Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-03-24

hUOpVeO tue COuStIuCIoul prSfSnTSu 1hSnA
from carrying out the great principles of
equality that they espoused.. That Con-
vention was but an ordinary legislature.
such as had. existed in the colony for
about two years preceding, when its
colonial legislature was abrogated.' 1t
performed at the same time the ordinary
business of legislation, and did not even
submit the constitution to the people for
their adoption. Every thing was done in
haste, and intended merely for the emer-
gency in which they were plunged.
1t is my purpose to show, from the acts
of those who participated in the great
work of 1776, that political equality was
intended, and, as far as practicable, car
ried out.
1t might give us light to look at reso-
luton adopted at that time to district the
State. for the purpose of electing Senators.
win not take up the time of the commit
tee by reading it; but it win be seen by
reference to it, that equality of represen-
tation was looked to as much as possible
under the circumstances. 1t is hardly
necessary to remind this committee, that
Patrick Henry, of revolutionary renown,
was member of the committee that pre-
pared the bill of rights.
beg the indulgence of the committee
for moment to bring to its attention
some ofthe views of that great statesman
with reference to that instrument, and
particularly our mixed basis friends, who
claim the right, by force of the govern
mental power they accidentally possess,
to stife the wishes of the majority of the
people, and arbitrarily deprive them Of
the indubitable, unalienabls and inde-
feasible right to reform, alter or abolish
their form ofgovernment in such manner
as shall be most conducive to the public
veal He was, we know, also amember
of the Convention of Virginia which rati-
fed the constitution of the United States /;
and in speech in that Convention, he
took occasion to refer to the government
of Virginia as founded upon the bill OF
rights. and he opposed the adoption of the
constitution of the United States upon the
ground, that by its provisions, the major
ity could not change it. He compared
| it with the government of the State of Vir-
ginia. He says:
GA trifing minority may reject the
most salutary amendments. Is this an
easy mode of securing the public liberty ?
1t is, sir, most fearful situation. when
the most contemplate minority can pre-
vent the alteration of the most oppressive
government, for in many respects it may
prove to be such. Is this the spirit of re-
publieanism
"What, sir, is the genius of democra-
cy? Let me read that clause of the oil
of rights of Virginia which relates to this
Sd clause, That government is and
ought to be instituted for the common
benefit, protection, and security of the
people, nation, or community: of all the
various modes and forms of government,
that is best which is capable of procuring
the greatest degree of happiness and safe
ty, and is most effectuAlly secured against
the danger of NAL administration, and
that whenever any government shall be
found inadequate or contrary to these
purposes. a majority of the community
hath an indubitHble, unalenable and in
defeasible right to reform, alter, or abol-
ish it, in such manner as shall be judged
most conducive to the public veal. This,
sir, is the language of democracy, that a
majority of the community have right
to alter government whom found to be op-
pressive."
Here, Mr.. Chairman, is the opinion of
one who aided in the adoption of the Bill
of Rights. He tells the governmental
majority, that in assuming the power to
control the majority of the people, they
violate the plain principles of the Bill of
Rights. Yes, sir, in defiance of this high
authority, they say to the majority of the
community. thus far thou shall go and no
farther in reforming the provisions of the
constitution which is found to be defec-
tive, it is usurpation Of the most oppres-
sive character. The people-yes, large
majority of the people-havs willed that
the suffrage basis shall be adopted, but
the governmental majority interposes its
usurped power to prevent 1t, and will
not heed the voice of Henry speaking
from the tomb. Hear him sgain-con-
tinuing his remarks upon the provisions
of the United States, providing for its
amendment. He says: "Will the great
rights of the people be secured by this
government Suppose it should prove
oppressive, how can it be altered? Our
Bill of Rights declares that majority of
lienable and indefeasible right to reform,
alter, or abolish it, in such manner as
shall be judged most conducive to the
public veal. l have just proved that
one tenth of the people of America, a
most despicable minority, may prevent
this reform or alteration. Suppose the
people of Virginia should wish to alter
their government, (meaning the govern
nent of the United States, can ma
jority of them do it? No; because they
are connected with other men, or, in 9TH
er words, consolidated with other States.
When the people of Virginia, at some fu-
ture day, shall wish to alIer their govern,