Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-14
coNvHNTIoN.
For THE ENQUIRER.


49, IN two numbers OF the Richmond Enquirer
which have but lately mot my eye, ngeniously seeks
TO excite the public indignation against the conte-
plated meeting of the friends of Convention at
Staunton. For this purpose, he has assailed, with
extraordinary virulence, embittered, evidently, by
wounded PRIDE, though occasionally marked by al
iected patriotism and benevolence the late address
of Loundoun Committee, and the character OF
Mr. Mercer, its yepued author. In the latter, so
lar as respects the topic of that address, the public
have not the remotest interest, since the merit or
dement, OF Mr.. Mercer is not more intimately in
volved in the proposed Stanton meeting, than the
character OF the arrogant writer, who has assumed
the venerated name of" MASON OF '76" For
example, 10 sum up all his malignant charges and
insinuaiions against this gentleman, Whether Mr.
Mercer is :" thought well and kindly of bye few
or many persons:' Whether his enemies are more
numerous than his friends; at which, if true, he
should rejoice If this writer be sample of the lat
ter: Whether he is " extremely sensible TO public
censure and individual unkndness,'' which this
gentle critic wantonly essays to prove: Whether.
by his political conduct in the General Assembly,
from which, single incident of seven years SER
vice, IS quoted, only TO be distorted he advanced
or retarded the prosperity Of the Commoi.,ye
Whether he has since been rewarded or prosecuted.
is now happy, or in affection, from any cause. pub
lie or private, " well known 10 this faithful
friend who has so invariably labored too ale
OF the political parties which, till recently, divided
the United States; the decline Of which his accuser
seems greatly 10 deplore Whether, in fine he shall
have the " chief hand'' (hinc lilo lachrvma) in
submitting TO the people of Virginia for their an
probation or rejection, certain amendments of their
State Constitution, as this quondam friend seems
much to dread, or shall have no hand'' at all in
this saiutary labor-These, the only questions re-
lative to Mr. Mercer, which are suggested 10 the
public curiosity, by" Mason OF '76.'' are obvi-
ousiy impairment TO the objec, of the Staunton
Meeting, which the Loudoun address recommends.
at the instance OF four hundred and against the
express wishes of nine only of the freeholders OF
that large. opulent and populous county.
Such inquiries may. indeed must be, as interest
ing to MIR. Mercer, as they seem to be to some
gentleman, who, having been, as he more than in
sinuates at some time other the depositary, how
faithfully, the puslic will Judge of Mr.. MERGERS
confidence has qualified himself TO act as Mr..
Meroer's accuser in the highest court of Inouisi
ton, unless, indeed his learning aspire to the udg
mentseat OF that tribunal whose infalliblity he has
inbibea; or his benevoence shall seek more lively
ENJOY uien in the humber but more active Office OF
one OF its iamiliars the tender as well AZ moro
profitable, task of the physician hired to study the
puse IN order 10 aggravate and protractthe torture
Of its subjects.
In isposing, finally, of this secondary object Of
this venerable patriot and sage of =" TO- il NAV
not be arnss to notice the evidence which the STYLE
OF his whole performance affords of that modera-
ton which he reproves his adversaries for wanting
and his courtesy towards the residue of the Loudoun
Committee, whom he, at one time exculpates. for
The more etfectual denunciaton of Mr.. Mercer; and
at another, confounds in his punishment. HEAVY
fate, indeed, and grievous to be borne! No tears
oil pentence can wash out their guilt, or signs can
soothe their woe, unless, indeed their criminal Goa
iition be promptly dissolved, and Mr.. Mercer sur
rslara II Dp- Al
erous and cunning seducer Of Col. William ElIzey
Richard III. Henderson, and William Temple
Thompson Mason, Esqrs and divers other liege
subjects OF his Majesty!
A discerning public will be at a loss, whether 10
laugh at the folly, 10 scorn the malice of this
wanton attack upon the feelings of gentlemen, lit
tie, 1t at all, known to its concealed author.
With the character OF the subscribers of the Lou
doun Address, Irepeat it, the public have no fur
Their connection, than TO know that they have been
deemed worthy of the confidence of their cons,itu-
entS, and that these amounted to three hundred and
ninety, OF about four hundred freedoldeis of Viz
snia, as many as usually all the elections of
some half dozen counties, in the vicinity of the
ancient capital of the state.
In the address itself, those freeholders, along
with the many counties who have already accent
ed the invitation which it contains, have, in com
mon with the other friends of convention, through
out the commonwealth, some interest
Let the inquiry, therefore, be pursued, Whether
there IS any quality, in the style of this paper
which should defeat its object; or in that object to
deter from the Stanton Meeting, the friends of a
convention which shall be empowered to submit to
the decision OF the people, amendments of their
state constitution What, then, is that object p
TO assemble at Stanton, on the 25th of July next
deputation from the friends of COW enon in the
several counties OF the commonwealth, to co.
operate IN deyising lawful and expedient means Of
procuring such a convention as has been described
10 the time and place of meeting the number of
deputies, and their mode OF appointment no specific
exception has been taken, Next, What is this as
semoly TO do! In the language of the address
90 Our object" the committee say, " is 10 compare
our several opinions, and those of our constituents
in relation TO the defects of our present constiu-
ton; to look into the abuses to which they have
led; and TO recommend to the people such mode of
providing Tor their amendment, as our common de-
hberalions may suggest and approve" Can pur-
pose, more innocent or commendable, be proposed1
The trainers oil the present constitution unanimous
ly declared, g That no free government, or the
blessing olIberty, can be preserved, to any peo-
pie, but by firm adherence TO justice, moderation
temperance, frugaity, and virtue, and By fequcnt
recurrence foJu11dancHtot principles" BY re-
curing TO those principles, the constitution has
been already found to be defective Not an ind-
vidua, among the friends of a convention, needs
any argument, after reading, or listening the poll
eal discussions Of forty years, to convince him oil
this painful truth. In the inequality of the repre-.
sentation in the House Of Delegates, aud the dtri-
button Of the right of suffrage, the constitution is
condemned by the very principles on which it is
founded. Has any man the hardihood TO coutend,
that FIVE hundred and fory-four persons, in declin
ing village, should have the same political weight
with 1000 IN themost aolrishing city Of the Com
monwealth or 6SS in one county, with 10000 in
another? He IS answered in the simple language
NJ eyoprrst,fn e q - L