Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-30

weight Of authorityin fasov Of the present
constitution, which no man may rightly dis.
regard.
Political prudence views with jealousy all
essential changes and innovations upon old
and fundamental institutions is only prompt.
ed to them by everything necessity and re-
ceives them, at last, with caution and appre-
hension. In the language Of the Declaration,
of Independence, Whenever any government
becomes destructive of-the rights to life,
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness-it is
the tight OF the people TO alter or abolish it,
Prudence indeed will dictate, that govern
ments long established, should not be chang
ed for light and transient causes and ac-
cordingly all experience hath shewn, that
mankind are more disposed TO suffer while
evils are sufferab!e, than To right themselves
by abolishing the forms 10 which they are
accustomed."--Ha the form of government
to which we are accustomed, in its practical
operation, proved destructive of life, liberty,
and the pursuit Of happiness? Has il, in any
manner, cramped or hndered, or failed TO
promote, secure and defend, the enjoyment
and exercise of those rights What are the
insufierable evils, Or rather it may be asked,
what are the serious inconyeniences, that we
have ever suffered, or do now endure, or ap-
reform?
The advocates Of a Convention appeal TO
our Bill Of Rights the authority of which ,ve
admit, and are content To abide by. Ii is de-
clared in the third article, that" of all the
various modes and forms Of government
"tllat is best, which is capable of produc-
sing the greatest degree Of happiness and
{" safety, and is most r!fectually secured a.
gainst the danger of mal-adminisration !;
and THAT when any government shall be
g found inadequate or contrary to these pur.
poses, majority of the community hath
g an ndubitable, unalienable, indeleasible right
TO reform, after or abolish il, in such map-
s. ner "a shall he judged most conducive
g o'the public weal."-Let US, then, appeal to,
the history of this government, aud gather its
true character from our experience of its ope-
ration. Hath II secured, defended and promo
ted, as much as human Institutions could, our
happiness and safety? Hath IL approved IL
self practice, effecIual!y secured against the
danger OF ma-adminislraiioB Or hath il
been found inadequate or contrary to the pur-
poses for which il was ordained ? If this
question can he fairly answered in the afirmn-
tive, let II be reformed, altered, or abolished,
according 10 the "xigcncies which experience
has developed. But If all men must, in their
conscIences, answ er il in the negative; il NAV
people,
which meme may presume To question or re.
sist, but upon the principle ofthis declaration
II never can be right, to abolish, alter, or re.
form il.
Under this constitution, the people have been
protected IN their persons. property and hap
piness, IN religious and civil liberty, Ia degree
never surpassed in any age or nation of the
world. Religious freedom, in the purest and
most extended sense of the phrase, has been
secured to all and on that the dearest inter.
est OF mankind, no unjust preferences, no bigo-
try or intolerance, no keats, iralousies or
'heaMhurnngs, remain among rs. The severe
criminal code Of the common law, has been
amelJratea TO that degree, that if error have
been committed in this regard il lies on the
side of mercy. All restraints, upon the aii.nx-
ton of lands, have been removed ; and the
whole national domain laid open ADD free 10
the acquisition of honest industry, in all n.Ssdes
OF eXerton, and to all manner of free men,
The law of drscents has heen adapted to our
republican institutions so as effecluaIly to
prevent the possible permanent accumulation
of property IN asy family. The population
of The state, Notwithstanding the immense
emigralions to the West. has been continually
and rapidly increasing. The Executive has
never even been accused Ola single act of
usurpaiiOn or violence, or with any failure To
ci'rd with policy. The Judges, from the 10 " :
est 10 the highest, have administered Justice
with unimpnsned and unimpeachable fair
ness, INTEGRITY and frmness: seif-love, with all
ITS blindness, has never induced any sutton To
question the niotires of his Judge. The Legis-
tGtWe has enacted no unjust, oppressive, Oh
obnoxious laws: its cnactments must, in the
main, be admitted 10 have been wise and If
at any time il has enacted impoiitic laws, they
have soon been repealed. II has never turned
deaf ear TO The con Esiaints of the people, or
indeed Ofany individual il has rejected no
petition unheard; il lNs granted every prayer
founded in truth and Justice. And, i0 respec;
to ITS fiscal measures, fit has erred at ALL il is
supposed TO have erred on the safer side of
too rigid econony. Not oug no instance
has occurred, but no charge has been made,
no suspicion entertained, of 0oe single act of
corruption, in any officer nlcsisIaive, execu.,
tive or judicial station. No poor man has ever
been oppressed with lmpunity no rich mar
has ever been exalted on the mere strength of
wealth alone. No cOmmotioDs, no factions,
no animosltes, have arisen among u.s. in rela-
ton 10 our internal aFirs or government: the
parties, that haze divided us. are referrible TO
the measures Of the general government; and
even these have been singularly exempt from
rd'lgnity. Our state institutions have dis
armed their rage, and made forbearance, chart
ty and moderation, the only means ambition
can employ, with any hope Of success
The truth Of this mmary will not and
cannot he deaied by any man of observation.
All things mark the prevalence of wholesome
laws, of good and truly republican govern
ment; civil and religious liberty protected,
and secured Unfortunately to alI-Indusiry
encouraged lin the only manner it ought by
perfect freedom in its exertisn and security
Of its frniis=An Executive nnigerless TO any