Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-29
TEE RICHMOND WING.
correspondence OF the Nhig.
THE AMENDMENT IF TIE CONSTITUTION CF VIR-
GINA,


THE AMENDMENT IF TIE CONSTITUTION LF VIR
GINA.
To The Editor of the Whig:
Great an valuable changes needed ard might be
made in the Constitution of Virginia. and the present pc
Rod ofeis remarkable advantages for such a work
Former Constitutions have gone too far in extending the
limits of popular power. To retraoe such step is diff
cult-but now il the time to do it if tits he DONE
The Of the peorle have been set to work
pIcatei and dangerous machine, which only eki,liul
hands mansge-and, as might have been expected,
they have mangled and cut themselves to pieces. Like
the vorsAippers of Juggernsu, they are sacrificing
Themselves On tho altar Of false democracy. Their
wise men are invoked TO to their reef-and they
should come The is propitous. At such time
the souls of expand beyond their ordinary dmen-
sions The peril of the country olevaes the affections
OF the people and purifes them. Their attention is
ds away from the minor subjects of controversy that
attract them in time OF peace The sentiment Of the
sublime aroused by gives rise to the kindred
ceptons and impulses of patriotism. The vulgar priu-
dices of party silent amidst the concussion Of
Tie low and soEdd feelings which would rise up other
times on the suggestion OF constitutional changes in
derogaon Of popular franchise now struck with
]
humble elements of the State feel they should
always feel-tha the wisdom and virtue Of the country
should rule it. Under Of public necessity, the
people willing TO tear counsel. soberer
temper than usual pervades tie body o. socieyand it
i! incumbent upon TO avail of it in proposing certain
notifications OF the organic law, which are eminently
important to the wclre Of he Ssteand which we may
gain !hsve favorable opportunity 10 eslab-
lish.
/. is intended here consider only Of the changes
sugg,sted-aud tLat very briefly
The general character of society, and the proportion
between thai class which hoid and that which does not
Lold propetyare now such that may probably con-
!nue in domestic peace, for while under the present
organization Of the goVornment but the time is coming
when the property of the country would not be safe In
the hands OF universal Suffrage IL is not wise safe
TO invest the ihri'less ahd idle with the power dis
pose Of tho property of the industrious and frugal Such
policy strikes at the very foundation of society. Con-
mon experience teaches that class OF be pru
IDENTIFY entrusted with the power put their hands upon
an interest OF another class with which they have sym
gahy The more especially this be 20, when such
power is entrusted to iTep,asJls class By law cf
society that class multiply until it aains TO great
there must be a failure OF social justice, until the evil is
remejed by revolution 1t would certainly be wise to
consider this tendeucy-and if possible neutraize it
by permanent constitutional legislation, while the power
is still in the hands of those who in danger. This
tendency will, iudesd be oopsuumated and this evil
will probably result in the lapse Of ime noswiihstaud-
irg any legislation that may be enacted But certainly
would be greatly to the advantage Of party 10 put
constitutional barrier between itself aud enemy. The
Constitution would be barrier against agrarans as long
As it would las;-and would require revolution to
throw il. And whenever revolution shall break out,
from such cause, then strong government will be sure
t, sse-based upon combination OF intellect and pro-
perty.
If this is true, it becomes question Of profound in
tcrss how the suffrage of the people be regulated
a. to avoid tho evil that has been suggested.
The regulation of suffrage according to principle other
than numerical strength is not entirely in tn
| Commonwealth OF Virginia. Property has heretofore
bsen allowed representation in ke Legislature in ac-
iiton to thai Of mere population Aud it just. BY
q judcious differentiation OF the principle, lar
greater good may be accomplished.
Il would probably be diacu for even very wise
to propose such modification Of the Legislative depart.
| meut of the Government would at be satis.ac-
tory TO the country aud ,sient Tor the remedy Of the
cv. under consideration. Some modifc 4On Loweger,
agp.srs to lie necessity; and none seems to give
cher promise of success than permanent reorg.niza
on of tue Senate upon the basis Of exclusively free
hold suffrage
Let the House be eligible by universal suffrage, at
present aud let the Senate be eligible by the sufpges
OF only Joaa fa. freehod,p and others having vested
o1,,
shal, on some principle, be fixed by law.
Under this system beth popular rights and property
might be pfotec ei. Each body wtud be On effective
check upon the other The ad vaioren principle OF
taxation would be perpetual and ehectua protection
of every species OF property against all unjust dseTmi
nation in favor Of real estate II the lower house should
pass bill for The construction Of public worx which
would require oppressive taxaon the senate, represent
ing the great property interest OF the State would taen
w9ut he fear and beyond the control Of iHSOlrsnt con-
,ftuenls be able 10 veto it. And # on the other hand
the sanste should pass bill for any purpose not con-
ssent with The Interests of tue great mass Of the peo
pie then the lower house would in lke manner, veto
that Undr the itflence of this mutual power over
each other the action Of the whole body would be Gp. 10
| approach standard OF and justice The ELI
cheney of the sysem woul depend parely and entirely
upon the constituency and responsibility Of the senate
which would extend only 10 the freehold suffrage. 1t
would give the Tiibunitial power, which he
security OF properly will certainly n the course Of tim
require to bs vested somewhere Where coud 1t be
more fitly located than ia Senate, so oons.i,at!d?
These views are no. Cftred presump;uousiy-as unex-
c,p:iona TO- They are merely offered for the consider
aion of those who interested 10 the subject, aid
es.ecaly fer those whose oce it is to devise the policy
OF tho govtnmeut. The future pesce and prosperity OF
the country mag be closely connected with the fate
this proposition. II should be examined in good faith
aud Sii caution and it, under these safeguards against
eroI should be found wise and prudent measure, i;
should become par, Of the organic law. Let no mar
row prejudice against innovation deieRt it. Let no un-
woshy tear of popular turn statesmen fom their
| duty "
JUSE 26th, 1861.
| FoE THE VINO
To the MsmJers Of Ms I'irgi"ia Stote C'nvsnit0n:
AZ his ,.celcoay Gov John Letcher has ordered the