Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-03-25
[BY MIR. GILES.
(Continued.)

recollection publication of most extra
ordinary character, which appeared in the
National Jueiigencer some short time be-
fore the meeting of the last General As
sembly, urging the propriety of calling
Convention 10 amend tlIe Nirginian Con
Il luton. 1t attracted peculiar attention,
not only from the elegant style of itsconl-
position and the ecccutric and delightful
visions of The imagination with which it
was bespangted from end TO end, but be-
cause il was said by some TO have flowed
from the original source ofthe true Con
stitution making spirit from the pure
and lUcid fountain from which had also
flowed many devious streams throughout
the wide eXpanse of this whole Common
wealth. According to the bestrecellection,
attersp ortingly batiering down many OF The
old English principles brought hitler by
our ancestors, and which Till now have
formed the solid basis and the stable pill
lars of all the republican parts of our ex-
ceilent Constitution which have been
cOnsecrated by the experience of ages,
butin these enlightened times have dwin-
died down iato mere prejadices of fifteen cen
turtles standing-After calling the attenti-
on to the planetary system, and telling of
the widest conjectures of the widest phi
lcsopilers respecting its probable diSad-
justment III consequence of the wearing
out of the attractive and centrifugal prin-
ciples upon which its adjustment hereto
fore depended and for some short time
may yet depend, and of the necessity of
second interference Of the omnipotent
hand 10 re-adnst ii upon some new prin-
clpie; then demonstrating from analogy
the policy OF introducing beforehand ii
provision III the Virginian Constitution
III Ytc Il
unfortunate accident might happen 10 it,
and TO save posterty from being cheated
out of their rights, although omniscience
Itself according TO these wild philosophy
cal speculations) had failed to take this
precautlOn III relation to the planetary
system, and proposed to wait with pail
ence IN providing the remedy Tilt the mis-
chief had actually happened after hav-
ing dignliied III various ways what is there
emphatically called The Common PEG
pie, by dislocating them from their real
position in society--Afier having prevail
ed upon them to drop all the implements
of their respective callings, and assigned
TO them many inappropriate duties, and
had then succeeded in getting them in
tently engaged i'll making the Virginian
Constitution perfect-the phiiosophic wri-
ter seems TO pause, for the purpose of ban
quoting upon the delicious sensbiities
his successes had inspired, and at length
caps the climax OF his reveries with this
sublime apOsirOphe, tsen Z" The Common
When ASKS the astonished reader If
is replied by the transported philosopher.
when theyare intently engaged in making
the Virglnian Constitution perfect 7
The Common People" making The Vir
ginian Constitution perfect"? What
feast for philosopher! How delightful
the thought of thus dignifying his nature
What enjoyment for his transported i'm
agination Would itnot be pity TO a.
wake him from this visionary dream, af-
fording him such delicious mental enioy-
ments2 Would itnot he cruel, to strike
the tympanum Ofan ear so exquisifiyelv
sensitive with the coarse, uuceIcone ,on,ds
Of plain truth? To tell him, that "'fhe
Common People" neverd did makea " Co7,sfi-
tuition pertect''? That they can'tmake n
Constitution perfect" That no people
can make d Constitution perfect
not even the sages and philosophers who
form his daily companions That so
far from appearing IN their full ma
lesty in making the attempt, it would
not be possible for them TO assume
a more ridiculous attltudel That "Jhc
Common feOpie appear III TN IT iuli ma
iesty and true dignity, when they are in
iently engaged IN dcxterously using the
implements of thcirrespective callings, to
procHre bread andraimentfor themselves
and families, with their surplus earnings
TO advance their own fortunes, and con
sequenily TO advance the good fortune of
the Commonwealth
The notion Oftorming Constitution.
with provision for its periodical revision.
seems to have originated from laudable
desire 10 save to poslcrity all its rights a.
gainst The cncrOaChments Of the existing
generation. II was probably first sugges-
ted to the mind by considerations relating
TO the effects ola public debt created for
the benefit Of one generation and trans
mittcd for payment 20 another. Those
who have displayed the most enthusiastic
feelings in favour Of posterity, and been
most active indevising expcdicnts TO save
il from this supposed injustice, are accor-
dlnglv found 10 he the most strenuous adj
vocates for The principle Of periodical re-
| vision, as an essential ingredient IN every
! Constitution. This enthusiasm. however
| honorable and disinteresfed in ITSELF has
probably had more influence III calling
this hypothesis into being, Chan would BE
warranted by the circu,Nstance which
gave rise 10 il, especially ilaSslcula,ors OF
l farvid lamentations and sle Ftgtao fcrnpo..