The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-03-02
COMMUNION

because the Legislature has uuius'ifably denied
thcn the facilities thcydcsired and petitioned for,
oftaking the sense of the people in relation to
this great question. to r|elinquish their e%xcrtions
to procure its success, their present indifference
aud inertncss would not be at all surprising.
Bur, if, on the other hand, they are not prepared
thus tarnely to yield their opinions and them
rights TO a legislative dictutn, unparalleled in the
annals Of free government, then should tlev
discard tie listlessncss with which they, in some
parts OF the country, seem to regard the deci-
sion ofthe Legislature, and buckle on THEN ar
MOI for the contest which is before them, with
fresh spirit aud renewed energy, There is a
recuperatiVe principle in the trodden-down vic
Tins ofunjustly exercised power, which, never
fails, soonerorlatcr inrousing them from lethargy
however deep, and from seryitude however de
grading, to a knowledge of their degradation,
and a sense of THE taineness with which they had
submitted to it. And this principle strength.
ems whileit animates-invigoratcs while il cheers.
No great revolution or reform IN government
was ever yet conducted To a successful result,
which did not neasureahly owe is triumph to a
long series OF oppression and tyranny, at first
peaceably borne, then firmly demonstrated a.
gainst, 4 finally, overthrown either by the fears
Of It's authors, or by the point of the bayonet.
The friends of reform in Virginia, contend, and
they think with reason, that, although, our
forefathers fought for the privileges of free
and equal government, these privileges are
u~iustly withheld from IA large portion of
thepeopie by the provisions ofthc existing Con
stitutioh They contend, that the same prlnci-
pies are involved IN the discussion of this ques-
ton, which were involved in the discussions be-
tween Great Britain and her former colonies.
They contend that the same doctrines are up
heldbY the enemies ola Convention, that were SO
justly deemed odious in the satraps of the British
ministry doctrines repugnant to republicans,
and inconsistent with the very idea of free go
vernmcnt. They contend, that the same views
SO sophlS'lcally laid down, and so plausibly ad-
yocated by DIR. Johnson, in his laborcd effort TO
prove that Tarafion withouf representation, rus
ngttJTGt9tB, are now triumphantlv p~roclaimedby
our opponont, to he the most valuable feature
in our State Constitution With this. and other
grievances, the DISTINGUISHED people OF Virginia
have pcaceably borne. This b the FIST step in
the stage OF oppression.-Ihe second, IS remon-
stranoe, and that, too, we have tried m vain.
The third, We submit to the consideration of the
people. We c~andidiy confess that We do not
belong 10 than class of the Conventionists who
would appeal to the uHimn rati0. That is the
worst rgument which can be employed, and
should therefore be the last. 1t only requires
the exercise Of temperance and frmness to in
sure the victory. Ancient prejudices, we know.
are difficult 10 conquer-self-interes is equally
obstinate in its character-but ancient preiudices
must disappear before the light Of truth and e.
ven the powerful appeals of selfintercst must, in
the course oftime, submit to the pIeadings Of
justice. The yeneratiOu with which the consti-
tuition is regarded, is not AT all unnatural. when
@e reflect ON the source whence ii sprung, and
the proud association connected with its adop-
ton. This feeling daily, however, loses its force,
and it VIII continue to do so, asst is demonstra.
ted that the constitution sanctions injustice and
Is productive Of inequality in its operation. The
~s5lEmtcrested motives which have so powerfully
contributed 10 the defeat of the wishes OF the
ficlds ofreform, are also natural. but every
day weakeus their influence, and viii continue
10 weaken them, as the palpable injustice and
inequality OF our system of representation is
made to appear. We had rather leave this
question, therefore, to the gradual march Of
oath, lal the consequent dissipation Of error,
than % uaIte with those who seem to think, that
g~cat principles Of government are 10 be settled
only by iunalt and Yiolence.-These remarks
ave be- N dawn from us, by the course adopt
rd by the people IN some OF the Valley counties,
vino taxi otWAH As iamiliarly as if ii were mere
clllltcn's play W, as If some foreign power
lad committed aegIe,sionS on our right, We
adnlt, that, whenever a government Is either
tyrannicl IN its fundamental provisions, OF poo
ducfNc 81 oppression IN ITS operation, aad the
- powers thMb be- refuse, over and often, 10 cor
rect these nbnses, tat government ceases to be
entidcd to thu affection OF its citizens, and trey
Gre bound TO take the matter in tbeir own hands.
Bur, the should not too soon BEGIN to talk Of
mshca,hre the sword-of cutting loose the
bonds ofpoItical aud social couneHion, aud uu-
lclshing the turbulent and vindictife passions
OF mfnrlatcI z%calots, who. under such c,rcun-
stances. as the history OF all civil wars viii .csi-
fy. becono too frequently Invested Of all mJ2aI
prinriple. There are many arguments yen to be
, tn thai of tDTCp * allealpH 10 And
ifcyery argument which human ingenuity could
summon 10 lis ard, bad been tortured into every
shane which human skill could employ, and been
used in every way which human eIoquence
could suggest, still We would prefer to continue
repeating them, day after day, +. the adoption
of the alternative which less timid spirits seem
disposed to hazard. The hardes, substances
VIII weld to the repeated applications even Of
a drop OF dtcr.