Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-05
Virginia Legislature.
EXTRACTS FROM THE
Remarks CT NEr. LeftsyEcEs,

On III: B;I. for taking TIE sense of the People
upon the cau Of a Contention to an,es1d the
Consultation Of the State, and for other psu-
poses.
Tile first question which presents Itself for
examination is. whether there is any actual
necessity Of any change in the organic law?
That there are defects somewhere in the
policy of Virginia, as Sovereignty. vital in
their character, involving her prosperity as a
State, her constantly declining condition but
too strongly proves Whether the cause Of
these defects exists in the Constitution, or whe-
Their they are properly attributable to other
sources, is well worthy of consideration. 1t
may be that the Constitution is not so detective
as the legislation protested 10 be based upon It..
From VIVA. reelection have been enabled 70
bestow upon this question, my mind has been
brought to the conclusion, that it is mainly to
be aScrbed 10 the former, whilst the latter is
far from being faultiess.
The location of Virginia is peculiarly unfor
tunate; comprising. as il does. naturally. anita =
gonisiic interests; superaddedto this is the I'M
equal distribution O! particular description Of
4 particular description of property, the protec
ton of which, has a. all times eliciiei The sleep
less vigilance and Jealousy Of Eastern Virginia
this forms an additional element Of discord,
and creates further difficulty in framing the
organic law so as to dispense equal justice to
all 1t mus. be Notifying to the pride Of eve
ry Virgmian, to see this once justly renowned
State, that was, for long period, in the adj
vance of her sister States in every efIing that
promised ultimate prosperity and greatness, re-
cede, and take her position in the rear Of 9TH
ers not entitled to superior rank from any other
cause than the prescribed illberal policy Of her
statesmen. To this cause may be justly ascri-
bed tho constant flow of her wealth and popu-
lation to other States, where more liberal and
enlarged policy prevails.
1t is not a matter Of surprise, that such a
consequence should result from the adninis,ra-
ton Ct Government without regard to princl.
ple-such being the case in regard to Virginia
so long. therefore, As she persists in iet pre-
sent suicidal policy, she inevitably will contin-
ne TO descend lower and lower in the category
Of States, until she becomes so reproachful that
her citizens when abroad wilt blush TO hear her
name. This, to my mind, is SO apparent. that
it is a matter of surprise, when change in the
Constitution is proposed 10 be made, that this
novel innovation in the formation Of govern
mcntpeculiar to Virginia alone, should still find
an advocate within her borders.
II is hardly necessary for me to call the atten-
ton of the House to defects of nlinor importance
in the Consiitu,ion-such as apply to the right
Of suffrage, the inpsrfeciions Of the judiciary,
and many others Of less importance. pass
them by, as of secondary consideration only, ii.
comparison to the unequal distribution Of egisia-
tive power; the latter being the first, whilst
all the rest are Of secondary interest.
The object, in the formation Of government,
"a web as the rule for its reformation, may be
found in this Bill of Rights, and engratted upon
the present Constitution. The common sense
Of every one will teach him, that this Cbjecl
onoht to be to extend the greatest benefits to
the creates; number. II is unnecessary for me
To argue the question as to whuther here exists
necessity, at the presel, time, for the cali Of
Convention to amend the Constitution. or
3 whether it IS desired by the great mass Of the
peopie. Those are questions which require II.
argument 10 sustain them. am fully eo,,y;n-
ced. from actual observation, that, whlls, nc
oae single objection 10 the prfsent constitution
could. a. an isolated question, induce MAORI
~ of the community To demand change III the
CONSTITUTION, yet, taking all The defects IN the
Constitution as whole, they are ct sufic;en
magnitude IN unite, from tho different section.
e. az the State, majority Of the community in la
yor of a change Of the Constitution. This bein!
admitted, how Shall the change pc effected St
as to subserve the great purpose Of renedyin!
the evils collectively, and advancing The gen
eral good with the least sacrifice OF particu!a
interests This, contend, eau only be don
by strict compliance with the rules laid dow
in tho Bill OF Rights. 1t is a sufficient ohjec
ton to the present Constitution, with all ira
Republicans, that, in its formation, there wa
not only no fixed principle recognised, but
total want of Difference to all the estab!ishe
niles for the formation of government profe
.;nu t. be for the common benefit. From u
Bill Of Rights we learn, .shat government i
"or ought to be. Instituted for the cornmon b
"nefit, protection and security OF tho peopl
"natior or community; Of all the vafo'
s..modes and forms Of government, that is be
(which is capable Of producing the create
"amouns Of happiness and safety, ana IS mo
= .fectu,lly secured against the danger Of ma
>. administration; and, that when any COVER
Is ,ren. ahall be toard iaado1uasc os coniraFy