The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-05-28

are fNhs oppressive III thtfr nature ana
tendency, and are growing INTO a system
injurious to the community, aud snb' ersive
ot the right aud privileges of the poo
pc.
The writer has read the substitute"
with some degree oil attration, and much
pleasure, |. perfectly aecurd= with many ct
is naAlms, as we'll ~ the views which 1t
takes af the advantages and character Of
thu government under vhrh we live
\ tg,uneutsarr cnllrrly unnecessary to con
vince III, good people oil Virginia that " II
3" bchoyrs al men In discard all paFial
q views, and examine With the utmost or
curnsprciiou the infinitely diversified and
:. complex relations Of sOclety, before they
4" attempt IL change any tnod system Of
" general idNs nhItsoNtIcr, much more
- before lhty presume To touch the ttpeS
a ktgin, the fundamental law, ard const-
Il tuition Of thrr country :" and II = equally
evident that il Is not The part OF wisdom
" 10 act or move al al IN such high con
" Germs without adequate motives But
were we II vail suplnely until tie
success ofesrry undertaking were proved
heynnd the possibility Of doubt if every
attempt II improvement were To he post
poned until means safe and sure presented
themselves 10 make tine attempt successful
should no enterprise whatever be under
taken without means certainly attaiuable'
in shoIt,.f the pursuit Of every object
however desirable aud however udispeu
sable 10 our welfare and prosperity,
should never be commenced until every
doubt of success should be dlssipated, aud
every obstruction removed ont of the
way IN possession, .Iem indeed would b.
| the experiments 10 mrurate the condition
ri hapless man. 1t wonId seem, from the
doctrine of the substitute" that pro |
-4lictlc knowledge of ture events, and AN
eye which could penetrate The Proioond
my steries of fate, would be Indispensable |
TO that people, whose temctity would IN
cline them IL improve their established
system Of civil government, hu"rtrr nj
qullous 4 sub,crsiyr ofthelr rights, ofthcm
interest, and of their happiness.
" Human rrason,' II Is admitted, "wben |
employed IN estimating ProsPrcnecly The
effects 81 political Institutions has always
proved, aud ever viii prove Iamcnt,hIy !
tdlllbIe = bat does il follow that human |
reason IS more iallibc no,r. dian was IN .
'76 ? Are our sagcs Who adorn tins land Of
freedom incapable Of adapting and model |
ling the caustitotun of ihrlr country !
10 sult the character and disposition
Of the present generation or we're
thr patriot, Of 177G, as pure MS they |
are ADMITTED to I've, but deriving their poll |
teal education from tie government of |
england, capable of framing i system. per |
feet in itself aud which should contmu"
uulmpro,cd from " generation 10 genera
production Of human reason and ron
srqurntlv fahhlr. IT was formed II time
and under circumstances which rendered |
It's adoption An experiment, md lett the
policy of its provisions, and the purity OF
It's principles, to be tested by the retniu |
tlon OF einc 1t is therefore not unreason
able 10 infer that the greatest "llort ct hu
man sagaclty would faII far short o. devils
ing system of principles which would
adopt llsclt 10 every stag Of society. a
statesnanf OF our own country to whose
virtue aud patriotism the votarles OF liberty
will Ione br indebted, aud in whose lods |
mrnt aud abilities the anti.cOnpcnuonlste !
have hitherto implicitly relied, IN speak
ing of the constitution Of Virginia, observes,
g" THIS constitution WIS formed when We
+" we've urw aud inexperienced III the sci
" tuce Of government. 1t Was the hrsttoo
which WAS formed n the whole 1. states.
" No wonder, then, that tim and trial have
disco, cred very capital defects m II.
But wcare told we ha,c lived long under
Tins constitution, and have been prosperous |
aud hdppy-that " religious and evil hh"r
y" have been promoted Ito degree ne
Vel surpassed IN any age Or nation OF the
world These truths are admitted, and |
with pride W. acknowledge There is good |
cause for some Of us 10 congratulate oar |
SELVES on the enjoyment of these
ncsrimabc blessings hut to what are
we ludrb.,d for these privileges = ]
Are they secured to us hy constltu
tioual provisions, or do wr depend entirely
upon the virtue and integrity of our urdina
~ legislature To secure us the enjoy mtnt /
Of them No cia,lse in our constitution
guarantees to us religious freedom, II IS /
therefore IN the power of the legislature, to
establish religious tests, y 10 direct in what /
manner we shall pay homage to Jehovah
Ii we hIy enioNfd eren civil liberty (Which |
perhaps there Is sound reason 10 doubt we
must aaCnbe II To the clcmenCy Of oafru-
l"rs, rather than To constltui ieual ploN- .
SONS fov the constitution toierates SjdrerH /
Or negatively speaking il does not forbid II
Human bciugS are recognised rs property |
in Virginia, and the sordId avarice OF the
lordlins separates the ,ritt and the husband,
the }arsRi and the child, with indifference
and impuoity "Tel it not in Gath, pub
lish it not in the streets of Askcler ,est the |
daughters Of the uucrcumcised trlumfh.'
Let those who can Justify human slavery,
and rFrOuclfi, Il To the PRINCIPLES we profess, |
come FORTH in the majesty of their
strength, and make an attoncmcnt for that
nut1oadl STAN, which the united waters of
: = D i 4 \ !