Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-24
Ebe Constitutional estbts.
TIihRsp.aY MORNING, APRIL 23, 1923.
Foa TIE RICHMOND Wu1G.


Messrs. Editors We had, on Wednesday last, at
Powhatan Court House, an address from u. w. Leigh
of your city, upon the subject OF Convention. II
vas in substance the Substitute published some wears
since by the same gent aalan. He is n0tc as Me5s
opposed TO reform. To the county court system, he
is completly welded. Upon the question Of the pro-
Pfiety of extending ;he right of suffrage he opposed
otis uirbs 7ugnS ct calculus Upon this theme be
dilated at some length and, both by rdicule and ar
guf Gnt, attempted to sSew its fatal tendency. His
onecdote of the pot boilers Of William and Mary Col
iege, seemed to be thrust at the reehoders. II
<that they ought to have been horsed, and birched"
IN insnuation were leveled at the non freehoIders
perhaps the gentleman would do well to take peep
at the history OF certain events, fifty years ago
and sec how the same advice operated upon the
BoStoplIas, when Lord North advised, sdragoonnu ~
them into proper RESPECT for the powers that were
'sBirchipg" now apprehend, will answer no better
purpose, than "dragooning," did then. The bill of
rights holds the language of both parties that adj
men having sufficient evidence OF permanent COM
mon interest &c. have the rig hit Of suffrage. The
only point fdisputc Isl what is the evidence perma-
nent common interest, sc. His anecdotes OF Irish
men, Yankee manufacturers, &c. were mere al ca1-
ta7dn arguments, and To which was sorry to hear SO
great man resort. One great difficulty TO be en-
counered by the approaching Convention, Mr.. Leigh
aPprehendcd would be the apportionment ofrepresen-
taises, owing to the different species of wealth. and
population in the Eastern and Western sections the
State. Protection of property we'll as of personal
rights is conceded to 30 the bounden duty Of this as
well as OF every other government. The equal pro-
suggest hint upon this subject. Let the House OF
Representatives be based upon white population, aud
the Senate upon the valuation oand land slaves YOU
Ike similar principle to the constitution ofsone 9TH
GrStates. If bill introduced intended operate
either agangs the rights of property of PERSONS it
would be TO be arrested in the House or Senate
was forcbly struck with one observation OF Mr.
1ietgh'e, because it was repeated with emphasis by
the speaker. 81 like the Corattutola (said he} be-
taSc IL Is old; yes Hike IL because as old" began
20 ponder within mysefte force of this logic and 10
IMPLY it to certain other subjects. found that are
had benign influence in aeitotUing aOjaeS, thought ii
would not hold good with regard to UGlaen and GU
Caubers. It might be intended to apply only to oc?
crnment but here my researches were 10 more salts
tactory. Monarchy and despotism had are ON their
sde but still for the life ofme could never abide the
idea OF them. concluded the Chinese must Certain
~ have the beet government the face of the EARTH
and thought struck me- that this must be the reason
why they apply their Empire the epithet of'cetes
itt" Yet confess, these OK amplas 10 the contrary
notwithstanding, am still hardy enough, TO entertain
uoubts upon this logical inference. Il may oyvinr TO
some obliiuity of intellect. AS age has So ANA
zingly an ameiioratfng energy upon constitutions,
and as have doubt Mr.. Leighs nathenati-
cal powers are equal to his oratorical, l wish he
would solve for me this problem. The Constitution
of Virginia in fftyhree years bad as is( having be-
cesae excellent how long a time would it require
toierahlc one formed, to become perfect, Or 10
sate the question in another shape. bad Constiu-
Ton being given, 1t is required to find the precise
time necessary to render it good one? So at any
rare, The good people OF Virginia DO not run great
risque at the first blush of the subject might be
inagined for if they succeed in only getting en
ole; time will amend it; and if they get a good one
few ysars will make il suPer-e1ceAens.
Bat railery apart. Neither ridicule nor q few in
stances othe abuse OF the right of suffrage wilservc
for argument at this time The question must now
be met upon its merits The wisdom and good
sense Of tho Convention ''nust reform the preseut
abuses of the government" and extend the right OF
suffrage beyond its present limits, ''there will be
no peace in Israeli OBSERVER
POwHATAN, April 18, 1929.
Btessrs. Editors: tt is the wish OF several free
holders, that Lucas p Thompson Esq. of Amherst,
should be brought to the notice Of the District
81 which he resides a member to represent in
part tho District in the Convention to reform our
State Constitution, which will meet in Richmoud in
October next. Mr.. Thompson is well known in the
counties Of Nelson and Amherst to be in fro of re.
form, and no one acquainted with 1Ir Thompson
hat will doubt his talents being O. first order and
first character.
SEVERAL FREEuOIDERs.
For RcHMoXo WIG.
81 amocling ofsundry Freeholdcrs, Of the county
4 =, cf,-fp ~!