Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-10-04
RICHMOND, OCT. 4.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.


~ now circulating throughout the State
production not less remarkable for the heated
"'suase In whichitis expressed, than the uncfari-
'ao'e sentiments 1t advances I" Alien acts, :. Sc
union Laws" Hartford Conventions, % g Reigns
Vi error, Treason,' and the whole tribe OF
pohccai hobgoblins which dance attendance upon
me iactious demagogue, and serve as his ministers
TO awake the prejudices of community; are honor
ea with distinguished stations among the arguments
oil Whtg." They are terms. however, for
",nch never ieit Partially; and when introduce
{" mo the discussion OF question: invariably lead
me 10 suspect the abilities of the writer or the
strength OF the subject-being intended to operate,
species OF political magic, upon the preiudices
and judgment, without convincing the understand
ing. The only object of the publication seems to
oe' to prejudice the public mind against the coun-
'er-memor,al; and TO effect this, its doctrines are
'eHemeh'iy attacked and misrepresen,ed. An at
tempt Is made to shew, that the right which the
people at all times have TO express their sentiments
upon any and every subject is denied by the me-
'soiia'. Yes, kellow-Citizens! Strange as itsnny
appear, conference.-the is now circulating
throughout the state in which the doctrine il avo,y
eos tnat Is dangerous to permit the sense of the
pop'e 10 De fully and legally ascertained upon an
Interesting question which concerns their govern
men'. Such is the language of A WING, but
certainly penned In the entire misconception of the
meaning and doctrines of the counter-memorial; be-
us very Object is to ascertain the sense of the
PeoPie IL Is not necessary TO assemble them to-
gether to discover their opinion unon snv suh;er,
nat Is indeed, one method; but another and in
WIS instance, much better method is by handing
,"eho,'a'S ABOUT and perl Biting them to subscribe
10 such sentiments as pleasing TO them ThisS
100 may be easily effected, as memorials both forf
anu against Cow ention, are in circulation Ii is
.nereiore' not denied that the people have right
10 express their opinion upon anv subject: bur On
the contrary, 1t is deemed highly proper and neces-
sary, That they should, upon this and all subjects of
importance, make known their will Ii is full
ana jar expression of their will upon the subject
OF conventions that the friends of the constitution
are anxious TO obtain. Such an expression is moro
iikeiy TO result from the method now adopted than
my o'ie'' In every county there are many per-
sons, VINO, from variSus causes, are unable tn al,
tend public meeting. Examples of this ore seen
at every public election. No matter how warmly
contested an election may be, scarcely ever is one
nan oi the ireeholds In county represe ted al the
polls. by handing memorials about, the aged and
inhrrn' who are unable to leave their houses. and
wLo, 100, have seen and thought most of our in
s'u'ions' are able TO express their opinion. The
man OF business who devotes but few moments 10
matters OF this nature, entirely absoIved in III.
management OF other concerns, and unannoved nv
any practical grievance, may, by this means ex
press his opinion The indifferent. who feel ton
little interest TO trouble themselves about the matte,
may, on account of the convenience of doing so
Express uheir opinion. And rest assured, that the
last class, whose principal employment is to visit
all pubic meetings, gravely TO discuss political
matters OF great importance-and who IL called
by their proper appellation, would be termed the
stdfe Pofaftcad7s--who, account of their lille
habits, are always dissatisfied and seeking innova
mons, (" studiosi novarum rerum:'' These will he
sure 10 express their opinion, maier7yhat metboa
is adopted. Add 10 these considerations tho eoI
| pafh cd htsh
people together, illustrates the actious DESIGNS aud
unfair movements OF the partizan demagosue and
leaves the citizens unpre]udiced to draw their own
conclusions. ASaln-an attempt is made TO preu
dice the public against the ounter-memor;ai r.
incorporating an expression il contains. " peace
able assemblages OF the citizens are denounced
and respectful petitions TO the Legislature .,,en,
ously opposed, BECAUSE in the opinion Of ,h.
ter memorialists, meetings of The peopIe ,b;
mltlees and deputies " are bodies ,pholl ,,okoo,,,
to the IdtcS Of the land" The mesning of H..
counter-memoral, although misunderstood snd ~
applied In the above sentence by A WING. is. tome
periecuy ooVious-so completely so, that it seems
strange now TWO persons should have differed
about it, II not pretended that such meat;nas -
the citizens, of their committees arc cr,-.;5 VI
illegal; but when denominated bodies "a hill,
known TO the laws OF the land notb;na -
meant, than that being voluntary mud noe ~ -,
conyocatioD, their instructions or petitions con,
no binding force over the Legislature. mereI -.
account of their being bodies or assemhlanas N
Dul shouio nave just so much weight and no
more than the instructions, or pe,;;on s ~
many individual citizens as Composed ,has. y. >"
assemblages. The most insdious at,emp, ho,..s.o
| TO prejudice the public against the Copn,er NJ
| rial is, by comparing the friends Of tho .o.;
ton TO the old federal party, announcing to The
pie awful forebodings of domestic ,aoo,,f,.ff.
OF Sedltion Laws; and pains and penalties; and
lastly by hgh sounding terms and phrases If not
| by well turned periods" Fellew-citzsns io'
me g beseech you to pause and ponder, befor iee
suffer yourselves to be deluded by this snln;s yoA
| play OF factious machinery. Be disposed N s; us
his honesty; who while he pretends TO he s~s'l.:
ing subject, is addressing himself who'll,
preJudces and passions. Believe not the JJtonia,,
theories Of such politicians They will AT
pieces the political bark which has brought vo. ~.
your ancestors safe over the of civil ne , an"
the frighfu shoals of faction; and your rol upon
of domestic peace and civil liberty, will he ios.
the wild chaos of anarchy They have G.. o'' ia
time been exciting the storm of factions d;.se
and seeking TO destroy our ancient instu,ions 80
now, because the friends to the constitu,io al. NJ
legislature in memorial to preserve the, ~'N 'ie
nent, from the unhallowed touch of thes s.,Si
noyafofs the hue and cry is raised he al "no in-
pbaIsnx of dissatisfied, disappointed. snS " o
seeking demagogues, and the people are ,a,,
monstrous doctrines are avowed. In nrosoN.. mat
memorial ask no more than they have a the
They say, that their interests ,youId h assumed:
by change of the constitution We ,b,,' uvanced
interests are protected by the present ,a our
Surely we have much right to petition ~
Iature to preserve our rights they have. ielsr
think that all the political blessings belon uothey
or are under their controul? We feel ,b,, 70 hem,
" and harmony of the state is at stake AMI asni-
unwilling 10 trust il TO the wild wind ~ we are
low-citzens, trust not your treasure to H., fei-
throw not your compass and charts int - waves;