The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-08-13
FOR THE VfRGINIAF.
gO.h'JE.FIIO.N.
To TIE pEorLE OF PATRICK.

w III IlsOIit cf Ihlh
One Who feels considerable interest m
advancing the happiness AID safety of his
fellow citizens, hambly asks leave TO ad.
dress them u few remarks upon THIS great
and mo,ncntous subject. He is appraised
of the scrnilnizcd aud iaborieus inyesliga-
lion winch has been bestowed on this sub
eject. For this reason, combined with his
inability To en.erinte a lengthy discussion
otths propr'.ty or improperly ofcalling a
convention, he declines entirely, and IS
Teens IL unnecessary and useless 10 occupy
your attention with but very few words.
This is subject oC deep interest, not
only 10 Gu, fellow ciilxens, but 10 the whole
common" eaitb. Several times has this
question been discussedat your court house,
~ a manneI quite luminous, able aud ami
mated, aud ,ou yet remain silent Why
c,incc such a careless and negligent dispo.
sIilon in the expression uf your sentiments
ptbticy? Have you not the same right to
throw your weight in the scale either for or
against a convention, as the citizens OF
those counties who have preceded you in
The expression of their opinions? Does
your silence originate from the want of the
same interest IN the subject You hay.
been repeatedly asked what danger or inju-
~ could aIise from the cali Of convention
and what has been your repeated answer :
That the constitution might be made ,eo,se
that the government might be subvtrted
and by whom BY your native born re-
publican citizens Are you fearful Of
trusting the constitution ia the hands OF
those persons who have the same interest
that you have in the welfare of the govern
mcnt ? Or do you expect that the mem
beers of the convention will be chosen from
another state, or from modern Rome or
Greece Some among you wish limited
convention. Who do you wish 10 ilmll ]:
Persons who love their country-wh" love
liberty, equality and the ENJOY rIcnt of the
elective franchise 7
Fellow Cllzens-Lct me beg you ne
Yer again To offer such piliul trnug and
contemplate AFFECTIONS. II you vote against
lie call of a convention dt alt, vote against
II Tor reasons and objections more stable and
substantial than those above mentioned.
Notwithstanding there are among you
many warm opponents to the cab of a
convention, yet | have belief that two
thirds of you are in foVur of IA revision OF
our consttutlon--yes, IN favor Of IA 'con,rn-
ton.
Remain. then, no longer without publicly
expressing your opnlons-remain no Ion
ger Indifferent, careless aud Negligent to-
wards subject, the dhjrct Of which, if
rtl,Vtuated, will be the contamination Of
your happiness your r"acc-your pros
p.rlty aud your sqnality.-Lct it not be
said that the people of Palilck are "Ppos-
ed To the call Ola conycntion-lct il not be
said that they are opposed 10 equal repre-
Sentdtion aud untccrSal Suffrage. No, God
forbid But on the contrary, let it be said
that they are unanimously in favor Of TIN
call of Il convcntion--th that they view unc
quail representation and restricted suffrage
AS oy.rbearing aud oppressive IN the one
case, aud too great a disparity il the other
n Cth,em Of Potrick.
pnItick G Il JnLu 2G. IG2l