Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-05
Ebe Constitutional a1rhio.
From the United States Literary Gazette.
REVIEW

racy were formed; their nsgnifcance in point of wealth
ana population compared with their present conditions
the jealousy OF executive power which oppression had
generated in the minds of the peoples together with
their experience the art OF governments we arc ma
turaiy led 10 inquire, whether they have erred
IN the establishment and distribution of the poers of
government and framed institutions fitted for petty dis
tricts, rather than powerful states. These crcurnsau-
ces undoubtedly had some effect and their influence is
particularly manifest, IN the orban power contided
10 Inc legislative branch of government In some nj
the states, lis ascendancy SD great as 10 reduce tho
executive almost TO cyplcr. In Virginia. for instance
inc governor Is chosen by the Senate and house of dele
gates, and has no voice in the enactment of laws nor
IN ,he appointment TO the most important Offices these
rights being vested in the legislature. This indeed is
Tue extreme case, tut IN all the its share of pow
er IS extravaganza The jealousy of power in the hands
OF individuals, has shown itself in several the states
by limitations of the of the judicial office In
New jersey and Ohio, the Judges of the highest courts
are appointed for seven years; in Connecticut and
lthodesland, for And in these instances TO an-
graFae Tie evil, they chosen by the legislature In
some oi the constitutions the nexperiencc of the fra
ets mas cd to an iiudicious mixture of the powers OF
different departments. In ew-.Iersey, for instance
'ne governor president OF the upper branch the -
gsiaturc, with casting in their PROCEEDINGS and
this same branch, with the governor at their head is
court OF appeals IN the last resort all causes law
From want of reflection the rapid growth of our no.
puiaon 10 limits have been assigned, in some OF the
states 10 the increase of the house OF representatives.
MOST or thei indeed have male udICious regulations
To prevent ITS number from becoming excessive. Ofthe
!
bic limits, our state is the most striking example
4 similar want of foresight in regard TO the changes
which might take place in the relative character and
importance of the different classes of citizens has i'm one
OF the states Virginia, confined the right o suffrage 10
treehoders and the effects such that reformation
is loudly demanded. The apportionment of senators
one TO each county, IN the Of Georgia and one
each senatorial district, made ndvsble by tue Consti
tuition, iii the of Louisiana exposes the people to
the chance OF very unequal division of political DOW
en- as the growth OF the population may vary greatly in
different parts Of the state In Virginia the ey il is in
creased by the extension Of similar mode of amor
uonment TO the house of delegates.
While we look with regret such defects in our DO
ica institutions, we reoice in the reflection that no
outrage establishing order required 10 remedy them;
that they provide the of their ov inproy ement
and adaptation 70 existing circumstances IN the right
OF amendment secured to the people. There is nothing
III which we nave more reason TO eXut, comparj-
son Of condition with that of the states of Europe
than in the facility OF redressng public grievances As
the consequences Of dangerous ambition, neglect
OF cuty IN cur rulers prevented by right of fire.
quen election so the growth OF political abuses may be
stepped, by pluckiDg their the constitution
w need not bring rulers to the block nor drive
them from our shores III order 20 shake OFT the weight
OF tyranny compelled TO tear up The tolln-
dations of government, that may correct the defects
of our political edfces Corruption is not allowed TO
inrenc! itself within established forms and shelter b
ses under the venerable shield of the constitution
Though iEarmy attached to republican Institutions
as the trnIt OF fathers tolls, and the foundation of
our own prosperity, value them the more that thcy
claim not to be immTablc 1t is small part of their
merit, that they flexible TO the wants and wishes OF
the people.
While, however, we rejoice that we have a legal
means OF renedyng defects III our frames OF govern
men and are thereby exempted from the dread of those
political conVu isIOns which in Europe have made blood
shed and anarchy synonymous with REFORM we thnud
remember, that il is only deliberate and cautious use
OF the privilege that preserve its worth. We shall
poIiute the fountain, if always dabbling i'm lis
waters, The very facility with which our forms of go
vernment can be moulded to suit pleasure slou
make careful, lest rude handling destroy RIe
beauty OF the image. The tanperinguof quacks will
bc fatal to political TO physical Constit,I-
tons. Our governments will soon be beyond amend
ment, if the habit of frequent alteration is once esa-
blshed Let us follow the example of our national
legislature and approach with the ark of oI
political salvation While the world is rife with pro
JeCts of constitutional reform, the object of winch is
the attainment Of the good Chat VIC have already grasp
ed, let us guard against ondness for political cxpe
mants, which may endanger the loss of our advantages
AID our reputation. Let consider that constitution
must be radically good, which have carried US through
public poverty party tcrnCns and an exhaustjDfr war
aud arc sill carrying US ON in career of ample
prosperity; that they were formed at time, when op
preston had kndled an ardent love of liberty and ;
fixed determination TO secure il solid basis wher
: toll and dagger had awakened mems energies and
long series of common suTerings had given birth TO ;
\ remarkable unity of purpose, opinion and feeling
when repeated aggressions bad led men TO reflect
their natural and civil rights; when all the talent of the
country had been called forth, TO defend its liberties
bring into action the of the nation; that the,
we're formed model, which, though not fitted 70
precise imitation, has, in IFS theory, much of a rcrub
character, and Of sterling excellence The EnrlisI
constitution With this countrymen were well &C.
quantcd, from their long subsection to English domin
ion and The attention which they had been compelled t.
bestow upon its principles, in their numerous contest
with the mother country. by selecting ION hcnc,
what good in itself and suited TO their condition
and adding what their own experience and wide ob
seryaton of ancient and modern republics had laugh
them advantageous, they were enabled to orn con
sGtutous, whose excellence has been proved bv the
prosperity Of the states and the love Of The people.
Constitutions thus formed and thus successful in Their
operation, not to be altered without the most sober
deiiberaon But while GcPrecate the idea of hast,
change we have already said, that consider the pro
vision for necessary reforms Of the chief merits Of
our systems Of government. In no instance, is lis APP
pCation needed than in that of Virginia as ex
hbied in the pamphlet at present under consideration
cr constitution formed in the year 1776, earlier
than that Of any other state in the union, in the mds