Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-04


it appear imperfect at fins; sight. will be found,
IN cinse examinations, TO be deeply laid in
sulid foundations, awd 10 rest, in all is main
parts, on some permanent enduring reason,
grOwisg out of The nature of things, Or out vi
| the pt cuiar ciicumstant es of the nation else,
| il had never been permitted To stand unaltered
and acquire stability aud yeneraton from agr,
This constitution has been in operation from,
the foundation Of t&e Republic. It was or
dained 10y The statesmen and patriots Of the
Re, oluton, whose hearts were chasteneG
whose minds were .XpandeJ, and enlightened,
and nerred, 10 match the circumstances il;
VIII CHI they wer p eel, Ivy the very snlem"i-
~ and grandeur of the scene in which they
were called to act. Frequent proposals have
been made, at different pcrisds, 10 call CON
ventioD 10 reform or change it ; and made in
vain. Let us ask ourselves, in &;c modesty of
sober reason, whether we, in these times, are
better acquainted with the true principles OF
| republican government, or more devoted to
them, than the statesmen OfIT76? Whether,
il there were really any thing in this constilu-
ton contrary 10 those principles, or if there
were my real practical Inconvenience in the
system, it would have>escaped all the wise and
good men who have nourshed in this COM
monwealth during this long period Whether
these, perceiving the vice, would knowingly
have fereborne TO correct il There Is Il
weight of authority in favor of the present
, constitution, which no. IMAM may rightly dis
regard.
I Political prudence views with jealousy all
essential changes and innovations upon old
and Fundamental institutions is only prompt
to them by overriding necessity; and re-
fceives them, at last, with caution and appre-
hcnsi0n. In the language of the Declaration
Of Independence, Whenever any government
becomes destructive of-the rights to life,
libertySand the pursuit of happiness-it is
" the lght0Gthe people to alter or abolish it
" Prudence indeed will dictate, that govern
g. ments long established, should not be chang
{" ed for light and transient causes and ac-
6 cordngly all experience hath shewu, that
mankind are more disposed 10 suffer while
g evils are suflcrabc, Than, te-riSht themselves
" by abolishihg the forms t. which they are
accus,omed."-Hast the form of government
to which we are accustomed, i'm its practical
operation, proved destructive Of life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness Has il, in any
manner, cramped or hindered, Or failed to
promote, Secure and defend, the enjoyment
and exercise ef those rights What are the
nsuilerabIe evils or rather it may be asked,
what are The serious Inconvenience, that we
nave ever suffered, or do now endure, or ap-
rrchcnd, which should move us TO change or
Tefom? N
II re advocates of Convention appeal to
eur BN Rights the authority of which IRE
admit, and are content to abide by. Ii is de-
Ilarcd in the M:rd article, that" of all the
g various modes and forms of government
" that is best, which is capable Of produc
" inG the greatest degree of happiness and
safety, and is most efIcctualy secured "a
gainst the danger of mai-administration !;
" and that when any government shall be
=" found inadequate or contrary to these pur-
IF, O.
anindubiahle, unalienable, indefeasible right.
10 reform, after or abolish it, in such man
" ner as shall be judged most conducive
" to the public wcai."--Iiet us, then, appeal to
the history of this government, and gather lis
tr'e character from our experience of its ope-
ration. hath ii secured, defended ard promo
ted, as much as human institutions could, our
happiness and safety /? Hath it approved IL
self i'll practice, etfectualIy secured against the
danger of administration Or, hath il
been found innd.9 uate or contrary Ia the pur-
poses for which it was ordained ? II this
Question can liz fairly answered in the affirma-
live, let i! be reformed, altered, or abolished
according 10 the cxiGcnciss which expcrienc.
mas dey eloprd. BIT il all men must. in thcii
conscieHces, answer il in the negative; il may
indeed, be the sovereign will of the people
" hich n"nt may presume to question or re
sist, but (upon the principle Of this declarations
It never can be right, TO abolish, alter, or re-
form it.
Under this constitution, the people have been
protected IN their persons, property and hap
piness, in religious and civil liberty, TO degree
never surpassed in any age or nation of the
world. Religious freedom, in the purest and
most extended sense Of the phrase, has been
secured TO all and on that the dearest inter
est OF mankind, no unjust preferences, no bigo-
try or intolerance, no. heats, jealousIes OF
hearthurDngs, remain among us. The severe
criminal code Of the common law, has been
a.neorated to that degree, that if error hav.
been committed in this regard, it lies on the
side of mercy. All restraints, upon the aiiena.
ton Of lands, have been removed and the
whole national domain laid open and free tC
the acquisition ofhoncst industry, in all mode!
of exeTlIon, and to all manner Of free men.--
The law Of descents has been adapted to ON
republican institutions SO as effectualIy {,
prevent the possible permanent accumulation
of property IN aay family. The population
of the state, notwithstanding the immense
engtations to the West, has been continually
and rapidly increasing. The Executive has
never even been accused ola single act o
usurpat;oD or violence, or will! any failure &c
extend mercy, where mercy could be recon
cied with policy. The Judges, from the low
est to the highest, have administered Justice
with unimpngned and unimpsachable fair
ness, integrity and firmness self-love, with al
its blindness, has never induced any sutton Il
question the motires Of his Judge. The Legis
hiWe has enacted no unjust, oppressive, o
obnoxious laws: its enactments must, in thu
main, be admitted 10 have been wise and
at any time it has enacted impoIiiic laws, the,
have soon been repealed. 1t has never turnel
ii deaf ear to the complaints of the people, o
indeed fanny individual it has rejected NJ
: pCtitipn unheard ia has granted eycrv praye