Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-09-04

representatives. in the most numerous branch
of the Legislature. And these counties
and bOroughs contained. i'm 1910, only 2O4,
766 white inhabitants; less than one half
the population ofthe tate by 72,1S suuls.'
In the other branch of the Legislature
the inequality is still more apparent. In
credible as it may seem, it is nevertheless
a fact. that while the country west of the
Blue Ridge, constituting three ffths of the
territory of the state, and containing, &C
cording to the census of 1910, white po-
pulation of 2ls,0S6 souls, has but four, in
stead of nine senators to which IT is emit
tied thirteen senatorial districts on tide
water. containing, according to The same
census, a white population of only l62,717,
have thirteen Instead of seven senators,
which would be their Just prOporti0n.-
These facts are respectfully submitted to
the Senate and House Of Delegates Of the
state of Virginia, with the hope that they
carnot fail to produce an impression, iav-
orable to the cause of republicanism, and
the just rights ofso decided a majority OF
the white population of the state. Thi
done, the undersigned lock with confidence
to the Legislature for such aid as they bavc
the power to grant. They know that the
means of extending to them immediate re-
lief are not within the power of the Legs
lsture. They therefore do rot ask it
They Know that the several counties are
entitled to two representatives. on,thc floor
of the House of Delegates /; and that mere
legislative act cannot prevent them from
exercising an acknowledged right. Each
Senatorial district too, has constitutional
claim to one Representative in the Senate |;
and it may well be questioned whether
there be power in the Lcgisture to alter
0r abridge this claim. But what cannot be
done directly, what cannot be done by law,
may be indirectly accomplished through
the medium of legislative recommcndatie
on. AMI although the people cannot by
commanded to act, facilities for acting may
he afforded them to very great extent.
The Legislature then, are respectfully
requested to recommend to the people of
the commonwealth, the election of con-
vention to alter and amend the defects of
the constitution. And in doing this it is
confidently hoped that such principles of
representation will be adopted, and such
nudes of election prescribed, as will insure
to every part of the state, weight in the
Convention to be assembled, proportioned
20 its white POPULATION. Thus, and thus
only. can the excitements existing in the
) ate be allayed, the great ends of Republi-
can government be attained, and the consti-
tuition be placed on basis to insure its
own durability, as well as the peace and
happiness of those for whom it has been
framed.
Such, if my information be correct, has been
| the termination of the sitting of the convention
| Staunton which has just closed Aug 81 y
am sorry thst cannot, at present, give you a
more satisfactory account of the proceedings of
that body. may be more fortunate IN a few
days, as their journals said TO he in the press
| 1t is much, 10 be regretted that the people of
The lower counties have not sent delegates TO
this convention The ubiect is unques ionabiy
| 4 momen'oas one. That the constitution ought
| o be amended, Is almost self-ev dent. Ii was
framed at a time when every thing that was not
monarch cal, was deemed republican. It was
| lraiGed too, on the spur of the OCCASION, and IN
/ excessive hastc.--True we owe gratitude and re-
4 spect 10 the wisdom and energy of our foreiati
erS, but our situation has changed in many re-
| sPects and you know that it IS even a doub,
/ With some, whether our present constitution be
constl uton at all Judge Tucker thinks it is;
Mr.. Jefferson tn nlks 1t is not Both, however,
nearly agree on It's defects, which, are with us the
| nam question. The essence OF Republican GO
vernment certainly consists in every thing orr.
& TAT ng IN ne people. and ultimately reverimg
10 the peOple--In perpetual and unavoidable re
spOnsib lties OF all agents atever--eca.ty oil
all burthens is IL with us J. the right OF
; suffrage sufficiently extended Are we equally
represented Is our executive-are our Judge.
our Justlcc5-cur jurors-olr shertfs &c e.
lectlVe by the people Are our taxes equal /.
the sense of the great body of the people eve,
= sdequa'eiy taken on great national questions
: Why are not our counties divided for that pur+
= pose into Wariens or Townships, as IN the New
a EnSlaud States This division, too would
throw back into the hands of the people, many OF
these subordinate functions of gov ernmen which
may be very properly and beneticially exercised
, | oy themselves 1t would afford an opportunit,
= OF establishing primary schools, N connection
with higher schools, in o which il digent genius
, and merit might be usetlIliy transplanted by the
. fostering hand OF public iiberailty. ] trust, that
u al these objects, together with sinplfcatior
II of our Judiciary system, viii occupy the atten
= on OF our political reformers, if ever convened
or the purposes now much talked OF.
Nor ought provision for periodical amend
ments of any new constitution to be forgotten
> Nature itself by renewing generations about G
T. very nineteen years, points out the propr.ety o
- sutb provisions which derives additional plau
d! .DIy from the consideration that man IS ind e
- n iteiy peTisctibie.-Fb, hnwever, are topics
% extensive for my feeble view.--I, therefore
ieSve them to others, and conclude this desulto
. ry letter with an ardent and sincere wish that
spirit of harmony and Cancellation, as well as q
:, wisdom and energy, may preside over all th
le steps OF the proposed reform.
.. UNION HOTEL.