Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-27

GThe proceedings OF the Senate of the U. S. on the
Road and Canal BW shall be detailed in our next. II
hnaiiy passed ON Saturday.
MR.. JEF'FERSO.N,.S LETTER.
We are favored with the following letter addressed
TO gentleman ofthis Ciiy.--The Importance of il.
subject, aud the character Of its AUTHOR will enitle
IT TO the most profound attention
MONTICELLO, APRIL 10, 1924.
Dear Sir: received in due time Your favor
OF the 18th, requesting my opinion ON the
proposition 10 call convention for amending
The constitution of the state. That this should
not be perfect cannot be subject of wonder,
when II is considered that ours was not only
the llrst oil the American states, but the first
nation In the world, at least within the records
OF history, which peaceably, by its wise men,
formed, ON free deliberation, a constitution of
government for Itself, and deposited il in writ
lng among their archives, ready and open to
the appeal of every citizen. The other states,
VINO SUCCESSFULLY formed constitutions for
themselves also, had The benefit of our out
line, and have made on it doubtless successive
improvements. One, in the very outset, and
which has been adopted in every subsequent
constitution, was to lay its foundation in the
authority of the nation. To our convention
no special authority had been d. l-gated bv
the people TO form permanent constit,ssion
over which their successors in legislation
should have no power of alteration. They
mad been elected for the ordinary purposes of
legislation only, and at time when the es:
adjustment OF new government had not
been proposed or contemplated. Although,
therefore, they gave to this act the title of
constitution, Yet il could be no more than an
act 'oi legislation, subject, as their other acts
were, to alteration by their successors. II
has been said indeed that The acquescence of
the people has supplied the want of original
power. But IT Is dangerous lesson Ia say To
them whenever your functionares exercise
unlawful authority over you, if you do not go
into actual resistance, 1t will be deemed acoui-
escence, and confirmation Besides, no au-
thority-has yet decided whether the resistance
must be instantaneous? When the right to re-
SYST ceases? or whether it has yet ceased /?
vi the "a states now organized, % have dis
approved our doctrine and example, and have
deemed the formal authority of their people
q necessary foundation for constitution.
Another defect which has been corrected by
most ct the, other states is, that the basis Of
our constitution is in opposition to the princi-
pie OF equal POLITICAL rights, refusing 10 all but
ireeholders any participation in the natural
right Of self government. Ii is believed, for ex-
ample, that very great majority of the mill
%
was imposed in the late war, were mcn unre-
presented in the legislation which imposed
this burtheB on them. However nature may,
by mental or physical disqualifcations, have
marked infants and the weaker sex for the
protection, rather than the direction Of go
vernment, yet among the men who either pay,
or fight for their country, no line of right can
be drawn. The exclusion of a majority Of
our freemen from the right of representation
is merely arbitrary, and an usurpation Of the
minority over the majority. Forit is believed
that the non freeholders compose the majority
OF our free, adult male citizens
And even among our citizens who partici-
pate IN the representative privilege, the equal
ity of political rights is entirely Frustrated by
our constitution. Upon what principle of
right or reason can any one j1-tify the gi, ing
to every citizen of Warwick as much weight
IN the government as to 90 equal ci'izens'in
Loudoun Aud similar Inequalities among the
other counties If these fundamental principles
are of no importance 10 actual government.
then no principles are important, and il is AS
we'll to rely on the dispositions, good or i'll, Of
an administration, as on the provisions of a
constitution.
shall not enter into details of smaller de-
tects although, others there doubtless are,
the reformation Of some of which might great
iy lessen the expenses of government. improve
ITS organization, and add to the wisdom Of it's
administration in all its parts. But these
things leave to others, not permitting myself
to take sides in the political questions Of the
day. I;willpgly acquiesce 10 the institutions
OF my country, perfect or imperfect. and think
Vt dutysto leave their notifications to those
who are to.liye under them. and are to parti
clpafe OF the good or evil they may produce.
.Fhr present generation have. the same right
OF sell government which the past one has ex-
ercsed for itself; and, in the full vigor Of no.
dy and mind, are more able tn Judge for them
stlvPs than those who are sinking under the
wane Of both. ffthe sense of our citizens on
the question Of convention can be fairly and
fully taken, its result will, Tam sure, be wise
and So lutary and far from arrogating the Of
fee OF advice, no one will more passively nc.
quesce IN II than myself Retiriog, therefore
to the, Tranquility called for by increasing
years and debility, I.wish not to niermeddie
in this question and to my prayers for the ge-
neral good, have only to add assurances to
yourself ct my great esteem and respect,
TIL JEFFERSON.
To THE EDITORS.
am one m tint NUMEROUS ard long oppressed class Of
citizens, The Boys. And cannr tell yon how I am