The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-25
rop TnE yiRGISIAS.

Structures on .lfr Leigh's Substitute
Having in "a Former accommodation uat-
ced those parts of the q Substitute" which
seem tn inculcate the doctrine Of passive
obedience and humble reverence IN our
ancient aud venerable institutions, exainln-
ed the circumstances under which our cou-
stitution was formed, aud taken n slight
view Of the formation, pninn aud Deepen
h.nee OF tie three departments If our gov
= .ernment, with the evil consequences which
Qusi necessarily, at \ period not Tar dis
tint, result thrrrfrot II remains fur us
Hgreeahly 10 promise Ia consider brIcny the
srgus,eot, Of Mr. LrielI ~ reference Ia the
extension nf the right of suffrage, aud the
equality or Representations.
The great principles, and those which
constitute the Distinguishing attributes fthe
government of which we boast, are fral -
That " nature has made Us all of the same
" species, all equal, al free and independent
{" uf each other, and WAS willing that those
" ON whom she has bestowed lbc same Ia
+" cutters, should have all the 81 ne rights
Secondlt. That IN a state OF sociriy, all
heiu5 by nature equai, every citizen Who
contributes {" the support NJ the civil and
Riitary Institutions ri his country, should
he represented in the legislative body
Aud thirdly. Tha, Misrepresentation should
he equallzed aud poised in such II manner
That one scclion or district of country can
not exercise aa undue Influence over the
rights and interests of another.
neyery humrn society,"" says the Mar
Giis Beceara, there is IN effort continual
~'.ly trpding 10 confer ~ one part The i5hi
q" of power and happiness, aud In reduce
s '' The other To the extreme of weakness aud
II
assertion. it is oniy necessary To consult the
pages OF history and the experience of
mlnk al. Ibis Natural tendency resulting
from the imrerieciune Of ON nature, must
b. res,rainca and counte, acted IN lis opc.
r,tion by a different and very opposite
prindple, namely, public ririae. This
prInciple must per,ade the hearts and IN
duence u conduct ct the great BODY Of
Shc.people, or they will he incapable Of
supporting n free government Selfish and
exclusive views must be fclinguished -
pride aud ambi,iua mist yield tuthr love-
III country, W all the theories Of republican
government, aud al the boasts t,f e1ari
rights and privileges will prove to be- Moth
ing bat romantic visions, aud ldlc sprelila-
Ii ms, iucafnhle of hring reduced to prac
tie. la theory no government is more
specious than ours, and no country can
h"ast of n greater show of pollic virtue,
nnlfrd TO political ability yet we are told
We mast not trust The peqlie. =" Every po-
pnlhr notion," says De Iodine, e" which
" may contribute To- the support of erbi
" trary government, is AT all times vIgilpm
/" ~ protected by the whole strength of il !:
/" political preludicrs are last of all, ifever,
=" .hlkcn off ny nation subjected to
such goI.rnmcm."t To insure ordrr
strength and stability IN nation which re-
CARDS q all men AS being -cpratcd equal, -
~ Elch inculcatrs the doCtrue that Il bonn
trogs heaven has made an impartial dis
nrnsaiian of rights and inmunitirs Ia every
gseInhrr III thr human family, il Is iHdispca-
tbie that pti,iieges and powers should be
s. divided and distributed as 10 maintain
as far as possible, an exact equilibrium, in
che whole system ur civil poilcy-That ev-
cry citizen who cutters society, becomes
subject and amenahlc 81 the i,,wa, and con
tnbtics his portion Ia the general d,fcncr,
safety and prosperity of t.s country, hc
entitled to a share, and exercise "A part, IN
common with his fellow citizens. af The le
gislalire powers. These arc tie covers
f.,r viii, h out fathers cnntcadel, fought
aud BLEED Tor thesr that ardueus and glo-
Ti5us struggle nas commenced aud main.
tained which sbsoi,rd us from the donlu-
ion pf England and gave us a rank and
station am0Dss, the ualions of the earth
aud il ia these, and these alpue, which
should make Us "proud Of the name III
Firei.Ilan' But are those principles which
should be cnGrsven on the heart Of every
American, aud ingrafted into the aifrctious
of every lover OF liberty, aud every lriend
OF humanity, sufficiently recognised and
guaranteed by the constitution OF our com
inonwealth? Are all the worthy citizens
ol the state, or even maiotitj OF them,
represented ii oar ltgrsiatiNe coancis -
Df is il notorious and mclancholy fact,
that IN this hnasted Land OF the e. e, aud
1ls home Of the brave" in this garden ot
libe ty and nursery nf virtue, in this sane
taary oI religion aud school of morality,
THAI the greater nninber OF the fee born
sons OF our SOL are duumed by oHr present
Institutions to foresn those inestmable
privileges, TO which by nature, reason aud
justice they are entitled ? These arc ques
lions of the q ST Importance, not only Ia
those who are acbarred of their legitimate
rights, but also 10 the friends of that svs
ten of government whie h sanctionsa via
isfian of the mast sacred bonds of political
attachments. Nations are disturbed l. Ills
trActed BY maral causes, in the same man
Burlen.qui, prime. pol. law, vol. ,, page
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