Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-04-19
: ar Mr EHi
STATE CONVENTION

J.
Ought tic East unite n til ca q" Convention Il; this
iiln. 10 ciIcc elnms present Constitution! We
in the Affirmative and with your permission will pro-
ceed 10 ole u the reasons when draw ns 10 this re-
-p"nsc
We are folly aware of the seriousness of the eio:,
change the organic las oi we!regn'ad government al
anv time We sensible n the responsibility resting
those who would cnt loose the moorn.s o the ship oi State
and east her upon III. swelling public onior Il
should be done without well regulated chart to guide
her ant SAT, har5o IN making the attempt this
Time, d. moi tak n.,ch if any r:sa will be incurred
We ehavc tho soyngs denominations oi political prob
ems almost daily the ruth Of which was not comrrrit nd
ed hv those who have preceded We believe II necessa
y government 10 have the respect and affection OF
governed be modified reflect the wishes oi the
great majority "Of all the various modes and forms o go
that il bes which Is capable oi producing the
degree OF happiness and safety and s most effect
ualy secured against The danger OF mai administration.
" profess be conservatives We desire not 10 lay the
vana hand upon what is worth prcservng but we do de-
sire from constitution antquated and obsolete
principles which, (l there was necessity for ihc)
ire nos. fur behind the lights and spirit oil the age and
should numbered with political dogmas that are past and
gone forever. We can neither consecfe OF chn"nIe er
ors though hey may be hoay with az. may once have
been entertained by hr wise and good but on e contra
~ for these reasons feel the 1cd place dsap-
| probation upon them.
Believing do, that present constitution contains
errors in principle and consequently in its wokIngs That
in some instances 'grevous BE- borne, aud cacua-
ted /, weaken the respect and affection of many citizens
ho i've under its on, rationa AMI he.ying saary amend
ents and reiormaons may be effected have no hesa-
ton in declaring that il ardent desire 10 have CON
| yention.,o promote those objects.
H.. shall cnca,or therefore. before you briefly
~ possible ef the prominent reforms thu we
would wish effected We regret ;hai limits vii not per
nit us discuss fully the important questions pre-
| scnicd
. il ,crp,iis too ,cL i,"iyias The world is govern
ii loo .ach hv halt The result If oycrmuch !cesla-
on is Ia produce great cnnlGson Inconsistency ard con
rction laws n il l. often very often ire ras'
tat even those learned IN the aw cannot tell whal me Jaw
r,y s Another result Is, many unnecessary Trivial ald
local laws Also, wasiagc Ut the 'aeic money in a-
;ropraicns internal improvements Id oiler purposes
rourd ly corrupt system Of log-ton. and avoIiiist
that Of late become tray appalling. ll" grievances
should corrected. rhcy may b. ii not entirely at least
a,olv checked lsi by biennial lcgsain!,s Id by pro-
| l,,ua private and partial legislation AID, 3d by placing
lin, mos; stringent cheeks upon all appropriations o ne
rlDc noncy, beyond tlie current expenses o government
j. absolutely aary that means Should bc devised
. r.rct III: pEhc treasury from thc wasteiu ana cnrrHt
r,peid.rc for the purpose Of internal improvements which
r H., asf lcx years has prevailed, good old mother
vi. have lower her proud position, either by suo1illlng 10
,nkrnatcr or disgracc,u rcpdd'iion Neither .'"'hl
.h,uid j." moment cne.;antd by one oi m' sons
| ". rory in Commonwealth she i rlcn III historic
6,nc. rich in all attributes that elevate State
noy, another and Tich in n character which causes hoi
-,ns whether III other States or aris, To delight 10 say
,,n Jirnn;n gives them passport and nrotec2n
s did tl, magic OF the Roman law 10 ST. Paul when scoir=
ed l., brutal ,odiery Oueh her 70 make every
boporabl effort her from impending ruin or disgrace
e debt at the commencement al me ate session .! III.
cvislnture and all millions o. dollars WITT
nerhaps and half millions added before The co,'
Of the session. IL not this state Of things artlng Should
moi NIL good citizens desire the Commonwealth To be save,
rom premature old age, with her energies and powers
manaclei and borne down by the iron grasp OF debt whcI
mu-t bring dcstution her sons drive them from !c
embrace return and become aliens TO HE moh,
thai nurtured hrm infancy! Or should We not einal!
desire 10 save her from the other alternative OF rnda'!on
which takes from al our high position ana defae
M in the estimation o all honest and debt PAWN! l'"
We believe plan can be devised to correct tAs nnnol
state of things We prepared Ia follow ihc example ~
ur sister State Kentucky md incorporate clause III IN
constitution requiring the sanction oi majority o c pc"
e previously 10 the increase Of the debt of the State by 'h
| Legislature.
The next reformation aud one that is very near Ia ou
hearts is the extension The right Of suffrage aud me d
abandonment Of property qualification Wedeslre not 10 say
much these points because deem no argument ne'es
o-v i, proye topcrtv qualification OF any kind is wron
in principle and practice thai man oi large fortune
should have influence in government oportlonaoy great
- rhan one who but little Such principles IN our es
n,tnn are un, .olec.is, but dew nr.ht monstroes
reruanant every principle ii equal Fie upon wfh IL
admit the who!s srpersrac'nre 81 oor s2ve,'snl
IN. time once was when il necessary 10 argue t st
questions but that period has passed The dawn oi NOR
hca nghtennent has come upon rs and undei ~
ence We wish those who are Hde oucass ana iies
because il is their misfortune lo be afflicted with poverty u
IN, enymeu -: ihos, privileges guarantee. 10 thei oN
,h. Ei Of Rights and the wealthy lordlngs b"nsh, aow'
- the standard OF Other 81 The so o more ii't
means We believe that public opinion mas apfoh'hto III
,s, ,naniy on these propositions. We, therefore
content ourselves by declaring that the Tlsh o sunas
should be made general with proper restrictions ana III o
| oerty qualification should he abandoned ~,
Ne believe that important and radical changes should b
made in portion the Jnticary system Ut The state.
enter upon he discussion of this scbect, We hopt WIN
die apr recitation Importance. WE renew P"ie ~
,nliphlsnci Judiciary BE- m inesmabe biessn2 'u
corrupt ignorant thu greatest crse that c"u p'ia ~
neorlc. We Tue advocates Of an independent 'uu
bi essential in all ri lis raicatlons 10 n proper ~
mnistraiion OF Justice but al the sat5 ti We oseNe -
sponsble Judiciary equally Important Inc TWO ale "'' "
compatible, and are calculated 10 sustain each ohe'
.we take this county az an example. Many oth-r coun
lies both Whg and Democratic would show siiaf sa'
] of tyrannical injustice.