Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-09-07

Ley mean cot TO censure ;-Indeed,
they cannot withhold their appreciation of
The calmncsS, temper and dignity, which
rcye characterised the conduct of the ma
lnrity. But lest Should not be distinctly
understood, from the votes already record
ell. what are the real sentiments and wish
es OF The undersigned, upon the subject of
returning the constitution of the state, they
here solemnly record them, by way of pro-
test against the measures which have been
aaoptei by the. convention.
| They hesitate not tn give their decided
assent to the proposition, that the inequali-
| ty ofrepresentati6n in both branches of the
Legislature, is political wrong, and a
practical evil which ought to be corrected.
| They hesitate not tn acknowledge, in is
! fullest latitude. the right of majority OF
the people, to alter, reform or abolish their
political institutions, whenever they may
think fit.
But they believe it to be maxim of po-
Ltical wisdom equally ssnctionedby reason
and verified by experience, that the consti-
| tutionsl laws, of every free government
shouldbe contemplated with habituai rev.
erence, should be approached with the most
prudent caution and touched with tremb-
ling timidity. They think therefore that
the people OF this con ionwealth would not
express apunwisc Iistrust of themselves
by saying that they would never consent
to any alteration in their constitution which
was NOT required by some pafpabie necessi.
~, and the propriety OF which, did nor
challenge the assent of every unprejud;c
ed, candid, intelligent mind.
REFORM In the rpnresanfation thar Jaa,.~
a measure of such palpable propriety, that
they would not hesitate to recommend it,
Connected with this reform. hey think 1t
essential afao, that constitutional proy1si
on should be made, securing every portion
ofthe state from the imposition of an undue
proportion of the public taxos. They weuld
think itwise too, to introduce into the con-
stifutlon a provision web guarded with
prudent limitations, whereby, in all future
time. other defects in our constitution.
which may have already develooed them
selves, or which experience may hereafter
unfold. may be corrected without unneces-
sarity agitating the public mind, OF endan-
gcring the public tranquility.
Thus far, for the present are they willing
to go and no Further. They are willing to
recommend the call Of a General Convent
on, with powers limited to those specified
objects. But they are unwilling to com.
nit the whole constitution with ali its con-
secratcd principles to untried hands they
are unwilling to resign that charter Of their
coun1ry's RIGHTS, which is identified with
the revolution, around which the best feel
ings ofthe heart are Intimately entwineA ::
and under which The good people of thu,
commonwealth have enjoyed, for 40 years
a share Of political prosperity, and person
al blessings,whic'. have rarely fallen TO the
LOT oil man.
tits. therefore that they protest They
protest against the call of an unlimite,i
convention, They will, nevertheless lutte
their hest efforts, with those of majority,
in securing the great object for which this
convention was assembled by those means,
which appear to them, best suited to the
end by means nf limited convention.
JAMES BRECKENRIDGE.
ALLEN TAYLOR,
J. LEYBURN,
JAMES McDOWELI,
HENRY EDMUNDSON,
G.. JOHNSON.
On motion VI Mr.. Jackson,
Resolved unanimously, that the thanks Of
this convention be presentedto the honor
able James Breckenridge, for the ability &
impartiality with which he has performed
the arduous duties of President of this con-
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