Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-04
TO tie Editors ofthe Picnic Gazette.

aSth inst. find communication from
Richard H. Henderson, esq. ELECTED by
my disavowal of participation in the
Address of the Loudoun Convention
| Committee. AS to the use made in
that address of the names Of the men,
bers not resident in Leesburg, l had
touched the matter with, thought,
proper delicacy, and hoped that i:
might so pass. Under the influence OF
the same feelings, forbear to reply to
the inference pressed by MIR. Henderson
and others "that the assent Of the mi
norlty to the act of the majority is, I'M
der the circumstances, fair" The an
swer is so obvious-must so readily pre-
sent itself to the minds of every one,
that l shall at once consent, with MIR.
II. "that the public shall pass judg-
ment," (and by their own sugges-
tions) "upon this point of etiquette" as
MIR. H. terms it, whist ace will mutually
dismiss it from our memories.
"But," says Mr.. Henderson, "Mr.
P. after disposing ofthis matter in a
manner altogether polite, has thrown
TO us the gauntlet of discussion upon
the main question" Now, must ex-
press my regret that should have been
so much misunderstood by Mr.. H.
| What! invite contest before the pub
lie with gentleman ofhis acknowledge
ed talents, whose professional labors are
at constant exercise in the fields Of in
tellectual warfare; and this toe upon a
subject which has so fully engaged his
attention for some time past, and which
affords such fine topics for popular de-
clamation; one, which of all others, he
would probably have chosen had he
felt any ambition Of display. oh, no;
he must give me credit for little
more discretion, and do justice to my
candor when declare to him, that not
having the vanity to believe that j
could influence public opinion on the
subject, nothing but the dictates Of con-
science would have brought me for
ward on the occasion. could not
consent to appear before the public as
the friend of 4 measure, (thc Staunton
meeting) however popular, believing as
l did that it promised more of evil than
of good, and having made my dis
claimcr, | hoped to have been permit
ted to retire from the contest. This
Mr.. II. however has forbidden, and |
feel myself called upon to make some
reply to that part of the subject Of his
communication which belongs TO the
only point at issue between himself and
As to The o3ss5jo1WAABtsS R FS9 tim a
comes to amend them, they will claim
the most deliberate consideration of
our ablest men, and that when new
constitution is presented to the people,
it may be of texture to wear well.
But to the point-my positions are that
the Staunton Convention will not pre-
sent fair reflection of public senti-
ment, that it will tend to foster local
prejudiccs, and be productive of I'M
wholesome excitements; and that the
friends of Convention have a more
safe and direct mode TO attain their OBJ
ject, if a majority of the people really
desire it. That it will not exhibit a
fair reflection of public opinion may,
think, be fairly inferred from the histo-
ry of the meeting held some years since
for similar objects, at the same place
1t is probably within the recollection
of many how the delegates to that
meeting were generally appointed
Calls were made for the people to as
semble for that purpose, and often ten
or dozen persons would be as many as
would be found assembled on the oc-
casion; and from those small meetings
were sent forth the representatives of
the people. No doubt in some cases
the meetings were more numerous, but
in one ofthe large and populous Coun-
ties of our neighborhood, it was said
that the real constituents ofthe persons
deputed, were or 10 persons assem-.
bled at Squirrel feast. We know
that the respectable gentlemen who
went on that occasion as the represen-
tatives of the county of Loudoun, al
though they fully possessed the conf