Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-15

upon Joint ballot the Legislature. Of twenty eight and
u would argue almost eupable ignorance Of human
nature. TO suppose that twoihrds 81 body thus con
stuted would In transferring the balance OF
power In the State from the East to the West
Men love power dearly that Notwithstanding the
melancholy lessons Of history and experience, they
have seldom ever voluntarily surrendered IL. We
have alresdy petitioned, in vain, for reapporton-
ment Of representation Our further remedy the call
OF Convention with the view OF altering the Constitution.
To this remedy appea-f this too shall be denied
will then be proper too the Western people in solemn
council determine, what Interior for this
covery of their rights will be necessary take To sup
pose that they will remain in their present
diton would be 10 suppose them willing 10 disgrace the
Of their fathers and utterly repudste the glorious
principles which animated the hearts Of their ancestors in
their arduous struggles for freedom. know, Mt Speaker
that would be met We have been at the threshold OF
argument in favor of Convention with the incon-
vencnec and mpocy OF frequently changing the law
OF the land will here take occasion to state that no one
highly appreciates the stability Of Government than
do Frequent changes in the organic law produces spirit
Of characterization hostile TO liberty prevents that at
tachment the Institutions Of Government which time
only begct and confirm and which eoun
that fondness for novelty and spirit OF change in
herent i'm the human mind But in order this de-
srable end be based upon correct pn-
prncples-such as will stand
the test OF sense and the ordeal OF experience;
aud such repugnant TO and epulsive to
the feelings and sensbilues Of mankind. Arbitrary CO.
vernments may be supported by bayonetsirec govern
only live the affections of the people What
is the character Of present Constitution IL has few
features which entc it to respect Its main features are
odious in the SO far political rights
cerned II the Commonwealth into grand divi
sions thus alternating the affections Of the citizens Noun
tains ntcrposing make enemies of people, who else like
kindred drops would be melted identical In feeling,
in end and in aim. primary object be attained by the
call of Convention would be the alteration OF the Con-
sttuon in this respect The people of Virginia would then
be people united in fraernal sympathy and affection.
Sectional differences which agitate the State would
be merged in n common desire to promote the growth,
prosperity and glory of the Commonwealth.
Having broken down those pouco geographical bounda
nes lei the constitution be based upon correct principles
will then be stable for will have guaranty for its sta
bity in the hearts Of the people Let government be form
ed recognizing the sovereignty of the peopenoti in mere
declaration of rights, butn pacca administration This
only be done by equazng representation TO population,
in other words regulating the elective franchise that
throughout the commonwealth the amount OF popua
shall elect equal number of representatives 20 the
Legislature. For although the people sovereign they do
not governments exercise their sovereignty
in their primary capacity They delegate it TO their repre-
sentatves, who exercise for them the legislative body,
the depository of the supreme power of the State Hence
II follows n legitimate deduction, that whenever any
community deprived Of the representation which its num-
bers ene that shorn of its sovereignty.
The western part OF Va has majority OF ,23O white
State OF tweneigh representatives,. might appeal with
confidence the candor Of mankind if government pro-
ducing such state of things is worthy the OF repIb
hcun Ii s perhaps impossible adjust representation TO
numbers with arithmetcal accuracy yet when government
constituted all the powers Of the body polite
IN decided minority call IL what you II Is essentially
arstocrac For where is the sovereignty OF the people,
when the supreme power Of the State the hands, and all
the departments Of government, under the control OF
MINORITY And is II little remarkable that those gen.
uemen who Sreuuousy UNFOLDING this system
pareHeeence the democracy Of the land those who pirate
oudest about the equality Of and who the rights
Of the people, as they do their hearts bloOd'
tCoScLUpED SENT.