Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-14

low and general.
nrt It has been said that the Stanton Con
vea'ion was elected by but portion OF thepeo-
r'e whom they represented. l answer, they
wererlecrcJ onRofice. And there was nei-
thtr opposition nor couiter-inemOr1al,i II Is fair
10 consider the Act of the Stanton Conven-
ton, rs tue unanimous expression ottl.c opinion
OF the people OF those counties, one only except
ed.
The fourth enquiry presents Itself; What
should now be done by the Legislature
answer They should, by resolution, sub
nit the constitution to the revision Of the peo-
pie in Convention and they should, by law,
provide Tor the expenses of such Conven-
ton.
The bill ofrights, Is part of the Consiitu-
ton. 1t declares the right of majority of The
community 60 alter the Constitution. The le-
gislaturc have Il right to maze all laws neccs-
sary and proper to carry into execution any OF
the provisions of the Constitution. Theylegis-
late for the Community. They will enable the
community 10 act. as was done IN 1871. Al
though we have had several conventions, three
AT least. the people never were consulted pre-
viOuSy whether they would havea convention
or not, otherwise than through their represen-
iatives. Tile people cannot we'll deliberate,
except by their Representatives. LET them
meet in Convention and then let them deiiD
crate. We have right To aid the people tn
form Convention, in which they shall be fair
" and equally represented. Ii the people are
opposed tn changing the constitution, they will
elect representatives who are opposed TO the
change.
The constitution recommend, frequent re-
currence to fundamental principles. This is
direction To the Legislature. 1t y provision
tor the amendment of the Constitution (; IL was
obviously so intended ;aud we should give IL
the intended effect. II is rot Sufpriziug, that
after the lapse of 10 years, this Constitution,
the work of &" uutricd hands" should be found
to require amendment. How many amend
mendmentS have already been made i'm the CON
stitution OF the United States, the work of ex
periencei hands;
ffa majority Of the representatives of the
people consider that change is necessary il
is sufficient; they may declare it, and it is the
expression tthe opinion of he people by their
representatives. The case Of the alteration of
tie Federal Government in 1881, affords apre-
ccdent that would authorize us 10 20 much far
Their than any one now proposes 10 go That
precedent would anthorise us to appoint com
mttee to draft constitution; and il would au-
thorise Va to call a Convention, ard submit the
form of Constitution thus drafted 10 their de-
ciSion. The General Assembly on the part of
this community appointed commissioners 10
prepare amendments to the act of confederate
on; those commissioners, with those from 9TH
er states, produced the constitution the Gem
eral Assembly then called Convention to de-
eide on the proposed change; and the constitu-
ton, which made the most important changes
in the rights of the state and of thepcople, wa.
adopted Netthe people had not declared that
such change was necessary they hainot been
called OF To vote whether there should or should
not be convention.
declare myseIfn favor of convention.
with unlimited powers,to be called immediate
say wifi, unlimited ,oicer.. For who are to
act? The people in their sovereign capacity.
And who are we, that we should presume 10 IL
mt the people i'll their sovereign capacity -
And why shouid we attempt tn limit them p
WHY not allow that every amendment shall be
made, that the wise among the people shall APP
prove? Why distrnst the present generation
and deny to them the right 10 make constitn-
ton, IN all respects suited 10 the present s.tu-
alton of society!
The minority of the StauntOn Convention 4
the Select Committee, would withhold from
the people the right to make any more than one
amendment TO the constitution. But they would
nave provision for future amendments that
is to say, they wOnid have the constitution To
be nose Of Irdr, III the hands of the future Le-
sislatnre, to he shaped as they shouid please.
lam decidedly opposed to providing any mode
OF altering the constitution, except by the peO-
pie IN convention.
I say Immediately: because the people are dis
satisfied, and would have Them satisfied -
And the wisest men of the last age remain a.
mongns with unimpaired faculties, shedding y
MUD light on society, like that of the evening
sun. Mr.. Jefferson, the Chief Justice of tha
y. States, the present President who will soon
lie aprivate citizen, the late Governor Among
the men of the lastaSc, none exceeded these in
those talents and that knowledge which the
IN our constitution until these men are no
more. Let us give them AN opportunities before
they depart, to render last service to their
country, by forming in conjunction with the
wise men ofthe presentage, Il perfect coaStitu-
ton for its government.
| say Immediately because the present is
time Cftranqulty. Let us seize the fit oppor-
tunity 10 change our form of government ; lest
foreign war, domestic discOrd, or an nfianed
state of the public mind, appear, and render
the time less favorab bic
But WHO shall vote OH the question" Shall
the constitution be changeds"
answer, The cOmmaaity. / shall he asked
who are the community And answer, those
whom common enjoy equal rights as citizens
Will il be contended that no one but freclol-
der, having fifty acres OF land, or twenty five
acres and house, qualified to vote for mem
bers ofthe House of Delegates is a member
of the community Are not your COVER
nors, councillors and judges, meml,e rs
OF the communicable freehold qualification
is required ct them. Are not The officers and
soldiers of your militia, your justices and iu-
rors, members of the community! | presume
they are. have seen at different times, adj
Vertlsements by which several of the most en,i-
neut citizens had offered their lands for sale
Suppose they had sold their lands accordingly
purchased stock in the funds aud leased hou-
ses i'll town, would they therefore have ceased
TO be members of the community The duty
OF your judges Of the Court ofAppeals makes il
necessary for them to reside ia This city-per-
maps they have found their lands AN incouveu-
lent property, and have sold them Are thev
therefore, although your judges. in the last ne
sort no longer members OF the community p
l hold all those to be members of the cOnIrnn-
nifty, "a majority of whom have by the constitu-
ton Alright to change it, who are " citizens of
legal capacity, fixed residence, aud whose will
is free"