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By WILLIAM B. SPONG, JR.
Rappahannock News Contributing Writer
On the eve of a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, all Virginians can take pride in the leadership and political genius displayed by their forebears in fashioning such a magnificent and enduring document, described by William Blackstone as . .the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man. . .”
Yet, perhaps unwittingly, there has been put into motion a process that could change fundamentally the contract of liberty and freedom that has guided our nation since 1787 — a process that could bring about the first constitutional convention in 200 years.
Article V of the Constitution sets forth two procedures for amending the Constitution. The traditional method, used since the beginning of the republic, empowers Congress to submit an amendment to the states for ratification by a three-fourths vote. This has proved to be a responsive and orderly procedure.
The second method requires twothirds of the states to petition Congress for a constitutional convention. This route has never been employed in our history.
Today, 32 of the required 34 states have petitioned Congress for a convention for a balanced budget amendment. The Old Dominion was the 13th state to join the bandwagon, with passage of House Joint Resolution 168 on March 3, 1977.
Unquestionably, the appeal of a balanced budget, particularly at a time when our national debt is of frightening proportion, is too great for its adherents to look beyond that limited goal when petitioning for a constitutional convention.
Many who support a balanced budget amendment understand the dangers inherent in a constitutional convention. Melvin R. Laird, former Secretary of Defense, has stated:
“The concept that a constitutional convention would be harmless is not conservative, moderate or liberal philosophy. That concept is profoundly radical, born either of naivete or the opportunistic thought that the end justifies any means.”
Or, as James Madison, a Virginian who had much to do with creation of the Constitution, put it, “Having witnessed the difficulties and dangers experienced by the first Convention which assembled under every propitious circumstance, I should tremble for the result of a Second. . .”
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