Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-09-07
RICHMOND. SEh1EMHER :.
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE VIRGINIA
LECISLATURE.

LECISLAT URE.
Gentlemen,
One OF the mos. interesting questions
which concerns US. is about to Come before
you. The spirit ofour Western Country
mems excited.& demands to be heard. The
Convention Of Staunton have given a shape
to these propositions, which will necessa-
rily place them before you.-Shall the
Constitution of this State remain, as it has
been handed down to US by our forefathers,
or shall we give ii such new organiza-
ton as experience proves to be necessary?
Shall Convention be called?-In what
way shall it be called?
These great questions, in which the
works of our fathers and the happiness of
our children are at the same moment in
volved, it is the duty of every citizen to
approach with moderation. and with
"decent respect for the OPINIONS of 9TH
ers. Rights and interests are at stake,
which will call forth all the light and expe-
rience which Virginia poss ssss. Let us
open our eyes to the truth-let us attempt
to discard all prejodices or PASSIONS
Let US forget ourselves, and tx our minds
upon the interests of our Country, and our
chi.dren's chiidren.-We are the creatures
Of a moment-but principles are eternal.
In treating these questions. Cannot we
= nr momeHt forget the dim spot" on
which we respectively stand. and fix our
eyes only upon the glory of the State |,
Cannot we lose sight Of those invidious
distinctions, which prejudice may nourish,
but which principle abhors? What diff
ference is il to the Cause of truth, wheth-
er we are Lowlanders or Uplanders
whether we reside on the peaks of
the Allegany, or the sands OF the Allan
ticl-The great elementary principles,
on which this Republic is founded, ought
to be equally dear to us all-and the
means of introducing these PRINCIPLES into
practice, ought not to be accommodated to
suit the passions OF party Let us seek
truthat any hazard. The glory of Vir-
ginia is at stake--For, upon the adherence
to principle depends her reputation.
In these cursory structures, / will at
tempt to prove the following propositi-
ons:
1st. That you onght not to yield to the
prayer of the Stanton convention, by CAL
ling convention OF the people -
ID. That the only step which you can pro-
perly pursue is to call upon the people to
say whether they are disposed to have
convention
Sd. That this IS a measure which you
ought W WI 'tIQ ~ titG ifcOu6tltleS
of the representation which at present ex-
lists, and IS likely tn increase.
4th. That this defect of the Constitution
is so flagrant, that the People ought not
only to consent [f you appeal to them,
but that they ought to demand this appeal
at your hands
1st PROPOSITION.
The constitution of this st ite is so far
defective, that it has made no provision for
remedying it, own defects. Had this pro-
vision been made, there would now be no &C.
casion for discussing the 2 first propositions.
There could be no dispute about the pow
er of the Legislature; because the con.
stitutinn woult have spot en- for Itself
Al the constitutions of our sister States
ar. not equally defective--in some, provisi-
on is made for their own amendment-but
others are equally silent with that of Virgi.
MIA. The following is view of their re-
spective provisions
.Me1u- Hampshire --The seIcctmen, and a.ses-
sors, Of the several towns and places ia this State.
in warning the first annual meeting for the choice
~ Senators, after the expiration Of seven wears
from the adoption Of the cons ution. are 10 ass RI ex
pressly in the warrant, this purpose among the o.
theirs for the meeting, to wiz 10 take the sense of
the qualified voters on the subject OF revision of
the Constitutions AID the meeting being warned ac
cordingly, and not otherwise, the moderator shall
take the of the qualified voters present. as TO
the necessity of revision and return Of the
number of votes for and against such necessity shall
be made by the clerk, sealed up, and directed 10
the General Court (tbc Legislature,) at their then
nextscsson x lift slaIappearte the General Court
by such return, that the of the people of the
state has been taken. anil, in the Opinion of khe
minority Of the qualified voters in the state present
and voting az SAID meetings there is necessity for
revision of the Constitution, il shall be the duty of
the General Cou' 20 call Convention for that
purpose -oersyise, the General Court shall direct
the sense OF the people 20 be taken, and then pro-
ceedin the manner before mentioned The dele
gates to be chosen in the same manner, and pro-
portioned, as the representatives, to the General
Court provided that no alterations shall We msde
in this Constitution before the same shall be laid
before the fowBs and unncOrpOrsted pisces, and
approved by two thirds Of the qualified voters pre-
cent and voting on le subeci.---hud the same me-
thod Of taking the sense the people rs to a re-
vision Of the Constitution, and calling Convention
for that purpose. shall be observed afterwards az
the expiration Ofevery seven years.
.HassGchUseffs-- ~ order the more efIectually to
sdhere to ,bo principles Of the constitution, end cor.
rect those violations which by any means may be
made therein, IS we'll q. to firm such alterations
as from experici shall be found necessary. The
General Court, which shall be in the ar Of our
Lord l795, shall issue preesp'stO the seectmen of
the several towns md 10 the assessors Of the ur;1
eorporated plantations directing them to conve c
The qualified v,;frs ci their respective towns and
plautstiors for the purpose of collecting their sen
finebfs ou the necessity or expediency Of revising
tie cOns'itutign in order 20 amendments. And
fit stall appear, by the returns made, that two
'liris n &c a1alic1 voters throughout the state,
whc shan assemble anf vote IN consequence 81 e
aid wece: ie areinfavor u such revision or amend
Il.