Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-13

lowing Circular, with the annexed Resolutions on m. srb
Ject of Convention addressed all Counties in v;
gina. We deem unnecessary, this OCCASION tore,r
ate the opinion which have often expessed-,bat al,
the Departments of the Government Legislative Executive
and Judical radically defective.
The County Of Loudoun, to the Friends of Conreaon
an the Seoerat Counties Of Plginia
| FELLOW CITIZENS,
Under the authority which we derive from ,be
subjolned resolutions, invite you i'm behalf of the
reeholders OF Loudoun TO send from your respective
counties, adePutaon to Staunton, the 25th day of
July next to cooperate with us, in devising irftI
ana erped'eat means IF procuring Conceition, To
amend the defects of our State Constitution.
we have chosen July as the time of meeting,
That II may not interfere with the autunnal superivi
courts anu recommend Saunton the place of meet
ing ON account of the season being that when our
low land friends frequently cross the Blue Ridge
ne number OF each deputaton, and the manner of
'heiI appointments we submit 10 Yourselves i'm the
confident hope that there will every where be found
patriotism enough to accept the trust and that the
ensuing county courts will furnish the friends of
convention with suitable opportunities for choosing
their deputies.
Our object, citizens, to compare our seye
raj Opinions, and those of constituents in relation
to the detects of present constitution. tn look init,
The abuses to which they have ed aud recommend
to the people, such mode of providing for their amend
1nen'' as our common deliberations may suggest and
approve.
We shall thus establish, in the only practicable man
ner, that unity of sentiment and of corresnonIno
action among ourselves, essential TO our future
successive shall impart vigour to our operations:
repel the reproachul insinuations of our Opponents
confirm the harmony, and increase the number of our
frends and sound an appeal distinct and audible to
the next General Assembly of Virginia. as TO procure
we may hope, a just respect for our rights
we are. indeed, aware that many of YOU distrust
this BODY on account OF its present constitution; and
think that we should await its aid for the call of
Convention Even our opponents seem 10 reprnve our
delay. by denying, questioning the authority of the
! he sense nf the in,
the manner we have requested, the propriety OF
any change IN their present constitution. An aston
shng conclusion! drawn from the absence of any ex
press provision In that instrument for IFS future amend
en that Is either unalterable like the laws of the
oriental ucspotlsms, or can be changed hy anarchy
alone The safety of the people is the supreme law
1t is not merely within the power it is the sacred duty
OF the General Assembly, to coInpIy with the wishes of
the people, by supplying, if they ask it, the necessary
aid for amending that law, which binds the Legisla-
ture, while it emanacs from The peone. and which
can be altered only by the people themselves BY an
authorized Convention. Let any free Constitution be
pfoduced' and IT 1t contain provision for its amend
Inen that provision VIII he found 10 require the CO.
operation of the ordinary Legislature. is the right
admitted at ALL OF the people to- change their cons,i-
tuom Who, then, shall deny TO them the means Of
exercising 1t, without CONFUSING the state? Or does
there really exist right, which cannot be exercised
aud Is The solitary and Inournul example of it, to be
found IN that of the people Virginia TO govern them
selves, or 10 determine by what Constitution tcv shall
he governed? But vet fellow citizens however re-
pugnant TO Your feelings this Illuminating doctrine nay
appear let us unite in guarding against its too obvious
tendency and give TO those who would urge us to
lntemperance, still farther evidence of our forbear
ance and moderation.
Inc resolutions of our constituents have gone vet
lJarther IN limiting the power of the contemplated
convention to the Office of preparing and submitting
10 Tie dehnltive Judgment of the people, such amend
mems 0! The Constitution, the Convention may
deem expedent.
we have sought, thus cautiously, to obyiate even
the apprehension of DANGER defeat the efforts of
ti,..Il ;Ie
presumptuousv assert, that two friends of political
reform agree as to It's proper objects, they confidently
predict that Convention viii destroy the farest fc
lures OF inc Constitution-that the independence of
the Judiciary will be subverled; and the fabric of So
cii order be shaken 10 It's centre! They would silence
the sufferer from existing evils by threatening him
with the nictton of greater if he seek relief from tie
| application OF a suitable corrective.
| 10 those who willing 10 the people these
objections will ne answered by submitting the acts Of
the Convention 10 their final judgment and control