Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-23

l F'pS'"'n'A TIC anu lOln articles
Ut the Bill of Rights may he brought into %
peration, when the people hav. resolved. t.
exercise them II seems to me most in order
next to enquire, tchtther Ire people ought 10 sr-
crease hese rights at This lime The olyrmisfs
| tell us, that the Constitution is venerable for
It's antiquity, as an old soldier or an approved
patriot, and therefore ought To be held sacred
IN IFS present form" Argument, drawn from
analogy are often fa!larious, and in this case,
vibrates as much into the contrary infe-
renee when the deduction is made from the
antiquity of the monarchical forms of govern
meDts.-The dldrmisiS also tell us that the
constitution was framed at period when the
greatest patriots of our country engaged IN
| the revision of the Instrument" They saw
1T has been tried in war and in peace
Admit both these propositions to be historical
iacfs does II follow that the theories of re-
publican government entertained by the wis
est men at any period anterior to the dictates
OF approved and emendatory experience shall
De more correct, more practicable, than the
'ried and accumulated knowledge of the de-
generate abilities of the present day If there
De NOT as much genius and patriotism now as
| mere was then, we have at least had longer
time to learn our political lessons correctly :;
and 1t we are not as patriotic, we perhaps
know little better, by the same lessons of
experience, how to guard against the proHiga-
| cy that prevails. But, if it is not a well sus-
tanned proposition that talents know not the
limits Of time, the bounds of latitude or lon
gltade, the distinctions of sex or colour, we
may calm the fears of the oppositionists, by
reminding them that several of the greatest
sages OF that golden age whereof they boast,
are yet living and have been continually exer-
cislng their transcendent talents, and accumu-
lating farther experience, in political life, as
MIR. Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Marshall,
Taylor of Caroline, with n centumvirate Of
others who have been their disciples, all of
whom will cheerfully obey the call of their
country to examine and remedy any defects
they may find in the Constitution of their
dearly beloved native state. But to DELAY
that examination yet few gears, would be
wantoniy to throw away forever the remain
ing opportunity to benefit by the wisdom
they so much affect to regret.
As to our present constitution having" car
i'ec us successfully through the peris Of war;"
! II proves netting pro nor con many despot
bas been successful in war, many "A republic
has been northumberland reasoning from anal
ogy, we should have been guarded against the
desperate adventure upon the fraiIty of popu-
lar institutions. Besides these we have had
many other sdohistical reasons advanced WHY
the people ought not 10 attempt to call con-
Nention, most OF which are the mere begging of
The question but that which declares il trea-
son against the government and constituted au-
thorities is in direct defiance of the unaliepa.
bile rights avowed by ti!e fundamental princ-
pies oil the constitution and ii is equally in OPP
position to common sense II no such express
reservation had been made as they would still
nave been recognized in the character ofimp-
ca reservations. The phraseolOgy of the act of
1901, On which this opinion is based, cannot be
tortured INTO AN application to the question o {
convention Ii it did apply, it would be an
usurPation OF sovereignty, which ever rests AZ
an unalienable right of the people. 1t is how
ever, only provision against Partition of the
government, against partial or local detection,
nor against the will of the people, in demand
ing redress of grievances, in demanding re-
VISION oil Their constitution. 1t is sufficient 20
cite few words of the act, to discern that il
does not apply to this question, that the legisla-
,ure nave not therein been guilty Of usurpation
L. PROVIDES That every person or persons who
shdi erect or establish, orcause or procure To- be
erected or established, any government sepn
rate from, or independent of the government
OF virginia, 'cithin The limits thereof" &C.
lnueed, marcel nncb. Follow ciZPnn. .h~'
these opposltioulss have not told you on the
authority of montesquieu, when speaking of
British freedom, " that the delay of justice is
the price Of your lb-riies"-a most odious
dogma, that may be preached by men in pow
er, tn dupe the pOpulace, and console them I'M
der the sore Affections of bad laws, unjust de-
cisions. and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. But fortu-
nately for the political experience and sagaci.
~ of Americans, there is hardly an adult a
mong them who does not know his rights bet
ter than TO be cajoled by such absurdilies into
an acquiescence in their abuse.
But those who affect TO Contest the propre-
~ ofcalling convention upon the allegation
that The constitution is as near perfection as we
can expect to make it, and that we shan there
NY hazard deterioration of its good features,
may be most easily met and combated with
facts and arguments; for we must confess we
are aiwaysmost at loss how to play the bate.
rIes OF common sense against the pquivoqnes
OF s0phIstry, the shafts Of rallery, and the
deusiye merriments of anecdote.
s. Still keeping in view, the question, then, fell
ow-citizens, iUheiher you ought at this tune 10
call a convention let us proceed TO a more
substantial and specific mode of examining il :;
aud to do this with as much panness, perspi-
cuty. and correctness as am master of I shall
now direct my attention to the analysis Of the
Constitution and in the first place, presume
shall be sustained by the good sense of every
one IN advancing the position, that if single
defect be found to exist, aud so cOncurred in
by majority of the freeholders Of this com
mOnwealth, il shall be sufficient cause for
calling convention to extirpate the corrupt
particle. NayI will go farther ifupon strict
scrutiny, there should not be found single
defect, but the majority of the people were
Disconnected, aud called fer an examination of
the instrument, alleging merely imaginary
defects, they ought not to be opposed in the
exercise of their free will in demanding con
vention. They have the unalienable right TO
retouch and new-model every feature in their
constitution, short ofinfringing its republican
character, which is guaranteed to all the con.