Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-05-15
Gbs Constitutional gggtttn.
CONVENTION MEETING

I
Ward to act as Secretary
| The Committee appointed at the former meetDr 10
prepare preamble and resolutions the SUBJECT of
Convention, reported the following which was adon,ed
BY large majority:
"Ihe members OF this meeting have seen with regret
the lection by the last General Assembly of the hill
for taking the of the freehoders of this common
wealth, on the interesting question of Convention
As all who were in favor and some who were oppused
TO The Cal! OF Convention, voted for the bill its rciec
ton proves that majority of the House of De,epates
are opposed to calling Convention. With this ma
Jority in the Legislature against H. if majority of the
ireehoders giving their opinions in the deliberate and
authoritative manner which the friends Of Convention
proposed should declare against that measure would
be put TO rest for generation least. This con.
sequence is obvious TO the superficial observer
The rejection of the Dill then would sco, could only
have proceeded from belief apprehension at least
that the result would have been uufayorable 70 the
wishes of the opposers ola Convention. The bare s,is
picon OF such motive is calculated to awaken pas
S-sns unlrendly Just decision Of the mo;nenious
questions tc which the occasion gives rise and is eeply
be depored. If really existed the assertion Of
principle at with all the received notions CT re-
publican government Tits such departure srou, the
duty which public serTaDtscwe 10 the people as de-
nands and must receive unqualified dsapprobatou
The members of this meeting deeply Impressed with
the magnitude and delicate nature of the tasl, of al
terng the form OF Government under which they have
so long lived, have given to the subject that dsnas;nn
ate ana deliberate attention. which its Importance mer-
its II has been under public discussion for vears--
they have not turned deaf 10 the arguments of
those who differ with them opinion and The corc;r
sion 10 which their best Judgment has led them is
that the Constitution of this State contains some rad
cal dcteC's-Ibe occasion does not call for an eI.bo
rate exposition of them; they will however mention
some of the most obvious The great improvement
which the modcrns have effected in the science of Co
vernment, Is the principle of Representation In the
application of this great and nrincnl th
trainers of our Constitution have committed canitaI
error. whether the representation be of persons or
property, or compounded of both should be amor
toned among the community by rule OF equaity
But by our Constitution 1t given in equal portions to
sections of the State unequal in population The prac
teal effect OF this apporonment is 10 place the pow
cTs OF Government in the hands of those vino renresent
minority of the people, and Dconsderab BILE portion
of the territory and wealth of the State Yet saw
the opponents of change practical evils have re-
suited. Ca be true' Is there nothing of science
III Government? Is il utterly incapable OF being reso
we'd into elementary principles Are theory ard prac
tice so much at variance? 1fso we NAV with trufl
exclam, a6out forms OF government let fools contests,
Ihe members OF this meeting of that opinion
They think that in government, in other things can
ses produce tIcr natural effects They feel that tho
opposition which they have TO encounter in
their cndeavors to effect ether sanitary chanpes in tho
Constitution, is ewing to this very neuuaIiiy IN the
arP"riio;i:ient OF representation The effect of if 10
equally cviden; in the ordinary operations Of Tho Cow
e,ninent: When from the great delays in some Of the
Old District Courts tie large and popn!ous counties
called Tor an nme!ioratlon OF the stem, became ne
cessary TO conciliate the small Counties-If FIRM,
the extent, population and business of tie large
counties. ii became necessary to establish Spner6r
court IN each OF them. the small counties would have
'ncr courts Also Having an equal representation they
claim equality thing. To CRAFTY tho pr;,i
OF equality the number of tue General Court s Dcre.
fsed, and Judges Commonwealth Auornies SC ara
paid by The large counties TO bold courts in the small
ones, where there to try-Way moro a.
this very mo mt whilst judges thus paid are riding
from one small county 70 another and going through t,e
tonaiy OF opening court TO do little than to GER
tiy ;he allowance TO The Attorney SheT If Cler, and
Jaiior, and sign an adJourning order the large popu
lous and wealthy counties composing the 1Of Judicial
Ircni' are without Judge The doors of their court
houses are closed and they driven 20 the humrl-
ity of asking Jail delivery boon al he hands or ,
Judge of some neigIboiinp circnjt.
The small counties are chiefly below tide water tbey
therefore DO not feel re want ofurnpike loads and ca
nails. The undue prepondcrsnce which they pcsse,.
in the Legislature is and felt in the slow proo,s
winch Virginia has made in Improvement, Seeing mn
nope OF assistance at home that portion of the state
which suffers most for the of these inuortapt "a
ciies is ready throw itself into The arms tr t ~
tonal Government and TO abet the exercise OF noxer
against winch Virginia has protested loudly These
are but samples Of the evils which have arisen from nj,
cling the Government in The hands of minority TIev
are the genuine offspring OF tie radical error commit
ed by The trainers OF our constitution appoton mo
representation The main spring of human action r.
ter all, is sell love The most devoted patriot liable
10 be blinded by it. All Governments .l,oyJd bo bt
toned upon it, We are never so sure of the ,cod az
ces OF another as when we make il his interest 10 serve
u.s. aud although there many bright executions IN
the influence Of the selfish principle vet il is win 49,,
mass OF mankind That government has 10 deal Tho e.
iects which we have traced TO the unequal Distribution
of power made BY Constitution, reflect no noc,t;,
dcrcd on our brethren of the small counties; bey IN
II prove that they, like other men, are blinded by s,f
love II remains for The large counties to awaken and
take Of themselves. 1911 anu
The House OF Delegates is too nurncrors-Tbe do.
lays occas'oued By tbe slow movements Of Ibis unUicl
dy oooy ana TIE unaccountabe deninl 10 the Senate
OF me power TO originate bills may be asserted With
confidence, give 10 the annual sessions of the cner
Assembly length double what would be necessarv
under proper modification The expenses of the last
session sxcecde" 20 OO0-f}ere then annual sa-
l u nj ~ ~ -
SUN III these times of peCunary distress II would nay
| the interest on sum sufficient TO make than
three hundred miles Of Turnpike road. But the peo-
pie OF the tidcwater Country want turnpike roads.
Paying but small portion of ii they prefer having the
money expended amongst themselves upon the present
plan. This enormous unnecessary expenditure is oc.
CasOned in part Big The unWisa