Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-13


convention ought INN 'diaiely ~ lie called 10y the
people, for the purpose vi amending the consiiuio
nj this state.
Rssolred That a committee be appoints ell to rcpor,
10 "A Meeting hereafter TO he convened, the besi
practicable means Of promoting the views OF this
meeting.
Mr.. p. n. NICHOLAS rose in opposition t.
the resolutions. He cuntended that Mr.. Mum
ford contemplated the subversion Of the whole
constitution, under which we had lived for
nearly halfa century--a constitution, which
had been formed by some of the most virtuo,is
patriots who had lived in any age or nation ;
and when the people were at least as intelli-
gent and as pure, as we are. Yet 20 what
conclusion does Mr.. nj. at last arrive that
the trainers of our constitution have over
looked few things that there are some de-
fects TO be remedied Oh no ! bst that a
radical charge IN the whole system is neces-
sary.-No one in this country was afraid to
trust the people or TO amend the csnstitu-
ton when it was radically defective. But if,
as the gentleman says, we may change our
constitution as easily as our laws, we shall
soon be in the situation of revolutionary
France where the constitution was changed
as readily as a garment-and new one was
formed at least every three mOnths-Now.
Mr.. ". contended, one great advantage of a
constitution was found in the solidity of its
establishment that il was s0methn. more
sacred than amor binary law. Gentlemen NAV
decry the constitution, because it was old.
but IS not this one of the reasons why we
should be cautious in touching il ; We have
lived under 1t. IN war and in peace-we have
nourished under it (: Shall we rashly change
it? The gentleman indeed contends that the
very Bill Of Rights recognizes the right of the
people to change ii hut dies he sufficiently
understand this provision Are we to change
the constitution for light aud trivial causes !?
Consult the voice of experience. Look ai the
records Of History. Look al the Lycurguses
and Soions of antiquity. Say, what lawgiver
has ever formed IA system which was so pure
and perfect as not 10 present some defects /?
Ii Is only when these defects become glaring
and oppressive, that an amendment ought 10
he made. Ii is only extreme evils that require
this extreme remedy. The gentleman says,
he was for "A convention in 1900 /; but have we
not heen. happy under our constitution since
that time Aud if il had been changed then,
who can guarantee that the gentleman himself
would not at this moment be crying out for
new reforms ?-What great benefit do we
premise ourselves from "A Convention? Are
not all our great rights now secured Is not
the press ia NOT religion free? What more
do YOU want ?? M discreet people will rush
into changes, until they driven on by some
tlasrant eyils--What great calamity has lately
td'tU t'NuU us. tU6l We SIlOtlIu now be hurried
into Convention Surely some great change
must recently have taken place. When some
few years ago, the western people pressed for
an alteration in The constitution. The storm was
averlcd by The passage of tn Senatorial hill
WHAT practical evils have since been genera =
ted Lately Indeed we have seen some es-
says ~ !h- newspapers but what well found :
ed complaints have they produced +? Mr.. "
said. II was enough. for him, that he found the
people happy that if YOU once embark on
the tempestuous ocean of experiment, YOU
are not aware Of the rocks and quicksands
which yOm may have To encounter that the
vessel may reach the haven. but in so shattered
condition, as scarcely 10 survive the shock
He then proceeded 10 examine Mr.. Me oh
lec'ionS And first as to the right of suiiiaga,
the gentleman does not tell us what lines or
limits me would lay down for our guidance.
II r. speaks of the hardship OF DENYING The
RIGHT Ofvoting 10 the merchants hut when he
rs hus ~ sea. where Nil he stop 2 IVhy a
bandGn The freehold? What better evidence
can ~ have Ola mans permanent attachment
to the state than the possession of the soil /?
w That more strcnuously lies him down TO the
interests of The state merchants proper
ty Is of ilreiing description. His goods are
here to-day and gone Tomorrow But the
land holder cannut consent to any great mea-
sure, whose consequences he does not expect
u participate. This right of freehold too is
So easy to be obtained, that The gentleman
himself saws II may he purchased for a mere
song MIR n. said he had seen the effects of
different systems in diiTircu; states-and he
was Satisfied with the superior advantages of
the freehold vote. Where univ ersal suffrage.
prevails, the great manufactures is apt to bias
the VOTES fins dependent worllmpn five en- .
lov more frerdnm and Independence in Viz
r1Fsn &c a,.c, a. Il r
thu irerhoId prin iple itself ~ hich we have es-
tahshrd
But Mr.. VI. objects, that the Legislature il
too numerous, and the counties too unequal.
\ of IS II not 81 in other states, even where
universalsnflrage prevails I? Does Baltimore,
iecaisr she is so poruious aud 50 dIspropor-
iIonatrly represented. attempt 10 amend the
constitution Of MARYLAND Are not all our
citizens taxed alike Is not the NUMBER of
representatives privilege which the people
rruloy-of which they cannot fairly complain
II IS said the sessions are too long But have
We any security, that smaller number of
delegates will not equally procrastinate the
public businessman reserve so many laws till
The last of The session Bnt is it not some
what curious, that we, who live in the lower
counli"s of tire state, should be first 10 put the
ball Of revolution in motion? Shall we in the
spirt OF chlvalry undertake TO commence this
scheme fnr the ben"f, Of The larger counties
as bOudonu and Bedford?
MIR. ". proceeded To answer Mr.. M's ohjrc-
IONS To the Executive department. He con
tended that il was more Pxredient and more
republican to distribute the Executive powers
among several hands, than t. concentrate them
I'D one man that it was perhaps the theory of
ihr constitution, to select the different coun-
cIilors frnm different parts Of the common
wealth ,that they may bp better acouainted with