Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-16

fcuds which were arising, the dark clouds which b.
vered i'm the distant horizon the different interests that
were work. the different principles which sup
ported, the difficulties under which this subject abourcd
and the dangers which threatened the State, might
have pursued the of Cooke and Henderson, of
Cabcll aud Stuart and Thompson-howcver We might
have srugg led on, /" till the battle won," we
should have finally voted for the constitution. We
acquiesce in the decision which has been pro
nounced-and We would checrtully and respectfully
recommend 10 the People, TO sanction this last act
OF their Representatives and seal by their votes the
peace and tranquility Of the State.
While we do not consider this constitution the best
that could be conceived, Il is much better than the
present. and is the best which likely be got Few
men, who have not been here, upon the theatre OF
ton, witnessing all the which have been acted,
the heats, and the struggles, and declarations that have
been thrown OUT can adequately judge OF the difficult
ties which environed this complicated suhjec-And
suppose the Convention had broken up in confusion,
iWectd-suppose the western members had returned
TO the bosom OF their constituents, with the inte gence
that nothing could be gained, nothing could be DONE
what might have bceu-what would probably have been
the result Our Western brethren might have kindlcd
into lame-mcetings would have been held, and re-
solutions adopedAppcas made TO the Legislature for
new Conventional ndwould the East sick of Conven-
tons Disguised with its abortion, startled the excite
ment it had produced have declined the call? Had thet
western people then called Convention, would the cas-
have gone into it, And might not the West have gone
on, proposed new constitution; and who trace
the consequences who will trace them out, in the
rejection OF the constitution submitted TO the people
Ii cannot he denied that the instrument before us
much better than the existing Constitution lit seems
beadmed that IL founded pretty ly on the Census
OF the White Population of 1920 that il redresss ma
ny OF the inequalities and contributes much equal
zs the representation in the Legislature; that while the
present constitution gives to the Wes, beyond the Blue
Ridge Mountain so Delegates, out of body Of PA, the
amended constitution assigns them So on, OF l34 that
is to say more Delegates in body of 1874 than the
prent ratio would allow them-the Valley alone near
more in body of l3i-And while in the present Sc
"A he West has q M mi he
ed Senate OF 30 gives them l3-beng, as il were 1-2
more than they enjoy under the present ratio also
contrbu cs to eqnaze the representation. among the
counties themselves for, while many OF the are
reduced from TO Delegate, Shenandoah Frederick
nd .oudonn are increased from to g. each having
their proportion of il5h OF the whole Representative
powers, instead OF the 1-l07th.
But find still more important attrac tons in other
respects Even is most determined enemies admi, that
IL has many very valuable features-The Legislative Bo-
dy reduced from 23S TO l66-that is ~ cut off-the
Executive Council, reduced from s TO Sand on the
suppositon thu the reduction Of the members may
tribute TO reduce the length of the sessions OF the Le
ssa'ure, the saving may amount from % TO 40 900 dol
lars per anaurn So much Tor tile economy OF the GO
vcrnmcn-But the extension OF the right Of suffrage
and the increased responsibility of the Judiciary, are
features infinitely more important and eminentiy dis
tnguish the two Constitutions.
And what would the world have said-what would
the politicians of England and the people of France
many OF whose eyes have been drawn to this atrac-
tive spot, have said Of free Intutions? Perhaps
that could not get oG-,hat discord had defeated all
our attempts TO improve oar Insi,utions-that re.
form here was altogether at stand-,hat we could
not he content 10 take the good coul get. and iru
70 other days for reforms which may be nded
by future changes-but that were, only like them
selves cieaving to every thing that oil because
We were dirar'ed like them by the struggles ofinier.
eHs or OF principles. However true such a picture
might be- il was at least susceptible OF being vely carl
caiured by the enemies of Virginia, the enemies Of
Liberty. And what, if civil di'cord had follow cd upon
th' dissolution Of this body! VIVA, would they then
have sad' This consideration, however has compare
iivsly very little effect upon usu is il the -fTr Ct
which dissolution of the Convention, doing nothing,
would have home among ourselves that most cal
cula'ed 10 make deep impression.
These vi-vs and considerations contribute 10 recon
Gle ns TO the paper before the public We acqui-
escs H. the decision Of the C0nventon-the only one
OF this description which in all probability are ever
likely 10 see among us-and do il the more cheer
FULLY, because the dangers which attend the
Keeping omen OF this delicate question We have gon.
for Virginia One and In Invisible; and really there were
moments during the last three men'hs wh.n the Ian
guage OF both sides the mountain, sufficient stare
what the dspassanate citizens OF the Old Dominion
Tones OF this sort calculated to make very man
repeat, what frequently sad in the Convention
that " the question could not be scfted, il high
time TO SINK ii by compromise This question once
amicably arranged, il is believed that no others will
arise TO disturb the harmony OF the Stac-And il is 10
be hoped That feeling all the good will of of one
amy the only contest will now be- who shall best pro.
mce the interests Of the whole State? Who shall best
deserve the gratitude Of VII gini,,