These principles had been articulated repeatedly by the Continental Congress, the various colonies and innumerable local communities, and in abundant speeches, sermons, and pamphlets over the preceding decades. Americans knew that these principles could be ignored, abused, and forgotten, and that republics needed to stay connected to their roots. Thomas Jefferson would draw on the Virginia Declaration to write the Declaration of Independence.
Among these “fundamental principles” were the natural rights of life, liberty, property, safety, and happiness; accountable magistrates; separation of powers; government by consent; due process; and a “firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue.”
The problem obviously hasn't been too many Conventions of the States; instead the problem is there have been too few.
I do not disagree with your reasons. I merely disagree with your assessment that a convention that is established to tinker with the constitution can be controlled.
The last time such a convention was held, a new constitution was drafted, ratified, and implemented even though that was not the intended purpose of the convention. The more I ponder this issue, the more I am convinced that such a convention will be the death of the republic. I foresee the federal system replaced by a Parlimentary State like those established in Europe because the academics love those.
‘A republic, if you can keep it.’
I think those words are quite prophetic. Be warned and beware.