Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-03-26
From the Wsils6urg Ga=etle.
No. w

Fellow itiznns of Western Virginia: We are now
to examine and point out tho operaton and tendency
OF the Amended Constitution, Although as has
oeen shown, It was not framed by the REPRESENTATIVES
OF the freehoders of the inhabitants of the Com
Taonwealth in full and free Convention assembled
st some may say why reject it if it be good Con
sttufion. This is question which we have not to
discuss, as the condition which it is proposed does
not exist Tor no party says it is good Constitution
Then may be proposed is it not better than the old
one, and so why not ratify it? Some NAV tbnl, Il
peter others worse For my part think it better
m some respects and worse in others; and taking if an
IN all, the better and the worse parts together nm,
decidedy OF the opinion it is much worse for us to
sanction it than 10 continue under the Consu;on "a
!6.-Hus the reasons why think SO are drawn from
the instrument ITSELF and that my fellow-citizens
weigh them, proceed TO offer them
But hrst we shall attend to the strong plea which
some OF the Eastern prints urge for its ratification
And what is their strong plea The Eastern nrnt.
winch once called for Convention which once plead
the cause of REFORM and the necessity tho ndisnon
sable necessity of better political institutions. have
generally betaken themselves to recoromend;n, III
new Constitution, solely on the ground thar f. 10
DETER than the old one. Now were it better. mucb
better than the old one, abstracty considered s,iIi
many good reasons might exist why should not be
sanctioned by the people 1t is not always o,od
reason Tor an action either in morals or economics ~
say that 1t is better to do than to do sorne,bin
ese Tor often 1t is better to DO neither II 10 befte
uch 9etter on many occasions to be cheated than 10
SO TO law. 1t IS better for man to lose limb tho
ms life. IL 10 better for man to be eyiIed 70 N j.;
hospltab!e shore than to be burned to death Hint s
1t not better to avoid the occasion of either, Il :;
much better for person not 10 be cheated, not 10
have his leg amputated, not to be banisbed s,frt,
evils choose the less is a good rule bpt !, 10 b,,,
to choose neither. Phe argument then tn rat;fI ~
amended Constitution, drawn from their co,nna rote
merits, IS very ambiguous one and think, in this
case, taking all the circumstances into view . ,,o
fallacons one But the Eastern prints sae,n ~,
inclined to hatter the friends of reform bv maxine -
appear to them that the new Constitution 10 M, ~
oectef than the Old one, than to hatter the anti
reforInsts by making il appear how little ,,;aar, :,
10 from the old one, how much better IL is for h
10 vote tor 1T, as 1t takes nothing from Thorn I,,,
cures every thing to them, we shall examine ho,,
Inuch oetter 1t IS tor us than the old one IF tho
eastern prints thought there was any DANGER IF tbo
anti TeioTmists voting mssoe against the amended
Constitution, would they not turn their lo,r;c a. Il
rhetoric moro to sootle their minds than ourss NJ
lhey knew that it would be the desire Of our onno
nents to put this Constitution upon us so,c,o, md
therefore their arguments are not stndied NOV S ~
order 10 obtain their support, but 10 secure ours
lho 6etteruess, the superiority Of the new, ma rs
sPectS oT wants and wishes, is their plea with nc
NOW how much better for us is the amended C,ops4;
tutons We are fairly come to this oncs,io
IL IS given IN reply, that The right of sufrare 10 Or
tended, much extended. How far?-"To honse Loon.
9r s ana heads of families who pay revenue taxn
ibis IS the principal Observation-Disclosures theso !; 81,
not reach perhaps TO 5000 persons in the Cornn,o,
wealth. But part of the revenue Of the ror,roon
wealth must have actually been paid by such bo.,sn.
keepers winch revenue will require them To have
morse OF negro. The head of family and honse-
Keeper whose horse lives, and not stolen or whose
negro does mot die nor away such housn. keen-
er mas the liberty OF voting and once o7yv bv fbe
new constitution ef rather b. the Convention, as The
Let TOE remembered first of all that his vote do
ponds upon at least contingencies First and &C.
Peelany not upon his own breath, but upon mo
breath OF his horse, or his negro and upon their bre
thing under his control. For if the houeekeepey's
horss should suddenly die with the choc so! leave
no c9h Rgr tho means Of. propagatinr another his