Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-01
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

The attention of the People of Virginia has been
earnestly called, in long essay in the Enquirer
OF the 4th, to the contemplation of their own
constitution. Having read the essay with all
that attention which the importance OF the subject
unquestionaby demsnds--but which its own mer-
Ets have not the slightest claim to- shall submit
lew reflections on the subject it discusses. This
Writer IS evidently of those who think their
own opinions entitled to very great weight and
that they are to be received with implicit defer
ence-judging from the more than oracular so
lemniiy with which they are delivered. do not
however, think il will be difficult task TO shew
chat they are unsound and erroneous, and even
dangerous in their tendency: -Concurring, as do.
IN the sentiment. that the first written social
compact, 1t is OF great mn ortance to determine the
, precise date OF the constitutional must dissent
from the inc, that it is also the best written
social compact. III once the notion becomes pre-
valent, that this constitution is TOO hallowed and
sacred an instrument to be touched by the hand of
reformation, every prospect of amending it is for
ever gone This underlined dread of change this
'oiumnus mutcre tegeS spiuit-is the most for
nidaoie obstacle that improvement, either moral
'r political, ever yet had 10 encounter Let US
nen, disclaim its influence let US Judge the
constitution of Virginia, ought to Judge cy-
thing else, by its own intrinsic nerits-uI,ler
imposing garb of venerstion for the wisdom
ur foreiathers, and OF laudable desire 10 fix
icommemorate the day which they adopted
tonstituton--the real import and obvious ten
ICY oil the essay, IS TO operate on the great ques-
Jon, whether that constitution ought 10 be amend
i ed! II is in reference TO that tendency, that il
n must be answered. The question has long divided
the State; 1t is one OF the deepest Importance and
4 deserves the most profound consideration. When
ever any plan oil constitutional reform is brought
forward. 1t is fashionable deprecae it. as frausht
with danger and ruin to the social fabric; but is
there any thing naturally wrong in this circum-
stance, OF a whole people recurring at any time to
FIRST principles, and entering soberly and unani-
mously into an investigation of their. rights and
tevising the best means to preserve and protect
them: The effect of this exercise OF popular So
veregnty, must obviously be salutary--it renders
the people acquainted with the character of their
sovernment-makes them familiar with their
lights, and strengthens their patriotism The gen.
eTa excitement that is produced is i'll the hie hest
degree, beneficial; it leads 10 investigation. and
consequently, 10 knowledge; and is more than aay
other cause, except great political evoutons cal
i euiated to awaken the dormant moral energies of
society. Some, there are, who insist that as LONG
+ as the practical operation of a government is NOT
oppressive and tyrannical, no change can ever be
admissible Whilst, in all States, there is large
eiass, whose real or supposed interests being in
VOWED IN the continuation of the existing govern
men,, Will naturally oppose any change no matter
how much it may be required. When to this
view OIL The difficulties OF eiFecting reform, we
aud the tact, that vast number will not move at
all, either from cupabe Indifference, or from n
want OF patriotic spirit, it may be safely assumed
nat the worse any system of government is, as
iong as II Is not absolutely intolerabe the greater
VIII be The difficulty in bringing the great mass to-
concur In altering il. So true has il been found
that :" mankind are always more disposed to suffer
whie evils are sufferable than to right themselves,
ny aooiishng the forms 10 which they have been
fnrnaA al
condition, OF the people of Virginia. to be ascribed
4 10 the operation OF her constitution. No! 1t re-
SUITS from circumstances independent OF the form of
government; II results from the character of the
people; from the orderly and moral habits they
nave been trained and educated in; and il is secured
by system of jurisprudence distinct from, and
independent OF, her constitution: Without re-
deemnS renovaing principle in that instrument
without weil-ormed organic laws; these blessings
cannot be preserved from the assaults that corrup-
ton and ambition will hereafter make on them.
indeed, 1t Virginia were to separate herself from the
eonfederacy, and establish an independent govern
nent, 1t may he confidently predicted that she
would become the victim of anarchy and civil dis
enson; so frai is the security, that we at present
have against the intrigues and ambitious projects
that would then take place. In order TO determine
with precision the merits and defects of this con-
sIituiion, let us see how far it is conlormaile
with those great fundamental republican PRINCIPLES.
which all of us acknowledge, and which ought to
ne The basis OF all political constitutions. In the
Dill oil Rights, that written, monunented and re-
corded charter oiour Independence we are told
uat frequent recurrence to first principles is ne
cessary to the preservation of liberty; but of what
value is that great political maxim in practice
when the constitution silently disclaims it, II
cannot then be considered but as the least eouvo
cal objection TO the constitution, that it contains
no provision for its future amendment For to saw
mat that instrument is perfect, and admits of no
improvement, would be to impute character of
niallibiliiy to the convention of '76, which those
great and venerable men would themselves haze
'epiobated. Wehave the recorded opinion of one
and not the least eminent or distinguished of them
mat ne considered it defective; and we know that
great contemporary actor, now in those times no
more, was decidedly OF the same opinion. The
writer, in the Enquirer, has pointed out three fea-
lures IN the constitution as eninently entitled 10
sdmiration. The county court system; the cleo
ZION By intermediate agents; and the freehold re-
erIction on suffrage. The two first as contrasted
With similar provisions in other state constitutions
may do very well, however questionable may be
we abstract proprety OF coniding legislative and
executive powers to the same body Of men, and
Notwithstanding, experience has conclusiyely de-
lnonstrated, that by the operation of the presen,
judicial system, speedy and impartial Justice is not
universally rendered. II is on the question of the
freehold restriction, which he regards with such
iond satisfaction, that directly at issue with
6n. He tells US that it is founded in nature, in
justice, and in philosophy and to justify this i'm
posing statement, makes the false assumption, that il
y sustained by the experience Of fifteen centuries
" hat experience? 1t is true that it has existed in
England for long time. But is the experience Of
: monarchy, on such subject, to operate here
40 not hesitate to say, it ought not to weigh fea-
aer. Experience, however, is not in favour of the