Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-10-21


Of Virginia, the majority was very SINAI
indeed. have given their decision IN favor
nj the call Of thus Convention. A most
respectable majority, (less by only ie"
yo,es than the majority which called US
here though they admit the existence oil
some defects in the existing Constitution
cot think It "better to bear the ills we have
han fv 10 others we know not Of" This
minority is every way respectable, as much
80 -, character as numbers. And ofwhat Is
the majority composed Ola most mixed q
boteroSeneous mass, of which will venture
70 affirm. that there are not ten who agree
in their objections to the Constitution.
Each man has an objection of his own; all
thew agree in is, that they are obIectors'
Well. sir, when one OF the reports OF these
committees shall come in, what will be the
consequence? each man will be actuated
nv his own individual objection, and VIII
of course, struggle for his own opinion
In the meanwhile, what becomes OF The
minority Oft people4 Is there no neces-
sitv of looking at all to their opinions to
their preiudicesl Yes, sir, TO their false
notions. if you please to call them so!
win q wise statesman ever disregard the
ooinion Of his people, No, sir, 'fhe did
he would be no longer wise. Sir, We must
have regard, and respectful regard 70 the
ooin,ons ofthe people Of Virginia What
is proposed to you, sI? Instead Oh tax
inc ND n Constitution to which portion OF
that PEOPLE bave been long attached, and
considering it section by section, and word
by word, that we may cautiously discover
and remedy Its defects. by one fell swoop
YOU sieze at once upon the whole--tear It
llmbless, and scatter its various fragments
90 the winds of heaven:-tben YOU set to
work to gather these scattered and disse
vered limbs, aud you attempt TO JON and
dovelail them together and piece them up
into some other form.-W bat will be the
public impression from such procedure!
They will very naturally conclude that this
Convention has determined to destroy at
Il blow every vesuge of their Old Coustltu
ton. This is the notion that must g. a.
broad-the people Will at once believe that
you are resolved to explode every thing at
blast, and then 10 build upon the same or
different foundation, government. which
but few can hope ,0W do as much for The
public happiness and prosperity As that you
destroy has done. SIR I IS duo TO to'S
attscto.ae reverence, tn PaJP.e bear TO
their long tried form OF government, to deal
tenderlY with lit berOmes us to take up
this beloved offspring Of theirs with every
feeling Of kind regard, to extol its virtues
and to lay our correcting hand upon Ms We
ces alone. Thus, have eudelvored %
show, that not only the convenience OF the
body. but the good opinion Of the people
whose voice has brought US here, requires
the adoption of the scheme / have propo7-
ed.
There are other considerations besides
those which ought to lead you TO the course
| advocate; which ought 10 warn you to
ann 10 fell and reckless blow at the exist
ing constitution. VIII YOU dissect, will
you dissever the body said to be gangren-
Gus. before you know where the gangrene
isl VIII YOU at once cut into the Wtals
and separate IT imb from limb, under pre-
teuce of searching for the unsound part!
Hywuom was this government formed! by
a body which, will say, united as much
wisdom as can be found any where; with
az much public virtue as will ever again
be assembled. Is this an instrument ia
be torn to pieces and distributed fragment
by fragment to committees ofthIreen men!
Is At not due to such a document that we
shall contemplate the whole of 1t at oncel
that we small take a view of It's parts as
sustaining their respective relations 20 each
ether and to the wholel Can we Judge Of
It correctly five Judge Of 1t only by parts!
IS 1t wise thus to judge Of any thing com
pounded and complex! Is It not the mos
ready course to errl a different course
Is surely due 70 the character and the vIr-
tues of those who formed the Constitution
And further, Sir. Is nothing due TO upwards
OF fifty years experienced This Cohsttu.
ton has been IN operation for fifty -four
years: It has borne US safely through peace
and through war--through all the excite
ment Of party contest, as well as the calm.
ness Of more tranquil tlmes:--And Is there
IN this body a single member, or Is there d
single one of our constituents, who Is able
to name one practical evil It has brough
upon usl CaI more be saldl a govern
ment born OF wisdom aud virtue, which
has been IN operation for 80 years and has
done no HARM When was there a Gov
eminent of which this could be said
Certainly 1t is due to such system, tc
consider It as prima tacia good; It is due &C.
it, 10 give 1t IA close and deliberate examlna
ton: It must surely be rash, to cut il al
once to pieces--scatter all IT'S parts--anC
then see II we cannot make something ou