Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-07-01

change the fundamental laws. If this be rhe tru
meaning OF that recurrence to fundamental primer
pies. iaculcaed by the BIZ of Rights; then, as III,
frequency of such recurrence is inioined as posi
lively tho recurrence itself i, follows
bly,, that the declaration be understood tn In
JOIN frequent conventions, in all events. without
regard 10 the necessity or the expectancy of them
Did the convention of I776 intend to a,op, A. Nh,
basis OF civ il pc!y, the principle of Ains,abili,,
change, revolution! 1t is an essential ouo,,y i;
he denni,ou OF republican government, that il i,
government of fired and certain L,ss. NOT a 20.
Nerninent oil mere ,cii, whether exercised bv one
or many. The people III their highest SOVEREIGN
cap city, are as competent 10 the aIrosaton oi
every civii institution aud every individual posses
sion, as 10 Tie slightest and incon seuuentia
change Sovereignty, Whenever it acts, must act
with absolute sway: it supcr-edes all laws, all
rights; MS power is co extensive with its Will; its
majesty L. supreme. y pc" er SO awful a maies-
~ so 'rcad should reserve lis interposi,on for ca
ses OF extreme necessity: aud lie frequent recur-
renee of such necessity, would be an inlable sign
ot approaching dissolution.
Equally novel and equally wonderful to my i'll
Instructed mind, Is the commentary that has beeu
matte on the third article of the Bill of Rights
Ihe text Is this: that government is %, Ought To
DC, n,Sftt,,ted for the common benefit, protec-
h0h and security, Of the people, nation or
community: of all the various modes aad forms
OF government, that is best which is CAPABLE OF
safety, and is most eifcc,ally secured agans, the
danger OF mal-adminisration: and that when any
government shall te found inadequate or contra
~ 'o ihe-e purposes, majority ol tie connuni-
ty hath an iudubtahle, unbelievable and indeieasiLl.
right, 10 reform, alter abolish it. in such man
ner as shall be Judged most conducive to the
public veal MIR. Mercer tears hom the con-
text, tie words, that COVER nient is or ought 10
he Instituted Tor the common heneft;' and tlerc.
ihiers, that Tic article requires perfect legality
oil Misrepresentation. lie might just as Well have in
TERED, that ere,y bring soul should participate
eqiaii, III the administration of public afairs
pray him to look al the Coniext and to obsery e.
that the words he quotes oi, solemn declare
non OF tie duty oil all governments how ever con-
stiiueti, bes,ow their parental the welfare
OF each and every citizen; and that hey are not
more applicable 10 tie free ,nea of this common
wealth, than 10 their wives aid infant children; not
more. indeed, Than 10 ihc hwnbesl slave; nay, ,l.e
convets in the Peuiten,iary. All. bond or free
are entitled to protection; The ,ilc>i criminal is
entitled TO deAsnd that justice he eNecuied i'll mer-
cv pray linn TO observe, farther, that, without
lie least regard to tieoreiic; principles OF any
kind, this article OF Tie BUi Of Rights points our
attention 10 the practical operation aud effects of
government, the Il only test oil good 20 r.
vernmc.t ak no more ;han that lie coustitu-
tor, which George .I0son fraicl, shall be iud,-
Ell by the lest wit II his iSdom .uit cd. As 10
the ind''bilabe, malieGahlt, and ntetes side ri t
oil majority oil tie community, to ieiOrn, al er
sb.[I lie i,,j,eJ nos, oo,.i, =, i -;
,veaI.,, hee,,e No, ma, j., ~. .,,.,,, tt
the lawfuli.ess OF Reform, of Revelations W hen
ever occasion may require eli her have, however,
always denied the eypediency Of any reform of our
installations. in any mode. But our present ques-
ton is. whcI er il be no, nj mist ,,,,,.,c,,. ~,
pernicions CONSEQUENCE and il ,h,. ,r.' s,n rrc,,,,
stances of tie r.nul,ic vLoIIy un;n.,,G,II. -, =,
TEMPT Reform uuon Revolmion nrirc;nI.,
Shall no, re,,.,t win, NJ, ..,I -I,,. ,a oo,,
cerI,inr the p,incio,e of i,rcc,,,.r ,.soc,,;. ~
eaniZed TO influence the established consumed an,
thoriies: will snea IN mn o,i,er or,l, tt ,i,.
of Gen. Jtoshiaeiou. I'h. b,.is ot c,r noii,icai
systems is the risht of he u,or., IN make aud
alter their constitutions of government ,he
constitutions which, AT any time exi-ts u,tiI
cliale ed by an exnicjt and authentic act or mo
whole peorle. j. sacredly olli.atory mo, all
The very idea of the power and ,joI; of HE nrn-
pie TO establish government pres,inooses The ,ut g
o ever, individual 10 ol,c, Tie establish ed Govern
ment Ali ol,..ruc,ions 10 The eyccutio,, Of y 1.
,,vs all coy,b;u0fio,ly ami osSociufinys ,,;,.j,r
ach0terer 3i1uSibIe character Ayifh ycoI jeS;s n
to direcf cO5ff,OI cot,,Leruff or 1,,rc ne REQ n,
Tar deiberatioH ami arfi0H nf fbe couyf;t,Ifsd
auth0,ifics are destructive OF III, (,rda,reu, "A
principle and OF fatal eudercy ,rLev serve IN
organize faction TO give il an artificial and e1-
uaortlinary force 10 put in the place Of he de-
esaicd will of Tie nation e viii of psrty often
small but artui and euter,rsinp nin.rit, of ,be
'oomnuit, and according to the alternate triunpl,
OF different parties 10 ,nahc the pubic admins
tratioa the mirror Of the ILL oncer;ed and incon-
gruos projects of faction rather than the organ of
Consistent and wi ole. ONE plans, diceyiedby coDl-
mo,t councils and modified by mutual interests
Nov, in order 10 de; ermiire the rrue political
character of the D,oiecied Siyurtou t,o,vention
Ic, me ask an homes, er 10 tI. c,,lif, [ main
questions Whether such a convention he OF an
association OF individuals unknown IN Tie laws