Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-07-01
Rtct1MaotaU Iaahfn.
FRIDAY MORNING, July !. laos

iVe may proudly exu that the triumph of democrat
S' anu the obstruction and ruin of the last vcsgcs OF
" s'ocracy that has heretofore dared to set at def
cc 'ie WIN OF the people, and to rampe under foot
he most sacred prime peson which our government is
oaseu' al hand From one extremity of the State TO
e o'er, the people are rising to their violated
ana outraged rights, and their Delegates that will assem-
Die at stanton on the 9th of this month"; will sound an
appeal SO distinct and audible to the next General As
eo' as 10 procure respect to them and to pub
TIC OPINION. Even thefzcal, the abilities and vast re-
sources OF Nason of '76," no longer persuade the
citizens OF this state to believe that all the virtue and
patriotism, and wisdom that ever destined to i!lu
NINE and atorn the country, persisted with the revoIu-
onary struggle, or at least with revolutionary an
cestos; and that blind veneraton, and supersitous
ana reverentia awe with which many view every in
sttnuon that Is ancient, and which has too frequently
hotmng but ITS antiquity to recommend it, is rapidly
vanishing before the light and inio nation which has
oeen shed throughout society, by the candid calm and
dspassionate examination and discussion Of the defects
and inperiectons of the constitution, within the last
twelve months Truth is all powerful, and will prevail
we present to readers to-day, the last essay of
Mason oil TO- and not even his genius and eloquence
can longer sustain the sinking The Constitution
otters to its base and fall because the fabric IS
not erected on the solid and only permanent foundations
OF justice and equality; because its leading features are
at open with the great and holy and fundamental
principles Of rePubieanisn.
After all the explanations which have been furnished
10 the public, of the views and objects of the friends
OF REFORM IN their proposed Convention at Stanton
explanations Which have left n shadow of dou bt
upon the minds of the people at large Mason still
persists, III his unfair and heral Misrepresentation of
the plain and Obvious meaning OF the Leudoun Address.
They propose to assemble Mt Staunon devise nd
concert the MEANS by which the of the majority
of the citizens of the Communicable on the subject
OF Convention, to amend the existing Constitution,
may be ascertained. And it is intended to demand
for the People sovereign and do solicit and en-
treat that favour which their unquestonable and
inherent right, that every facility shall be afforded TO
them TO eflcctuate this desirable object-Shoud that
body, their servants and trustees dare TO refuse
TO lend their aid, the attainment of this end il will
then be their solemn and irnpcrions duty to convince
the peIidious and reacbcrous depositarie of their -
hority that The sovereignty of the people not as sup
posed by many, "a contemplate sophisrn," the mere
creature of the sorered brain of visionary political
leorst We hazard the assertion. that with the ex-
cepton of Mason, reasonable man in this country
whose Judgment is not obcure by passion or PREJUDICE
whose understanding unclouded by intemperat zeal
that has drawn different conc fusion from the
Loudoun Address put different construc ton upon
it.
Equally preposterous and inconsistent with the theo
ry ofrepublcan government the notion that TO clal
enge, in the firm, manly and determined language oil
reemen the right reform alter abolisn our exis-
ling political system, when found to be inadequate
the which ottarnnt a.,
oyerawe the Legislature. And what conceivable ap
support it, nave, are at a loss to determine
for we should have imagined that it might as apposel,
have been introduced to establish any position in mo
rail- physical mental philosophy as 10 prove that t
majority Of the people, in free country should not go
vern and the majority cannot govern an opportunity
is denied to them TO express their opinion But deep,
humbed and mortified should we be if we could for
moment suppose, at the people Of this state were Sc
destitute ofConmon sense, TO be deluded aud gulIeC
into the belief that they ought not peaCeably to assem-
bic TO consult on the means of obtaining redress
grievances, because forsooth some few Individual
might choose to fancy, that they intended to 'oyeraw
the Legislature" To overawe the Legislature? VIVA
is the Legislature? 1t is not composed of men eecle
by the people, and responsible to them for the faithful
discharge OF the sacred trust conhded TO them9 Ar
they not their agents, the organs of their wse
and sentiments And shall they be deferred from ex
pressing their sovereign will, because it may have al
influence on the deliberations Of Legislative body
and compel IFS members faithfully to keep within tn
limits of their duty, and tofespect and obey publ
opinion. That the will Of the people should be the Su
preme Law Of the land is the very object the grand dc
sign Of all republican governments.
As we have neither inclination nor leisure TO ente
upona minute examination of ason's train of reasoning
we must content ourselves with referring to letter ac
{ dressed in late number Of our paper to Chapma
Johnson, Esq. bya "Friend Of Reform" for convincn
and conclusive refutaton of the only argument Of an
weight, that relates TO the merits Of the Convento
question, that the Senate last winter 10 its vote
the Convention Bill, represented the sentiments Of Il
+ majority Of the community.