Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-09-16

ited authorities of the country, is we'll worthy Of
office. The federal party did no greater injustice
the principles OF the father ofhis country, in at
empng to shield themselves under his yenerated
lame, than those would do, who could suppose that
he would ever have been opposed 10 a fair express
SION OF the will Of the people upon any subject
DR. that he would ever have denounced the late
meetings OF the people, their committees, or dspu-
lies, as bodies wholly unknown to the laws OF the
land" The people of his native state, hold his
name in too much veneration to believe that he |
could ever have entertained such sentiments They
have also too much discernment TO misunderstood, |
and too much affection for his memory and respect
for his principles to disregard his admoni,ions.
Having utterly failed in all these attempts to pre-
JUDGE and poison the public mind against the Staun-
ton Convention, and against all measures which
might tend to elicit full and fair expression of the
popular will, desperate effort is now making to
influence public sentiment against meetings of the
people. Public sentiment has ever had and will al
ways have powerful effect upon the character of
the Institutions and ultimately upon the liberty and
happiness of any community. The minds ofmen,
whether Infatuated to despotic or free govern
ment. are never prepared for sudden and permanent
revolutions from one extreme 10 the other. The
slave must be gradually enlightened, he duly
appreciate the blessings OF freedom. The freeman
mus, be gradually corrupted in his principles, and
sunk to certain state OF political degeneracy. ere
he can patiently submit to the chains Of tfcsposm.
In q free government, therefore, it is the solemn
duty OF all who duly estimate the privileges it con-
fcrs, carefully TO examine, and earlessly expose
every sentiment having the least tendency to les
sen or impair the vigilance OF the people against
every assault upon their rights. The more nsidi-
Gus the attempt the more strenuously should it be
resisted. beseech you then, fellow citizens, to
pause and ponder, ere you alix your signatures to
the counter memorial. A few moments of refec-
ffnn
fcient to apprise you of its contents. Think not
that in sanctionng that paper, you merely en-
pressing your disapprobation of a Convention. The
legislature is To be hoped will long afford YOU
an Opportunity OF voting upon that question. But,
remember, that in signing the counter memorial, you
not only say that the people ought not to be heard
but you denounce popular meetings, their commit
tees and deputies, because they not expressly
| recognized by &c the laws OF the land'' You de-
| nounce and prescribe the only mode which NAV
possibly be left to YOU at future period, to
make yourselves heard, if injured or oppressed II
you have been arily induced 10 sanction bv
your signatures, principles which upon reflection,
you do not hesitate to condemns. it is your right. il
Is your duty, to erase your names from an nstru-
ment, containing sentiments 10 which il was never
your intention To subscribe. ell not Your princi-
pies be sacrificed tn high sounding phrases and
tceH turned periods Be deceived by false
appearances Let not the gilded cup tempt you
! to swallow its poisonous contents. There is req
son TO hope, that many who hostile to a con-
yenton, will no. onl- discount enance he anti-re-
publican doctrines OF the coun' er memorial, but
will cordially unite in The petitions 20 the Iegisla-
ture, TO permit the people TO be heard Some hav e
already dcnc So Maay, very many others will
doubtless follow the example, if not eulled and
misguided by the Sher;6s and tlcr deputies, whose
| power and Influence have long teen too well
known IN Virginia, and who most APPLY de-
/ tai d. Il.
ers' OF the community. IT, however, / shall
he mistaken in the si,nate which have form
ed OF the sentiments Of my countrymen; if
the melancholy truth shall be disclosed, that a
| majority can be found, TO sane Ion and APP
prove the alarming doctrines contained in the coun-
Ter memorial, what may we not expect Will not
attempts be made to prevent by law, assemblies of
The people, or conventions OF deputies of the peo-
pie, or committees oi public meetings., and all other
bodies which may be considered &c unknown 20 the
laws OF the land" May hot expect that Lans
and penalties will he imposed upon all who NAV
dare % aid and abet such unia,cfii, sedifious and
reasonable practices May we hot look for ano-
'her sEDirioN AcT 1t so many evils are likely
to result from asceraiing the sense of the neo-
Pte,' may we not apprehend that the freedom of
speech, and the liberty of the press, will also be
prohibited! In short, may we not anticipate the re-
vivai oil The reign Of terror Tine people of Vir-
gina after seeing the sacred principles for which
they had SO noby and SO successfully struggled in
vs. trampled under foot by the General Govern
ment' may witness the contamination of their de-
graduation, IN the enactment of .Sedifiou Lam bv
their sts'e Legislature. And, in short, we may
only require another Alien .aet to complete The ca
taiogue oil measure. which were so universally and
SO deservedy exc rated by the American people;
measures which ultimately sealed the death srrant
OF the old federal party, of which, however, ne,c
edition, greatly improved; is now in existence
hepuoiicans Il Is time that lou in motion,
ana active Let every ccntinel be at his post
Guard with vigilance against the insidious an
proaches oil your enemy. lie '9S be the watch
word Let no effort be spared 10 preserve unsul-
lied and Tree the great citadel of our rights and H.
oer''es A WING.