Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-06-17

The constitution OF Viz, ~ was framed in haste,
anid the cin o arinsls IT, had not time and OPP
portuny, II they had been disposed, to take down
and build the whole uric government and
internal policy Moreover they might Justly apprchend
that by altering too many things in new plan of
gov ernncnt, they migh disgust people fond of the in
titutions of their fathers. The peope of Virginia be
1t remembered, then but young ,epuJca.s and
the trainers of the constitution might justly apprehend
that the pubic mind not prepared for concurrinn
at once IN many innovations They found Tie state
hdvided into Counties of unequal size, each of which
Eutder the old regime sent two representatives the
general assembly. An attempt deprive the smaller
counues ofa part Of the power weight in hc govern
nen which they had been accustomed 10 enjoy would
Ehave been at that period, highly impoc and DANCE
ErSns. Disguised with scheme of liberty which com
menced with curtailing their privileges, they might
have fallen back into the bosom of monarchy as the
preferable system Wisely, then, under the circum-
stances III which they placed did the trainers of
The constitution declare that the house Of delegates
should be composed of two representatives from eac,
OF the counties however differing size and popula-
tion
They well aware that the theoretical perfection
Of the system they LAYING the foundation of was
an eqdH representation of the people in legislative bo-
DIES; and that 10y comforting small body portion
oil the people as great share of political power was
conferred on bodies portions much larger, they vo-
lated the natural inherent rights of the individuals com
posing the larger bodies The injustice and hardship
o unequal representation idea. it had lofp
been theme OF popular discussion England and tho
Intelligent and well educated men WHO formed our con
st'tntion doubtless familiar with all the details of
the argument. But they compelled by c;rcum-
stances TO violate their notions right hopipo and
expecting that a more tranquil period would come
when the people, more familiar with the PRINCIPLES of
Tree governments would heartily and unanimous by con-
cur IN a ''recurrcnce to fundamental pIncipes.n
hey did not tJrosCe nureo'e err the enormous in
crease of the inequalities which thcn existed among the
counties They did not foresee that time would ar
233,26 free white inhabitants, would have no more
weight IN the government than twenty counties on
tide water, containing Only 5O,97l
w hen the six smallest the tate cc,npared
with the sin largest would enjo, nine and one haif
tnes as much political power aud weight they were
ci.titled 10;
When freeman Warwick county would have ne
much political weigi and power f,centy- scre.. zee
men of LuuLorn, Frederick or Shenaiioah
All tnes" things they did not and could not forrscc
nor would they have believed though one had arisen
from the dead and Oretod IT. that when in the fulness
Of tnrc, all these results and rank abuses
should arse from defect in the constitution which
Trey saw but could not remedy The best talents in the
land would he enlisted IN their defence that those
who attempted To restore e gov eminent 10 its original
principles, and acquire by peaceabe and a,rful means
their proper weight III the government, would be de-
nounced rs acObins and ,sorganzcrs.
The 'decaration of rghts' of Virginia speaking tle
language OF truth and nature, announcing and soIemnly
declaring principle which God hnselfhas implanted in
the bosomof every intelligent mar has said ss:ha, linen
are by nature equality free" The same instrument de-
clares that no free government the blessing ofiberty
can be preserved 10 any people but bya frequent yecur-
renee to fuidGme'tdi pr'njpies." If il be fundamcn
tai principle, then, that the fieemen of Joudoun Fro
derrick, and Shenandoah hy nature equally free or
IN other words entitled 10 equal weight and power in
The body polite, with the freenen Of Wawick-and il
IT be u that the of ents operating on an orr
gIDa defect IN the constitution of Virginia, las brought
matters TO such state that each freeman in Warwick
has twenty seven times rs much weight and power in
the body polite each freeman of Loudoun Frede-
rIc or Shenandnah-hCw strong made out Of
the necessity of recurring Fundamental principes-
OF the necessity OF amending the constitution, if we
would wis! preserve "a free government or the ble
sing Of liberty"
If then e constitution requires amendment in order
to equaze tie rights OF tic citizens, how is the amend
mcnt to be effected? Frequent attempts have been
made, during the last few years, obtain the aid of the
Legislature, either III assembling convention, or in
taking the sense Of tue people whether should be
assembled or not All these attempts have failed. 1t
is pretended by the enemies of reform that "a great
majority OF the people well content with their ex
lstng iustItutiOns;n and until all the Counties or ma
jority of them, shall session petition the cgs-
ature to aid in assembling ii will continue
to he asserted that majority of the people opposed
To the neasuro-Jhe friends of reform and OF liberty
in this part Of Virginia, DESTROYS Of elciting express
sion of the real opinion of The people, and thereby
vncing the legislature at there at this time large
majority IN favor OF convention amend The CoOstitu
ton, have taken to effect preparatory
venhon at Staunton, with view 10 ihe attainment Of
that object.
II A considerable number of deputies, from various
parts of the state, should assemble at SaunjoD, the
friends of convention will be enabled to ascertain by
their report, the real state of public opinion in their
I respective counties on the great question of refolm-
put forth, with the sanction of many respectable naucs
Just and temperate statement of the grievances al Il
partial acknowledgements under which large part OF
Virginia now iabors-aDd lastly and chiefly to form and
provide for tic execution of plan whereby the
OF Tie people throughout Virginia shall be taken in
peaceful, orderly, and lawful manner, on the great
question OF convention Having done this, and having
collected proof That ii is The will Of TIC people that tie
constitution OF tlC state Shall be amended, tie friends
OF reform will sOund appeal distinct and audible
to the next general assembly, TO produce may
hope, Just respect 10 tcIr nights" In other words the
will bring bear the Legislature the irresistible force
OF public opinion iudsputaby asccrarncd and clear
ly EXPRESSED ,IMs BIZ Gcasoa, noe rhat you car, u
z IT,"
Is ituot PASSING strange dat this peaccabe gal aul
salutary measure should be denounced as "jacobuiCa'
G should be compared to tic dcservcdy odios Hart
. ford CuuvcnnUush Uuld be described a, ga course
= which pfotosscdly cNcommumicates large portion o
il tic citizens" and which is calculated TO "stic discus
c SOD "-and hat IFS friends and promoters should be
charged win design ''io separate themselves from
j., the rest of Inc community organize themselves int,