Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-12-19

these things, other res cots shelving an tn!:re dis
regard Of some oft5e f.:,h Al prntip.s of the b
ofrisbts as shall pesuii attempt 10 slew that
constitution is defective.
THESE remarks, AIR. S;rel lPr. ate snGccf,. 10 Illus
trate the difficulty TO winch alluded Of directing sie
attention OF the people TO the evils oe government hon
ever great they may be- where their causes are spec
u'a've ineir character, not palpaple the per
cenf,ons OF the ignorant and the unlearned But sir,
over all these obstacles inherent in the subject the
prodi't o1 OF that popular concert which essential
TO action: the intelligence of the people has trunpei
and they have given every ijcnce their po,ver of
their disposition for convention. Yet were there other
circumstances 10 preven, sncb dircc ton of the pubic
n''d, other obstacles in the match Of public opinion
onr Constitution was formed in times OF difficulty and
OF danger, Engaged with powerful foreign enemy
IN an afonous struggle for liberty; and when tlt
ended IN no less important, though more amicable
conflict 18th the sister States as To the terms ON which
we should become member of the Confederation, 10
say nothing OF orr critical relationship with the Fodc
raj government ever since but little opportunity was
allowed the people OF exarninn into the merits OF their
Constitution, far less oil pressing amendment Eve
~ circumstance tended promote ready and CRATE
Iul adoption Every feeling, national, local and patrio-
tic ettry P'ciutiics tended suppress objections
which 1t might afterwards become proper to urce a.
sahs' u IL was The hrst instance given the world
0i a Constitution Of purely written rights Ii eleva
led u.s. from the condition Of oppressed colony To
That OF free and an independent people. II was inf
ni'eiy better than The colonial government and stood
an an Infinite rank Of praise" 1t the offspring of
our fathers, and readily became tue child of our adop.
hon cs. had II been far detective the ,eoplc
a. Virginia would have chung il, rs dotinr parent
10 its offspring. which nature had deforme, Is it then
TO be wondered ut, that with all lis defects this Con
s;iiu'ion should have attained in silence, tirel or
fortieh wear? Bat sir, let il he regarded as alto
get'er the silence of Appreciation There one, who
ever watching tiIe interests OF his fellow citizens
had almost coevay with IFS existence marked aud eI
posed IFS defects. He whose heart distinguish
ed for lis patriotism, has head for wisdom and lore
sight who having flied the measure of his lory, the
triumphant manner in Which he welded the dcstinies
the councils ths State the land of his nativity and Of
his constant and anxious Yes it Mr.. J,.fIer-
who first proclaimed the necessity oC amending the
Constitution 81 Va. Aud mark his views 1t was the
first written instrument: that formally Jas IL slcu
have dunc practically, 10 dencutcc the wicked and
rcrc'o theory of the divine Inheritance of kings and
- place tht pcTiUanency & the authority OF rovcruncu
on hat basis which ou, they should rest the decIa
ration hy the people of great natural and inaenabia
rights, the formal Ilresiitme ny the people, i'm body
delegated to frame Constitution, of penary mowers 10
cti Ct H. AMI the less formal ratification by the peu-
pie, ot such Constitution afterwards and ct Hi, on
sthut'on termed ~ an Ordinary legislature, was
thus ratified by the people II commenced thc: cfo,
III error J. WAS framed too nj time when univ
sent was given to the principle OF equal
when our whac political atmosphere was pregnan,
with as truth rs essential to egna' rarticiua tor,
the benefits OF c;v governments and yet this C;onstit,i-
on admitted in its details very great, and
qreny very b0rlt n-ome, inequality Representations
II contained therefore in 1t held forth too in
iiIc bal! %! rights, ION which il presumptiveiy bnilt
the profession cfeGual individual rights; and We. unrI
Ibis Constitution the right Of Suffrage that NIX 81 sub
staUai right. constituting the very 'yc!tctae in tic
whole frame Of civil rights, is nnc Emitted iaf
required nv that very rule, which its iniiiation IS
p'oleasedy hascd, ami On v Oh limitation in any ie
gree can Only be Jastiied the e' ience OF permanent
common interest And sir, with al these radical de-
i"cs, u contained The Sill ciinaCerc one Of ros,es
;G no provisions fo- IFS own amendment. Il ,iprt
tore cpnsuG!rnaod IN error. Such, not 10 a:iie Il,
others, were sone or tc views taken by Mir. Jefferson
such were the io'Dds which large convention was
in
icoPie Ter Tie purpose Of concerning legal aud rlcpcr
means oF which 1" Bring abnu; general convention
to ;ncn te constitution Of Tie State Their apfeal
10 the good sens" ami 10 tie jus! aud liberal feelings of
the pfuic, and their circumstances TO TIC fCcIaiur
would have heen answered ny The immediate cali Of
convention, ai;! general system Of reformation las
proven h. the vote of this House taken on at
occasion iii favor oi bill in all respects similar to tbs;
which IS contemplated by the .noyers of this esouton
but tor compromise, get II? by the enemies of REFORM
"ch went To a!ay for time the public ferrnent by
removing portion of the evils complained Of mean
the vast inequality oF representations in the oter branch
OF The Legislature. Bot, SIR, the opposets of c,avcn
ton in'g have knoWn, Tat il This could for a time
3pPeaae, coad nos ultimately satisfy the public mind
Public opinion IN community of enlightened frecmen
so" and discreet in lis formation and sure of tl.e at
ta'hncnt nj train, ON" made mp, never rcccdcs knoWs
no retiring ebb, but keeps due onn till those truths
theoretically deduced from the experience and wisdom
oi the world, consumInaied in practice. We find
consequently, in ri another convention not less con
siderable than the former is, assembled i'll Saunton:
"'' "led "'t"e 10 'ne justice OF The State another
memorial transmitted TO the Legislature setting forth
the grievances that had been pointed at by MIR
Jefferson, that had been reiterated by The ueeiing Of
'l6, bn which, their efforts had been insufficient 10
remove. And when the subject has never ceased 10
be agitated. but been borne continually in the pnhlic
mind your table has been crowded session alter session
until the people have been wcaried with such nm
needed expressions OF their often ayowed shes with
petitions for convention. Bot why need rcCapuIate
these facts, full in Themselves and go fresh in fbe
recOlections Of all, lien Tire votes Of this House
tor the last two years, demonstrate inconroyerlbly
the fact that majority Of Tie free people If this com
monweaith have through their representatives. though
a minority this floor Advocated ti,e bi:I contompja.
ted By the resolution. This SIR is no inconsileratc
assertion, no juvenile assumption II is lied on the
Juetes conclusions, and warrarte ~ fact In tie vote
taken during the last session. the population Of the
counties favourable To convention amounted. bv the
Cepsns of 1920, TO 1865, of whom p sol arc
bacSsof the counties against Convcntion 10 az 725
OF whom 256,6i1 are blacks. giving TO The counties