Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-12
NO ruE EpIron or TILE WIG ,r1A GAzrrrr.

y u 1Nh EDITOR OF THE IRGE mia
Your paper OF the 10th inst. and au Extra pub
shcd several days since, contain communications
signed ga Voter, and, ''Alany Voters" calling OH
several persons. and among them upon me, for my
opinio:s on the amendments proposed to be made to
the Constitution. do not know the gentlemen who
have made these calls but, the examples which have
hecn set by OF distinguished merit, in replying
10 similar publications from unknown sources, forbid
me- to he silent.
! In the numberlcss efforts which mankind have
made to restrain the wanonness and tyranny OF their
rulers, no scheme has proved salutary, that
Which the infant republics of North America have
devised ~ rl'ten Constitutions, framed by deputies
chosen for the purpose and subsequently ratified by
the suffragcs OF the people, their origin 10 the
people of the United States. The enactment of the
fundamental law by the people, affords the best
rty for its duration and their liberty and happiness:
To alter It. requires tho assent of n majority OF
them; that this is difficult to be obtained even
when q minority hold the rrns OF government, is
demonstrated by tile successful resistance which was
81 long made to the call OF Il Conventions designed
TO accommodate the government to the spirit of the
nies; the lights of history; the experience and wish
es of our fellow citizens, and the genius Of free
people. Judging from the past, / may safely say,
that, IN our day, no effort, which may be made to
amend the new Constitution, will be sanctioned
by majority Of the people; it, therefore, becomes
every citizen to weigh the great questions now be-
fore the public, with the calnness the patience and
the patriotism due to the dignity of the subject, its
probable Influences society, and It's contemplated
duration Holding these sentiments, feel acutelv
the necessity of acting mp to them and approach the
subject on which have been Addressed with diff
dence and embarrassment.
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
am III FAVOR OF liberal extension OF the right OF s,if
rage beyond an interest in the SOIL hu. what precise
point 1t should be fixed, am en- INV past refectiou
unable TO decide. There is no question AMONG
those which have arisen out of the present iunc-
ture, so delicate and interesting vet so perDex
ing question which involves in Its considerations
the right of to select his lawmakers and grow.
rio fho nj
good order OF society; the security of property and
indeed IN great measure personal liberty, and ma
t!hnal happiness cannot be easily settled. The prin-
cn'e announced in the Bill of Rights is the best
| guide we have, and admit, that the citizen VIM
has resided iey several years in the State paid his
and county levy, and performed militia duty if it has
been required of him. furnishes" evidence of a per
nanent common interest with, and attachment TO the
! community"
! would however, exclude traitors and all such as
may be condcmed to the pententiary, or other inf-
nous punishment, from the Councils of the State,
and the privilege of voting.
| THE EXECUTIVE.
! am opposed TO enlarging the powers of the Gov
ernor, and would permit him To net without the
advice of council Vested only with his present
authority would not alter the mode of his election
But if his powers enlarged so as to give him
ceto on the acts of the Legislature require his as
sent to the passage Of laws to both of which lam de-
cidelly hostile, would have him to be elected by the
people and the period of his service extended.
! Phe number Of the pfivy Council ought to be re-
diced the mode of their removal changed, and their
responsibility Increased. | would also make them
! ineligible after certain term OF service.
! Sherifls, Constabes and Others who from, the ma
ure OF their official ayocatOns, brought in contact
With persons of every degree ofntelect and condition
1 W lIte, and who, through the medium ofthcr Offices
are enabled to make unconsconabe specuations, or
by their terrOrs lay them under heavy contributions
or cxsctons ought to be elected directly bv the
People. This will create dependence on the com
nIiity, upon whose misfortunes they fatten and will
! deter them from excuses, when volume of jnws
| would be eludGd and contennef
TIE JUDICIARY
am IN favor OF changing The tenure by which judges Jusii-
ce OF ;he Peacc Clerks of Courts and The Attorney General
hold their commissions NO fills an Office created
for the bene, of tine people should be beyond reach The
principle ardeny maintained, that JUICES should m n1.
pendent, and which denies, does not conflict with ,e
fespons.bnyness TO curb them i'll their execsse be- to i'm
pair independence would have Them 10 ne ilcnene,
but liable to Impeachment, fine imprisonment for miscon
duct IN Office, and, subject 10 removal by of tvo.;hds
Ofle General Assembly finpea cbeut they should
| be triad by the Senate
lam opposed establishment by the Constitution of any
coui pt Court Appeals The Ieoisla,re should
create such other courts the public interest may time to
time, require.
Justices ofthc Peace should he chosen for stated o,id
10 be- xed by the General Assembly, empowered 10
which their nciehisprs are parties would confer
the power Of apnn:nn tcn ON the Cnyernor , the d
and consent IN, SeBaa But, authority be limited IN
preserving the PEACE opening and changing Dads and having
me county levy would prefer that each county laid off into
districts 81 convenient S.1e aud that they sh0i he elecd by
/ the citizens of each.
Clerks Of cours ought to be appointed for short periods
TAG LsGIsiAryRE.
The great occ: Of government secure life liberty and
roPy Inc p'eeGraton Of each is indispensable to the
comfort and happiness Of man. and every Government should
lac 50 iiang1 afford eectl,ll guarantees agas, the a
non Of either some contend for representation the free
e persons and portion Of the slaves; others basis of
persons AM taxes anopPosed 10 the FIRST and in favor ofte
Eh1Ps "i tine last, with suitable notifications. Whether
hey a consist III he Structure Of the tcrjsss of the
General assembly different clements, embracing free white
persons IN tie rouge Of Delegates and persons taxes in the
senate or III what confess an prepared decide Let
me no, I've understood sanctong in tie least tine idea liza,
neronl power Should be increased diminished IN proportion
me amount o Individual Whenever perceive that the
eNiennIlat0n a-ains il.
The Senate consists Of twenty four members nj whom 7r,r
EN are sufficient 70 transact business and sEyE uaioriv
no ntnber may pass reject important laws bs
aWofy TOO great and exist; In addition
oecton to me seGate, as a, present oganized, there
are oheswhch without it, ough pduce an increase Of the
> SIZE Of That bodg.
a,on shall have increased least oibc its present sopf
'nk might he safely reduced hundred and after that
isd 70 small additional nur,be provide for the