Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-25

Its infancy, which grew with our growth
and strengthened with our strength
until, after our Independence was seen
red, we repcsed with confidence nm.
der It's protection. confess nv M.
tections have eniuined themselves arou,,,
its venerable trunk, and although Nil
consent 10 prune II of some of lis branch
es, cannot consent on account ossca..,
defects, at once TO apply the axe 10 -.
vcneratcd rCo'. Yes, sir, view this 90,
stitution as u temple, consecrated 10 l.
ber,y, by the hands of our fathers !,
the most trying times, with which az
connected some of the best and proudas,
feelings of virginians and republicans.
and although will lend Wiling ha,d'
To repair the breaches which ,i,pe hai,
MAIDEN the cdiiice, yet, until it shah bo
proved incapable OF amendment. ! ,.,',
never consent 10 see l, demolished. Bn,i
Deg pardon OF the Committee have
INDUCED feeling raiier than reason
Ii is acknowledged on all hands. M,
the Henrys, the Lees, and the M,so ona.
who formed this Constitution. have TOO
ther with some great defects. enurat,o,,
upon it many valuable features. wl,;'l'
have become dear TO us all, and are fxaa
and known by a long course Of prac;;ca
and decisions, legislative, executive AMI
ludIcial.-Surely ii is not wise. that J,
State should constantly be chanrinr ;,s
form OF governmcnt-Ncwdc re,y
constructions, and consequently. .n..
stani doubts, and uncertainties, and dis
pu,es, will arise underevery Const;tnt;n,
Some principles should be cu,,sicl.reJ a..
fundamentals, rs too sacred ever to he
questionable is by this means oniy
that these sympaihies, those simiIaritiss
of thought and action and sentiment
which bind The people OF one comm,n;ty
together, by the strongest ties, vh,cLco,;,
siI'Ilte national character. and which, eve
~ wise legislature should foster viii, co
much care, can be created-iThese fun
damen'als then ! wish to retain, more es-
peclaliy as ibelleve, that every object of
a wise and lust policy may be ob,ainsd
by correcting acknowledged defects
whist we retain a firm hold upon ths
una pari oi our Constitution. Events
detects, would approach with reverence.
Tor as | have grown older, | have learned
10 regard theoretical beauties or defects
less, and TO Tx my attention upon Ia,
practical operations of every Cons,;t,,-
ticn-When, therefore, look at onr nrc.
sent Constitution, and reflect that not
WithStaniing themany theoretical defects
winch gentlemen point out in it, no prac-.
neal EVIL results, except from tie 'ineGua-
i'ty OF representation, il were on this ac-
count 10 advise It's entire destruction
,,houid deem myselfas bad an adviser as
he who because single limb was discas-
ed, would advise the blowing out the
brains of The patient.
Again, sir, do not believe fhe neople
wish the whole Constitution subjected 10
alteration Few. very few complaints are
heard, except those connected viii, the
state at our presentations correct
these, and io not believe the people in
thar district IN which reside, will ever
tor any theoretical defect, disturb the We
neIabie fabric of our government.
bni thStimes are urged upon rs as parti-
cu!arly ausp,clous TO such an event. and
from The tranquility which now every
where prevails, from the almost total 81
renee OF political parties, and above all.
ftom the benefit we may derive from tie
saSes oithe last age vet among us, it il
supposed we may with safety submit the
| whole Constitution to revision Sir if
tic tines are really propitious, if the adj
Nanlages we enjOv are so great, I thank
heaven for il, and cordially embrace the
opportunity thew afford OF amending and
correcting acknowledged defects but TO
my mind they furnish no reason for sub.
Jecting that 10 hazard which Is now fixed
10. persuading the people TO believe tlai
defective, which we in Our hearts belie..
| hasno fault
But, sir, do not think the time go fa,o-
rabie DIS The gentleman from Wvfhc.-
There is one circumstance which fills me
with anxiety Many of our sister States
have quarrelled with those forms OF GOV
ernment, adopted by their revolutionary
patriots, which supported them in their
severest coufiicts amt secured them iibeI-
~, and 'ndependence and have attempt
eed 10 amend them-Now, where do we
md that they have really improved them
where is II that the people have beeureu
dersd more happy, more contcnted?
know no Constitution except ihsf of
New-York, which has been improved.
nay, which has not been rendered wore
in one respect, as will now endeavor 10
sh0w--'f there be any principle which
deem fundamental, and which ought ever
to be held sacred in government, II is iie
independence Of the Judiciary. | hayc
therefore looked with an anxious eve TO all
TIE COnstiutionsw which have been formed
sinceiihe complete establishment ofourin-
dependence, TO see what have been their
PROVISIONS IN this respect. I find Hiefollow-
n@ new Constitutions nave been made
Hampshire and Delaware, in l792-
SonilI Carolina and PENNSYLVANIA, 100
Vermont I793-Teunessee l796-Geor-
gla, i7gS-Kentucky l79o-Ohio. 1902
i.onsaTa, lSl2-lndiana. in ISI6-and
Maryland has altered her Constitution IN
this respcct--In Hampshire, South
carolina and tennessee, their Judiciary