Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-23

it would be doing justice to those, who,
by the classification Of the counties In
to senatorial districts, were deprived
of Just representation in that branch
of the Legislature, but chiefly because,
if that grievance were redressed, no
sufficient cause would remain for the
call of convention; and the measures,
then in progress in the General AS
sembly, pointing to that object, would
be arrested. To arrest them had been
his. most anxious wish: for, consider
ing the hazard to which the caluable
features of the constitution might be
exposed, he deprecated convention,
as an evil of magnitude fittle inferior to
the evils arising from the whole body
of grievances that had been complain
ed OF; and il the main and most impor-
tant grievance should be removed by
the passage ofthis bill, there would be
hardly a pretext left to justifyth call
of convention. He said, that his anx-
iety on the subject, had induced him
to urge with importunate solicitude,
some member ofthe house to bring in
such bill; and the persuasion, that he
had been in some degree instrumental
in causing it to be brought in, was to
him source ofself-gratulation and de-
light which would be greatly enhanced
by its passage. Justice ought to be
done, and the evil and hazard of con-
veution averted.'
1t may be proper should state, that
was not member of the House OF
Delegates, during either OF the ses-
sions, at which the transactions have
been speaking of took place. But no
measure, nor the part which any pub
lie man takes in any measure, relating
to banking projects, or to conven-
ton, ever yet escaped my attention.
was most heartily disposed to drop
all further personal controversy with
MIR. Mercer. Hard blows could take
and bear; and my resentment would
subside sooner than the pain. But
that sentimental wrath, that whining
for sympathy, is too much for me. !
long to get out of hearing it. MIR.
Mercer would not leave me choice.
He avows; that his purpose is to yindi-
cate himself" at my expense"
When / commenced these discus
sions, felt the most thorough convic-
ton, from the knowledge l then tho't
possessed of Mr.. MERGERS political
character, that he could not, in his con-
science, entirely approve the principle
of the Stanton Convention, and the
sentiments Of the Loudoun address;
and that he was betrayed into those
proceedings by his passion for distinc-
ton. In the progress of the controver-
sy, have seen such changes in all his
opinions, that l now doubt the just
ness Of that first impression, and am
rather inclined to impute the anoma-
lies Of his conduct TO revolution in
his general elementary political princi-
Piles. Such changes may be honest;
yet, seeing that they have occurred in
the full maturity Of manhood, l never
can give him my confidence again
Temporal muiantur, says Mr.. Mercer,
and leaves me to fill up the sentence,
translate it, and make the application.
Temporal mutantur, ct NOS mutan,pr in
ills. "The times are changed, and We
are changed with the times" 1t is
Mr.. Mercer who speaks: he speaks in
the first person, and may prefer the plu-
raj, which the metre Of the Latin line
requires, either in imitation Of the roy
al and editorial style, or because he
desires to represent certain OF his fell
low reformers. The world will give
full credence 10 this account Of himself
and ofthem. think it signal proof
OF Mr.. MERGERS learning, that he ex-
plains himself more happily in Latin
than he does in English. His hinc lille
lachrym8 was an acknowledgment that
he aspired to be leader among our re-
formers; and his Temporal mutantur pro-
fesses a suitable revolution in his OPT
Mons. MASON OF '76.