Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-01

ing your road laws; from altering vo,.
mode OF electing juries from subiec,;na
lands to the payment of debts: frs
touching your usury laws, will make v,' "
tenacious ofyoW Constitution. Sir ~ ~
all people have ever seen, not exceni;n''
those OF Connecticut, the people of VIZ
ginia, least prone TO change their us,-
ges and customs, are most entitled to h.
called people of steady habits" ,re
expect TO see any thing of the same liceup
tlous temper here as was exhibited =
revolutionary France, is "A libel ON ,la
people of this Commonwealth. and H.,
trays an utterignorance of their claracta.
| should as soon expect la see tho.
exchange their bacon and cabbage, fnr
the hind legs ola frog, or Freuch ra ron,
Tins stediastness of Observation-Disclosures
sionto change, has always been manteS,.
ed here III little things, as well as in pfe,,
ones, and shews that a prurient, restleSs
spirit OF innovation, has no place anon,
us. In France the names Of every thin,
changed with the change of parties q,
ven IN New DIRK. they altered the name
of two or three of their streets: but here
some of the most democratic comiic, !,
the State, are contcnt to retain their o,;.
ginal names of King George, Prime
George, Prince William, and the like
Let Us not, Mr.. Speaker, be so fearful u,
dong wrong that we will not venture H.
90 rlShi-lct us no longer give way n,
tins childish dread of innovation. limo
itSe'i, asi has been properly observed. is
the greatest of ali innovators, and it is ihe
part OF awisepeople 10 adapttheir.ovor,.
ment TO those vicissitudes 10 which all
human affairs are necessarily liable.
1T Is, MIR. Speaker, very iiatterino f.
Ia To rSI
lence of our Constitutions, and of tho
blessings it confers, and certainly VIZ
have much cause To speak well Of Tvs
have enjoyed underit, success in war. and
prosperity III peace. In most cases il il
adapted TO The people, and in others lie
people have adapted themselves TO the
Constitution. Yes, sir, taken as a whole
1t deserves Their approbationaud possess,
es their attachment, But it is mere L.
fusion, 10 ascribe our prosperity and liam
piness TO our Constitution-Sir we owe
our happiness and prosperity TO our go.
mai climate TO orr fruitiui soil TO tle
state of our society TO our excellent TO-
risprudence; and above all, 10 thatnoIle
spirit of Freedom, under whose bright
sunshine every thing smiles and flourish
es.-Whllc these are preserved we need
not fear the consequences of other chan
ses. Besides, sir, the Bill of Rights isa
part of our Constitution and since one
objects TO any one of It's provisions. il
would continue 10 be so. But so long as
any constitution, we may make, is in
conformity with the Bin of Rights. what
valuable principle would be lost or , en-.
dangered
But the honorable gentleman from
Faith, has endeavored Ia alarm the fear,
OF Tins House, by mentioning some of
these predicted changes in the Consttu.
Ton, which he knew would be least likely
To meet their appreciation. He saws tbat
the Senate Will probably he abolished
Sir, among the multitude of those Win
i'll this land of freedom and political spe-
culation, discuss the merits of ConsttW-
tons, there are no doubt some Who
think the Senate useless, and even mis-
chievous; butt believe they are as weak
IN numbers and influence, as thcy are
in political wisdom. The worthy mem
Der from Bath, saws, there is strong cals
rent IN favor Of this opinion. But where
are the manifestations OF this current
Cf the numerous Constitutions which
have been framed or amended since tbe
formation of that of Virginia. there has
not been one, which has not divided the
Legislative power into two branches. II
cannot reasonably be supposed that
theory which has found no efficient SUI
port IN some of the States, and which we
concur Ill condcmning, will prevail a.
mong our constituents. He saws too
that tEe Independence of the Judiciary
viii beassailed. My own opinion on this
subject, have already expressed. andl
consclentiousIy believe it TO be the pre-
v&iling opinion ofihe people ofthis coui
fry. He predicts that ifa Convention be
called, tie candidates for seat i'm that
body VIII electloneer on these principles
and, at all events, those VINO are elected,
will be instructed TO support them. Sir,
believe that when Convention is call.
ed, and the day must certainly come. and
that ere long too, every man who pos
sesses one spark Of patriotism. or WHO
values his political rights; or who has
any property 20 lose, will exercise 0reat
caution in the selection of members 70
this Convention. Something of this mn.
dent, cautious temper was manifested in
choosing deputies to the Stanton Con
veBtion. The honorable member from
Bath, has thought proper to make some
anniadversioHs on that assembly. Of
which be himself was conspicuous NJ
nament, and of which / happened TO be
an humble member. Mr.. Speaker, /
mean not TO undertake the gentleman
from Bath, whose elOqueuce have often
admired, when say that a large portion
OF that assembly would not shrink from
comparison with the worthy member. in
taleuls and character and venture %
say that more temperate, dignihed, IT.
befal minded deliberatiye BODY. has never