Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-10
TUE COUNTY OF LoUDoUN,

| To tie friends Ola Conrehho" !" '"o ''''o
Counties Of Virginia:
l re,,ow Citizens: Under the authority which
~. derive from the subjoined resolutions, we
invite YOU, in behalf Of the freeholders OF
I o,doun, to send from your respective coun-
Ities, 4 ,deputation to staunton, on the 2stn
a.y Of July next, to- co-operrte with us, in de-
yising 4a.pfaI and erped;ent means Of procuring
| a eonrsnf;oa, to amend the defects of our state
constitution.
| We have chosen July as the time OF our
meeting, that it may not interfere with the au-
tumnal superior courts, and recommended
staunton as the place Of meeting, on account
ofthe season being that, when our low iano
friends frequently cross the Blue Ridge.
The number of each deputation, and the
manner of their appointment, we submit to
yourselves, in the confident hope, that there
will, every where, be found patriotism enough
10 accept the trust; and that the ensuing coun-
~ courts will furnish the friends ola Conven-
ton with suitable opportunities for choosing
their deputies.
Our object, fellow-citizens, is to compare
our several opinions, and those Of our constltu-
ents, in relation to the defects of our present
constitution; to look into the abuses to which
they have led; and to recommend to the peo-
pie, such mode Of providing for their amend
ment. as our common deliberations may sug-
gest and approve.
We shall thus establish, in the only practl-
cable manner, that unity of sentiment, and OF
correspondent action, among ourselves, SO es-
sential to our future success. We shall impart
vigor to our operations: repel the reproachful
insinuations of our opponents confirm the
harmsny, and increase the number of our
friends; and sound an appeal, so distinct and
audible, to the next General Assembly of Vir-
GINA, as to procure, We may hope, just res
pect 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 not a
wait its aid, for the call of Convention. f.
ven our opponents seem to reProve our delay,
by denying, or questioning the authority OF
the general assembly, to take the sense of the
people, in the manner we have requested, on
the propriety of any change of their present
constitution. An astonishing conclusion
drawn from the absence ofany express provi-
sion in that instrument for its future amend
ment, that it is either unalterable, like the laws
of the oriental despotisms. or can be changed
| bv anarchy alone. The safety of the people
is the supreme law. II is not merely within
the power. tits the sacred duty ofthe general
assembly, to comply with the wishes of the
people, by supplying, if they ask it, the ne
cessary aid for amending that law, which binds
the legislature, while 1t emanates from the
people; and which can be altered only by the
people themselves, or by an authorized Con-
vention. Let any free constitution be produc
ed, and if it contain provision for its amend.
ment, that provision will be found to require
the cooperation Of the ordinary legislature.
Is the right admitted, at all, of the people to
change their constitution Who, then, shall
deny to them, the means of exercising it, with
out convulsing the state' Or does there real
ly exist right, which cannot be exercised,
and il the solitary and mournful example oft,
to be found, in that Of the people of Virgins
to govern themselves, or to determine by what
constitution they shall be governed But yet,
fellow citizens, however repugnant to your
feelings this Illuminating doctrine may appear,
letu unite in guarding against its too obvious
tendency; and give to those who would urge
US to intemperance, still further evidence Of
our forbearance and moderation.
The Resolutions of our constituents have
gone yet farther, in limiting the power of the
contemplated Convention to the office of pre-
pairing and submitting to the deinitive judg-
ment ofthe people, such amendments of the
constitution, as the Convention may deem ex-
pedient.
We have sought, thus cautiously, to obviate
even the apprehension of danger; and to de-
feat the efforts Of one class of our opponents,
the alarmists. Whilst they presumptuously
assert, thatno two friends of political reform,
agree as to its proper objects, they confident
ly predict that a Convention will destroy the
fares. features of the Constitution-that the
independence of the judiciary will be SUBJ
verted, and the fab ric of social order be sha-
ken TO its centre! They would silence the
sufferer from existing evils, by threatening
him with the infection of greater, if he seek
relieffrom the application of a suitable correc-
tive.
To those who are willing to trust the peo-
pie, these objections will be answered by SUBJ
hitting the acts of the Convention to their
| final judgment and control.
| CHARLES F. MERCER, ~
| WILLIAM ELLZEY, g.
RICHARD H. HENDERSON, &c
| SAMUEL NJ EDWARDS, Ys
WILLIAM T. T. MASON, e.
| SYDNOR B.fILEX RS
CUTHBERT POWELL, go
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