Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-16

'hem and Tor eir good, adequate TO the grea, pur-
pose, tor which il was orG.in.d? II iostabiitv
change, revolution, re such foes to human happi-
ness, az Mason thinks, and a. thick, does he sun
pose, right 20 change their government, would be
so continually exercised by the people as to des-
troy inns great end. Having no motive 10 change
but TO attain greater good, would they continual
ly exercise an acknowledged right to- their injury
and hnaI rninu A night, therefore, 10 rccur to
fundamental principles, and an advice actually 10
recur 10 them, when necessary. does not imnly an
injunction, 10 recrr TO fre9uen, ard unnecessary
conventions, change, &c. Whether the case for
an exercise oi this right occurred whether the peo
pie ,hlnk IT has, and whether they are Capable of
exercising the right wisely, questions no, vet
discussed by Mason, fully, as they might have
been Opinions are various, this interesting
subject! Surely others have right To hold opinion,
and to maintain them, as ell as Mason: and
naughty and incorporate men may impeach his mo-
'ives with the same proprlety, and perhaps with
as much truth, as Mason has done, in regard to o.
Tiers.
The whole of that part OF Mason's considera-
ton in reply to Mr. MERGERS argument (for this
name, he constantly presents to us) which seeks to
justify the application of General WASHINGTON s adj
vice, respecting combinations formed with the real
design oil overawing the constituted authori,ies
may be shortly and fully answered. Such com5i-
nations are truly and justly liable to censure AID
denunciation; but as the meeting at Stanton has
no such design concealed or npo,Ced, It cannot
feel the force of the application of .liaSoa's
quotations, or stand reJuhed by them.
But after all, why does Mason give himself such
di-qni,udc respecting the Stanton meeting? Ifhe
has spared no pains to form Just estimate of pub
lie opinion, and is so sure, that large Majority
are content with our present constitutions, why
is lao 80 alarmed? Does he really fear, that ma
Jority OF tile people are not competent TO control
the minority, or that minority will become Jaco-
bins, because majority differs from them? Let
him rest assured, that the Stanton Meeting will be
a very transient matter, if Mason is right. Ifitbe
30 clear. that great majority against its views
It's members and friends would be very harmless
beings. Mason need not fear turmoil < bloodshed
Non ca Wis amino, nee tanta superbia viciis. But
the Delegates TO stanton, have been irresularly
chosen-This is of his obiections-He cnume-
rates instances-I care about the truth of rep
re nations which have been made TO him. on ;his
SUBJECT answer, that il i; be clear, Mason
supposes, that great majority of the people are
against any change, why has not this majority met
and expressed IFS views? Who and what him
dered! Why is 1t, that content reposes while dis
content Is so loud and noisy and threatens TO inter-
rupt it, repose After all the alarms sounded by
Mason, alter all the resolves of conventionists the
good people of the Commonwealth have reaped in
Soou huinouf ana tranquility, an ample harvest
and will, trust, celebrate the harvest home, with
gratitude 10 Him, who g hath sent us year from
his right hand
Finally, if majority of the people wish for
cow entiDn, and convention should form con-
stiiution which should be adopted, how idle would
1t be TO decry it, because the event was brought
about by Staunton Meeting, irregularly chosen
Equally idle is the objection TO a Convention be-
cause il Is advised by irregular meeting The
whole matter will terminate in nothing if the will
OF the people are against it, They who throw eve |
ry obstacle in the way of ascertanng that WILL are
just as much TO be responsible for turmoil as they
who wish 20 have il well expressed
Is it any consideration why The present genera
ton should submit TO papabIe and gross inequali-
~ in the enjoyment OF the first principle of repub-
iicansn, because the trainers of the old constitution
toresaw its existence? Is the most erroneous and
objectionable OF all Mr.. Burke's propositions to
become our acknowledged creed9 And is Mason
the man, the statesman, the republican who is TO
teach it, thro the land
i observe from the recent pieces of Mason, that
he has adopted the persevering, (and, as Mason
thinks, very wise and impressive device of Cato,
OF commencing or ending every speech on Roman
affairs, Delenda est Carthage. Mason grows every
day older and has become himself the Cato OF past
ages Let all, who, though differing from him on
Virginia concerns in 1925, think it wise adopt the
device, or end all they say or write, The Consl- |
tuition wants amendment, and the people have a |
right TO amend it
A fnNTEEDLfD