Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-12-18
FOR THE ENo.y,ReR

FOR THE ENQUIRER
ln country like ours, where there exists
such entire freedom of opinion, the public
have no right to expect, aud the individual no
reason to make anapology, for giving his sem
i'menis to the world. Public opinion is the
sovereign tribunal of republics, from which
there can lie no appeal. Ii fs the sanction oil
every good, as il is the corrective of all evil
institutions. The interest of the community
therefore requires, that on all important occa
SONS, there should be full, free, and unre-
strained manifestation of the public WILL II
Is PresnmpfuOus task, to attempt an infiu
tnte> over the determinations of other men
by our own'opnions a task, from which no
thing but shame can result, If the attempt b,
not sustained i.y reason and truth, while on
Tue other hand, II never fails Of ultimate sue
cess when aided ny those powerful advocates.
IL IS snincI.nt To give an impulse to the intel
ligence and activity the public mind, when
the evidences are before il, and il is sure 10
decide for itself.
IL IS unfortunate for those who attempt the
demonstration of moral truth that IFS eviden
ces are not clearer. The correctness of new
opinions must be tested by their analogy TO
such as have been previously settled. and
winch from long establishment claim ,o bp
regarded as principles. These opinions and
principles, however, are SD vague and indrf
n'te IN themselves, as tn be susceptible Of We
ny opposite and Inconsistent conclusions, lust
as they are moulded by the prejudices and
passions of different men. Such is the di
versity OF human purs'iit and habit, and CON
seqneniiy of human opinion and character
SD various and unequal are the means afford
ed to men, Of investigating the same subject
to say nothing of the conflicts which interest
tf
always operating upon our minds, may create,
that there is no moral proposition 50 plain as
moi 10 admit OF doubt, and of which the re.
verse may not be held with plausible pertlna-
city.
The au hor of a pamphlet on the subject OF
IA convention, addressed to the people Of Vir
Snia, during the month of April last, seems
conscious OF the weight to which these con-
siderations are entitled, when he remarks,
that !" those who publish their opinions Ia the
world, and the reasons on which they found
them. design, If they be sincere and honest. tn
inform and convince the public mind-to in.
nuence IFS resolutions by the force of truth
and reason alone" There is, no test of this
SINCERITY and honesty" bat the truth or fAls-
ny OF the proposition maintained. Truth is a
perfect unity -isarpendent, indiysible and
una'ierabie: the same yesterday, TO day, and
forever, without regard 10 circumstance or
place. ii can exist but on one side of any
question, though speciuus and imposing ina
yes may be created by The power of an in ge-
nIous mind, and substituted in lis stead. ,Phe
labor of discriminating between the appear.
ance and reality, is Dot always light one
instances are not wanting, where sophislfy
nas triumphed over truth, when deckct by
the stndious skill Of able minds and tinseed
with robes OF splendid imagery and an i'm
petus being thus given TO public opinion the
ueltislon is afterwards confirmed BY preiudi-
ces and habits incident to our nature. 1t is
by this means, that the most ridiculous and
ottentImes most pernicious systems of moral.
ity, religion and politics, have been originated
and upheld for ages, ill BY instiiutng a free
and rigid enquiry, the spell has been at las,
broken, and mankind have looked back with
abhorrence upon follies in which they bad SD
blndiy persisted. So fondly do men cling To
established forms and notions, so reluctantly
do they throw them aside for the adoption OF
others, that there is scarce one uf the many
improvements which time and experience
have made IN our condition, that has not al
first been met by an open and ayowed resis-
lance, and which has only been adopted a,
last by the slow and gradual triumph which
truth has gained over error.
do not mean To charge the opponents of a
Convention, with any sinister views, nor shall |
attempt 10 prejudice their opinions by nsre-
presenting their motives. make no doubt.
they Lave pursued The honest convictions of
their better Judgments; that, in the zeal of
whai ] must call d mistaken apprehension.
they have rndpavored TO avert what they
thought, or rather feared was an evil mean
not TO charge the public with any thing like
ser,iliiy, either voluntary or involuntary,
when say, they have been deferred by the
real or pretended fears of few individuals.
from the examination Of ID subject, which If il
Is destitute of every other claim, is certainly
entitled to serious and attentive considera-
ton. But do mean to attempt an illustra
ton OF the truth announced in the pamphlet
above alluded to, "fhat men reason on differ
ent principles and variously on the same priD-
cipirs, and arrive at the most diverse coDcIu-
sloDs." Al the same time, however, do not
wish TO be regarded as the advocate Of sys-
tenn merely speculative and ideal; nursed by
The spleen Of disappointment, which is cher
Ished by opposition, and dies when il is not
resisted. The friends Of convention stand
on higher ground. Their opinions are TOO
reasonable To be answered by ridicule their
motives too Obvious to admit Of misconsiruc
ton their voice is too strong To be staed by
evasion, and their ends too Just 10 be thwarted
by artiiice.
It's said "that men ought to feel some Sc
rious, prsciicaIeviI, To know that that evil is
mputable 10 some vice, or defect in the con
stitution, and to know with moral certainty
deduced from the uniformity Of public senii
ment on The occasion, tina, the proper correc.
tive will he applied in exact aud due measure
before they endeavor TO excite in the mind,
ofcthers, Or cherish in their own, discontent
against government, so mild in its charactei
as ours, and so beneficial 10 its actual opera
TON" The author Of this sentiment must Ell
Their have misunderstood the object so ofte,
and so nnhliclv avntxed hv The frinndn of .