Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-06-14
Tbe Constitutional ayIDfo.
From De National IiteHigencer.


From dc National Inteu;gencer.
TO THE EDITORS.
A writer, under the signature of 'MAsoN OF 10" in
two numbers of the Richmond Enquirer which have
but lately met my eye, ingeniously seeks to excite the
public Indignation against the contemplated meeting
OF the friends of a Convention at Stanton. For this
purpose, he has assailed, with extraordinary virlIIencc,
embittered, evidently, BY wounded pride, though coca
sionally marked by affected patriotism and beneyo-
fence, the late address of the Loudoun Committee. and
the character of Mr.. Mercer, its reputed author. In
the latter, SO far as respects the topic of that address, the
public have not the rernotest interest, since the merit or
dement, of Nh. Mercer is not more intimately invo lved in
the proposed Stanton meeting, than the character of the
arrogant writer, who has assumed the veneratednamc of
MASON OF TO-" For example, to sum up all his malig
nant charges and insinuations against this gentleman.
Whether MIR. Mercer is "thought well and kindly oruby
stew or many persons" Whether his enemies are moro
than his friends; at which, if true, he should re-
loice, II this writer be a sample of the latter: Wheth-
er he is extremely sensible TO public censure and in
dvlduai unklpdness," which this gentle critic wantonly
essays to prove: Whether by his political conduct in
the General Assembly, from which a single incident of
seven years service. is quoted, only 10 be distorted, he
advanced or retarded the prosperity of the Common
wealth: Whether he has since been rewarded or per.
secuted, IS now happy, or in affection, from any cause,
public or private. "well-known" to this faithful friend
who has 81" invariably" lahored to Halleviatenit: Whcth-
er he was OF the one or the other political parties which,
ill recently, divided the United States; the decline OF
winch his accnser seems greatly to deplorc: Whether.
IN hnc, he shall have the 'chief hand" (Hinc iHs Iachrv-
m6e') IN submitting TO the people of Virginia for their
I'C'up vi lCjS3OCu ria amendments OF their
state constitution, as this quondam friend seems much
20 dread, or shall have no 'hand" at all, in this saIutarv
laoor:-IheSe,t the only questions relative 10 Mr.. Mer-
Ger, which are suggested To the public CURIOSITY. by
'MAsoN OF'76," are obviously impairment 10 the object
OF the stanton Meeting, which the Loudoun address
recommends at the instance of near four hundred,
and against the express wishes of nine only OF tie
ireel'olders OF ulat large, oPulcnt, and Porulnus county.
Such inquiries may, indeed must be, as interesting IN
who, MIR. Mercer, ashley seem TO be tosome gentlemen.
having been, rs he more than insinuates, at some time
or other, the deposita ry, bow faithfully the public will
Judge, of Mr.. MERGERS confidence, has qualified him
self to act as MIR. MERGERS accuser in the highest court
ut lnquisltion, unless. indeed, his learning aspire 10 the
Judgment seat of that tribunal, whose infallitiGty he
has imbibed, or his benevolcnce Shall seek a more lively
enjoyment in the humber, but more active office of one
of its familiars, or the tender, as vel. as more profitable,
task OF the physician, hired to study the pulse in order
10 aggravate and protract the torture of its subjects.
In disposiDg, finally, of this secondary object of this
venerable patriot and sage Of ''76. , il NAV not be amiss
to noticetl the evidence, which the style of his whole per
torrance affords, of that moderation which he reproyes
his adyerSaries. for wanting; and his courtesy towards
the residue of the Loudoun Committee, whom he, at
one time, cXcu!pateS, for the more cfTectual denuncia-
ton OF AIR. Mercer, and, at another, cunfounds in his
punishment. Heavy fate, indeed, and grievous to he
borne! No tears OF Penitence can wash out their guilt,
OF sigbs can soothe their woe, unless, indeed, their
criminal coalition be promptly dissolved, and MIR. RTer-
Ger surrendered a victim for the sins Of all. This
ireachcrous and cunning seduCer of Col. William Ell
zey. Richard ii. Henderson. and William TempIe
Thompson Mason, Esqrs. and divers other licge sub
jects of his Majesty
A discerning public will be at a loss whether to laugh
at the folly, or to scorn the malice of this wanton at
tack, upon the feelings of gentlemen, little, if at all
hnown 10 its concealed author.
With the character Of the subscribers of the Lou
doun Address, ! repeat il, the public have no furthur
connection, than to know that they have been deemed
worthy of the confidence of their constituents, and thai
these amounted to three hundred and ninety, of at,nut
four hundred freeholders of Virginia, as many asusnal-
ly vote at all the elections of some half a dozen
counties IN the vicinity OF the ancient capital of the
stale.
In the address itself those frechoIders, along with
the many counties who have already accepted the inyi-
tatiOn which it contains, have in common with the other
friends OF a convention, throughout the commonwealth
some interest.
Let the inquiry, therefore, be pursued, Whether
there is any quality, ia The style Of this paper, which
should defeat lis 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 oil
the people, amendments of their state constitution
What then, is that obiectS To assemble at Staunton.
Oh the 25th Of July next. a deputalion from the friend.
Of a convention in the several counties Of the common.
wealth, to cooperate I'm devising lawful and e~xpcjient
means of procuring such a convention as has been dcs-
cribed. TO the time and place of meeting, the number
of deputies, and their mode of appointment, no specific
execution has been taken. Next, what is this assembly
70 dor In the language Of the address, Our object
the committee say, SIS TO compare our several opinions
and those of our constituents, in relation 10 the defects
Of Our present constitution; 10 look into the abuses &c
which they have led; and to recommend TO the people
such mode of providing for their amendment, as our
common deliberations may suggest and approyen Car
A purpose r~ore innocent or cOmmendable be proposed
The trainers Of the present constitution unanimously
declared, THAT no free government, or the blessing
Of liberty, can be preserved, to any people, but by
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, fru
yotty, aud virtue, and byn frequent recurrence 10 fun
d1Drcntat principles" By recurring to those princi
piles, the constitution has been already found defective
Not an individual, among the friends Of a convention
needs any argument, after reading, or listening to th'
political discussions OF forty years, to convince him o
this painful truth. In the inequality Of the representa-
lion in The House of DELEGATES. and the distribution O
the right Of suffrage, the constitution is condemned b.
The very principles ON which II is founded. Has an
ivan the hsrdihcod to contend, that five hundred an
iory-iour persons, in a declining village, should hay
thesame political weight with 1000 in the most flourish
ing city Of the Commonwealth OF s53 IN one counts