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

qny. the source from which our goyernmep, ~ as
derived has conferred il moral Influence not seen
or fet IN The operation of any other government II
was formed by "A set OF men who had lied fro, oppres
sion twas formed too a time when all selfish, CON
sceraions were discarded and The heart chastened bv
The trying scenes with which it as surrounded, II has
ncc carried US through one of the glo ious rcvo.
"'ons mat ever adorned the page of history IT has
oeon co''secratcd by the blood heroes tho ncnton
OF whose na,ncs fails to warm the heart ~ M
.'Ine. These circumstances under which our Cons,i
"'n was FORMED, and with which il is associated have
!ehgraited IT on the affections of majority of the moo
PIE. ne great mass of the people bear for the ins,iu
'on TIC very strongest attachment. By what means
81 We 10 preserve their veoeration and respect? In
manner are we 10 arrest the spirit of rcstlessness
a'o reform Which Is fast destroying all that inl
eoce Which our government derives from these advoo
'i'"os causes itcan only be effected by la,vau,io
rising the serifs to take the of the peope mon
'he SUBJECT lie members have il in their mower I'm
reject the bill; but is 10 be hoaed they &c IN rurs
different cootse-i is 10 be hoped they will make ms n
surrender OF their pow er-that they viii
give up That little brief authority which some appear
anSous 10 cleave defiance of the Voice OF Dco
| re. NV
! What objection the enemies Of Convention can
nave TO ths course has always appeared to me mat
'cr OF surprise 1t majority of the people IA
vou' OF Convention will deny them the right
ITO call one. The doctrine of passive obedience and
sunecton--i doctrine that the people their own
worst cnenies-Ida; they have right 10 choose for
hemseves, has long since been ex podcd in this coun
itry. Tins language may be suited to tie old monar-
ch'eS OF Europe, but the free erincpies of orr
lgorernment--Her the people have an ndubable an
unaIenae right 10 choose for themselves. Here cy-
cry republican must confess that there is mass of
intelligence among the great body of the people which
wiz enable them at all times TO apply in a peaccabe
manner salutary amendments their Constitution -
~ then' as have already said the great BODY of the
people arc IN favour of Convention il is the duty of
The legislature to afford them the necessary means and
acines Any species of legislation founded upon a.
different principle would be unjust and oppressive in
the extreme would have for its object tic suppress
SION OF public sentiment 1t would GO DENY the cor
tccness of the principle that the pecnIe are cana If
setgoYcrnment IL, on the contrary majority of the
people opposed 10 Convention the passage of tbs
law w afford them opportunity of expressing their
sentiments. They will repair 10 the poll, and hy one
solemn decision put the question at rest The fact
WI then be established that that pure republican in
st tuition which transmitted us hy our forefa
Tiers Is not to be polluted by the touch of REFORM
The conflicting elements OF faction will hushed and
The people VIII once more become conentei with their
government.
But it has been urged, and that too by men who
stand high for talents, that the legislature have M Dr
err 10 act IN relation TO this subject If the Legsia
ture wore about 10 alter the Constitution, this would
he AN insuperabe argument. The members of this
House are sent here TO act under the Constitutions
f'ach member, before lie enters this Hall, socmnly
swears to support the Constitution of his State. ANY
attempt therefore, to alter this Instrument without the
authority OF the people, would be violation OF his tut,
as citizen ard his oath a representative. But M
such step IS about TO he taken IF the Constitution is
to be amended, il admitted by every one that if must
be done by the people in their sovereign capacity Bat
cannot the Legislature pass law, the object OF which
is TO aid the people in expressing their sentiments in re
ation to this subject? This they can certainly do -
The passage of such lazy would violate any of the
provisions of the Constitutions or make mon il the
slightest alteration. After the passage of such law
tie Constitution would still continue isience until
the people had determined BY their own proper auho
rit5 that it should he altered. This, therefore, appears
To me tiinsy and insubsantia objection to the bill
Mr. CoIsroS said; that for his own part lie ceu!L not
he at j.ySS.
gentlemen could found their objections 10 the resolution
then before the siouse There not. was true,
Numerous petitions before them, pressing this measure
upon The legIsatre; vet certainly the strong inca-
tons Of feeling furiner occasions the votes niyen "a
tie polls III large sections of the country aud the re-
presentations made of their wishes by their reDresen
taFes on this floor, sufficient to c,.vi,cc every
one that there at least large portion Of the peo
!'c ct the commonwealth in favour OF the call of
convention. We claim 10 be majority and we only
ask such aid from the legislature rs will enable us to
ascertain whether be or not. Bat gentlemen
say, we have no right 10 legslate upon this sub;ect-
"cte this Till for the positive call OF convenon
without Che intervention Of the reope there would be
force IN the argument; but What is it, but mean OF
fairly ascertaimng tie viii OF those by whose will
when ascerained, ali acknowledge themselves bornd
For h5 part, so far from doubling the power of tie
House TO legslale the subject he deprecated all
Other means of obtaining convention. much he de
sired and far from throwing brand amongst the
people 10 excite them TO other modes of Obtaining their
wishes he desired the bill which would grow OF this
'NSo'''''O"'
should be taken even from the most violent
For his own part, lie was not oEtlose who wished
Tor an entire change OF to depTecate the valne Of tie
present constitution; there many features in it,
which he greatly admired; but he was not afraid to sub
init the question at change to people who had long
possessed and exercised with much intelligence and
moderation tie right Of seIf-goyeinment as had the
people Of Virginia. That there were many great grin
cipes OF tie present constitution lie wished TO preserves
for Instance, the complete Independence of the iucia
~. he felt the preservation of this Rncipc necessa
y 10 tfe security of h's property and personal
rights aud feared not but others would feel 1t equally
Indispensable to their protection; AID would there
fore, preserve it untouched and of other great and
valuable features Of the present constitution.
rs 10 e right OF suffrage although he wished to see
bit ozirndcd, yet he felt that il would be inconsistent
%I'h his interests and tic security of his property that
every yagabond, PauPer transCcot person. who was
not hkty to feel tie oppression Of those laws which
their own representative had enacted, should possess
ila ri1ht Of aIec ion. n.lI