Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-24
RscDssaosa0 gGasss@.
TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 81, 1926.

liberty of the press aud enlghten the public mind by
communicating the opinions of both the opponents aud
advocates of Convention, this day publish the eS
say of ".Hason of 70" The composition is unoues
tonably characterised more by the classical purity and
polished elegance of its syle-by the fascinating elo
qucnce of IFS dicon than by sound argument or lor
cal accuracy OF reasoning. In every line it berays an
utter aud superciious contempt for the sentiment so
oea"tfuy expressed If not very happily illustrated in
inc 'o"0StstWe, That "modesy and prudence as they
are inc nseparaoie qualities SO they the eternal
tests of true WIS lomn In vain in his remarks do we
search for tat moderation and lorbearancen which he
so highly eulosiaes, and strongly recommends In
ITS stead, we dscO' al arnoniolsy turned periods-fn
lshed defamation and caustic severity of sarcas,-
lie feels not the slightest respect for any individual
whose views do coincide with his own: and like the
great mass OF mankind, although certainly not like a
philosopher Mason consider or at least treats
the sense every who differs from him as ..non-
sense" Atany rate, no matter what may be our opn
ION OF the merits Of his structures the Address of the
I.oudoun Committees il must be aclxnosI,,ioej ,, ;
lie speaks of Mr. Mercer with unnecessary ha,,hnos
and asperity.
Although Mason objects to the enemies of reform
being considered Alarmists" yet he does not hesitate
to apply the odous term "Decenvraten on several oc
casons to the Loudoun committee If he intended to
expose IFS members to the dcesation of society bv
comparing them to the tyrants of ancient Rome
his reflections are iberal and nyous; and if he did
not 1T was only necessary for him mention the names
oil Catalne, Lenuns and some Others and 10 add TO
ms extract from English and his allusion 10 French
history few structures upon the banking system and
tue tariff and he would have presented the world as
heterogeneous and irrevelen mass of miscellaneous
matter as was contained in tue notes for speech,
which Mr. Randolph had the kindness to prcnare for
his friend Mr.. Johnson when it was understood he
would oppose the call of a Convention, then under
discussion in the Virginia Legislature
But the views and objects of the friends of a Con
vention grossly nsre represented by Mason when he
asserts that lis their intention TO oyeawe the Ic;s
lature They determined only TO use call lawful and
proper means to ascertain the of the FreehoI-
ders OF the State On the subject of Convention II
IS for this purpose, and for this purpose alone that thew
contemplate assembling at Stanton. They arc deter
mined longer suffer their rights 10 be ranptcd
on and rotden under foot by an arstocratic hody
( whose members IN consequence of the constitutional
tenure OF their Office, are virtually Irresponsible and
do not therefore hesitate to defiance the will not
only of the popular branch of the Legislature but even
of the People
Mason, however, seems to shudder with instructive
Courts Whatever fearful apprehension and painful
inquietude the Members of the Bar throughout the
State may feel at the prospect newly organising the
Judicial Department. yet believe that the distrbu-
ton of the authority, with which this branch of the
Government is invested, into Courts of Comrnon aw
and of Equity is insult offered the common sense
of mankind contrary the spirit of our political inst
tutions and TO the plain and obvious principles of nat
raj justice.
But Mason is overwhelmed with consternato at tbc
very thought OF apportonng representation ACCORDING
to the free cAitc population of the State uroino as ~,
argument against this innovation, that the western
ton of the commonwealth, having no slaves would be
disposed 10 such heavy taxes on this spaces oC
property to destroy lis value the hands of lis pro-
prietors. This is unquesonabIy subject of deep i'm.
portance and of an extremely delicate naurc-we shall
therefore refrain from entering into minute exainina
ton OF IT. but shall only observe that the weseru
ton," either has at this time, will have or has not
majority Of the population of the State If las now
or will have shortly, by division, and subdivision of
the counties, in that part OF Virginia majority of the
population the evil he mnch deprecaes actually cx-
ISIS must exist long, without the slightest change
of the constitutions for the Western District will have
the most numerous representation in The General As
sembly, and of will exercise that power if il
be deemed wise and expedient. If the Middle and
Eastern District have the majority should the Con
stituton ne altered, changed abolished they will
still cautiously guard and protect tteir own Interests
and the minority pust, II ought in all countries, sub.
init to the will of tie maorilyI
AT meeting of the citizens of Richmond who arc
friendly to Convention at the City Hall, on Friday,
20t'inst William Munod Esq. called 10 the Chair
and Alex w. Jones, Esq. was appointed Secretary.
The resolutions which published last week in The
papers OF this city were submitted to the meeting, but
before the question for their adoption was put. the
meeting, on motion, adjourned till Thursday evening
2Gth inst at o'clock, at which time it will be held in
the Capitol