Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-13
RIcAMoMD, AUGUST Is.
For THE ENQUIRER.
CONVENTION

wealth, or any one individual composing it, been
wroneed, aggrieved, oppressed by its operation
1 ask the friends of a convention to answer these
questions; and the last be ed in the afr
native, To state the instance and the circumst inc
Practical results all we seek, in enquring in
tn the good or bad qualities of governments. If
they are to be altered, changed, or abolished for
speculative and abstract objections gov eminent
will be retained The works of the creator them
selves may have sentence Of condemnation passed
upon them; the Sun may be rejected Tor the spots on
ITS disk; and the spirit of reformation may aspire
| 10 amend the system Of the Universe.
| All concur the opinion, that there are abstract
defects in the constitution; the learned anG unearn-
Ell; the friends OF convention, and friends to the
constitutions: And we may carry concession
much further, and admit abstract theoretical defects
in all human institutional In making th;-dmission,
IN which candor must compel the lrieI.is of con-
ven'on TO JOIN, 1t is conceded that there would be
defects IN the constitution, amended BY them
selves. The question and the only question be-
tween US, is this: Is the existing constitution as
good as that which the reormers are like 10 furnish
Us ii Ii be, all ought 10 concur in permitting our
present quiet, happy and prosperous political con-
aition 10 remain undstured, rather than embark us
upon troubled ocean OF political experiment, for
;he perils or the pleasures OF the voyage
That the existing system is good as we are
like TO get at the bands of the reiormers Nigh, fair
ly bepresuined, if we had no actual experiment OF
either. The names OF George Mason, Patrick
Henry, James Madison, &c. may, without offence,
De set In array against the most prominent advocates
Tor reform In the present day; and they 1--WE sup
Pose) VIII be selected 10 furnish with a new
constitution. The time at u hich the existing con-
sliiution was made and adopted, seems TO us TO
have been peculiarly favourable 10 such a work II
was made between the 18th dav of May and the
18th day OF June, l716. The disc ontents between
brnain and the Colonies had been, for some ,ilre
prevailing; those dsconten's grew out OF the re-
iitions between the governed and governing; ard
the study OF those relations had BEEN at that period
as much cultivated, and by great men 1t is sup
posed, as during any period in the history of man
kind; aud the faculties OF human intelligence were
| IS fully developed II does not, at any rate, be-
come Us to assert the contrary. Ii was no season
| Tor experiment; no occasion on which TO iudllee
he fancy, or obey the i'm >ulses of the passions Ii
AS work undertaken upon great consideration;
commenced and prosecuted by great men, disciplined
10 the undertaking, and bent earnestly upon he
great business in hch they were engaged Neither
Inc time nor the occasion permitted any enquiry,
put what wodld best promote the prosperity and
happiness of the Republic.
This system Of fundamental laws has now en-
dtred Tor Tor -niuc years. through sluggish reDose
the siock OF war. the more severe ordeal OF pecn
mary ruin, suoyerted confidence and credit private
Ahd pubic political quackery, mad experiment, and
copied. And, during these forty-nne years now
completed, neither the commonwealth, nor any the
smallest portion oil II, has BEEN in the slightes, de-
gree agi'aied by any question of state politics No
prat OF the dominion: No, nor one individual has
been wronged, Injured oppressed by the fair
operation OF our political institutions. Happiness
and prosperity have been secured, not merely in
theory, but In practice and reality; and have shed
their kind influence the land l pretend moi
10 any profound research into the history and f.
OF other gorernments but, so far as / am informed
me same Lumber OF people, spread over the same
extent OF territory, sever did, In any age coun-
Try, eplo, to the extent, for so long period
the poll ical repo C, security and happiness that
the people of Vifgih-- have enioyed under their
existing government.
II, fhen, government DE ordainei to promote the
security and happiness OF mankind, ought we on'
mere speculation, 10 cast away, perhaps for ever
All "e know and all N'e erjoyo And for what? to
substitute the wisdom Of modern reiormers, for The
wisdom OF Madison, and Henry and Masol? 10
barter the realities of 20, for The theories and
schemes, and projects OF 1925?
lmbued with ardent passions and zeal 6erv and
turbulent in our temperament, yet the people OF
virginia have abStained from political excess, from
pubic violence, even from political intemperance
% what cause Is this 10 be ascrbed? TO the sabili-
~ OF our political institutions, and especially to the
restriction upon the right of suffrage
1t would be nvidions to compare our institutions
with those OF the other states, and still more So TO
assume to ours superior merit: but we may safely
affirm, that ours suit as best. I would as soon
quarrel with neigh5or for not dining off the dish |
preferred, as with neigbboring state for prefer
ring different system Of civil institutions All |
our systems are as yet unried experInents for do
not consider half century, where the population
Is doubling In a few years, and the habits, manners
ana MODES OF lille constantly changing, any test of
Inc various systems new prevailing. Let ours
remain; give US time, and we shall have abundant
opportunity to observe the issue of them all. Let
US proht by the experience OF Others rather than by
our own am wholly uniformed of any practi-
cal advantage, derived TO our neighbours from uni
Versai suffrage, equal representation, judiciary
elected for term of years. and an executive elected
oy epeople, which we do not enjoy. Tumult and j
riot are sometimes am told,) the consequence ri
there be any benefit TO compensate for the known {
evils, let us see it fully and fairly developed and
ascertain, that we must inevitably, from simlarie
OIL condition, derive the same benefit, before we S
follow examples that may tend to ruin G
order, the first law OF the Universe Is the basis
and the foundation OF human happiness We now 2
possess and enjoy it. confusion shall ever come O
ipon US, we may look in vain 10 Mr.. Mercer and d
us associates TO restore US TO last condition
we are gTavely and solemnly invited to meet at n
0taunton, and take proper and necessary G
o get up convention; that is, TO get rid of our G
resent political institutions, and prepare for orga- ii
using new system. The means proposed for af- is
Getting these objects, appear 10 me exceptionable
The meeting is confined to the friends Of innovaton Ct
discussion isexcuded: but the dissatisfied will
&c there; such measures as their wisdom may sug- oil
es', Indicated, perhaps, unquesoned, are to be to
dopted; an assortment Of ready made constitutions
suppose) proposed to the people; and above all III
action organized; discomfort Disseminated elements
Il refsrm brought into a mass, combined and con- 10