Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-28
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
THE MEMORIAL

| ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
! THE MEMORIAL
vi me Sitizens of Richmond, OH the subject of
convention, to revise and amend the Constitutio
of Virginia.,
RESPECTFULLY REPRESENTS
mat your ne,norialists arc duly sensible of tn
privileges civil and political which we at presen
..Joy' a"n tnat we are truly grateful for the NAM
blessings which it has pleased Kind providence I,
oestow upon our beloved country. But, wlrile we r.
impressed with due sense of the extent and impor
tance OF these blessings, we are we'll aware of th,
inperiecton of all human institutions and that OK
Pcficnce alone can test the fitness of constitutions
and laws to the wants and condition of mankind
our memorialists duly appreciate the virtue the pa
triotism, and political wisdom of the iustrious au.
tnnrs oi theConstituton of Virginia. Considering the
circumstances under which that was fra
med IT. IS indeed subjccto pride &
.nat IL should be SO exempt from imperfection. Blu,
II could not have been expected that form of GO
vcrnment, so speedily adopted"-upou a great G..
mergehcy,-at the commencement of an awful and
oioody cohteSt-by an assembly, invested with no
o'her IMAM general authority provide for the ex-
lgencies ofthc occasion, would be adequate to the
nuctuating necessities g. circumsta nces of youth
'ui'ViSorouS ~ growing republic. how
ever, by the successful issue of our revolutionary
struggle, aud endcared TO fellow -citizens by the
most pleasing associations, the form of
adopted by that assembly has indeed been acuuie,c
GU III, as u IL mao Dcen the work of convention
| appointed specially for the purpose of forming a
constitution, and subsequently ratified by the ex-
press appreciation of the people. Far be il from the
intention OF your i,emorialists to weaken the au-
thorty and respect to which that instrument is and
VIII be entitled, SO long the acquiescence of the
community snail continue to sanction its validity.
we ADVERT tn the circumstances of its orpiu as an
apology for its defects which is but an act of ius-
uce TO the patriots and sages who planned and a.
dopteu II. The long acquicsceuce of the people of
Virginia, III reconstruction thus formed, and general
acknowledged to be defective, is another evidence
VI .he 'ruth' that mankind are more disposed to
suffer- while evils are siderable, than to right them
selves by aboshing the forms TO which they are ar
customed." ltpesents additional testimony of the
patience-thc foi bearance-the moderation of yir.
g,nians 1t exhibits refutation of the idea that
he people ought not TO be trusted revise and re-
model their constitution; while it adds confirmation
to the belief that they would not only make no rash
innovations, but that the most implicit reliance NAV
be feposed IN their prudence and moderation. En-
pertaining, therefore, the utmost confidence in the
virtue and good sense of our fe!low-citzeus, your
cmorialsts beg leave invite the attention of the
General Assembly, to the expedency of revising
the Constitution of the State, by regularly dele
gated Convention.
We are well aware, that ga majority Of the com
munity hath an indubtable, unalienablc and indie
feasible right to reform, alter ABOLISH their form
of Government, sin such manner as shall be con-
General Assembly is dictated solely by that res
pect which feel for the Constituted authorities
OF our country. Itproceeds not from any doubt of
the right of THE PEOPLE, in their sovereign capac-
ty, (whcnever their will can he obaned,) to call a
Convention, ,citkoM The interposition of lie Lesis-
tafure. We will ever contend for the principle, that
majority of the community" alone, have a right
to call a Convention. But we believe, that an ap-
peal to the General Assembly, to pass such laws as
may be expedent to promote the wishes of the peo-
pie upon this subject, is the most regular--nost re-
spectiul-and probably, the most expeditions mode
OF accomplishing object.
our memorialists deem it unnecessary to enter
INTO detailed exposition Of what they conceive TO
be the defects of the Constitution of the State =
They will, therefore, confne their observations to
such points in their opinion, most deserving of
consideration.
However fair the representation of the people of
this Commonwealth, in the House of Delegates may
formerly have been, it cannot be denied, that the
present inequality is great, as to require n new
apportIonment, II the attainment of Justice and e.
quail rights be at all desirable: And even were the
representation at this moment fair and equal, we
believe that periodical apportionment, upon Just
principles, would be desirable amendment. The
trainers of the Federal Constitutions we'll aware of
the fluctuations in population, which must necessa-
rly be expected in the process of time, have wisely
guardedagastthec consequences ofsuch fluc tuations
Your menoralists believe, that similar provisi-
on in the Constitution of Virginia would be attend
ed with the same advantages. If fair and ius,
representation be desirable, we can see no reason
why the counties of Warwick, Tyler, and Nicho-
las, containing an aggregate population according
to the last census) of 1888 souls and paying taxes
amounting in all to 1882, should have ar equal
weight in the House of Delegates with the counties
of Loudoun, Frederick, and Fauquier, which con-
lam, according tn the same census, T05lI souls,
and pay taxes to the amount of 2I,9l1 dollars and
% cents.
Your mcmorialists cannot suppose, that the repre-
sentatves of districts would not be as faithful to
their constituents as the representatives of counties
We believe that delegates in Congress, (who
represent very large dstricts have been, and ever
will be, attentive the local interests of their
constituents, the representatives of counties in
the State Legislature. 1t is the pride, and indeed
the fundamental principle of Republican government
that the will OF the majority should govern But
the present system of allowing two delegates each
county, whatever be its population,is calculated to
PROSTATE this cardinal principle, and to subject The
majority to the will of the minority. This evil is
destined TO increase with the progress of time. 1t
might result from the present constitution, that if
ny portion of the State should become nearly de-
populated, the few inhabitants remaining III the de-
serted section, would retain the same political weight
as more numerous population possessed before.
An association of wealthy individuals might become
the landlords OF county---sond their delegates to
! the Legislature, and balance the political weight of
1.-THE most populous county in the commonwealth
4 And indeed, under present system, the period
may arrive, when TOO may in substance have our
rotten boroughs." To say, that have yet
Rfclt no practicable oppression under this state Of
things, is pre- ,isely the argument which might
DC urged in favor of monarchy, if complaints
\ made against the theory Of such government du-
ring the reign of mild, intelligent and patriotic
prince. II is the province of wisdom, and the du-
1 fv IF a n lfcyp them