Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-06-23

dom which they subsequently display
ed throughout the glorious revolution
which succeeded its pgomulgation.
For that inequality Of representation
Of which your memoriaiiaiists have just
cause to complain, there existed the
excuse, that provision had then been
made for a periodical census ofthe peo-
pie, and that, compared with the mon
strous disparity Of representation in the
British House of Commons, its model
in fact as in terms, it merited commen-
dation rather than ceusure.
However excusable its authors un-
q~uestionabIy were, the defects of the
Constitution must be tried, not by their
own merits but by its OWE. II isreadily
conceded, that any practicable appoint
ment Of representation TO numbers, its
only. proper basis, will fall short Of ab-
solute perfection. But it is an insult 10
the meanest capacity Oh either side of
the Atlantic, to plead this unavoidable
necessity as an apology for sustaining
! defects as remed,able as they are obvi-
4 OQN. anu "u.Iu htiiC oe1t4satCs
Is the Constitution defeciivef Can
| it be amended? Is this a proper peri.
cd for itsfamendmenti These are the
lquestions which your memoriallsts a,k
their representatives 10 submit to the
| people Of Virginia, by means which the
! constituted authorities of the present
| government can most conveniently sup
ply.
II all or any considerable part of the
defects of their present Constitution, to
! which your memorialists have asked
! YOUR attention, are ever to be amended,
they confidently believe, a period bet-
ter suited to that purpose than the pre-
sent, cannot be hereafter expected.
The Federal Constitution, TO which
the political partiesin America owed
their name and origin, has been recon-
mended by its propiuous operation,
and has now the sanction of almost uni
versal acquie.cence. Even the domes-
tic and foreign policy of the United
States, which so long embittered the
discussions of those parties, has settled
down into a fixed system accommodated
to the wants of the nation, apd sustain
ed in its affection by the test OF long
tried and successful experiment
Respected abroad and tranquil at
home, every portion of the American
people have for some time, enjoyed a
most. favorable opportunity Of surveying
the past, with a view to guard against
future danger; and accordingly, many
ofthe old States of the Union have re.
vised the frame OF their government, by
recurring, under the guidance of expe-
%rience, to the principles of its original
structure.
Your memorislists will not aver, that
Virginia, among the last to profit by
this propitious season, has sunk in po.
litical consequence by her own supine-
ness; but they unhesitatinsly repel tie
u~nfoundsd that no practical i'll has re-
suited from her neglect or indifference
1t would be derogatory to freedom itself
to admit that no sensible Inconvenience
had arisen in the course OF very near
half a century, from the practical vio-
lation of the great principles of political
liberty.
II il indeed true, hatdespotism some
times indulge, its subjects in the tram
silent enjoyment of thsir civil rights.
But it does not become a free nation to
hold its liberty by \ tenure so precari-
Gus, and it is the quality of wise one.
to stay BY anticipation the approach Of
dang4r.
The people ofVirginia can nsver be
disposed to rest their right of amending
the defects OF their Constitution, or the
e~xpediency of its exercise, on the sud-
J den pressure of some unforeseen ca
lsmity, which might unfit them for the,
labor, or place it beyond their control.
Your memorialists take occasion to
say, that although the task is painful,
tits not imprscticable to enumerate We
ry serious grievances which have been
long since felt, as well as many others
which are annually resulting from the
imperfec tions of their present Constitu-
ton: from a many headed and irres-
ponsible Executive: from an unequal
representation resting or a basis palpa-
bly, and od;ously unjust.
If nothing more were to be effected
by the amendments they have proposed
than the preservation Of the sum which
a few years have added TO the expense
of the Legislature, together with that
which has been long wasted on an use
less executive council, the saving of six
ty thousand dollars per annum would
repay the cost OF a convention. Ii is a
sum which, if restored to the pockets of