Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-11
frrom the Winchester Republican. !

1otae GENERAL !1sseWoty q pHgfnid:
The memorial of sundry citizens, deputec
from various parts Of the commonwealth
and assembled at Staunton on the 25th da,
ofJuly, 1926, respectfully represents:
That your memorialists having as.
sembled together to consult about the
means ofobtaining redress Of various
grievances under which they labor, in
common with those who deputed them
and many other good citizens of this
commonwealth, have thought it advi.
sable to address to you this memorial
The grievances ofwhich your memo
rialists have to complain arise ont Of
certain defects in the constitution or
fundamental law of the state. They
cannot therefore be redressed but by a
convention deputed to revise and amend
the constitution. But it is one among
the striking defects Of that instrument,
that it contains no provision for the a.
mendment of such defects as the pro.
gress of the science Of government, or
change of circumstances may sug.
gest. This defect, however, can be
supplied by the legislature and the peo-
pie. And your memorialists have
right TO expect that it tUiN be so sup.
piled, if they can show that there is e.
ven one important provision in the ex-
listing constitution which was original.
ly and ALWAYS inconsistent with the
great principles on which all free go
vernments are founded, and which, by
the operation Of various causes, has be.
come still more oppressive and injuri-
Gus in its practical effects than il was at
first.
Your memorialists do not impute tc
the wise and excellent men vino framed
the constitution, the defect in its struc-
ture to which they aIlude. In the dc.
claration of rights Of Virginia, we see
what they wished it to be; in the con.
stitution itself we behold an instr umen,
fashioned and modified by inauspicious
and uncomfortable circumstances
These are so generally known that it is
deemed superhuoas to state them. In
this disclaimer of all imputation on the
wisdom and patriotism of the trainers
of the constitution, your memorialists
are actuated by a sincere feeling of
love and admiration for the memory Of
the men whose generous devotion TO
liberty secured to US our rank among
the nations Of the earth, and the inesti.
mable advantage Of free republican in.
situations. To give to these institu-
tons that consistent shape which the
trainers of the constitution so distinct.
ly conceived, but found themselves un-
able to provide, should be the aim Of
every citizen Of the commonwealth. 1t
is the sole aim Of your memorialists.
They are persuaded that no period has
occurred since the adoption of the con-
stitution so favorable as the present 10
its revision and amendment; the storm
Of party spirit being hushed, and the
public mind composed and tranquil
They fear that SO favorable state of
public feeling may not long endure
that new parties may arise, whose dis
sentions may prove unfavorable to a
cool and dispassionate investigation Of
our fundamental law.
Your memoriaiists have affirmed,
that in our fundamental law, "there is
one important provision at least which
was originally and always inconsistent
with the great principles on which all
free governments are founded, and
which, by the operation of various caus-
es, has become more oppressive and
injurious in its practical effects than it
was at first" Need they exhibit their
proof in detail Of the truth Of this as
sertion, while addressing SO enlightened
a body as the Legislature OF Virginia
If every manor, assuming the princi.
pie of the constitution as correct,-f
every freeholder of Virginia was in l776
Shy nature equally free" or, III more
precise and definite language, entitled
to an equal share Of political power,
how could that article of the constitu.
ton be justified, which by giving two
to each Of the counties,
that power among the cl'l'
zens Of Virginia in shares SO grossly ur-
equal!
Your memorialists forbcar to enlarge
on this topic, persuaded that yourln'
selligence must suggest TO you this un'
avoidable dilemma;-either so much
theoretical injustice cannot exist With
out great practical evil, or the whole
theory Of our free Institutions is found
ed in error. Expecting from a con,
vention a remedy of all the defects oil
the constitution, your memorialis's
purposely abstain from enumeral!ps
what they conceive to be the imperiee'
tons in the organization of the existing
government. These, injurious as lbey
may be to the public veal, sink into IN
significance when compared to the de-
fects in principle to which they have
called your attention. Your memorial
lists therefore ask you to enact law
for taking the sense Of the people a, al
the ensuing spring elections on tns
question of assembling a convention "