Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-27

suppose hostile to reform In not udvocatno tn
cal OF convention, for could be said to be Oh
posed to lt,) certainly entertained the beef
that there defects in the constitutions 70 ~
reformed, but acted that principle of politicai
prudence which Is consecrated in the Declaration of
american independence: THAT governmentslong es-
taoiished, and TO winch the people are accustomed
ought not be changed, without necessity GROWING
out oil actual abuses. Though could not but 500
many defects in the frame of the constitution be-
eved that as yet they had produced no serious prn-
Teal evi-that the proper time, therefore had not
Yet arrived for its revision and amendment-that
when actual grievances should be felt, thew would
oes1 tue nature and extent of the remedies
ana shat In the mean time. should have the bene-
nj OF the progressive experience, not only of our a,p
put Oh tweehty-three associated common ealths in
TO many interesting questions of organic req
uation then In course OF trial them ALL 70 enable
us, when We did undertake the task of new modoIlin
our institutions, to settle them finally on the Safest
and most satisfactory foundations. With these
views as individual citizen of the State could
not say that tcshed the call of convention ,t th
time when the proposition first submitted I
was however, always ANXIOUS and urped ,,non my,
ieidS IN the legislatures that the of the people
fsnouid be taken OH the subject and if majority
should decide i'll favour of it, was then nren.rsr
honestly ana jealousy to cooperate with the friends
the measure III reforming all the defects of the con
stution, of which, have already said Ibpl;oroy
there were many which would demand correcti,n .
whenever the task of revision should be under oi-e
In the Legislative department, for example the INC
quahty OF representation was defect so consn;c,f
GUS and prominent as would evidently call For @
ton Fhe reduction OF the numbers of the IIousa ~
Dele9aes more just proportion, in this respeet be
'ne Two orahehes and a6rIdgng the term of
service OF tue Senators, were also questions lerarJ
ing the gravest consideration In the Eyec,,
branch the whole department appearedto require nov
Iiodei.ng, involving the mode of its election th,
FORM OF us organization, its power, and its dr,es
The Judiciary department, also seemed to mo To-
t;r the hand OF reformation. with view To renJa
ID more efficient by some change of It's orpanzation
and with the further view, perhaps of renderno :;
90
tenure. In regard to the right of suffrage / bs~c
thought that the true principle contained in a.
aecafation oil the Bill OF Rights ''tiIat all men hay
ing sufficient evidence of permanent common int,
test with, and attachment to, the com,nun;tf
are entitled to- the right of suffrage" That tE,
privilege may De materially extended beyond the
limits now allowed, without departing from tb;s
principle, and that it ought to be extended g., 90
to subject the government to the efactaI controuI
OF real majority OF the community, Faye no doub.
AS to the particular manner and .precise I;ro,
however, of this extension, it being auestio, w.
we'd IN much ofdetail and requiring careful cors;5
alton, am not now prepared to express deIiber.t.
opinion; nor do think that person who may be CALI
ed to take part III the deliberations of the Convent
ought either to form or express final opinion ON
question OF TINS sort On the contrary think tba
members OF the Convention, should be- as bIuch ne
possible, uneommnted particular projects ava
plans, that they may be in condition tn henoft -
all the lights which viii be afforded in the r,onen
and to form their conclusions ultimately on IN NH;
assed consideration and comparison of all tho 49,
sitlons, suggestions and arguments which NAV h.
submitted Nothing, ia my opinion, could be NOR
nischieyous in its effects, than system of cataebi
sing and committing members before hand as to par
ticular schemes of REFORM and thus wv sbu,t tp
out the light which would flow from continued refls
ton and mutual deliberations; and there is less occs
sion for It, as whatever may be done by the Conyen.
ton will be afterwards submitted to the free s,c
or rejection of the people.
In conclusion, will add, that, now that the will ct
the people has been declared in favour ola Conyen
ton, shall not only cooperate with its fiie,d =; -,
sautary and desirable reforms but that ofI, -.
witnessed evidences Of it's necessity which cause mo
to entertain the most favorable auguries Gifts
in regard to the tranquility and dignity the prosperif
andhappiness ofthe Commonwealth. e.o''oi''y
! ours, very sincerity
! W. G.. RiVES