Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-23

eeseneratcd from the virtue and wisdom of tl,es,
whether they are not utterly incapable
=. se-sovernment, and entirely ignorant of their
o"" wants and interests and whereas, there is
Ieason to fear that they are not only unworthy of
"S' themselves, but Incompetent to make prvper
VI representatives, to express an opiuion
upon any other subject in which their interests are
concerned and whereas there is too ,,u,.b c,e.
70 apprehend that WIZ the REPRESENTATIVES of the
sooo people OF Virginia, may not be capable of ma
"'g"iS oheir concerns to the greatest advantage
ana, In the fallbility Of poor human nature, NAV
oe haoe 10 err and whereas, there are many bad
laws now In force, aud more especially an mOrd;
asnce," entitled, The Constitution ar form NJ ar.
Sesnnent, agreed 10 and resolved upon by the Dele
ga'es ana Representatives of the several counties
ahd corporations OF Virginia, which, I'M the opi-
mon OF ALL, might be amended, but which, if reyis
co. ng'u possibly in the great uncertainty of all
n'u'ah analrs, eVentuate i'll some mischief; respec-
ting wh'cn, II seems that approximations are enter
tai"e" hy 'nany of the freeholdery schom alone we
represent, and to ghom alone we are responsible =
very iafse proportion of the People having no Il,
"Test IN pubic aifaIs, and being regarded in this
enlightened age, as "rabtle," nearly upon a leye,
WIN the Tree negroes and mulattoes aud whereas
io Instance OIL corruption or practical oppression,
mas as gel been experienced no pu6l;c defauifer
has bee detected nor has any man been cond,c
ted to the scafold, for "causng or proc,uiuo, the
call OF convention BY THE PEOPLE.n To a.
mend the said ORDINANCE, without an - act of the
Legislature of this Commonwealth for that p,rnose
hfst ootaincd the said'PEoPLE being well know
10 be their own worst administrations to their
country, and to the holy cause of lerifi,ocv and
whereas, we entertain great veneration for anti
qi'y, ana think 1t not only strange, but
that any fault should be found with the institutions
winch originated inths "fcisdom of our ancestors"
ana nave existed for neariy9taif century :'-and
whereas ieafs are entertained, That, in consequence
md
terstic OF the people of Mts state (grea,ly increas
ed TOO by the Vaccinations Of our near neishbors
the |.7h"S y EWope" and the extraordinary cir
cumstance OF an approaching and ssnaost importanf
eieeiioa, some OF the laws in force, but more
especially the aforesaid Ordinance, might, in this
age OF reform, should too much legislation be toe-
ratedshare the same fate with the ancient nd there
jore tctse laws of Entail and Prinopenifure and
'nefeny anhihiinte the small remnant of arisocracy
sun eNisuhg III our Countrywide precious niemento
81 those go0d'oia lines, when we were subject to
HE tdteia,e OF our acise British ancestors and
whereas we entertain the greatest reverence for
the institutions Ct those ancient and therefore mise
nations, the Medes and Pcrsians whose II voc were
iMhlCIABLE, AMI thereby secured against the
DANGEROUS consequences Of innovation -
BE II eancfed By the General Assembly, That
the aforesaid "Ordinance," adopted on the goth
June, liio, and all other laws now in force i'm this
cohnohwcaiti,, SHALL from and after the passing Of
announcement, and oppressive they may be and
hat any person OF persons, who SHALL either direct
y or indirectly, suggest any repeal, alteration or a.
'hehnment oil the same,-or shall not consider the
same aoundahty sufficient for all purposes, from
nenceiorth for erer more (regardless of all uctua-
'ohs' Wlcn, IN the course OF time may naturally be
expected, IN the circumstances and opinions of man
kiho) :-or SHALL either by words spoken Oh written
Oh by looks, actions gestures, nuendoes or in any
ouef manner whatsoever, attempt to defame, or
bring the said "Ordinance" or laws or any of them
llto contempt or disrepute, shall, with his, her. or
their aicers abcttors, and councillors cn convict;
on thereof, be adjudged guilty of HIGH TREASON,
and shall suffer death, by hanging by the neckwih-
out benefit of the clergy.
BE II further enacted, That if any doubt shall
arise, respecting the Interpretation of this act, il
shall DE the DUTY OF the judges, i'll all such cases,
expound IT h6eraHyJ for tie communicable, that is to
say, against the People; and that as the security
OF tie property @: the minority is of much greater
Importance in every well regulated community tina n
the protection of the ues and liberties of the n,aio
ty shall be the duty Of the judges, in all trials for
offences coming within the purvew of this act, TO
adhere rigidly to that good old law (see r. Code
Vol. LIST, P. 1861 which declares that no person
shall be capable to be of petit Jury for the trial of
treason, felony" Sc. SC. in any court of record in
this commonwealth, sunless such person be a free
holder" NC &c. the declaration i'm the Bill of
| Rights, that no man be deprived of his liberty
except by the judgment Of his PEERS" to the con-
trary notwithstanding -
| Beat further enacted, That this act shall t.ke
effect from and after the uery moment Of its enact
ment.
u The Editors of newspapers throughout the
State who may deem the foregoing worthy an in
sertion in their respective papers, are respectfully
requested to publish the same for the serious cons
dera,on of the good people OF this Commonwealth