Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-08-18
CHE constitutional acrilIe.
PoEETECAL.
Communicated. for Me lvh,e.

Tue Representatives of that county to vote il, r,
oui OF law for submitting the policy OF a Conven,io
p'ne oecision of the people.
nave again requested your attention gentlemen in
I 10 ~ propose to you tl,at instruct our senator
GU 'e'eeaes, with respect their vote ON J, onns,;,
winch VIII probably be agitate ,i in,Lc NOV,
'IP's nave been made, as you NAV recoIlect IN no
son ,sseoHes' 10 enact law for ascertainn@ the
sense vi the people on the expcdiency OF Cor,p;nr -
t on ot ue purpose of proposing amendments IN tho
constitution Oft State. These aempts rs yo,, , -
G were overruled by small naioritiss in the
L., t' oy aflaJoIHy of one in the Senate in The
80 y .hJofi'y OIL tiirec or four the House of Dele
Sates; ana IN both instances our Representatrs ,I
, .u W, sc 'nalorhes. My proposition is tia. ,re in
.e,, In case this question should be revived in
'I ae~. assembly, TO vote in the affirmative
have heretofore gentlemen, addressed von and
nan once, on The main subject, with which this is
i.S ''H u Is not without some hesitation and re.
!"c'auce, that again request Your attention WereI
W cohSc!'iny own feelings exclusively slonld cort
y remain silent am fully .awarc that by these fire.
q"en' oolrusions On Your notice, Expose myself 10 re-
maj KS ana reflections, which no man Womb ncur more
= i'r inc sake ci their effect his sensbi;ty But
nave considered that nvidous reflections and ,,nus i'm,
pa ~, o motive can IN reality do HARM can
niicl no serious permanent injury whilst ON the tnr
manu-, IL mas appeared TO probable at least possible
mat may do some good by enargirg and cnIinh,en,n
w views o! some hno by softcnns ii obviatng tue
Oh ohefs Oh Tins important subject; and tl:a,
mus may contribute something 10 the promotion of
cause, which believe be identified with the best in
ee's ana ia'rest prospects OF this Stale. Nav be-
"e'e II ID DC connected, and very remotely CON
tanned OF gradual ainelioration IN the poli,ic cnn,io
oil mankind throughout the world.
II - not my ntcEtion present nor is this Tho nro
per OCCASION TO discuss the policy attempting 10 re-
TORN the Constitution Of our Governn,ant Az con
nens on this subject you have heard as fully IS was
ic 10 express t'ein They have undergone no change
except That o additional strength and confidence 'rbov
arc ne result OF some observation and much reflections
aid cannot perceive how the, can liza We Lccn modified
~ any 'Hiehcc or bias nnavourable tie perception
OF truth expect for the remainder of nv Ete IN
:1to foi,, III
lnconvenences of Government. | neither exnec, Nor
nope any thing more. At Of life e, aim at no.
meal disIincton to aspire civil honour and Official
eo''nen wonid be quite unreasonable aud preposte-
'oHs. lie head that has been wleucd by The frost of
Srn"st s'Ny winters ought surely 10 have been cooled
GOWN "eo" Tie point of ambitious views aud desires
r selune aside THIS consider atom, dispcnsations OF
providence haye most inteligbly designated INV home
az Of t"' very ';rFow circle IouId my hoE?c, The
proper scene u my future aud duties and cnpov
incTts.
And independently of both those consider aticns Tho
character Of the sentiments whiuh you have hcar! me
more than once publicly express e subject cf Con-
sl'uoiia iciOI, may clearly Cyipce that the ac1u.
Ton OF popularity constitute part of my object
" hen first avo"ed these sentiments at TIL. ,ace
>i"'V not tiat tcFc were ten men III the County who
entertained similar sentiments and did know That there
was very great majority of different and directly op-
"isiIc sentiments. And with this rajorIty saw ard
san seenany win whom III time past has afforded me
pleasure 10 agree in opinion many interesting topics
winch divided the AnacticaA Community; and for
whose opinions and characters in general entertain tie
h'EheS' respect But trust shall ever entertain
sI greater FOR those principles, which after the
iaot attentive and impartial examination and reno Acd
rc-eXanl"aiions, am compelled TO consider as sound
and practically conducive to the public welfare. These
principles shall continue 20 defend and promote, ii.
though f'0Wn OF disap baton should daIkcn tue
brow Of every individual with whose approving smile
should be most graIfcd This course shall continue
10 pfisnc, although II should lead me away and IA,
away from all with whom should delight 10 asso-
ciatc.
These observations not very intimately connected
with subject, but lia out of the funess of
c heart dc .Ua;L ::aJ tIls have been permitted
% speak.
Let u return 70 propositions; which 10 M
strucl our Representatives. 10 promote the enactment
law, which shall submit TIE policy of amending tic
Constitution OF this State To the decision Of the people.
have with Is view written few lines for our coDsi
Iteration which will read.
tn JoscpA U'yaH, Senator ofNc District &c.
We your constituents, whose Underwater,
adopt this mode oi rcPresf uting you that in
tempt should br made in the Assembly provide by
law for taking the Of the people the policy Of
Convention fur purpose of proposing amendments to the
Constitution Of this State; aud if bill should be inrcdu-
ccd with 'at view, aud containing provisions similar
those OF c bill the subject, which rejected by
small majority Nf the House Delegates last Scs-
Son Of the Assembly it is r that YOU in the az
Gtuatve, and cudeavouI by all fair and proper means
promote its passage into law.
Ills not my intention urge an immediate decision
these Instructions. The subject highly important
and is presented tlus early in order that VIC may ay
ample tune for deliberations
To two or hfce points IN these proposed Instructions
would more particularly direct your attention. In tic
first place, year Representatives not here instructed
to vote for a Convention, Bat merely for submitting the
question, Whether there shai; be COVE not TO
the DECISION Of the peop'r. and secondly wish you 10
notice and in all Your deliberations Ibis subject 10
keen in your rccnIccor, be character ofthe Ccnvcu-
ou concerning which il proposed to take thc Of
the people. The proposed Convention will have no
no,yer TO amend TIC Constitution. II will be invested
with power only prepare and propose amendments 10
be- cr due zinc fo- dehbcrstioo and comparison with
tic provisions of the existing constitution, ratified or
rcec cd bv the reoplc. " III il be affirmed in tic
Of objection that tie power Of Convention cannot be
restricted 1t certainly cannot be restricted by airy of
the constituted authorities or tribunals ofhc Slalc but
il as certainly can be restricted by the people and the
people By voting under tic law Will acting in their high
sovereign capacity rafy and confirm all its provisions,
conditions and restrictions.
To one vt,cr lecture in these instructions ask Your
attention. Your Representatives. not required 10
inrolncc the subject They ave instructed to their
vote oIv IN case i should be introduced by Others.
U -