Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-08
OWYEETIOM

take the sense of the PEOPLE on the subject of
Convention. this day, convened at he Capitol.
pnr-uant to adjournment on Tuesday last. The
former Chairman and Secretary not being present.
EDWARD CoLsToN. E-q. of Berkely,
'io'ioa OF Mr.. Williams, called TO the Chair; and
on motion OF the same gentleman. Mr.. THoMP
SON, oil Amherst, was appointed Secretary to the
Meeting
Mr. RIvEs, of Campbell from the Committee
OF Seven appointed by The former meeting to take
the subject of that meeting under their considera.
ton, and report ihereupon 10 this repor ed Pre-
amole & Resolutions, Ia the words folio wing, viz:
The Committee, appointed at Meeting of the
friends of the Bill submitting the question Of
Convention 10 he Freeholders, have given to the
subject that calm and sober reflection which it,
magnitude and deep interests so justly merit, and
beg leave to Report:
That The subject of Con vention. to amend the
Constitution OF this State, ha. for wears, divided
the people of the Common W ealth, and bill .,
take the sense the Freeholders on that question,
has tor several successive sessions nearly equally
divided the Legislature we constitute a part OF
the minority, who. az the present session, support
cd similar BILL lost in the House of DELEGATE. by
only votes. So equal division, after the 1,es
ton had been agsteJ for years, would of itself
Indicate nearl, equal division of the people; but
when we reflect, that the House of Delegates il
composed OF an equal representation ON counties
vastly unequal in popula,i and we,lrh, and ,hs,
the small counties almost universally opposed
Wills the large counties generally supported the
Dill, u becomes certain, that majority of the
Freeholders OF the State, speaking through their
Representatives, approved its passage. The ex-
tent OF this minority cannot be ascertained with
precision, but this we affirm, hat the counties
whose Representa-, es supported, exceed in white
population those which opposed the bill by Isl, 900
souls-ihis eIcesS being about one fourth OF he
white population of he entire State.
The object OF that bill and the wishes of its
fri ends, may not be fairly under stood. We seek
to explain them. The bill did not propose TO csll
| a convention but simply to submit this important
question to The Freehoiders, for the expression OF
| their will in their sovereign capacity. And as IL
sought nothing than 10 ascertain their " Ill,
b, requiring the Sher fl TO take heir votes we
ask, on what grounds i- rej-c ion be Justified
In this Republic, none will deu, the RICH, of a
majority to 8 reform, alter abolish the pres
en', and establish another Constitution; ror i'll
any one ques ion either he right or capacity o.
the people 30 Judge for themselves on any and all
heir political institutions. All know how deep
ly This subject interests and ag,aes large portions
of the people, and the nearly equal division of The
Legislature, and the proportion of population re
presented by the majority aud the minority IN the
late vote, shew most clearly, hat this question
can never be settled except by vote of the peo-
pie Can the friends of Convention claiming to
be majority in the State, supported by judgment
| and by feeling, defeated By so small vote & that
vote shelving more strongly the necessity Il
chanse be expected at once de-st from heir OBJ,
Ject! We have witnessed the banefuI Influence O
the agitation OF this question the public inter
ests, the aste oil time and money occasioned By
its discussion, and the bitterness OF feeling engen
dered here and among the people, We deprecate
The continuance and increase of these evils We
hnoao OF no remedy but its submission to the
| 1,1nn Shnnl
i" Convention, no one would deny their right; nor
should any one attempt to prevent the expression
OF heir will -for. TO within, Id the means necessary
to the beneficial and satisfactory exercise of a
right, lis TO Withhold the right itself. Should The
majority decide against the call Of Convention,
II will become the duty of all good citizens cheer
fully to acquiesce.
II may be expected of your Committee TO az
sign some OF the reasons why the new mod eIIine
and amending the Constitution il sought bv the
friends OF Convention. But the propriety of
submitting this question TO The decision of III,
people, with their right to derde it, is one thing
and the policy and wisdom of amendments, ano
'hef' lhe questions are separate and distinct; and
the COMMITTEE would not lose sight of this
distinction. Nevertheless, they submit their
views OF one or two of the numerous and acknow
lodged inequalities and defects of the present Com
s,iiution.
The friends OF Convention do not depreciat,
the merits oil Constitution formed in the proud
es days OF the Republic, and under which thew
nave enjoyed the blessings of personal liberty and
security OF property Bur they bear in mind
that 1t was formed at time less of deliberation
than NJ action when our fathers were too much
engaged In coniirts with foreign government
Tor political independence. TO adjust very nicely
heir political institutions at home when the .,
emy we're on The very Threshold when il was
found easier o adopt existing institutions, although
unequal and defective, than form new ones ntr
are they unapprised, that the lapse of more than
nall century has produced vas changes in cur
condi'ion, requiring correspondent changes in our
constitution and that the present generation
have the experience IF Virginia and Of her sister
states, to eniigbten then labours in revising and
amending the works Vt their +" wise and virtuou.
but inexperienced fathers. They aekpowleJge
themselves unspeskably indebted 10 hose gseat
men for ablishng opinions which render the fol
lowing political principles mere axoms. " The
people are capable IT sci government. The ma
Jofty nave an objectionable right 10 reform or
alter The Constitution Tina form of Govern.
ment IL most Tree, most equal md fber, fore hes,
which whilst 1t secures local interests gives great
est efficacy 10 he will Of the majority ;, Tbev
love The principles Of the ondituiion better than
the instrument itself and therefore wish IFS amend
meni For, he rejection this ses sion. of the
bill TO take the sense OF the FreehoIders suppor,
60 by he Representatives. of a large majority of
me feopie discloses the fact, that our practical
uoVeinment Is a. war, with the principles on
which u Is founded. This fact, properly consi
DEED IS alarming when one third OF The popu.
lation WELD the power, it can commit The in,ere,.
Of The whole. And the Government cease. 90
he what PROCESSES to be, the Government of the
maIOrHy. ~ trl. LIT