Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-23
REPORT OF TIE SELECT COMMITTEE on AMEND
1NENTs TO THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.

REPORT OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON AhEND-
-MENTs TO THE CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.
On the first day OF May 1861, the Convention ADOPT
cd the following resolution:
R,,oly,d That committee of sevon members be
appoln.ed by the President Of the Convention whose
duty shall be TO consider and report 10 the Convex
top a. lis journed sessiop, such amendments OF the
Consultation ofVgiula, as may be necessary and prop
or. under existing circumstances
The committee appointed uuder tho foregoing reso-
u,ion have according to order had the subject refer
cd TO them under consideration, and submit the fol!
lowing .-
The conDrehensiye terms OF tho resolution have made
il the du,y of the committee to sub the whole Con-
stiution oa careful review, for the purpose oil suggest
ing such amendment as, ia their Judgment are neces
sary and proper, under existing circumstances iour
committee we're deeply impressed with The importance
and deoacy of the task imposed on them and in per-
forming il they have sought to bo guided oy the lights
NJ reason and experience without regard to their own
prscopceiyed opinions or to those theories Hheh hs'e
heretofore been most popular.
The circumstances by which We are now suirounoea
render the present an auspcious time for correcting rad
ica errors in our fundamental law Recent events have
developed TIE weak points in our political system ana
il is perhaps, fortunate circumstance tnat the mem
bers OF the present Convention have been elected u
trammeed by pledges or commits' OF any KIND 70 ther
respective constituencies and therefore left free to ap
proach the great work of constitutional reform wh thai
dispassonae cAlmness which furnishes the best assu
rance Of deliberate consideration aud wise conclusion
Governments like all o,hor human institutions, must
be modified from time to time, with view TO adapt lhem
to the new conditions which may be developed by the
progress Of society," system which suited to the
condition of the country half century ogo may be un-
fitted for the exigepces Of the present time This truth
his bCen sgnay illustrated in the history OF the govern
ment of the late United States As framed and admin.
stered by the fathers Of the Republic it admirably
adapted 10 promote the happiness and prosperity OF Its
citzeps and i Stood for many years. the wonder and
admiration Of the civil zed world But, in the onward
ach of events il became evident that its proviiiors
were liable to psrvcrsion which would make il the it,
strument Of iijustice. Real supposed anagonisms
growing out of dversiti's of climate, productions, and
systems of labor in the Northern and Southern secor
we're developed and il evident that new guarantees
were necessary for the security OF tho vital interests and
domestic institutions Of The save-hol ling Sates Wise
and patroc statesmen fcreseeing the danger, lab bred
10 obtain such amendments Of the Constitution, as were
necessary 10 adapt it to the changed condition OF the
country But all their eDrs having proved abortive,
and dominant sectional maj ority having clearly indi
Gated s purpose trample the rights OF the South
ern States alternative was left TO them but TO seek
relief from oppression, by separation.
similar necessity Of conforming our institutions
to the growth of relations aud interests which arc
constantly arising in the progress Of society, requires thai
changes should be made from time to time In our State
Consultation. As Virginia is noW about TO commence Q
new era in her history ID important that her organic
law should be so framed guard her citizens effect
uy, against the dangers Of oppression on the one hsnt
and anarchy on the other.
Governments are instituted for the protection Of th
rights Of persons aud property and any system must
radically defective, which does not give ample security 4
both The great interests Of every community may b
cassed under the heads of labor and cspta and h s &c
soui,l to the veSinV Of society," that the proper equ
lb,icm should be esta hd between these important Gle
ments The undue predominsnos Of either must, even
tualy, prove destructive Of tho social system Capita
to the few-abor to the many In those system
in which capital has the ascendency, the governmen
must to some extent partaks of the character OF an oil
garchy Wills. in those in which labor predominant %
tendency is to what Mr.. John Randolph graphically de-
cribsd q "the despotsm Of king numbers" lis the