Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1843-05-20
SPEECH DE MR.. PARKS.

ling Convention 10 amend the Con
situation.
Ii is with unfeigned diiIilence that
rise to express my views on the subject
under conslde ration. My embarrass
ment, sir, chiefly arises from the manni
tude and importance of the subiec; and
the great interests which feel called up.
on IN common with the Western dclega-
tIoE TO maintain on this floor. Disguise
u as you may-tfeat it lightly as some
eastern gentlemen would affect TO do:
this is a question of paramount import,
and must essentially affect the future
welfare and destiny ofthe Old Dominion.
The science OF Government, is Of all sci
ences the most interesting and import.
ant, for upon the nature and Constitu
ton of Government, depend the securi-
ty, weliare,and happiness Of the govern
ed. Government Is the rampant which
men throw around themselves for their
protection. Upon Government depends
the security of the multiform and multi.
farlous rights and interests Of the bSdy
polite. Notwithstanding however, the
importance Of Government;u utIl modern
days,as science, it received little or no
attention. After the overthrow of the
ancient republics for series of centu.
ries, uninterrupted despo;ism, both civil
and ecclesiastical, pervaded the Europe
an continents until the period of the
American revolution in 1875, the cana
blllty of man for self government was
considered at least problemati al, by
large majority Of mankind, Utopian. 1t
is true that the great principles Of civil
liberty had Teen asserted and maintain
ed by Locke and Sidney, and other illus
'trlous en- mpions Of freedom, during the
English revolution Of 1858; these prin-
pes were contested with equal zeal by
Sir Robert Fillmore, and oIher tory wri-
ters IN support Of the arbitrary dynasty
OF the Stuarts; the controversy contin-
ued and was In progress at the time Of
our own Declaration Of independence.
when the North American States nj
LAST decided in favour Of popular repre-
sentative Government-and emblazon.
ed upon the frontice piece Of their con-
slItutlous these fundamental truths-that
all men are created equal, free aud in
dependent-thNt all power is vested in.
and consequently derived from the peo-
Ple-that Government is, or ought TO be
instituted for the common benefit ,securi
~ and protection Of the governed, and
that no man, or set Of men ought to be
entitled TO separate or exclusive priyiIe-
ges or emOluments from the community.
except IN consideration OF public servi-
ces. THESE are the prioIi postulSta Of
free government-they are the only ba-
sis upon which liberty can rcpose with
security: they are the principles which
guided the trIendS Of freedom IN those
days which tried mems souls-thev
were recognized by our fathers, and
ought to be cherished by their posterity
In all generations. We cannot depurt
from them, without endan q erInp
the security of our free iustitu tons. We
cannot rePudiate them, without disarm.
ing the champions Of freedom.
Mr. SPeaker--N e are nov considering
bill reported by ,ecial committee oi
this House, providing for the call o. a
with a view of changing the
organic law OF the Safe; and IN support
OF the bill, have thought proper to call
the attention Of the House, to those eIe-
mentary principles Of liberty, and decla
rations IN our bill Of rights, to which
have adverted, that may bring our con
stItution to the ties: OF those touchstones
of popular government. The mos. gu.
PerticIal examination must convince eve
ry intelligent mind, that our present con.
stitutlon does not recognize The primary
principles OF liberty; and ia its practical
operation, that 1t entirely Departs from
the only true principles Of representative
administration am not unaware, that
our present form Of government, is the
work OF great men; II proceeded fro m
one OF the most august bodies that ever
assembled probably in the United States
certainly that ever convened ia the
Commonwealth Of Virginia ;aud yet it is
beyond controversy, one Of the creates
abortions that ever emanated from the
cOUnsels Of the wise. The reason is per
fectty obvious. Many Of the greatest
men IN the convention, instead OF (witb
the maguanimity of Statesmen and Pat
riOts,) framing Constitution upon JUS
and liberal principles, directed ,heir ef
forts alone 10 the concentration Of as
much political power as possible east OF
the Blue Ridge OF Msuntaias. ( viii not
unpe rt.ike 20 examine the various i'm
Projections OF the Constitution, many OF
which are ably considered by the nu-
nerous petitiOus which have been pre-
seated 70 this House from various parts
OF the Western division oC the STATE, do.
ring the present session. Most Of those
detOrmities are admitted By ali, aad
we're it not for the fact, that eastern
geutlemea we're afraid 70 90 iuio con
ventiOn, lest they should De shorn OF a