Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-01

admit the landed interest should; yet ncvcythelcss
there are other interests of almost equal i,npor-
lance which should in all well adjusted govern
nents, have their just influence preserved; mean
the interests OF the resident labourer the mechan-
ic, the merchant These are auxiliary and indis-
pensabie appendages 10 the landed interest Al.
though in many instances and more particularly
where lands are cheap, and easily acquired, many
individuals the classes referred to are landhod-
ers; yet the fact cannot be doubted that they are
not so generally. But few comparatively speaking !.
can be iand-holders; why the great disparity in
numbers between the freeholders qualified to vote
anu the nuinher oil the free white male citizens
above the age OF q years.
IL is against political Justice that the elective
franchise should be made TO depend so mach upon
accident; should embrace SO few OF the substantial
men Oh the country. The valuable classes referred
TO, from the nature Of the business in which thew
are engaged, whilst prosecuting their respective
caiilngs, have not often the means of acouirinp
ands; nor would their business frequently admit Of
withdrawing SO much OF their capital as would
enable them to purchase land; hence the reason
why they have not land generally; they are more
over burdened with taxes, bound TO render persou-
al services incapable OF exercising the la-making
power, without agency in electing those who make
the laws, by which they are bound TO submit to
loss oil lie, liberty and property
The member from Brunswick (Mr Dronnronc)
mas charged the friends of convention with TOO
great iondness for innovation; with disposition to
rend In pieces the sacred charter of the first scien
uhc government in the word-with the unho!y
desire OF pollutng a temple, reared by our rod
like ancestors dedicated TO liberty; in which they
worshipped, with clean hands and pure hearts. in
spirit and In TRUTH and asks us if we dare apply our
ruthless hands TO thi, holy work? He accuses
then oil want OF veneration for the illistrious
ueau, III presuminS 10 modify the ancipnt work
OF their hands.
He has passed in review before usa host of dstir-
guished statesmen and patriots to whom the cause
oil Tree government throughout the world is in
debted.
Sir, yield to no man, in gratitude and respect
Tor the services, and sacrifices, OF those who have
| gone before US. The sensation produced by the
eloquent recital Of the member from Brunswick
IS yet vibrating upon my heart; but | cannot con-
seeF the work oil reform, contemplated by the
friends OF convention, evidence, either, OF fond
ness Tor innovation want of respect. To say
that the people OF Virginia after the experience of
nall century, with the benefit of all that has been
| spoken and written upon Constitutional Govern
ment are incompetent TO remodel, their constitu-
ton, Is at once TO strike at the first principle of free
goyernment,-that the people are capable of self.
government. Sir, we design only TO carry nearer
10 perfection, the grand scheme of civil liberty of
self-government We wish to present, in bold re-
lei, the beauties, which but partially revealed
] IN the present constitution.
The opponents Of convention, instead of fairly
ana frankly, meeting the question, appeal TO the
Tears and prejudices of the people
! They coniound convention and revolution. and
endeaVour to induce others to believe, that every
thing Is TO be changed that every good is to be nut
IN jeopardy: That anew government is to be form
eu' upon entlreiy rev principles. The temple Of
liberty, to which my friend has pointed us with so
much eioqucncc and pride, is truly noble edifice
and does great credit the state of the arts ot tho
time OF its foundation, but is nevertheless defective
IN structure Like the Fcudal Castles OF old il has
aDnndant material, but wants the finc urnnori;ons
! OF modern architecture; it has too much of In. Co
INC, too little o!the CoTinthian; suited for defence
! but deficient in comfort s. taste
| The member from Brunswick has told ,s that
our glory is identified with the preservation of the
present constitution; and that historians would date
the loss OF our moral influence from the alteration
o. TINS constitution, the loss of Grecian Tber
ty, dated from certain battle: This NAV he said
WIN prophetic truth,but with due Difference TO the
SHSdcity OIL the gentleman, should rather predict
that historians will record il, as another glorious
epoch, IN the science of free government; another
stride IN the march OF civil liberty; as an event
Whch VIII serve 10 demonstrate, that an enIobt
! ehed people, may alter, reform their govern
inent, without violence and bIoodshed. that ,viu
demonstrate the true distinction between \ ,.e,,oJ,
!0', ana convention, of virtuous and enlightened
lTeemen, peaceably assembled, for the purpose Of
reforming government of their choice and adopt
ing 1t more exactly, to the altered and irnnro,iod
condition of the people The spectacIe ,y6rIJ Ia
truly sublime; it would be practical commepta
ry, upon our republican institutions worth moro
than all the essays that were written ynon go
YeTnment, previous to the American revolution
- ia al uIiB against conven-
"oh' 10 after the constitutions were content to say
- we nave been happy & prosperous as A nation
uEder tie present constitution, for fifty years. vbv
then alter it? confess the proposition would be
calculated, TO cause all prudent men TO pause Ham
PincsS and prosperity the chief ends of govern
ment; and if they are attained by the present. If
surely would be worse than folly 10 disturb the eS.
Isting order of thin,s But here lies the diiicultv
Has our happy and prosperous condition proceed
cd from the excellence OF the present const,1r-
non: Or rather, has it not proceeded from the viz
cue OF our citizens, the stability Of our national
character, the parc ular circumstances of the
country during the greater part Of the period refer
L-ar Dddc's Speech to be ConfiuueG1