Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-12-14
CONVENTION.

"VhaE you ajroid 10 trust Me people ~
The calm, able, and dign6rd memorial oI
Inc c'tizens ut Richmond, setting furth certain
facts and reasons Ia favor Of calling a conyrn-
t!on, TO change or amend our state constitu-
t'on aud the calm, able, and tlignifed coun-
ter memorial, commonly called Mr.. Leigh's
substitute, presenting facts and reasons in op-
position to call, have been maturey weigh
ed. II Is source Of much consolation To no
nee, that this ah-i,nportant subject hath been
opened TO our consideration with SO much
moderation and fUrbearance, also, with such
c'ear de'elopem.nt OF interesting facts and
luminous exposition Of first principles, as to
enable us To- pursue the solemn inquiry, with
our any undue Influence from those angry pas
STOPS, which sometimes 50 nnhappiy divide
society upon such a momentous occasion. II
Is much to be desired, that the above papers
may assume pamphlet form, and find Their
way into most extended circulation, that the
great body of the people may have time for
iuii and careful delibsraiion, before we ad
vance ~ the awful polls, when, peradventure
we shall place between the scissors of fate,
the dearest interests of our highly favored and
beloved country.
Ii would Justly provoke severe reproof for
man OF my pretensions, (confined TO the oh
scnie walks of life and rural occupations,) to
essay to diiate upon the facts, principles, and
arguments, relied upon in REPUTATION of all the
PROMINENT objections urged against our state
constitution. Such an essay might by bare
possibility tend to destroy the harmony of the
arrangement, obscure the perspicuity Of Ian.
guaSe, Obtund the point Of argument, and i'm
par The energy of truth, as exhibited by the
substitute. am melted only to present som
short and plain views, for thu contemplation of
our trllOw-citizens, who seldom have more
time or oppni tunty, than merely to read such
productions in transient and fugitive news
papers.
AS we have for near fifty years, exempt
from every species of oppression, securely en-.
Joyed happiness. prosperity and rrsedum un
der our constitution, we ought 10 make So
Tenn pause, before we agree tn change it,
we Know the rich value of our preseat pos
sessions; we cannot correctly estimate the va
'"e vi tne prcmi2ed new possessions. That
our OMISSION 10 resort 10 conventional power
Tor reformation ON the dognas or assumed
theories of the day, will subject posterty to
serious evils. is proposition not TO be admit.
led-Our descendants will be as wise as we:
they Will possess and exercise the same attri-
9uies OF sovereignty, as now pertain unto US.
IL the constitution under which we lourishpd.
snail not suit them, they i'll make new one
that VII. We cannot bind pusterity in this re-
specl: we all know that the dead cannot eoy.rn
the living. They will care little about our insii-
buttons and resolves, unless they secure their
liberty, happiness and safety Virginians RAJ
pIdly dissolved and dissipattd the valuable es-
tales, public and private, which were derived
from their revolutionary ancestors, and we
should as rapidly have dissolved and dissipa-
ted their civil institutions, had not their sound
ness and permanent utility been disclosed to
U.S., ny lessons OF better experience and more
solid Wisdom. We cannot do every thing for
posieriy, let us take ,-sre of ourselves. and do
nothing to injure them all that we can rea
sonably do, is, 10 transmit the inheritance free
from debts and mortgages, and let posterity
enjoy II as they shall deem proper.
1t is asked, "what! are YOU afraid tn trus,
the people :" When this question is nut 10 n
Iyrant, 1t IS very well. Surely judges, magis
tiaIes, representatives, and other pubic of.
hcers WHO are The servants of the peopJ.. would
mol presume TO put such a question To thr;r
masters. They certainly would not offer such
an insult and outrage to The sovereign author
'iy OF their country.-They should perform
with ability and Punctuality the duties assign
ed to Them. It's presumed the question is in
noeenily put, in reference 10 the residence of
The sovereignty, and therefore requires no 9TH
er notice. With great dillidence and profound
respect, WIZ endeavor 10 suggest more
appropriate question. Are not we the peo-
PIE sometimes afraid to trust our representa-
ives and other servants who Gatter US with
promises? 1t may be answered with truth
that The people have frequently been disap
pointed and deceived by Them after they se,
INTO Office. The Representatives have often
honestly deceived THEMSELVES, by the incau-
'ious adoption OF unsound theories and unwiss
plans OF policy. When man is free and han.
py, he should not hazard change, when il il
uncertain with him what his new condition,
VIII be: when he is healthy and Of a
Cheerful temper, why take pbysic? The
principal grievances we experience 1,,s
not from the defects in the constitution, hnt
from defects in Legislation, in the judiciary
department, and from our negligence in moi
paying more respect 10 the vast importance
oi seii-SoyernmeDt by want Of more pune
ual Attendance at the polls on the DAYS Of p-
iecuon'-A convention may possess more Ia
lent, but does not always possess more virtue
than the ordinary Legislature. The Aristides
of virginia" was once heard to say, that a wise
oouy vi theoreiIc men, could rifle and do
more m'schiei, than body of less inform
ed men, OF practical experience. Virginia can
never forget, and probably will never recover
what she lost by conventions. She sent dele.
gates to convention, with su,boritV 10 amend
Inc OLD articles Of confederation of the United
States. 40 entire new constitution was pro-
duced, based on different principles. The
people then sent delegates from each county,
TO convention, 10 take into consideration this
new Federal Constitution. Some of the coun-
Ties elected their members under the express
understanding, and in some instances under
instructions, TO vote for its rejection other
counties chose their members, with the view
voting for its adoption, upon previously Sc.
curing some all-important amendments