Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-27

any
one could 50 have understood my sentiments IA ~
suppose mo hostile TO reform. In not advocating the
call OF convention, (for could be said to DO OBJ
posed 10 IT., certainly never entertained tho heller
that there were defects the constitution to bc
reformed but acted that principle of political
prudence which Is consecrated in the Declaration of
American Independence: sThat government lono cs.
taoiished ana to which the people are accustomed,
ought not be changed" without necessity GROWING
out oil actual abuses. Though could not hut seq
many defects IN the franc Of the constitution be-
loved that as yet they had produced no serious prac
.eai eyn-that the proper time, therefore, had not
yet arrived for its revision and arncndrnent-,bat
when actual grievances should be fit ihev WOULD
best suggest the nature and extent OF the rcrned;es
and that, IN the mean time. should have the bene
nj OF the progressive experience, not only OF our own
but oftwcenty-threc associated commemorative ia
reiationt to many Interesting questions of organic re
uiatop then in course of trial in them all 10 enabl,
u.s. when we did undertake the task OF new modelling
our institutions, to settle them finally on the saest
ana most satisfactory foundations With those
views as an individual citizen OF the State could
not say that toisIed the call of a conven,,, =, si
.line wnon the proposition was first submitted. /
was, however, always anxious, and urged upon mt
friends in the legislature, TINT the sense of the nco
SHOULD he taken@rn the subject; and if a maio,iv
SHOULD decide III favour Of 1t, was then prepared
honestly and zealously TO Cooperate with tho f;onA.
al the measure in reforming all the defects ne tbs CO.
stution, OF which, as have already said believra
there were many which would demand corrnc,;on
whenever the task or revision should be unertakcn
Tho No
qnahty OF representation was defect so consn;c,
GUS and prominent rs would evidently call for corrac
ton The reduction OF the numbers OF the House ~
Deiegates more just proportion, in this respect be-
tween The tu'o branches ind abridgins the term o
service It tue Senators, wore also questions da,I
ing the gruvest consideration. In the Eyoc,.,;,
branch the whole dcpartmcntappearedt to require nov,
modelling, involving the mode of its elcct;,,, ~
torn OF It's Organization, its power, and its dut;
The Judiciary department., also seemed To me 70 cal
- the hand OF reformation. With view to render
c more efficient by some change of organization
ana with the further view, perhaps of reJnferi,c -
more responsible Icy some modification of its of;s;,i
tenure. In regard TO the right of SUFFRAGE / ba%,
Thought that the true principle contained in The
declaration OF the Bill of Rights sthat aIl MOI, No.
ing sufficient evidence Of permanent common info.
test with, and attachment to, the commu,;,',
are entitled to the right of suffrage" 4haf a.,
privilege may be materially extended bevonJ the
limits now alloVcd, without departing finn, III;
principle and that it ought to be extended 50 ~" 40
to subject the government the effectnaI con,rI
ofIeal 'mHjority OF the community" In vo Nc It,
AS TO the particular niunner and precise jim;ts
however, oil tins extension, IL being Question ;nyo,
we'd in much ofdetoi and requiring careful rnrs,,,
alton, am not now prepared to express dejhera,.
opinion; nor do think that person who mov h .oiT
cd to take part in the deliberations of the conyeutio
ought either to form express final on;hior ~, 90
question OF tins sort. On the contrary tb;,L ~
members ofthe Convention, should be- as rn,,cb a
possible, uncoWmitcd as to particular project, an5
mans mat they may be IN condition to benefit IT,
all Inc lights which will be afforded in th,,
aud TO form their conclusions ultimately ON M, nnhi
asted consideration aud comparison of all the ,ron.
sltons, suggestions ard arguments WHICH NAV be
suunued' Nothing IN my opinion, could be more
mschievous in its effects, than system of cntechs
sing and committing members before hand os 70 n,r
ticuar schemes ofreiorm and TINS wfiullv sbuttin,
out the light which would flow fTcm continued re6es,
ton ana inutuoi dehOerat-' and there is less occa-
sion for it, as whatever may be done by hel f1,nvs
ton VIII he afterwards submitted to the free accen
or rejection OF the people.
In conclusion, will add that now that the will At
the people has been declared in favour of Ca,v,,
tion shall not only corporate with its friends IN an
saluury and desirable reforms but that oriate bav
witnessed evidences of its necessity which cause M,
to entertain the most favorable nuguries
aud happiness of,he Commonwealth.
Yours, very sincerity
w. G. RiVES.