Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-06-17
TDe CONSTITUTIONS aurbfa.
N,om Me W-nehes,er Repu9l,eon.

ma, seem 10 invite comment from the quarter towards
which they are directed. The writer of these COMM
ncatonS rs hostile to all change existing const-
'nt'on and of course, the proposed convention at
Sta"uton, as one OF the measures resorted by the
friends of reform with remote review to the amend
incnt of that constitutional is against this Stauuon
Yconv enton and its adv he directs his whole
artillery of wit argument, defamation and
aud against Mr.. Mercer of Loudoun, particular 10
"hoi ne iinTutcs the offence of giving the frs, impulse
10 tins wicked and reasonable movement he Induces
ma latitude of remark, and hitt--tscs. # aayyer
SION, which seem 10 me To be totally unwarranted
After gratuitonsy ifnputing to that gentleman the
ambition be coaSjdored the leader of the movement
IN Tins part of Virginia, and stating the belief that he
was The Pri'ne mover of the proceedings" Loucoun
faax and Prince Williom, to wit the ton OF de-
putie TO the proposed convention at Staunton the writer
proceeds TO remark;
''of those who knew this gentleman the Jc,, II was
ono oi 'ei'l 'cho thought ,ocH NJ him, and felt kindly
towards hiin viewed has conduct with pain and regret
ana again, NV hateycr may be the sentiment of his
own district, can assure him that every whore eIse lis
friends alone are G0'icttd." And again For ms own
part, knowing ms extreme senslbity public censure
anu Individual unkndness had determined 10 hold my
peace i"r could mol discuss the subject without wound
! ing hiin.r
10 the very courteous and f-iendAj remark that ef1r
nose t'ho "nelo M. Mercer hought ,reUof hiDn
'afe ieaFe TO reply that whatever may be the opinion
entertained of Mr.. Mercer at Richmond where eyer
since bls difference with general Mason il has been the
FASHION to abuse and dccry him. there are ,anv re,v
many persons in this! pant of Virginia 10th in , dis
IL,
Known hun, that esteem him of distinguished
talents, of uubcrnshed honor, of warm and generous
!'ehpge ana OF well tried patriotism There are some
mere who think that while House of Deienaes of
Virginia lie was the efficient and useful man in
Ettat body-that his memory ought to he cherished as(
o'iS a. ea"c"f't ana iafe'nnf improvement consi
peret aS important and interesting obccts-and that
l'tt Oe CHERISHED long after who affect |ye5dn
recommendation of his weaknesses have ried dow the
RStrea'n u! oblivion There are those here who think
tn't there IS not nat man in Richmond who may
t"re to express an arrogant pity Mr. MERGERS aber-
rauons- And there are those who reckon professions
OF friendship ntcrmixcd with bitter sarcasIIs TO be rs
Insnlting rs they false and hollow.
/ TO the -seruon at the i,irnds of Mr. Mercer every
where but III his district, aic ted at his con.
duct and viewed with pain regret must be per-
united to answer that Mr. Mercer has many friends in
Tins part of Virginia, and out of his district (ay ,H
friends, not trends who VIII sacrifice hIm TO give poni
and pquancy TO essay that approve heartily of his
conduct ~ taking the first step towards eecne con
Venlon lie has but given voice and uerance to the
predominant sentiment of this part of Virginia
/ doubtless Mr. Mercer. that he knows the fact
ought to be duly thankful 10 tie writer for his Eyrbcar
ance In oidng his peace" and his self denial in keep
ing the torrent of cOnuence which was ready
to burst out on him MIR Mctcer when he so far ran
counter to the views OF the writer as to suggest TO the
people OF bis district the wicked voluonary measure
OF sending deputies TO Stanton Ii he had known how
narrow an escape he had Just made he would scarcely
have veniured 10 commit tie new atrocy of writing an
address from tie committee of oudoun to the friends
81 convention IN Nirgina.D Now indeed, the mea-
oeFn 10 the writer knowing Mr.. MERGERS extreme
sensbhty TO public ccnsurc. and Individual unkind-
ness" he eit himself, impoIled by a Of duty to
"nrnad'eft With usParing severity him, and his
h address.
The of the address ispleasing 10 his criti
ca taste 1t too dccIamaory, and speaks the pas
slls only. How cool and composed the passions
of the critic, when he wrote ,s criticism nav he oath
cred from the vehement decamatory and hyperboiical
assertion that the address of the L.udoun committee
inviting ue friends Of convention TO send deputies 10
2tannioh' 10 c2-orerae with the i4oudoun deputies in
deFisng 'h'rfut and expcdient means of procuring a
convtnIoi IS '6H 0pe declaration Of lcar aeai.s Tire
exi$fiag government"
Moreover, Tie addressers have been guilty. he saws
of nvenng"a reproachfu denomination Tor certain
c'ass OF their opponents, who the address denom
mated 'salarnistsn
f The critic has invoked some memorable passages Of
history and with considerable felicity, TO illustrate his
views Had he pursued his historical searches little
further lie would have discovered that the invention
l. the party term 'aIarm5S" was rcscrv ed for the Lou
u dOuu addressers.
When the peusioncd eloquence of Burke had worked
up The people OF England into frenzy of loyalvwieI
; 10 doubt the excellence Of the existing constitution o
kng'and, all its parts aud particulars was consrre,
Fan ope" declardt1on Ct tca7' agajlyfc cris1r goyeJ7
P"eHt-whcn the belief that the deceived and teuantlss
thorough ofOiI arum ought not TO have as much ycjl
in the government hsfof the great ond pauuIu
county of York, deemed "jacObnical principle
when every proposition to- extend the liberties Of ht
people of England by reforming in some degree Tho
gross inequality of representation in parliament was
fiercey resisted and sgrnatzed as the commencement
o! course of revolutionary ''porleuding the
most fearful consequences"when the friends oflbcrt,
and parliamentary reform were charged with attempting
Ito weaken the authority of the laws" and with usnf
TIC cry OF reiorm, merely TO collect and cOndcnse al
the discontcnts that we're floating in the community ant
b7 coniensiDg 70 increase their intensity aud exaspera
their ferccness -then it was that the ycnai writers
the government, who terrified the nagina;ions OF t,
peoplewi all these "cleras dire were r,tl, Stigma
s, tizcd 'alarmists.n
Ilow far the critic may be considered as one of tina
class OF politicians may IN part be gathered from Tn
quotations have just made from the publications o
which am commenting.
But ~ the same breath that the critic complains of N
reproachiui denomination invented by the committee
he initiates the evil example by styling them the "d
g ce"1g01 Of Louto,1;" denomination more reproachf
than that oi "alarmstsn since the dcccmyiri of Ror
he where yrlHis and usurpers.
Another exception taken to the brief address or M
ks u"Caton Vi the IoudoGn committee is that cit deg
I'D not TO oier one word oi argument" The answer
&C. That IN paper OF that sort, argument would ba,
nd been misplaced. He might well complain that sui
ID P0eua IN chancery does not contain the whole history
a. ~Naa