Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-11

Remarks, by ga Republican of 'o3," on MIR.
Leigh'sproposedS Substitute for the anticipa-
ted Report Of the Committee, on the sub
| ject Of Convention.
| No. 4.
To the Editors of the Enquirer
Gentlemen Z. w. LEIGH Esqr. has re-
Gently published in your paper, his reasons
for opposing The call of a convention with
ihe extraordinary title of SUBSTITUTE IN
TENDED TO BE OFFERED TO TIE NEXT MEET
ING OF THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND ON THE
SUBJECT or CONVENTION, IN LIEU OF THE
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
Ii seems indeed, little premature In pub-
iish proposed substitute, for IA report. which
mas not seen the light, and which possibly,
Wneh seen, may NOT appear, even to its pre-
determined enemy altogether SD pxceptionabIp
as ne supposes. such a measure Characterization,
would, To common man, be IN some dpgre e
announcement but, 10 a writer of uncommon
fertility ideas, and fascinating eloouence, this
mode oi rroceeding, is the most convenient i'm
aS'na Ole because II affords him unlimited scope
l" o'spiay The exuberance of his prolific mind,
,he acu'eness ofhs logic 6r sophstry 1.-THE beau
y and energy of his well-turned, harmonious
Sen'ences.-Unrestr by the rigid duty OF
auhering I" points actually in controversy, he
~, 10y this plan, enabled 10 rauge at large over
the 'ohole ground, that may or may no, be the
ne'u oil battle; To attribute TO his adyer saries,
10Y way OF suPPcsition,) any opinions or
schemes, that he may disapprove, or can conr
iu'e TO State them all, IN his opn s,dy,-
and then, to defrat them, with as much eas.
and sei-Sratuiation, as knights and giants were
defeated of old b. the sag Ridulgo Of LIN
.hdnchn. 1t is my intention % make few
remarks upon this proposed substitute wish
'ng them To have no other weight than they
may be entitled 10 by their Intrinsic merit.
when placed in the balance of reason and
without farther preiiminares,) proceed To the
subject in discussion.
| A large portion of the introductory obser-
vations, in thIs extraordinary substitute. would
u suopOse) be chrerfully subscribed To hy the
Committee, and by every discreet friend of a
convention but, in my humhI,. Judgment, thew
seem to he strangely blended with erroneous
principles and conclusions. For example. we
all agree, tina, the subject is important, and
ought TO be approached with humility" but
we cannot admit that we ought to approach
u with " a'ne That emotion is proper To be
ieN IN the presence of the Supreme Being on
| ~ or IN the attempt To scrutinize objects sa-
cred and divine. We have the hardwood TO
th'nk that the constitution Of our eountru, or,
Indeed, any instrument which is the work of
man, may without presumption, be freely ex
ahmed. and brought to the test uf the reason
ing faculty of man.
The constitution of Virginia, tho formed b 9
! thr sages of l776, and certainly entitled in
macy respects, to much reverence and appro
hatioR, IL, (afler al, a mere huzl1n prodnc-
tlon The present generation thrrrore,-be
! ing men IKE their ancestors, capable, like
them, OF self government, and possessing the
same faculiirs and desires of happiness, may.
! u is hoped, without prnfane presunption.
consider and discuss the good or bad qualities
az any work their ancestors have left behind
thHm.-Th"y should il is true, advance to
sucn discussion, with cpUOPss and caution -
| prnurnt clrcumspeciion and sage drIIbrraiion
should attend their steps but neither should
they he deficient in manifrsting. on all occa-
sions the dgnfed firmness of enlightened
freemen. republicans and patriots.-tt is not
| proposed ny the friends Of a convention, that
the people should i" act ar move, in such high
concerns. without strong and adequate mo-
tives, without means safe and snrr," without
objects sufficiently drfinrd sufficiently impor-
lant, unquesfionsbly good, aud, with moral
though not with absolute certainty, attaina-
hIe.-'rhe objections we have to the cnnsiiu-
''"". furnish. as W. Conceive, strong and nde-
qudfe motires" for amending, tho not for de-
Stroytng IL. We think it unquestionahle that
convention, consisting Of such men os The peo-
pie SCoUh elect. would possess sufficient wis
dom and virtue To be the 4" safe and sure''
means of accomplishing some, if not Ill, the
amendments we desire. OF the various
amendments which have been suggested, tho
some difference Of opinion exists in relation Ia
! part suIiiceni number are unarimouslv
/ approved, to render che great objects in view.
well worthy Of being pursued with a tempe
rat" and ludiciOps zral.-We do MT pretend
10 be ipjt'1bLe, or To have the gift of prophecy
buf such powers are not necessary as the sub
sutnt'ln % lion seems To contend, TO justify
! our acting upon this occasion 1t is ennuo h
Tor us 70 feel a rational assurance, founded on
our knowledge If The Virgininn character
that much eood. would in all human probabili.
fy. he Accomplished by = conventional full
persuasion this ought 70 induce every con-
s'derate man who Pntoriains IL, 10 " act and
move" even in {" this high concern"
II should also not I've forgotten, land be IL
distinctly understood.) that altho' we general
! " think u exp"diepf tp hPsiow upon the con
veniIon. the unlinitpd power uf proposing anv
amendments il nav think proper, for acce ~
! lance or rejection by the people vet. we he
lieYe ito DO the wish e every friend Of a con
yention, that The power Of acceptance or re-
JeciIon Of all such amendments, shall he re-
tanned by The great body Of the community :
such power of acceptance or rejection 10 he
exercised, either in primary assemblies. ar nv
a subsequent convention elected for that pur-
/ pose, rs, on reflection. may he deemed nd,
ble.--The conveofion like al niher delegated
bodies ri men, cannot possess greater now.
ers Than are conferred upon it by its constitu
ents. II, therefore, il be appointed, express
! W las II ought 10 be for the purpose IF dc.
V's'ng and recommending amendments TO the
] fHFN raafa N..n