Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-01
For the Constitutional JPhig.
CON vENTION.

1t is hoped that the people of Henrico and Richmond
WILL previous To their elections (Which are now very near
at hand take the subject convention into serons con-
sderaton Ii is proper that they should av regard to
It, III he selection of representatives For this purpose
Is moi Suhcien ulat hey choose who willing to
vote for convention if their constituents instruct them IN
no so. LuKe-whrm advocates, who by compulsion
only often prove obstacles in the way of measure rather
than an aid to its completion the freeholders elect
such persons rs are not OILY willing for necessary
measures III the legislature wien instructed but who can
also advocate them there with ability
me opponents OF convention In the last legislature
acted very u"wsey in refusing the reasonable petition to
reief me question: OF convention convention 10 the
people. Certainly, far can learn the number of
uoner was in no respect despcable And is difficult to
conceive more moderate and deliberate course than the
one recommending that the of the people should he
taken at the approaching elections The writer of ,hs
observations those, who recommended this course
as most consistent with the respect auho
.y as hKey TO prevent umults, and furnishing suita
Die Tune and opportunity for deliberaton. Fully aware of
the solemn truth that governments should not he canq.d
IL" 's OF transient causes he listened with all patience
ana atenton 10 the discussions which the subject ELECTED
III me various meetings that held canvass its merits
The question of convention having undergone this tho
Investigations II seemed peculiarly proper pro-
ptouS season Tor taking the the people II
seheIay admitted that i'll this city pacua fv, the pre-
pondernce o talent greatly on the side of those who
opposed convention. Their Jealous arguments were laid
before the public, and their eoquence and ability extoed
unto the skies With all these mighty odds against ms
only asked to have the question: submitted to the decsnn
{" the people. Satisfied as were that justice had not
of the
looking beyond the narrow confines of city and county
INTO this wide extended commonwealth we reused orr @
ana confidence III IFS wisdom and virtue. We were then
ana we are now prepared to acquiesce in decision
Whatever may be the result. And such decision the
number aud eSpectaby of the petitioners gave them an
unaou1ed right to expect every proper facility grant
ed by the Legislature
III is non my intention, in these brief remarks TO epter
upon the merits of this question: sensible of nv inabtv
all times and under all circumstan to treat if in
e 10 ITS Importance But there is point
Oh view, which almost duty b. ing into consid
Grafton. AT the different meetings held in this CITY, we
were told that the people could organize convention
WITHOUT revouton that the people did not
complain of the existing authorities and that they merely
Wished reform of the constitutions that there were no
abuses of authority charged to the existing government.
put that the fundamental law declared to be defective
was further correctly said in substance, that in repre-
sentative government, the people take the ma
ment of affairs directly and Immediately into their on,
handS unless the abuses corrupons of the exstpr
authorities make necessary abolish them and to- sub
sutue new order of government, conducive TO the
pubic welfare There much truth and force in these
arguments, and l. well many others, was in favor of
referring the subject TO the legislature and of requesting
ner AID to enable the people effect the object in the
way most compatible with quiet and regular reform of
the constitution Accordingly, in due process of time the
question was brought under rhe consdera of the egis
ature cannot pretend say upon what grounds each Of
US opponents voted against It, But is believed many
Oh tnem we're of opinion that they had right to NEEDLE
WIN reform Or alteration of the constitution in any wav
cannot stop TO shew the utter fufy of this notion as
IN regard to convention. Ii would extend these remarks
100 lar beyond the limit originally assigned them You
WI" diScover however, by combining has already
Sa'o that both these views correct people of Viz
gina can never bave peaceable reform cositu-
on II the people do it per sc, is revolutions; and
u 10 AVOID revolutions they apply to the governments they
VIII be told that the the legislature are the
creatures OF the constitution, and dare their bands
ornpen their mouths against it. This is indeed reasoning
IN circle with vengeance and constitution will thus
be made like the laws of the Modes Persans unchanpe
able. This may be desired by some, AID held to be one of
the projections of the constitution. think other
wise; believe nothing we'll and eecualy calculated
10 prevent revolution in all future time, that regular
and peaceable mode of alteration established by the
fundamental law itself This has rSved TO be an evil
under the constitution of the United States; and with po
per restrictions will in all human pobab ity be constantly
found bond Of peace and order Most people are better
coniented, they door Of admission opened where
their hardhps may at time be heard and redrssed
han they can be, when time fate seem to be united To
pePetuate condition in which they are disconnected
In thus briefly bringing this subject the attention of the
meenodes Of the city and county, totally Jiscaim any
hostile feeling to their late representatives paid very
little attention To the course taken by them because it was
not convenient for to do The choice Of the abes
representative, at every elections is sacred duty which The
Heehodcr owes to himself and his country. And shall
nan the day as pTopous to the interests of this
when the contemplate Of eectioneering are spurned as
degrading to the majority Of free people; and when the
polls OF the ireehnders shall be unerFing guide TO all who
search after true worth and talent.
AGRIGoLA.