Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-16
RICHMOND: $
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 16, 100;
THE HUSTINGs.

been invited by general notice in the newspapers,
the time of the election of Delegate for the city,
on "Wednesday last, was accordingly agitated with
great spirit. We are sorry to question which
ought to be discussed with temper and moderation,
exciting so much unnecessary warmth and asperity.
Who is to bame for this: We charge il to the oppo-
| nents of Convcntion-to those who by the most
extravagant suppositous, which they themselves me-
yer believed, have led many honest people to think,
not ouly that the scat of government to be in
stantly removed beyond the Blue Ridge by n Com
ytntion, and every negro in the low country sold TO
satiate the canine appetite of the frans-Alleghauey
! people for taxes--but that ihterregnttm was at
hand, and that the call of n Convention would be
the signal for Robespierre Marat to seize on
the reins of government. We regret to have it to
say, that these cock and bull stories made transit
cnt impression the imaginatiuns Of some indivi-
duals, whose good sense with twenty minutes cool
reflection, would have detected the gross inconsis-
tency and himsy texture of such arguments. We
can imagine that at the beginning Of the Revoluti-
| onary War, exactly the same terrific arguments
were resor;ed to, to check the patriotic flame which
British oppression had kindled The people then,
| no doubt, were told, that il was antcm madness to
throw off allegiance to the mother country, for the
sake of abstract princplcto incur the dangers aud
sacrifices of war with the most powerful nation of
the earth, to expose themselvesto the pains of High
Treason, and for what? Why only because the Par
Lament had asserted the right to tax the Anne rcan
Colonies, without giving them representation. The
people were then told too unqucstionaby, that this
tax so insisted on mere trifie, nirle-pcRcc
a-head "Was this sufficient cause for inc urring
| such hazard-for setting every thing afIoat on the
ocean of uncertainty" 1--WE know the evils that
are, calculate those that revolution NAV
Introduce" We do not mean to compare the gen.
tlemen who are now opposing the projected Conven-
ton with such bitterness of zeal, to the Tories Of
the Revolution who employed the specous argu-
M ha m ~ C,,Jc ,r
bid! We only say that there is mos, unfortunate
| similarity between the two sets of opinions. We
point out obvious and garng defects in the Virginia
| Constitution. Most of the gentlemen admit their
existence. But are they willing that they should be
removed? No.
But we are happy that this panic so causelessly
excited, so diligently kept up by all the of po-
pular oratory, and individual wheeling a nd ma
lnGuvrng-so real i'll many, affected by many others
for the purpose of adding the viruece of the con-
tagion, is fast subsdins before calm enquiry and
reflection. The violence OF the opponents has been
strikingly coutrasted with the temper and modera-
| ton of the friends of Conventional sorne few
cases excepted) and perceivin, this, men have ma.
turally concluded that the goodness of the cause
correspondent to the heat and internperence or the
mdness with which it was conducted: We do be-
ieve that tho public mind in Virginia too enlieht-
ened TO be long deluced--tat it is too ma gnanim-
Gus to stop from considerations of fear or selfshncss
when the general reasons of principle and patriot
ism bid II go on-and that it is well satisfied of
Its own hrin and mistaken equipoise, 10 apprehen
any unweicome consequences, from event which
can be 50 perfectly regulated by ITSELF as Couven-
ron.
Let those who honestly dstrust this measure re-
fleet upon these facts: That n Convention is to be
formed by sending two persons from the dil-
ferent counties of Firgina-rhat those persons
will necessarily be. those most distinguished among
ms fnra ilitin nd,
Der we may nationally expect the remaining wor-
tines of the last age men who were present in the
most difficult scenes of the Revolution, who contf-
buted not only to form our Constitution, but the
Constitution OF the United States; whose early davs
were devoted TO the study of the rights of man. and
to their assertion in the field of battle aud in Com
vention Reflect further that it is impossible that
Convention, elected for talents and wisdom only
tempered by the venerable whom we have
alluded; at time of profound internal repose; and
after hty years of self-government; when the doc
trInes OF our institutions are fully understood even
by others than Latcyers; and when we have the be-
| neht not only of the experience of smginia, but
that OF tweny-three other Republics, revolving in
the same constellation and practising the same
principles, we say that it is impossible that Com
ventIon at such time, and under such proptiols
circumstances, could from ignorance, from polt-
cal ntemperance, or from excessive innovation. Let
1t be still further remembered, that if they did if
| Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Mar
shaii were III their old age, to political empy-
TICKS, or political Missionaries, men who all their
lives have been remarkable for their strait forward,
Republican simplicity of character-be it resnem-
oered, that the people have still perfect control
over them and the Constitution. If they chose
they might present us Constitution more impra c-
BILE IN execution, than any Syeyes ever carried in
DIS packet, or more extravagaut than Ana charsis
Cioots ever imagined. But what then? Have not
q onfln tt,o,Nr r..
the polls, and are they distrustfu of their own, in
telligence as to fear their competence to pronounce
upon ITS merits Friends and feilew-citizens rclin-
quish opinions and feelings diecrcditable 10 your
country, and yourselves.
we have been drawn off from our first intcn zion.
which was simply to enumerate the chief events
and speakers of the day.
before the polls were opened, Col. Jauueline b.
Harvie was asked by freeholdcr h. sentiments in
| relation to the call of Convention He frankly
expressed his opposition TO the reasure but his will
ilngncSs as Republican, be Instructed by his con-
stituents. Col. HarPie reelected without OBJ
| position.
| The friends of a Convention, who, by the bye.
h"u NOT ihVlIed the discussion, and who should
not therefore have been challenged to bepin it,
challenged to give the people their sentiments on tho
occasion. The challenge was pronp,lv accented
| by Robert G.. Scott, ESQ. and who opened the
| discussion on that side he was followed by John
Rutherford Esq. on the same side. Mr.. Winston
next addressed the Assembly with great animation ;
and as we understood him, ras opposed 70 Coscn-
non on IN fror ef extending the right Of suffrage
! D. i" hoisl, Esq. followed in opposition to
| Convention Mr. Leigh spoke at great lenuth and
WIN much zeal and ability. Win. Munrord, Eso.
followed l'lf. Leigh. Chapman Johnson, Esq. fol-
lowed Mr.. Muntord, in opposition, and the debate
was closed by John Robertson, Esq. (Atorney Ge-
neral) III favour of Conventions
| from the great excitement which prevailed, the
s importance and fruitlulncss of the subject out