Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-10

pca,ion would have been more general than that of
steam now, and with much greater effect : the
whole country to have been canalled, rail-
waved and turnpked, ntersected at proper intervals
by great military roads, the face of nature changed
our mountains if too rugged to be levelled, lof
~ to be turnpikcd, would have been tunneiled, and
the wild beasts, the sole tenants of those mountains
yielding to the arts OF civilization and the influence
of Banks, would voluntarily have abandoned their
walks to hocks & herds of donesticated animals, and
their dens converted into shepherds cots, rvalling
the music, simplicity and innocence OF the golden
age In fact, Sc the Wolf chad he not retreated)
would have dwelt with the Lamb, the Leopard
with the Kid, and the Lion wonld have eaten straw
like an Ok
Those bills, however, were lost, and with them
all those atterng anticpations, leaving not trace
behind except the painful emotions excited by this
brief sketch of our legislative history Those who
have most attentively marked the passing events OF
this and other states, will best appreciate the con-
duct of that Legislature, who, it is believed, res
cued the state from impending ruin
That attempt having failed, Virginia is now to be
revolutionizedby convention, g peaceably, (in-
leed,) if may, forcblyif it must;" for although
the language of the people of Loudoun, (for that
Of their committee was taken theirs until dis
clamed) appears to be studously obscure and equi-
vocal, think person read that extraordinary
production with attention, and entertain doubt
that convention is to be had at all events.
What more appropriate language could have
been used by Hannibal, after descending the Alps
and approaching the Roman army? BY Cesar,
about to pass the Rubicon and enslave his country:
Or by Catalina in his nocturnal harangues TO his
associates or at the head of his army about to en-
gage tie Roman Consul, than much of that to be
found in this address? What more desirable 10 Ell
ther than 10 establish unity of sentiment and of
correspondent action among themselves, so essen
tia 10 future success?" than 90 to mpart vgour TO
Il. nj
of their opponents!'' Than ''to confirm the har-
mony and encrease the number of their friends?"
Than TO ring peal of terror into the ears OF the
Senate of Rome, or, in the words OF the Address,
10 g sound an appeal distinct and audible, to the
next General Assembly of Virginia, as to procure
a Just respect for their rights?
1t cannot, trust, be possible that any considera
bic number of influential individuals In this happy
country, Under this bengnant government, rich at
home and respected abroad, have IMPROVE
Gently managed their affairs, that having moth
ing farther to do in that way, at leisure 10
tender their services in directing the movements,
guiding the politics, and experimenting the general
nterests of the good people of Virginia. AS an
individual, never will commit the management oil
my affairs 10 any man who has not given satislac-
tory evidence of prudent management in his own;
nor car | see why such evidence should not be the
common passport TO political preferments and the
severest guarantee for official responsibility.
There is, / am told, in neighboring state, set
of politicians called Relief men, from the particular
interest they take in, and their incessant efforts
relieve all who are in Distress either through crime
or misfortune but especially those who in
debt and are unable, unprepared unwilling TO
pay If we are judgeof the tree by its fruits they
have been misnarned, for, far i learn, that
state owing peril ps to that policy, now totters on
the brink of ruin. l sincerely hope have no
conslitution-makers, ainenders, in Virginia OF
~ who M q
or feelings prompt, 10 extend such aid TO Others as
may be inconsistent with the public good
Ii is but Just TO rensrk, Notwithstanding, that
do not believe the people of Loudoun, or their
committee, have any intention to enslave this peo-
pie, or to subvert this government, that their
views extend beyond those amendments of the con-
srituon, in their opinion, necessary to its health,
and the happiness OF the people; nor | anticI-
pate any very serious results from the measure pro-
posed, however cxcepiionable in my estimation =
being well persuaded, that the constitution is in
with the best feelings, and best interests
of the people OF Virginia, and possess too much
native energy, to have any thing fear from such
Lilputian assaults but why bring the Philistines
upon Sampson merely TO try his strength Why
not rather cherish and strengthen it, for more I'M
portant and necessary efforts? Although nothing
were TO be sppreherd ed for the present, is there
not much inflammable matter in the Commonwealth?
Is it prudent, by countenancng this attempt TO hold
out encouragement TO men of different characters
and different views, Gas above described) to excite
a spirit of Reorganization and dissatisfaction among
the people, against the constitution and laws, o.
of their supposed 50 defects, the abuses to
which they lead, and their sufferings from existing
evilsH' To collect all the combustible materials
and embody all the peccant matter in the state to
single point, to which" every one that was in dis
tress, every one that in debt, every one that
was discontinued, would gather themselves unto
them, (as of old) to David in the cave of Adul-
lam, and they would become captains them. -
But were all the people in Loudonn hostile, not
only to the constitution, but government OF this
country, for one would not despair of the repub
lie, and would confidently appeal to the virtue and
patriotism of the friends 10 convention through
out the commonwealth, among whom would be
found, overwhelming majority of staunch friends
to our government, all of whom, in the hour of
danger, would cling to our constitution, as the
drowning mariner to the last spar or splinter of the
wreck
These are the sentiments of a man, (perhaps too
hastily expressed,) who has long verera,ed this
constitution, and the memories of the great men
who framed it, who deprecates, who depIores the
existence of any geographical divisions or politi- |
cal distinctions, which may jeopardze the interests
or interrupt the harmony of any section Of this
free and happy country who, whatever else he
may be, thinks he is .diarmist, having no fears
himself, wishes not TO excite them in others; and
who principally prides himself in being native of
Virginia, and A FREEMAN.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer
am not little amused to perceive the anti
conventionists, make themselves so exceedingly
merry at the expence Of the nventionists in con-
sequence Of the misplaced confidence they reposed