Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-06

year 1854 distinctly announ need from The throne
ana admitted by George III. The Younger Pitt WAS
that time prime minister, but with all hs virtue and BIZ
talent be was unable Ia Struggle against that rou
coalition of North and Fox. Their adberens ouln,,,n
hered his in Parliament, twar,od all his views and pro-
6uced in the Kingdom most extranrf,,pary state nj
AFFAIRS The King Dissolved the Parliament and de.
claTed that IN such il q duty wh ich ie owes,
h:nseh and the country to recur speedily as posi-
Die to The ".en.e OF the people" And how was this
recurrence had? Not by act of parlamen, an, no.
rising and requiring tie ''scrifs and other 10
take the sense OF the people; but by calling n new
Parliament. This proceeding contains a positive adj
mission OF The 'dea that the people could make known
their views OF government directly 10 their
tives. Pitts administration was made the test OF The
elections, and the people by large majority decided in
his favor and against the coalition Fox himself the
iustrions advocate of huina liberty would haze baon
elected by the voters of .Vesminsier but for the re
Variable interference of beautiful and intelligent
female friend.
In the u States, populous and extensive as thew are
we have mad repeated INSTANCES of spontaneous
sions of public feeling. The voice OF an ncensed and
Indignant people raised in opposition 10 the elder
Adams and the infatuated measures ofhis al,nnis
ana spoke to him the language of crest co1deu.na-
ton. The famous compensation I.a,yn of rongr.ss
WINS reprobated by the whole American peope and in
ooeoeHce 10 their stern command ii promptly re
peaied. liz are instances IN which the people, with
out any law 10 take their sense, uttered general ey
preston OF opinion which could not be mistaken Thes.
occurrences are Identified with the history OF our coun
Try and viii remain perpetual evidences for the CON-
questions, aud of their moral power 10 control their
representatives.
Within our own commonwealth the Instances have
nech .icquen III which the ''scnse The peoplen was
clearly ascertaned without legislative facilities I
VIII not unnecessarily Consume our time hy this emu
nerati"n But there is ius,I cus instance of re
cent occurrence worthy OF remark and will doubtless
constitute bright page Of history. aliude TO the
'!e spontaneous burst ot popular feeling on the Pre-
ls'uentiai election NO attentive observer uf passing
events can for one moment doubt Virgina's prefer
ence Tor Jackson The numerous and cruwt!c, meet
| ings IN this state amount TO full and uneouivoca
precision of opinion; they conclusvely y,pa,e e
competency OF the people, and furnish satisfactory
cVcnceo OF that independence of drought SD charac-
'eristc OF true Virsinias, which spurls the nluauce
ct great names, and despises d.cia,on
whenever matters of sufficient moment occur the
people are prompt and decisive in the expression of
u'er Opinions; ana whenever majority shall deem
ne'seive oppressed br the pro'isicns OF the constu-
.io anu shall really desire its change they viii sneak
IN voice which will command and enforce the .ca
iion OF their will. Tie supposed ina biy of the pea
PIE I" DO SO IL PaPaby coi.tfadcted 10y the w;oo ex
perehce oil the cnun.rs. 1t is libel upon the cha
Tac'er and Intelligence OF Virginia Ii tie advocates
oil TINS oi mean 10 disav0w all intention Of prefer
fins such an accusation. if they TO sh.;as ro,r
'he ae'ehcc 81 SO Insulting insinu alton against the
9ooa sense of tue people, Why will they cmharrass
them with legislation on this morleutons tonc5 Sir
INNS measure appears to 10 be grounded u,.., the
snppost'on, that Is safe TO leave the people 10
themselves; that they cannot be trusted in their pr
terInG the fundamental of government The
whole tenor of this bill evidently a;gues ,istfus on
the part OF the Legislature What DO YOU propose:-
iou dictate the time, the mace and tn, manner os
u'ts'iHs ,he poFuar viii You appoint officers ,uthcd;
with the Indictments oi power TO Intent the reo.
Pie whist engaged 10 their original paramount sever
e'Sn 'l vi examining the merits their Own form
government The appointment of ;i. ministerial .r
pervisor to receive and record in manner nyes,,;I ~
a'c the opinions Of tc people sranifesis Ya,it u,
confidence In open rei'ignaice the boosted ,ieca,a
no" o, lie conveht;oois, that sey 20. a..:..d to
trust tie rcope.o
Air Speaker, have aso I'D io,-l The oosition tina,
the proposed mea are, within tie proper sphere
OF legislative c!acleI the Legislature can sight
uil enaG ii': ''i certain specified purpose, ii must
necessarily Possess Tie requisite pow 10 make tina,
la" eecal III the attainment Of su::h purpose If the
General Assembly be correct'in feeling their duty
10 ascertain The wishes OF The People, II they posse S.
tire right OF collecting aud eIbo!yn sthe sen.e of the
People" oy law OF the land they likewise possess
an ample right 10 adopt snci, ;cns al will CON-
p!etey accomplish .her objcct.-Ecr sir as luminous
i"wvrer remarks sit is but lost labor 10 saw do this
Or AVOID That without also declaring What shall be The
consequence OF non CorUpIancc. Who iist iii re-
ia ms III s heart sentiment of freedom and r.aiy
HaepenaeAce would not rise rebellion a Legislative
effort TO fr'ot an expression Vi upl.;nu?- that
loves ms country and IT'S liberty, would ve-g viii!
nhneasuTed Indignation aIY attempt 20 force the :rnw
al oi our sentiments uFon m upon any Other cues
io, oy ine and penalty? The General Assembly can
not pass any efieCtual law take tie ,srn.e Of hr
sanction 10 compel obedience The ac i'll be mere
| ofntum sh!inen, an mpoent cgisiauve declaration
depending for It's efficacy uFon witn, or Passion or
occasional circumstances. however II ;nsi ,coard
The bill as containing principle which viii render !,
Gcneraiy oPer aye, then indeed The penalty which il
indirectly tcnounces against u.s. is OF the hirtcs, and
p! most fearful kind,
II we remain al horne in the lap of political content,
cDt, we rDeBaced with forfeiture of the Cons,;
tn'Ion II e do not incline go TO The polls and uuouI
tic advocates OF this wonderful scheme then we ar,
gFaVeiy oia mat we are to count for Hothingti,a ou
opinions are TO be wholly disregarded are not eve,
10 be weighed as dust in the baiance in set ling th
great On son, upon which may depend al! tl,e is val
liable In society Openly declare that we shall forfei
our 'o'o government, if we DO not express .sopin
ions npf- such subjects the legislature may selcc,
upon religion. upon tie Presidential eec:!,n uppn ;i
Convention and there is wto would not be STA
Yea al such legislative supremacy over all our civ
rgs:-jD this aspect Of the subject an odious prnci
rie OF dcsPotism Of nop.rous tyIrany is cuvcr,y ron
tanned III tie original bill.