Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-16


nit the question to the people we are adding
injustice to Injury. We pursuing course
which il Forbidden alike by reason, justice and po
icy. We are fomenting that jealousy and di.cord.
which may never be able to extinguish. These
feelings will at length terminate in a spirit, Of
resentment, which mag lead to scenes that every
member in this house might have 10 deplore.
Bat, Ct ant for a moment that this is not 10 be the
result of sitting public opinion. Are there not
other considerations which should induce to
listen to the voice of the people! The effect of
this continued discussion Of the defects of our
Constitution is to destroy all the moral influence
| of our government, and with it all that strength
which it derives from its antiquity. The source
from which our government was derived, has
conferred on it moral influence not felt
in the operation OF any other government Ii
was formed by a of who had fled from
oppression. 1t was formed too at time when
| all selfish considerations were discarded and the
heart hastened by the trying scenes with which it
was surrounded. 1t has since carried US through
one OF the most glorious revolutions that ever a.
dorned the page Of history. 1t has been consecra-
ted by the blood of heroes, the mention of whose
name. never fails warm the heart with gratitude.
These circumstances under which Constitution
was formed, and with which it is associated have
engrafted it on the affections ola majority of the
people The great of the people bear for the in
sti,ution The very strongest attachment. BY what
means are we 10 preserve their veneration and res
| pect! In what manner we to arrest the spirit
| of residences and reform which is fast destroying
| all that moral influence which our government de-
rives from these adventurous causes? II can only
be effected by law authorising the sherifs to take
| the sense Of the people upon the subject. The
members have it in their power to reject the bill;
but it is to be hoped they will pursue a different
course-Iti is to be hoped they will make
| magnanmous surrender of their power-that they
will give up that little brief authority to which
some appear anxious to cleave in defiance OF
the voice of the people.
| What objection the enemies of a Convention
can have to this course has always appeared TO me
a matter of surprise. If majority of the people
are in favour of convention one will deny
them the right TO call one. The doctrine of pas
sive obedience and subjection-The doctrine that
the people their worst enemies- That
they have right to choose FOR themselve, has
long since been exploded in this country. This
language may be suited to the old monarches of
Europe but not to the free principles of our gov
ernment-Here the people have an indubiiabe an
unalienable tight to choose for themselves. Here
every republican must confess that there is mass
of intelligence among the great body OF the people
which will enable them at all times to apply in
peaceable manner saluary amendments to their
Constitution. II then, a. have already said, the
great body of the people in favour of Conven-
,on it is the duty ofthe legislature afford them the
necessary means and facilities Amy species of le-
gisaiion founded upon different principle would
be unjust and oppressive in the extreme 1t would
have for its object the suppression of public senti
ment. 1t would 60 10 deny the CORRECTNESS of the
| principle that the people are capable of self-go-
!. vernment. II, on the contrary, majority of the
people opposed to a Convention the passage of
, this law will afford them an opportunity of
expressing their sentiments. They will repair
, to the polls and by one solemn decision put
the question at rest. The fact will then be es-
tablished that, that pure republican institution,
which transmitted to by our forefa-
theirs is not to be pouted by the touch of reform
The conflicting elements OF faction will be hushed,
and the people will once more become content ed
with their government.
But ii has been urged, and that too by men who
stand high for talents, that the legislature have no
power to act in relation to this subject If the
Legislature were about to alter the Constitution,
this would be an insuperable argument The men,
bers of this House sent here to &C, under the
Constitution. Each member, before he enters this
Hall. solemnly swesrs TO support the Constitution
OF his State ANY attempt, therefore, to alter this
instrument, without the authority of the people,
would be violation oil his duty as citizen, and
s his oath representative. But such step i.
=. about to be taken. If the Constitution is to be
= amended, it is admitted by every one that il must
: be done by the people in their sovereign capacity
" But cannot the Legislature pass law, the object
. OF which is to aid the people in expressing their
= sentiments in relation 10 this subject? This they
can certainly do. The passage of such a law
would not violate any of the provisions of the
Constitution, make upon it the slightest altera
ton. After the passage of such law, the Con-
stitu,ion would still continue in existence until th,
people had determined, by their own proper author.
ity, that it should be altered. This therefore
, appears to me himsy and unsubstan,ia objection
10 the bill.
If Mr. Colston s,id, that for his own part, he could
not but be at some loss to know the reasons upor
which gentlemen could found their objections te
q the resolution then before the House There were
not, it was true, numerous petitions before them
pressing this upon the legislature; yet Ger
e tainly, the strong indications of feeling on forme
occasions, the votes given at the polls in large sec
tions of the country, and the representations mad
a OF their wishes, by their representatives on tli
e floor, sufficient to convince every one, tba
there was, at least, large portion of the people
c the commonw ealtb in favor Of the call of cen
. vention. We claim to be majority, and we onl,
= ask such aid from the legislature will enable u
s to ascertain whether we be so or not. But, gen
: tcmen say, we have right to legislate upon thi
e subject. Were this bill for the positive call of
convention without the Intervention of the people
D there would be force in the argument; but what
Il it, but mean OF fairly ascertaining the will o
= those, by whose will when ascertaned, all acknow
ledge themselves bound? For his part, so far from
, doubling the power of the House to leeisIate OF
the subject he deprecated all other means of OBJ
] tanning a convention, much as he desired one; am
far from throwing brand amongst the people 4
( excite them to other modes of obtaining tbei
/ wishes, he desired the bill which would grow gu
OF this TesoutOn TO pass, that every pretence 10
{ violence should be taken even from the most VIC
1 lent