Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-02-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
FoR TIA CoMPiLER

OR fHb COMPILER.
A considerable time has elapsed since
the Convention closed its labours and sub
mltted the amended Constitution to the
consideration Of the people; and yet gen.
eral silence pervades the public mind IN
the west, on the momentous question of its
adoption or rejection What means this
tacitumity? Is it the calm of despairing
suilennessl Or . shameful Indifference 10
subject of such vital interest? Or can II
possibly be an indication of willingness
to accept the nn1ghteous thing, and bow
our necks to the yoke of eastern DONNA
ton! This latter cannot certainly be the
case. The citizens of Ohio county, who
were active and perseyerng IN their exer-
tons, and nearly unanimous IN their de-
mand for a redress of constitutional grley-
ances, can never yield their assent to
form Of government which so far from re-
medying the evils most loudly complained
Of, proposes to perpetuate them to all pos
terily. For it not only omits to provide
for future amendments, but appears cautl-
oIsly 10 shut tho door against any further
alteration By the people. | observe that
some Of the eastern prints, protesting 10 be
friendly to the great principles of freedom
commended for by the west, nevertheless
urge the adoption of the proposed constltu-
ton on It's merits, as containing such salu-
tary amendments as ought to recommend
it to the favour Of our citizens. And some
persons in the western interest, suggest the
expediency OF ratifying it, in order to ia
ciltate the call Of another Convention by
the accession Of votes which the enlarged
suffrage would give. These, then, are the
two points of discussion. And ifthe latter
could be made good, the former would
challenge little objection. That the amend
ed constitution contains some valuable i'm
provenents upon the existing system, will
readily be admitted But that it IS such a
form of government as the friends of free
CON and equal rights ought to accept for
perpetuity, IS unhesitatingy denied. And
here we take our stand at the very thresh-
old. The first principle--ihe foundation
of republican government, is a fair and
equal representation of it's members in that
body which IS to form their laws and re-
gulate their conduct. But the instrument
before Us utterly disregards this principle.
It makes an arbitrary allotment Of repre-.
sentation in both branches of the LegsIa
ture, and forbids, to any useful extent, such
an increase or modification as NAV here
after correspond with the growth Of poPu-
ation and wealth IN the respective districts
or divisions OF the state. As if alike dis
uustful, in every department Of the gov
ernmcnt, of the operation Of the popular
will, when unconfaed by the limits Of ap-
p.oorated districts, it withholds from the
people the choice of their Governor and
and all county officers. II retains the ex,
listing County Courts. with all their odious
powers, ard anii-republicanmode Of Great
ing themselves. 1t does not abolish the
Council Of State, but leaves enough to
screen the Governor from due RESPONSE
jbility. And hat no undistorted vestage Of
democracy might appear IN its visage, the
ancient and royal mode Of voting rira goce
is continued
Is a constitution, thus al war with the
plainest principles Of repubhcanlsm, fit to
be accepted by free people, TO bind them
selves and their posterity?
Would the adoption Of the offered con-
sdtuton be likely TO facilitate the call OF
another Convention Or If it would, Is it
probable that another Convention, organ
ized by a Legislature thus constituted,
would be more efficient than the last
answer no, to both these questions. The
ienemies ofreform would certainly plead It's
adoption in bar of any future attempts; and
with much plausibiIity; for 1t would GER
tainly argue fckleness, a reprehensble
inconsistency; to adopt form Of govern
ment to-day, and tomorrow turn round
and attempt to ask for another.
But it is subject Of vast Importance 10
the people Of Virginia; and | think that
public meetings ough; to be called, for the
purpose of discussing it, and expressing
! the general sentiment.
4 CITIZEN