The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-25

AND adopted with scarcely any amend
IL was the noblest declaration OF human
right that was ever passed. and. though
written before the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence, 1t contained every important
assertion OF mans natural rights that
that document contained.
The Reconstruction Convention added
10 II certain propositions that were the
outcome OF the discussions that led up
TO and were held after the war. They
read as follows:
3 That this State shall ever remain
member of the United States OF America.
and that the people thereof are part OF
the American nation. and that all at
tempts from whatever source or upon
Whatever pretext. to dissolve said Union
or TO sever said nation are unauthorized.
and ought to be resisted with the whole
power of the State.
g. That the Constitution OF the United
states and the laws OF Congress passed
IN pursuance thereof constitute the SUI
premc law of the land, to which para
mount allegiance and obedience are due
from every citizen. anything In the Con-
stitution. ordinances. or laws OF any
state to the contrary, Notwithstanding
10 That neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude. except as lawful Imprisonment
may constitute such. shall exist within
this State.
20 That all citizeLs OF the state are
hereby declared to possess equal civil
and political rights and public privileges.
a. The rights enumerated i'm this BIZ
Of Rights shall not be construed 10 limit
other rights OF the people not therein
expressed. The declaration OF the poliu-
cal rights and privileges OF the inhaDi-
tants OF this State is hereby declared to
be a part OF the Constitution OF this
Commonwealth. and shall not be violated
on any pretence whatever.
Mr.. Charles VI. Wallace. a member OF the
House OF Delegates from Richmond city,
has introduced into the House joint
resolution to amend the Constitution OF
the state by striking these provisions
from the Bill Of Rights. We hope most
sincerely that the Legislature will
promptly take his resolution up and at
once record it's most emphatic condemna-
ito Lof IT. II Is true that II would have
been very well If the symmetry and
beauty Of George Mason's immortal docu-
ment had not been marred by lacking on
TO il these amendments. Yet what is
there In any one Of them that virginan
should not be ready to proclaim any
where and everywhere as a part OF his
political faith? Is there aLy Virginian
who does not wish to see this State re-
main forever a member of the Union, or
American nation. or who would not utter
ly condemn any attempt from any source,
or an any pretext to dssolye the Union?
Is there any Virginan who denies that
the laws made in pursuance thereof are
the supreme law of the land TO which
paramount obedience is due from any
citizen? Does any citizen of Virginia wish
TO see slavery. except as a punishment
for crime. re-established In Virginia, or
TO see any citizen deprived of those equal
rights and privileges which are secured
to all. or to have it understood that emu
merating the rights which are mentioned
in the Bill Of Rights. deprives the people
of other rights not enumerated?
We ask in all seriousness if any Vir-
gilman has it in his mind or heart to
deny that all these propositions are enume-
rations Of principles which every Vrginian
should hold clear and desire to see his
State maintain under any and all cir
cumstances? Is Mr. Wallace himself
ready TO say e.at his secret heart opposes
and condemns any one OF these PROPOSE
tons, and, if so, which one?
lie is quoted as saying, when asked
why he introduced his resolution, that
he thought it was Democratic move.
God forbid that the Democratic party
OF the nation is to carry this burden
in addition TO the load of deprecated
money and iawlessness that the Chicago
platform placed upon III Mr.. Wallace's
resolution Is not IN line with Democracy.
True Democracy d5sents TO every PROPOSE
tion contained in the articles that Mr..
Wallace would strike out Of the Bill of
Rights. and 1t not only assents to them,
but it inscribes them upon its banners.
The New York Herald referred TO Rich
mond few days back as "that pretty
and interesting old village" and it is re-
dictionary procedure like Mr.. Wallaces
resolution that will forever keep Rich
mond in the estimation OF the world a
pretty and interesting old Village" And.
when the world is informed that Virginia
is not only welded to deprecated money
and fraudulent elections, but now pro-
poses to add TO her repertoire a scheme
for practically dissolyng the Union and
repudating the Constitution Of the United
States. Virginias cup will be surely full.
Not only will Richmond be that pretty
and interesting old village" but Virginia
will be ranked as the Golgotha of the
Union-the land Of skulls.