Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-04-06

from future excrtions for change" My clear con
vciion s that its adoption would operate potent
hndrance, if not total bar to future amendment
That the enemies Of reform would use it argu.
ment, forcibe appeal against any further attempts
at alteration, man of reflection doubt. That
the efforts of those reformers who shall vote for il
would thereby be weakened, their independence i'm
paired, and their consistency impwgned, can be as
little questioned. The acceptance then of the new
Constitutions in my Judgment must and will in soi,e
degree, feter those who accept it, from future exer-
tons for change; at all events render them less
awaiting. and the prospect Of radical reform more
i dim and distant
But what is should the citizens of the VAL
ley which by the ratification of the new constitution
would have nearly its full share of representation &c
cordng the white basis, and much perhaps ms in
any other future apportionment it could reasonably
expect to receive addition to this consideration be
prevailed on BY Messrs. Cooke and Co to believe
that they have natural connexion, no identity of
interest, common sympathy with the West with
! whom they had hitherto made common cause in their
struggles for liberty and equality but that they
the natural allies of the people East of the Blue RIDGE
with whom they have community of interests,
simitu1e of pursuits, and ought therefore scult
vate strict union" with them, what would be our
situation with respect to future reforms?
Could they be- wrought upon by such narrow prin
cipes and selfish policy, is there danger that at
ter having served themselves of lis, they would
withdraw from the struggle and abandon us to our
own efforts, aided only by the generous corporation
OF those gnanmousspirits through the State whose
rectltude of principle trumphs selfish views and
sectional feelings? Would not such an abandonment
be serious calamity, and utterly blight all future
hopes of obtaining just system of government? 1t
is certainly of the chances to which the ratica-
ton of the proposed constitution would expose us.
Would il then be wise to incur eminent risk of
having the constitution with ii its acknowledged
defects and grievances, entailed upon latest pos
tcrlty for any present relief which it offers? Let us
now examine the amount of present benefit which it
tenders.
You assert that "tfefriends OF reform gained inf
nitey more than they psls--that is infinitely more
than half what they required and in reply Rustic-
tus you say, "ree ourths of the changes which you
and others desired
know what you and others parts may have
desired but can speak for the people of this district! They
ratio OF the free white population of the State secondly an
habia 81 years age, who had State twelve
months Immediately preceding the election and within time
paid State county corporation thirdly provision in
The amendment These three alter
aons considered mPerious, Indispensable
The first aggravated rendered second in slight
degree granted am the third totally denied The
manded election Governor Shcriffs and other
county officers should gwen the peoples that the county
system should be abolished, and fiscal powers
part of these demands been satisfied We required the abo
lion of the Council of State, ard reduction OF
only reduced numbers witt, little advantage perhaps the
public, the dmnuon of expense Some had the
judges be elected by the people certain times
vabls the legislature without Impeachment thought ne
cesary The aers provided possibly great objection
exists the in its shape consider the
hiion the Senate originate bills defect impede
progress of business and lenghen Republican
feeling called also for change of the old English
mode of voting uud uoce, ballot congenIal the
sPri, of our institutions Now sir VIVA. becomes of your
nfni,ely than lialf your 're ourths' Of all the
amendments asked for, One only of the hole entirely
tained,he reduction of the Legislature. That, the
reduction OF expense and the alteration of udca
the principal amount of improvement the
the old Constitution
have said that representation in the new Constitution
placed footing est, been number al
loteh there does not hear large proportion
whole present number does. Nor would have
prospect Of its extension with the progress of population
For people increase, he size of counties would
cessay require division, which according present sys-
would produce correspondent of
might appear The which are lei in
hotssfeepers no pay State hold their privilege
well known that IN Western Virginia particularly almost
the only article of State taxation held by that description
Let Legislature take into their head To abolish this tax,
with goes the right of suffrage or large portion OF house
keeper, s nj. vis, Of III. trivia, ), II.
stu,n with the host of evils still adheans it, would be
generous patriotic; nay, would It he just asten gene
unborn f The sake of the ncoRseTabe benefit which
presen, inhabitants woud derive from its adop,ion'
feel reluctance troubling you with this long epse
knowing you sufficiently bese with gruHng coespon-
who hesitate your aud
peach your But you have undertaken up
siness, and must scramble along well as you
from wishing to impue sinister those who
oppose my sentiments, yet cannot help thinking little
taordinary you and Mr. Cooke, almost only
consncoo rcorers who have wheeled to the riy, about
are il, predcame with respect the anii-dueina
law, would both receive amnesty by the adoption of the
Constitution.
politicians iio betrayed the they had
espouse aud deserted the standard under which they bad
listed and keep themselves in countenance laborng
bring people ihe forcbly remind Of fable
of the fox who lost bis tail IN trap and aangued his bre
great Inconvenience CT carrying tails and strongly
urged tlr:u cut or t,eys
! To the Fredffhldsss 5as Senatorial District CON-
posed Of Die C4|}}igs of IIcnrico, New Kent
! Charles City, Jafes City York, Warwick, Eliza
! beth City, and the Cities Of Richmond and VIII
! liamsburg. u
j Fellow Citizens: The time: is now at hand when
you will be called on to exercise of the highest
and dearest privileges of freemcn-the right of suf
fage--and upon its iHdeious exercise in the present
crisis ofthe Commonwealth your future veal or woe
may very essentially depend. 1t is time, high time
we we're looking around US, and fixing our eyes upor