Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-20


Of the people that convention should be
called - THIS question will be readily an
swerSd when the next Legislature meets.
Menorlals will be sent to them to call a
convention. ifit's wanting, by the people,
and have no doubt that the Legislature
will comply with their wishes. 1t las been
said, that the Legislature has hitherto
turned a deaf ear to these applications
heretofore, sir, it has been fortunate that
they did So the conyulsons of the old
world, and the troubled state of our own
country, have hitherto prevented serious
Obstacles 10 the calling of a convention to
reform the constitution. The last session
of the Legislature was the first since the
year 1892, in which it conld he considered
prudent measure to have convention,
and have been informed th.st the appli-
cations from the people for that purpose,
during the last winter, were very few.
Indeed, in the early part of the session of
the Legislature, it was not favorite mea-
sure with several of the western members.
a leading member of the House of Dele
gates from the N. w. corner of the state
was heard to say, that he was anxious to
have new arrangement of the Senatorial
districts, which would put to rest forever
the question respecting a convention.-An-
other very active member from the neigh
borhood of the mountains, expressly and
openly declared that he was unwilling to
destroy the work of our fathers" and that
the speech of the member from Henrco a i.
gainst the Convention Bill, expressed his
own opinions-those- opinions were re-
tanned by him until f,vorite measure was
rejected. The rejection of that measure
changed his opinion. aud he became auar-
dent advocate for "A convention. 1t is not
wonderful that the House of Delegates, I'M
der these circumstances, rejected the Con-
vention Bill-but let the people apply for
a convention, and the Legislature cannot,
and Will not turn deaf ear to their appli-
Cation
will say one word here, sir, respecting
the Staunton Convention, which is called
oy "a few individuals to meet on the 10Th
august next. 1T that meeting be called
for the purpose of erecting new Govern
ment. of dividing the state, or of redress
ing their grievances without the aid of the
Government as now established, the meet
ing is unlawful. e that convention will share
the fate of the Hartford Convention. -
and Will merit the scorn of every good ci.
tlzen. But if they be the real delegates of
their respective Counties. and their object
be, to concentrate the will OF those Coun-
ties, and thus give greater Weight to
their application to the Legislature for the
assembling ola real Convention, then do
not know that any objection can be raised
against it. sincerely hope that this is
their only object.
The only remaining question is, is this a
mt season for assembling the people in Con-
vent'on am perfectly satisfied that this
is the accepted time. We have had forty
years experience we have just emerged
with glory, from a second struggle for In
burns brighter than ever; the efferves-
cence of wild projects, and of theoretical
schemes produced by the French Revolu.
ton, has subsidized; aud some few of our
ancient sages are yet left. who will aid US
IN erecting solid Fabric, which will Sc
cure to US, and our posterity forever, the
6iessingsof free and equal Government.
A LOWLANDER.