Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-28
PLAN OF THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.

~ r
The National LatelKgencer contains an article
upon the late Message from the Governor of Vir-
ginia which misrepresents that document most
grossly. The writer could never have read it, or
he would not have regarded the proposition il con-
tanned to be one for National Convention to
amend the Constitution of the United States. Yet
that is the view which he takes of it, and il is a
view In which it seems to be very generally regard
ed at distance. Hence it is reasoned that in such
a Convention the South would be largely outnum-
bered and in consequence lose the last fragile BAR
rier which protects them from unlimited aggression.
But the Governor Of Virginia recommended no
such thing" 80 r f.f
Considering the political relation to the Gov
ernor of the Editor of the Journal from which the
above is taken, we must regard it as authorita-
tive expression of the intent of his Message to the
Legislature of Virginia, upon which we had lately
occasion to remark.
/, 1t is satisfaction to know that we had SO far
Inexperienced his Recommendation of "General
Convention" to represent The whole People," as to
suppose that Convention in the sense in which
the term is used in the Constitution Of the United
States, was intended. Our Misrepresentation was
nevertheless sincere, and, to any familiar with
the provisions Of that instrument, natural. Nor, as
the Examiner itself dscoses, were we singular in
it. Other minds received the same impression Of
the Governors Message, and cited as their rule of
interpretation of it the same fundamental provi-
sion Of the Constitution which we quoted. i4st
The constitutional provision on the subject Of a
Convention Of the States not specified it is true,
in the Governors Message but what it proposed
to be done we presumed was to be done in confor-
nifty and unfortunately to the Constitution. The
Message recommended an appeal to be made by
the State Of Virginia to call the States in the
Union" to unite in sending Delegates to represent
the whols People in General Convention"
Such Convention" within the meaning of the
Constitution, is required by that instrument to be
| called in certain manner and form. Nor would
the acts of any Convention of the States differ
emily constituted be Of any legal validity. On the
contrary evidently to guard against such eccentric
or irregular action on the part Of any two or more
Disseminated disaffected, or ambitious States, the
Constitution has in terms nterdcted any State from
entering, without the consent of Congress, g into
any agreement or compact with another State.''
| We now, however, understand the measure pro-
posed by the Governor to be the call of Conven-
ton erira-constitutioaal in its character.
| Beside that the acts or decisions of such Con-
venon could bind neither States nor People, the plan
is open to hundred objections, any one Of which
would be fatal to it. Suppose, for example, the State
of Virginia to invite all the States, unless all
Of them were to accept the invitation, it would fail
of its object to make !" a final settlement " Of any
thing. Again the States can, of course act only,
as the State Of Virginia will have acted, through
the medium of their respective Legislatures. How
many Of those Legislatures are now in session, or
will be in session within period not later than
May" to act upon the invitation in any way! And,
again, supposing every State to be represented in
such Convention, what possible authority could
a majority, or even the whole of such a Conven-
ton, have to bind the several States to any course
Of action or policy which it should prescribe? The
measure recommended by the Governor-admit
his motives for it to be both fair and patrioticis
not only not constitutional in its general features
but wholly impractcable in its details.
| Were, however, its details practical, and ever
SO easy Of execution, what could possibly be
accomplished by such an assemblage! /" The
principles which should govern the action Of
this Convention ought to be announced" says
the Governor, Sin the resolutions by which it is
called II principles are laid down for it in the
very terms of its summons if it be only called to
enact code Of prescribed principles-to register
an edict of the State by which it is called-what
possible inducement would the States generally
have for acceding to it Or, if it were acceded to-
what results possibly could be anticipated from it but
discord and mischief? And, if none should be
invited but those who are in favor Of the perpetual
ton fthe Union, couldevery State be represented
South Carolina, for example, whose late acts are
in spirit Of implacable enmity to the Union, and
look to nothing but its destruction And, further,
if those States only invited to be represented
who are in faUor Of the Fugitive Slave Bill, how
many would by that very condition be inevitably
excluded, who, however loyal to the Union, obedi-
ent to its laws, and determined to abide by and sus-
tain them, could not be expected to be possessed
with the furore on that particular subject, with
which, though the Life is out of its BODY, certain
political monomaniacs in other Southern States
besides South Carolina are endeavorng to galvanize
the EvH ofthe Day into spasmodic resurrection
Our object is not, however, to argue this matter
length, but, whilst placing the Governor on his
own ground in relation to the character of the Con-