The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-05-07

,esplut3nfs, says tint the CoesRtul'ou
a,.fe,.,i,. and reanires amendme nj, anu
brings toward the right OF suffrage as {"
nfes, Mt Emitted TO freeholdcrs, a. one oi
tbe drf.e.s. Some qualifications must oe
prescribed 20 voters, aud none cah "'
which will not exclude many mertoFi'us
individuals. The advocates OF con'eh
ton themselves will admit that some qua
llfcatirns are necessary, 4 under any run,
some pe-sCng must he excluded W.
ought not to Re Influenced on this sublect
he the eloquent appeals which are maze 10
our svmnathies in hehafof those who hght
the battles Of their country. non-'ree-
holder ought not to complain of his beng
declared the exercise of the privilege OF
voting, because he does not stand alone IN
this respect, but belongs to class when IS
equally excluded But, after all, asked MI
A. IS tins e, of sufficient magnitude To
render a Convention necessary Are W.
willing IN agree with the gentleman in haz
ardng So much, to remedy that evil But
; even the advocates of a Convention differ
among themselves |, said Mr. A. now see
gentlemen in this meeting, who are III favor
! of a Convention, but are opposed to the
extension of the right of suffrage.
Mr.. A. asked the advocates OF d conYen
/ ton To show the existence OF any practical
evil. Who is oppressed Where are any
mischief5. Until we feel aud see them, let
us be quiet. Where is there any corruP-
| ton lfihere be neither corruptlan, mus
tee or mischeis TO complain OF, where IS
the necessity for alteration Ii there be
! slight defects in the constitution, what
| guarantee have we, that, ii we frame au0
/ Their, it will not be mere defective Our
constitution was formed in time of dan
! ger, by wise heads, with peril at the door.
| But Mr.. A would not exchange ii for any
| on the globe Ii is true Mr.. Jefferson says
we are IN a state of improvement but he
/ has net pointed out one Of the improve
Inents. repeat said Mr.. \. thatI would
not exchange our Constitution for any
which have ever heard Of If there be
any man here who would, J ask HIM To
point out the constitution which he prefers.
! Al are defective, and ours IS certainly not
the most So. Other states have lately Il
ncpded their constitutions, aud even with
all their new lights--for, Mr., Chairman,
this is an age Of new lights, they have not
formed better cue than that OF which We
boast. There is much to be hazarded by Il
|
Three defects have been enumerated in
the constitution--lst. tie present limta-
tior to the Right Of Suffrage, but believe
said NJ. A. that ma ority of those who
advocate Convention are opposed to its
extension Cd. the Executive Council g.
the scratch, as il is called, by which two of
its members are displaced every three
years But Is tenderness IN their feelings
To influence us. TI-ie, better mode
might have been adopted, but still is this
an tvil-Nhieh should require Convention?
Sd. the unequal system of representation.
But can any scale be devised, which would
be perfectly equal None can he thought
of which is not subject to chaugr-Rut |
deny that this is an evil 1T great magnitude.
The representative of county IS also the
representative of the state. The rTpresen-
tatve from Warrck is equally the repre-
sentative from Campbell, because he is the
representative of'the whole State, aud is
: therefore bound 10 protect her interests.
But if II be such an evil rs it is said to be,
is il such an evil as requires such great haZ-
ard to remedy il ; | repeat it (sald Mr.. A.
that three defects only have been pointed
out in Constitution, anda as from neither of
them have any practical evils rcs,rited, I
ask, are they Sufficient to induce the call
of a Convention.
The resolution relative TO NJ. Jefferson,
,, SAID Mr.. Anthony is an extraordinary one.
We are called upon to adopt this resolution,
whish irreaveatly pays compliment to
Mr.. Jefferson, notwithstanding we have
met here for the sole purpose of consider
d ing the pronriety ofa Convention. To this
course MIR. A was opposed, although he
was willing to give him all credit on pro-
; Der occasions. But he could not cno
, ceive what relation the resolution bore TO
tha subject under consideration. know