembly can divide among
,hemseiv rs inc money in the treasury
The siocSt who. the state owns in the
bank may Make hi same direction. The
armory lt'e wholeof the public proper.
~ OF every fescriptiol, NAV be squander
cd without economy, OK plundcred with.
out shame. why then, is not such
scene exhibited here2 II is because no
man would dare to make such PROPOSE
ton. 1t is because the public indignant.
on; the confronting integrity of the ma
jority of the people, is prepared to cover
such a wretch with endless ruin. The
people must employ agents to conduel
the general affairs of society. The impor.
,snt concerns Of the world require that
confidence should be reposed in men and
happily, experience has here demonstra-
ted that necessity is not at war with IN,
interests of society. Why then should we
dread the ascending Of a convention.
when lis ne'sbers are to be appointed bv
the very sane people who selecl their 10.
gisla,ors and ON far more irteres,;nc
concerns! wal the superior value OF ,be
trust diminish the care and discernrnent
employed in their seleelior2 Ia II ~ h,