Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-28

annually consumed o's.nan portion OF their tim,
might with great advantage be transferred TO SOM
other tribunal
Your ncmorialists moreover, consider the organi
."uoh Oh the Executive Branch Of the Government
10 be very defective. Without expressing anv oni.
mon as to the expediency of retaining the Executive
council, we object to the tenure by which the mem
oefs OF that body hold their Office, to the very obi
v"s process by which their removal is effected-to
uie manner IN which the powers Of the Executive
cre distributed, and to the number of which the
council consists. Frequent elections are as essen
ai 10 the purity of the executive, of the egis-
,au'c branch OF government. The trienninl reno.
val OF only two of that body, might impose upon 3,
ssatished community, portion of its members for
me space of twelve years. however offensive their
.haracter or conduct might be.--As To the arode of
ne'r removal, it has already excited sufficient dis
apPiooation, to render comment unnecessary. The
executive, as at present constituted, is not suiii-
| S,ehty responsible for its conduct. The Governor
Sna'ins no power to act without advice of Council
Ing uehieo even the privilege of casting yote,)
Va" oc responsible, only for failing to comply with
| eu''ce winch lie may consider objectionable; or
ior aonng in conformity herewith rather than suf-
| te' he wheels OF government to stand STILL The
council are responsible only for bad advice, o, a
failure to give anywhiIc Their s,u,nbe, diu,iuishes
their responsibility. We arc therefore of oninion
mat new organization of the Executive branch OF
the government is desirablc.--The gieat expend
'u'e OF public money, which would annually be 81
| AL
must DE obs = us To every rejecting mind.
Your memoriaiists moreover entertain serious
uouo's, whether even iaif the free white men of this
| commonwealth, are represented in the Legislature
rms Is a subject respecting which we think there
shottd 6e no doubt, long The rights of the ma
IJority are rcspected,-or so long we pretend TO
assume the appellaton of republicans. If the half
the fourt!--or even much smaller portion, OF the
free white mcu of Virginia, be DISTINGUISHED nd I'M
represented must be obvious, that very large
proportion of those, who shave sufficient evidence of
permanent common interest with and attachment
to the community, instead Of enjoying, arc ac,ual-
y deprived of the right of suffrage. Most rcuctant-
~, ihueed, would we acquiesce i'll the opinion, that
So many OF the citizens of Virginia devoid of at
achnent to their country, and of ntercs, i'm its well
iare. 1T IS more than probable, that the period
of the adoption of the present constitution while the
pursuits oil our counrymen almost universally
agricultural-the population of the country small
aud scattered-and property in the soil generally
enloyed-the present restriction upon the right OF
suffrage, excluded but very small portion of The
community from the exercise of that privilege Rut
since that period, the rapid progress of improvements
more dense population nj the cna need va Inc of
lands, have augmented the price of the freeholJ-i
given new direction the pursuits of MANY of cur
citizens, and greatly diminished the reatre prvpor
ton of legally qualified voters. revision of this
feature OF the constitution, is therefore entitled
this time, to peculiar consideration. Your memo
ralis's are not the advocates of arersai suffrage
put VIC oeeSe tnat an extension OF this valuable |
privilege within proper limits will not only be wise
and polite, but is due, as an act of Justice to ma
ny OF our fellowcitizens We are not pre- pa red TO
discuss the nature of the limitations which
should be imposed--but are willing confide in the
discretion of a Convention, WHOSE PROCEEDINGS |
WILL DE SUFFICIENTLY RATIFIED OR REJECT |
ED Ely THEIR CONSTITUENTS. We confidently |
believe, that wisdom and moderation will be their
guide upon this, and upon all other subjects
Your memorialists are also of opinion, that some
provision for amending such defects in the Const-
tuition, as time and experience may deyeopc, is |
highly expedient. Other subjects would, no doubt |
claim the attention of Convention But we con- |
tent ourselves with enumcratpg the before menti- |
oned defects, as constituting the principal grounds
upon which we would recommend revision of that |
instrument.
Your mcmorialis,s are well aware, that much I'M
necessary alarm has been excited upon this inter-
esting subject. The views, and even the uofir.s of
the friends OF reform, have been misreprcsented-l
while appeals have been made the local int
OF various sections OF the State, excite the fears
and inf1ame the prejudices of the people. But when
the general welfare of this community requires the
adoption of any measure, we do not, we cannot be-
eve, that contracted views of local interest, will
render nugatory an appeal to the reason-the JUS
tice-the magnanimity of Yirginians Moreover we
do not believe that any Convention ought to have,
or would possess the power of acting finally upon
the subject. The people ,costld still retain tie right
Of Tafying rejecting, article by articte the RE-
CONGREGATIONS Of a Convention. To quiet
the apprehenscns even of the most timid n Sc
cond Convention IF necessary might be delegated,
TO revise, and ratify reject the proceeding of the
frst.-Your memorialists, therefore, invite the at
tention of the General Assembly to the expediency
of adopting such measures, as in your wisdom shall
be considered best calculated facilitate and expo
dite Convention of delegates revise the Consti-
tuition, provided majority of the community shall |
have recommended such sure, or before the |
commencement of your session. ftle wishes OF the
people shall not have been clearly asccrtaincd by
that pcriod,we respectfully suggest the proprieiy
Of requiring, by law, poll taken as soon as
convenient to ascertain their sentiments upon the
subject,-and the adoption of such further provis-
ons as you may deem proper, to promote the views |
and wishes of the majority when declared in favor
of Convention. We cannot believe that they who |
admit the right of the ority tn govern will
object to any measure which has other object |
than clearly to ascertain their WILL to carry il in
to effect when fairly ascertancd Such law sure
y, could not be regarded equivalent O. call of
Convention. Your memorialiss feel assured, tha
the Legislature, who moi sovereign, but subordi
nate to the people, would dsclaim the exercise of
any such authority. But confidently hope, that,
whatever may be the views of the General Assembly
to the proposed revision the spontaneous express
sion Of sentiment upon this subject in many parts of
the commonwealth will at least claim your atten-
ton and respect
| Your memoraists are no disorganizers.-We are |
friends of peace and harmony. Defective con-
slider State Constitution, we would dcprecate |
any revision of that instrument, if believed the
present period nfavorable to reform, that dis
cord iudiscTetinn would characterize the proceed
Ings Of Convention.-But Of opinion, tina |
period since the foundation of republic, Ina
ever been p:opitious the present. cool deli
or, 81,