Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-20
no. 1850

all appeals 10 the people, such as the
one now prayed. They are designed
only to shew the difficulties insepara-
bic from such appeals; and to suggest
the propriety Of combining them to those
cases, in which the evils complained OF,
are not only great and operative in
their character, but irremediable by
any other process 1t remains for
your :nemoriaIists to shew that this is
not the case al present. In doing so,
they deem it unnecessary to investigate
the numberless causes Of complaint
against the existing constitution, which
have, at different times, been imagined.
They feel themselves justified, on the
contrary, in confirming their investiga.
ton to the single object Of reform, de-
signated in the Stanton memorial
And they are satisfied, that it they
should succeed in demonstrating that
this object Certainly the most impos-
ing that has been presented) is not, Of
itself sufficiently important to justify
the call of a convention, and is actual
Iy attainable by an ordinary legislative
enactment, they will have removed the
only ground, on which the proposed
appeal 10 the people has ever been Sc
riouslv m Maintained by large majority
of its advocates.
That the inequality in the represen-
tation of different parts of the state in
one branch of the Legislature, is not
exactly in accordance with the spirit
Of our institutions-that it is TO be Ia
mented that a feature so Objectionable
in its character, was originally embo-
died in the constitution-and that it
ought to be removed, whenever it can
be done without serious inconvenience
to the community, are truths, which
your memorialists have never hesitat-
ed to admit. But the principle com.
planned of, even when pervading both
branches Of the legislature, has hither-
to been rather theoretical than practi.
cal-or if it operate in single in
stance, it operated to the incalculable
advantage of the state, by rescuing It
from a visionary and destructive sys-
tenn Of banking, whose character has
since been developed in the total pros
tra,ion of the credit and the prosperity
of so many of our sister republics
To this, your memorialists beg leave
to add that whatever Of danger might
have been apprehended from an inc
quality of representation, confined, it
is true, to no particular section OF the
state, but extending itself to both
branches Of the Legislative body, has
been in a great measure removed by
the law for equalizing the representa-
ton in the Senate--a law which rem
ders i, impossible for the majority OF
the people to be oppressed by the mi.
nority, at least without the consent OF
their representatives. 1t is respectful,
" submitted therefore, how far 1t
would be prudent to encounter the GER
tain evils, already pointed out, as IN
separable from convention, tor the
purpose Of changing principle, ope'
rating rather as defect in the beauty
of our system, than as a serious INJURY
to the welfare of the community IL
is submitted with the more confidence,
from a conviction OH the part Of your
memorialists, that the means OF sup
plying a simpler, a safer and more
certain remedy, already exist IN the au'
thority delegated TO your honorable Do
DIV. and that these means will be unhe-
sltatingly resorted to, whenever inc III
terests or the wishes Of the public shall
seriously demand it.
Your memorialists are aware 'na'
this opinion in relation to the powers
of the Legislature is new one; Out ~
has been adopted alter due considers
ton, and they feel assured that a lu'. III
vestiga,ion of it, cannot but result III
general conviction OF its correctness'-
II has hitherto been supposed, that 'ne
authority given by the constitution .,
Virginia to the several counties, to Seno
two representatives to the House oil Oe'
lepates. created in relation to the coun'
Ties as they originally 'sere, an aOs0'u's