Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-12
y1l<s.sxaA COW ENVION,
WEDNESDAY. Nov. II

,rhe7> h the means of acquiring aud possessing
'p-optry, nj pursuing and obtaining happiness and
stt The first line of this article is taken almost
literally from Locke, who declares, that call men, by
nature free equal and independent --andit has Civ
-, rise ;he discussion here, concerning the natural
rgis of Gentlemen have endcavoured TO inves-
'lE,i& taos~ risHts, in condition of man, which is
supposed nave preceded society, condition which
they vc termed the state OF nature Not being able
% s,tsfJ themselves that such condition OF
ever existed they reasonably conclude that the rights
pertaining cannot be ascertained, & that whatever
cy be- the cannot influence his rights, in state
81 cri society. readily concur in the opinion, Mr..
Gha.cnltn, i'r such unsocial condition OF man has
u2T>r existed, unless under such accidental c,rcun-
aLauces. attended the tabled of Robinson
CFu'a" quoted 5y the gentleman from Chest erield,
--e1crp lie aIe instance with which the bible
tory cQiFspr1ees That know OF short dura III,
cont us,sss ssu:y. wmie ''man the hermit sighed'-
aa ssHFs',Iis, wnen "woman smilei"-and dispen-
Esv-v the loom of his solitude Man created
!jS.-:'rtr end social intercourse is much law of
DIS uatGrp, tiat he should support his existence by
!''7'tf Poo T0te has comfort by rainent procure sup
fs 0' himself from aggression by
cf'scoi ehatlsr ,pafrIarcha or political, laws arising
fln th. natut7 nf man, from: his weakness, his de-
prdence h wants, his DESIRES his appeti,es, his pas
Slons a big Intelligence, must necessarily govern hts
Scrt rl.ots. regulate his rights and duties. These
itT are ce3uced by reason, from the known caract
and c'uato" of man, and the lays of his they
ACCOMPANY nm i'll all conditions life and il is to them,
ut tNS bill OF rights i'll this first article refers This
article means rot TO declare those political rights, which
may DC 'a'ed by compact but those natural rights
Hfy 'NhlcA spring from the invlriable relations of
man TO saci'ty-lt etlrms to all equal freedom and
asnal t-sn"udence as the gift Of naturc,-no equal
political rower, because that arises from compact
2'wana IA sc, who having equal freedom and indie
pen1uce nave associated together and regulated by
age ment the political power of the society. 1t is
reserved for the fifth article declare the noIiiical
aoVe- Of the respective members of society by uG-
eating the basis of the right of uffrage-and by re-
irfnF IS for guidance i'll this behalf, not to natural
ti' TO conventional law.
BE- first article of the bill of riphts has an,fb.r
sumo ON, not less important than the declaration of
eAia '.edoH and independence, and certainly more
yacrica! - its character-hc declaration of those in
arFanJ rights, or which men do and ca mot dvcst
'"t,f t,@t my by any compact of society. As 90.
F"fo'Gi' instituted for the protection ol life ber
fyP-os'i-y to secure happiness and safely--su no
s5rG-l3 u. can be legitimate to which these are an
r.i1a- - Is happy for that this part of the bill
u Iet s+'7 1Jan speinnly adiudsed to be constitu-
t'to- las" aaG o 1t the citizen the protection
: o. properly ION the power of the government
re 67ad ariico ofthe bill of rights is further
a::1Etnai!oa - The doctrines ofLocke and Sidney in
oppuS:'n % - Robert t1nler, recognizes th, poo
PIE, 10 theP.ucc the fountain OF political power
.nd declares magistrates TO be- their trustees answer
abie 20 tlGc2, 10 their irresponsible masters No
or: he2s acil.d these TO be the genuine doctrines Of
cur government.
Enc thlrt aSticia afrlus, that government is in
siiiatet 5or the c0nmon benefi,-th1t shQt is best
'hicn cal1oie o: producing the greatest degree of
Aann1aa@ ana safety, and is most etiectuaIy secured
against lie danger of INSTRUMENTATION IT,
Nac5l airy E1Tt Tnaent shall be found inadeuuate or
r1A,foFy ~ taeSe purposes, majority of the people
Lam - ;nduurable, unaienabe and indeteasibJe
'At 70 reHrm, alter or abolish in such manner rs
shall ba adjudgcd most conducive to the pubIir
"aa, ltere We have plainly declared the object Of
governments, the standard of its excellence, and the
iac ior lis rGIorm,-s object the cou1noN benefit.
nc test OF ITS excellence its capacity to attain that
object, BY producing the greatest degree of hanpi
cess and saftcy, and being secured AGAINST NAL
administrations and the rule for its reform the iudr
JGHt Q. tue majority pronouncing it Inadequate to
4: purposes and altering it, with sole view to the
flsHG "olt. We are saved then the necessity of
looking to natural law for the right of the majority
- reform; we have positive conventional law: tho
UtosE solemn declaration the face of our SOCIAL
compact, that he majority have right un ndubia :
biz anahahah!e and indeieasibe right to reform
alter abolish 1t is true that this power is to bp
employed Wien the government is found inadequate
- us obj the common benefit, and must be en-
loved with & single view to the public rood
Gii VINO - 20 Judge whether the government has
taen adequate 10 the object of it's institution who n
'.dEe tie manner of its reform? Surely the peope
'io ordained II, the people for whose happiness and
Eva. ns';ued the PeoPe,by majority of whom
tb1 right % reform is declared Hnquesionably to be-
0nE, tae people are the sole the exclusive iuIpcs
& - ;hcr duty, admit, to listen With all Difference
-tlTesQect to the counsels Of their wise men who
may ,G! tncm,---'We have been long and aftent;t-
5H--rYc57 y the Operations Of yoiir governments we
'ia2e compared 1t with all the governments of the
World auc'cas and modern, we are satisfied il s tho
ocs '3a ever existed, we demonstrate that ~ loo
!aae an e great ends OF its institution, that it has
srcred you al the happiness and safety, which it is
She province Of government to secure, and thar a.,
Aeempt to change 1t esseniia ly wanon experimen,
90 make Tat better, which is already good beyonJ
e common ~ ct human institutions, is to sport with
t.e blessings ~ Providence and encounter the imm.
hcht hazard o. losing all that is valuable in practice
r. @ 9ao PJrsuit of all that is perfect in theory
alter aiicntrs.y and lmparaVy considering all IN.
Arguments adhased TO sustain these counseIs, and
rrctH.y we giilos every fact which they rest if
ea0;'n-ca by 'han, it Is solemn duty to themselves
P2a' T l"d to all mankind, to reject all PROPOSE.
i.Hs 81 reform - preserve model of so much EXCL
'sfre On czanPIe 10 the world. and as a rich nberi
tce {" tie generations that are come. But if tbev
10 |H. .r D. e 4 guf 1,g p,f-o At.
a.s'st Thar they have enjoyed the degree of han
pines '' 'a'a'y which good government ought assure
ti.'h-5 s'Yenment Is only imperfect IN theory b,,
"'-,- IL practice that is defects may safely rcmeded
ah PRACTICAL good much cuhanced-then there , orc
a."2f winch hcy give TO these couuseIs-YYe ackuo,g-
ll' y1u5 experience, wisdom, your the urea,
y.r1:.y OF your atainments, * the sincerity Of yoir