The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-01
A CONVENTION IN VIRGINIA.

Although we have left the baiwick of Virginia,
yet cannot divest ourselves of the interest which
we have always felt in her welfare. We scarcely in
tend, however to NEEDLE more freely with her own
concerns, than every American citizen would feel dis
posed to interest himself in the affairs of disn-
guisheda State. An important movement is going
on at this moment in the old Commonwealth. The
question of calling convention to amend her con-
stitution is under discussion. Much variety of
opinion is honestly entertained upon this subject.
The western portion ofthe State is almost universal
ly in favor it. The principal division is in the east
ern portion of Virginia, where we presume, ma
iority is opposed to convention. There is no
amendatory clause in the present constitutions so
that it cannot be amended without calling conven
ton. The struggles which were made during the
last convention Gin 1929 regard to the basis OF rep
Observation-Disclosures it should be the white or the
mixed basis-were calculated to produce some appre-
hension about the union of the State. The fear of
similar contest operates, no doubt, upon the minds
of many and prevents portion Of her citizens from
supporting the convention. The press is, Of course,
equally divided upon the measure. The two wing
papers in Richmond are on opposite sides We are
happy to see the course of the enquirer" on this
subject 1t supports'the convention For our own
part, we trust that when it assemblies it will meet
in that spirit of Cancellation, wisdom, and modera-
ton, that may prevent all angry excitement all sec
tiona ealousies, violent passions, and serious dis
cusson. .,......"
We dismiss the subject with the following quota
ton of letter which we have just received from a
citizen of Eastern Virginia. 1t states the principal
grounds on which he supports the call Of conven-
tom
81 am much pleased with the course of the Enqui-
the subject of the convention. If be probable
that majority of the qualified voters of the State de
sire convention, (and suchI believe to be the fact
the question should be submitted to their decision.
In democratic form of government, the will of the
majority must and ought to prevail. entertain no
fears the subject, and willing to see the peo-
pie in convention whenever it is their clearly ascer-
tanned will to have one: 1t is true, that some risk is
to be encountered in every new experimen--but
there can be no improvement without EXPERIMENT.;
and one will assert that our constitution is not
defective, and needs no amendment. The right of
suffrage MS now exercised is a great grievance. II
gives to the rich, who have the means of manufac-
turing votes, undue political weight. The power to
multiply nominal freeholders, and to create horde
of dependent voters, (or "serts," you very prop
ery designated them,) ought not to be tolerated in
Tree landeSpeclaly III IL opens the door 10 the vile
frauds which attempted in our late spring cleo
tons. No man should have than one vote.
Wealth gives to its possessor influence and power
sufficient to take care Of himself and his property,
without the aid of peculiar political privileges.
Under present system, our State government
has a strong oligarchical tendency. 1t has already,
ON more than one OCCASION through the influence Of
our wing towns, transferred political power from
the majority to the minority. With an increased
population in towns, and the repetition of the
Hampshire frauds in the country it is easy to fore
see that, by concert Of action, and the influence of
associated wealth, every closely contested election
in the State may result in defeat to the majority.
But independent of this, and other defects in the
constitution which require amendment, il would be
impoitc and unwise in the east to throw any inn
pediment in the way of ascertainng the will Of the
people on the subject II the majority desire con-
vention, they will have il; and if is to come, the
sooner the better. If the shall ultimately sue
cced after long and severe struggle for conven-
ton, the state of public feeling will be unavorabe
to calm deliberaton, and, just apportionment of
power among the various sections of the common
wealth. But forbear. find that am trespassing
upon the limits of a letter, which expected would
be very short when commenced it."