Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-01

those charges; but to devote TO them few ge-
neral objections excluding all local and personal
consideration Indeed, Mr. Speaker, I think our
Constitution will find triumph in the character
OF those charges themselves, when NE look TO the
great labour evidently bestow Ell upon them by the
gentleman. and the fertility and ingenuity Of his
mind, which have directed those labors. The
gentleman commenced, by presenting to our view
a variety OF laws for Furnishing petty offences,
some OF which, think he said, were already re-
pealed, aud all OF them subject to the ordinary
course OF legislation. He then reminded US OF
eerain supposed local interests and antipatbies.
which had hoped had long since subsidized, and
been forever forgotten. The gentleman, for il
iustra''ons, resorted to great variety of suppo
sitious cases, all OF them in the extreme, and seem
ing to be derived from the best efforts of the ex.
fieme ingenuity Of his mind 1 would re-
mark, Mr., Speaker, that Of ill the modes of rea-
soning, that which is drawn from extreme suppo-
sitions, is the most falacious. These extreme
suPpostons are always exceptions from the gem
era rules. and the error in their application con-
sists In taking the exception for the rule, instead
OF the proof of the rule. So, in the genteman's
reasoning by analogy. His errors will be found
20 consist in ing enously exhibiting the rcsemban-
Geo. aud Withholding the difeI ences in the cases
supposed to be analogous. Ba, there is one of the
most exuavagant OF his suppositious cases, which
calls Tor more particular examination. The gem
efs, oe'ng majority, meeting and forming Con-
si'ution for the government Of ,he State and con-
Guided, by the supposed case, that Congress. and
me people OF the State, would be bound to ac-
knowledge 1t as our only legitimate Constitution.
Abe reply Is, that the supposiou is not supports
bic, and would be utterly inatmissble, because M.
terry impracticab!e Whenever an attempt Of that
kind should be made, it would al once produce
the natural division ct parties among mankind
that is, between those who have property, and
those who have none. And whenever those who
have no property shsll attempt TO govern those
VINO have, war-aa extrmpating war, must be
the consequences; aud this would set al defiance
every attempt at making social compact. From
the time OF Adam TO this moment. mankind have
ceen divided into two parties-those who have
property, AID those vino have none. This is the
natural division OF party amongst mankind. Other
parties, more ardent and violeut are often cot up
ny political eScnements and other Causes; but they
are temporary In their character, and ALWAYS cease
with the causes which produced them. Whereas
TINS natural division OF party, is eternal From
these considerations II will appear, Mr. Speaker
that whilst this supposton might serve TO amuse
the imagination. it is too extravagant 10 be brouob
into use in the practical affairs of mankind: and
the only reply shall make to these extrsyasant
supposi'ions IL, to remind tn. gentleman of yerv
common, and OF similar character: 4" Suppose
the sky were TO fall, it would catch lsrks." But
presume, that no DANCE, is TO be unprecedented by
the present generation from either event.
daYIns made this general reply to The charge.
oronsnl against the Constitution, l will no W pro-
ceeu 10 examine us own Iatrinsic merits And
here, confidently express the opinion. tha,,as i,
was the FIRST, so j, s the best wr item Con
the world ever saw: at it forms the only sc.
entlhc government known TO me. And here. NJ,
speaker, permit me take I'd the pauutlet
thro~n By the late lamented Mr.. Adsmsr thar the
British Constitution formed the only scientific go
Nefnment in the would deeply IameateI for his
SEes1 revolutionary services, and, Mr. Speaker
let the mantle of oblivion be thrown over his
more recent political alterations. war no, with
the dead. When | speak of scientific Cons,i.
lu'ion, mean one founded in great PRINCIPLES Of
un'n, derived roin nature, and which have eood
ino+3 tendencies over the society for whose 20
veFnment they are intended. and established.
And AIR. Speaker, is there no merit in our
constitution, from IT'S being the first great written
soc.si Compact! The FIRST great written cb,.a-
OF The rights OF man! Do our Godii,Se A nces,o-.
deserve 80 credit for first developing and nro.
claiming 10 the World, that all riebtful cavern
men's were ioandeIupon the natura: rights of man
anc depend upon his consent for all ,bei, Ia,;,i
mate powers! Nay more, Mr.. Speaker. io6ni,e.
y more Tor bringing mo practical use for ,h.
0sren' OF mankind, these great first PRINCIPLES bv
'eute'ns mem 10 writing in the form OF our pre-
m 70 %
eei7ed the idea, that all legitimate government.
we've founded On the rights of man and J.;,.,
rom his consent; but it remained for the bonor
ana giofy OF our iorefdtIers 10 procsirn the prin
cp!e, ana 10 reduce II 10 practical use for tho
benefit OF mankind. You have been taJd At.
speaker, by the President of the Initial States
'hA we owe great debt TO the nations Of Europs for
"a "S's 'ney nave rejected upon US through their
researches into scientific knowIedges: tina, ,bey
have erected 1870 lighthouses of the srjes and
niied them with star-gazers for the purpos. of
scentihc researches and that their discoveries had
besn rejected on US, for the impro vement and ON.
oesnnent oil the sciences here. And for this bene,
we owe them sacred deb, of gratitude How
much greater, Mr. Speaker, il the deb, of pra,i.
tlde 'hey owe'o our immortal Virginia forefather.
~ 'n'iouucihe INTO practice the great principle Of
the rights OF man, which serves to SECURE Lpm,o
rights and human libesties-and thus IN ;,,,[n,,.
and 10 extend The solid happiness of mankind5
ne op!igation is incOmparably in our favour; he
cause theIr lights reflected u.s. go merely 10 the
eubeilishment Of the sciences; whilst ON, o,oa,
nght, rejected on them, serves to illuminate noIj.
-cNi ec'ehce, ana thus TO improve the political
condition oil the whole mass of mankind Instead
eien' MI. speaker, OF approaching this holy ark
hgst erected 10y our forefathsrs, with parricida
hands Tor It's inDoIaton; ought we not ra,be, ,n
pause and look with awful yenesaiion mo, IL.
sacred edihce! And, instead Of tearing il dawn
PRIDE ourselves in this great work of our fo efabers
our immortal sires. who are now reposing in nm.
merhed oblivion, whilst we ought to reproscb our.
serves Tor our tardy incidence in not commemors-
Ine 'neH names with the highest honors ever
Si 70 mori'i'.--i will now proceed, Mr..
Speaker. to exIuine its peculiar orpanizs,;o, 80
20 demonstrate the position assumed First. hen
sf, as TO IT'S foundation--tbe Virginia Constitution
IS founded on land; the only solid, durable and IN. !
{, ;s'focubIe substance given by God to man. |