Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-06

we can well conceive the indignation with which
the progress aud termination of the Convention were
calculated to inspire one of the warm temperament,
and the radical views Of reformation entertained bv
tho author Of the letter below. Disgust and resent
ment were naturally, the first sentiments that pre-.
sented themselves. 1t was however, quite as na,u
rail- that these should yield to farther dcb Grafton To
comparison OF the old aud the new constitution and
10 the solid acquisitions which the friends of reform
had atcheVcd so far at least. to induce an accep
lance OF the labors Of tho Convention. This has
oeeh tue case to some extent and have reason to
oeiieVe, VIII he yet more extensively the case We
afe sorry that the author Ct the letter has not ey-
pehchced the salutary influence Of those reasons and
'"at he persists in his opposition, g. what is yet moro
announced us we think in considering the friends of
reform as a vanquished party. We protest aqainst
THIS idea-it is every way unfounded-the friends of
reform gained infinitely more than they los,--aU
they did not gain-andw the division plumbers
was So close, and apprehension so much excited.
they ought not as patriots, brethren of the same
family, to have desired to gain all which thew Thought
right, but which others thought ruinous. A pam
ic had gone forth through lower Virginia causeess
but sincere-the people were violently alarmed and
1t signifies nothing that there was no sufficient cnuse
due to it. Victory may be too dearly purchased. and
every man VIII admit that 1t is better to live united
under constitution not entirely perfect, than in
slc or ieud sectional luminosity, and constant ap-
PrenehSi"n' under one more theoretically excellent.
ho i0i' truth OF these positions experienced in
the Convention.
Inc author peremtoriIy declines forming his es
innate OF the value at the constitution, by com
nor I. - II
VIII he choose to look at it in the abstract and
III no other way Is not the question between the
old and the new If the new is rejected, mus, not
the people of Va. continue under the old. His rein,
sing to abide by this test is the more fatterinr con-
cession to the new constitution. 1t is an admission in
the strongest form, of its superiority II pushed
ne is evidently prepared to confess in terms tho SILL
pcriorty of the constit ution.
The proper question then for the people of Vir-
gIna is not whether the new Constitution sis sueb
one as they are justly entitled to-" If the Con
vention was still sitting, and was now possible to
obtain such Constitution as the writer describes
then indeedhis question would be the proper cues
ton. But the Convention has adjourned, and the
TWO alternatives presented, the and the old
Constitutions. The acceptance of the new Cons,i.
tution does not pledge ones assent to its perfection
nor in any manner fetter those who accept it, from
future eXertions for change
We have often said, but the author has made it
necessary for us to repeat it, in defence of our con-
sstency, that tho Constitution is no darling of
ours Wo take it indeed with pleasurc-but it is an
indirect sort OF pleasure, caused more by getting rid
of the old, than by obtuining the new.
1t Is incumbent on those who think like the au-
thor, to prove, that by rejecting tho New Consttu-
ton, they help themselves or their cause. when
they prove this, shall consider their opposition as
moro sagacious than we now esteem it,
ARcHvrLLE, Feb. 23d, 1880
Meisrs. Editors Your paper OF the 18th inst. has
Just come TO hand, in which observe extract of
letter written by me to friend in Richmond touch
ing the proposed Constitution.
The main subject of the letter was Of private con-
GERM the remarks on the Constitution were
merely incidental, unprecedented and hasty; and
certainly without remote expectation of their ap-
pearlng III public. do not however complain of the
liberty taken, nor would now have noticed in this
manner, the pubcat on had il not been for its cdito
rial introduction.
You say, "thc writer is in q towering passion
quite too much excited, think for the occasion.
Justcr views have trust suggested themselves to
his mind before this time"
understand the drift Of your criticism to be- 10
impress on the public belief that the submitted Con
stution will meet general acceptance amona the
intelligent and rejecting part of the citizens and
that who're a feryid opposition has arisen, more
calm and dispassionote consideration will tend 10
allay u. know not what influence such course
may have on other mems minds, but with respect TO
myself, tho supposition is erroneous. If by those
custer views" which you imagine time would sug.
gcs TO me, You mean moro favorable opinion of he
instrument before US, your conjecture is wrong
Neither were my remarks the offspring off tower
ing passion" but the honest expression of Just in
dignaton at the offered imposition upon my country
mon OF an unjust and aFisocr system of govern
mcnt With me tho impetuosty of youth has passed
away, but not so my solictude for the honor and
welfare ofmy country and the rights of pos,crity.
| form not my estimate OF the value of the acio
Constitution by comparison with the old. choose
TO assay it in the crucblc of those great essential
fundamental might say, eternal principles of poii-
cal justice upon which our liberty and national nde-
pcndenco arc foundod-thosc political axioms set
forth in our Bill Of Rights. fit viii bear that test
and como out pure, It IS worthy of frccmen. Bot
brought TO that touchstonc it fails ogrcgously. 1t
IS destitute Of tho frs, principle of democracy, an
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