The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-03
A NEW coNsrururloSAL CONVENTION

A NEW CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The gravity of one of the questions de- +
bated yesterday in the Senate, deserves i,
more than passing notice. We refer to
the discussion on the bill called up by
Senator Thomas, providing for the submis-
sion to the popular vote of the question,
"Sball a convention be called to change
the Constitution"
1t is not the proposition itself which we
propose to argue; the people, expressing
their wishes by memorial to the General
Assembly, have an undoubted right to de-
nand that the organic law of their State
shall be modified, or changed materially,
to suit their political, industrial or finan-
cial necessities /; and that their representa-
tives shall promptly provide the legal ma
chinery by which their wishes may lind
expression at the polls, and secure subse-
ouent incorporation into the constitution.
The debate was opened by Senator
Thomas, who, in general terms, asserted
that propositions had been submitted to the
Joint committee in charge of the subject,
to change every article and section Of the
constitution, adopted by an unprece-
IDENTIFY large majority of the popular vote,
in july, 1869. This broad assertion was
not supported by any documentary exhibit
of facts vet the Senator's statement was
allowed to pass unchallenged, and he thus
escaped being compelled to show clearly
what were the objective points at which ne
aimed.
We would like to know Of the Senator
what he means by his assertion that every
article and section of the constitution is so
oppressive and uncomfortable.
In the Bill of Rights the only important
change is found in sections 10, 20 and u,
which declare a truth, new to Virginia
jurisprudence, we grant, but old as the
severlasting hills" which tower on our
Western border, that slavery IS dead that
all citizens possess equal cioil and political
riqhts and public privileges, and that the
. declaration of political rights and privileges
: is part of the constitution Of this Com
monpealth, and shall not be rioIated on any
. preteace whatcper." Do the people desire
to return to the tombs of a buried past, to
, eliminate anew this republican declaration
!, Of faith?
! Perhaps it is section l-act 81 which
: CRATES upon the over-sensative nerves O
Senator Thomas. "Eoay male citizen of'M'
, United States, tsoenty-one years old,' shat
De entitled to rote upon all questions submit
! ted to the people, &c.
Here is a fearful heresey, perhaps. Ii
= the old days of darkness, men might b'
: kept silent at the polls, because they .wer'
= debarred from securing property quallfica
: tons as voters; but here is condition
. which does not depend upon any law bu
the "law Of nature" The child will grow
n to manhood and consequent citizenship,
"a the Providence which created wills it shoul'
re- live. Perhaps the Senator does not objec
o. to universal suffrage, but section of tn
10 same article provides that all who can vot
es are eligible to be voted for, and hold office
IN if they receive majority of the votes cas-,
r. This may be the "thorn in the flesh
of which troubles Senator Thomas and h
ls people. In article the veto power
to lodged with the Governor-an innovation
.- it is true, but the only one found in the al
m ticle, and one not much objected to by tn
cv masses.
:, If article 5, on the Legislative depar
n, ment. contained any change Of political i'll
~ port unpopular with such people as Senate
r. Thomas assumes do not like Republics
ha constitution, the last General Ascend
be by their gerrymandering coup det
rid changed all that.
he Article 6, Judiciary, contains grievo'
,e- innovation, we grant. Sec. IL proVid
~ that the lswless assemblages known
aft "county courts" should cease to admin
to ter laws they do not understand and thu
or in future. 'sthere shall be court called t
rs. county court, which shall be held month
,ur by Judge learned in the laso." Does tn
est change, which has already proved su
he stantial relief to suitors, and an econoI
tie to taxpayers, grieve the spirit of the ven
oil rsble fogies who speak through Senat
IN Thomas?
ou We think article is the fearful innov
is tion--.alien to the genius of our people"
as Democratic debaters all phrased
This is new, and as it did not originate
on the Virginia mind, it must be taken
du- naught. What allow the people to ma
can age their own local affairs to call tow
ign ship meetings, and arrange for doing tn
nd. own business without the consent OF
Eu- bench of magistrates and, worse than
to subdivide their territory into school d
ng- tricts and, worse still, teach Gods VIC
and to children of poor parentage, and-wol
ain and worse-teach both white and bls
our children at the same time This is