Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-24
, From tie Enquirer.
PROPOSED CONVENTION AT STANTON
COMMUNICATED


The quiet and contented part of this community tina,
IS the great body the people of Virginia have proba
Oily never seen, they saw, have already FORGOTTEN
inc resolutions on the subject of convention TO alter
e constitution OF the state, which adopted at the
recent elections for the three counties that compose Mr.
MERGERS Congressional district These resolutions il
IS known, were supported by Mr.. Mercer HIMSELF and
whether regard the design the plan, the te,nper or
the style, find enough for the opinion generally
entertained that he the prime mover of these
ccedings. Perhaps indeed it will best COMFORT with
his views, that be shall be regarded rs the noron
chiefly responsible for them. Yet of those who knev
this gentleman the few was one of tlem) who tboupb,
well of him and fell kindly towards him viewed his
duct with pam and regret; while all those who were
hostile to him and how many they are he knows h,,
too WELL expressed neither sorrow nor surnriso III
seemed rather pleased at the part he has taken as a,d
ing IN Their Judgment proof conclusive of the corroc
ness OF 'e estimate they had formed of his character
ha'eVef may be the sentiment in his own district
can assure hln, that where else his friends In
are ;iicted can tell him more-hat whatever NAV
ne 'he success ofiis enterprises he will soon be turht
Ia number the bittcfcs of his own enemies anonr the
warmeSt friends ola convention,
foi my own part, knowing his extreme sensb;I;,v 70
puo'G cehSte and individual unxndness, had deter
hcd To hold my peace; for could not discuss the snb
Jec' "ithoat wouniins hun. hoped too that the ex
cliernent that dictated these measures would onckIy
suoslde; and that moderation good sense and love of So
ciai ORDER would soon resume their empire could
not conceive, That any afinos had been enpeniercd in
the hearts oftfe good PEOPLE of Loudoun Fairfax aud
fi1nce w liiaIn, towards the friends the constitution.
and lItle imagined that auv of their
nlittees would proceed once and end cayor tn cx
cite others, 10 degree OF violence which the rosa
iutions under which they acting, objectionable as
ieJ are gave no reason TO apprehend But the Lou
uoon corresponding committee of ten, talking the lead
as was expected, has at length published its annea m
he TRENDS OF convention throughout the state: and
such paper IS, as ecer ece before was published
10 me people OF Virginia the deliberate language of
any body OF mon, or hardly of any individual Wbcth
CT eSe gentlemen truly represent the people who del
ega'ed them shall not undertake to rie erine: whch
CT cy WI md OF excite in the bosons of others senti-
mems corresponding with their own remains vet tn be
seen They seem 10 have thought il necessary to 0yo-
and moderation and cantion;" of which
however, they have taken preserve the least
appearance Letus give them credit for tic pro ss;oa
Tor 1t is tribute paid decencv and the more reos
as seems TO be their ALL They deign not to offer one
word OF arguments they do much as a0ci TO an
peal TO the reason of either friends or aversaT Their
appeal Is addressed TO the passions, and 20 the angry
passions OF The friends of conventions and is an open
declaration of war against their opponents and ..ipc.
the existing government.
Widely as differ from the friends of convention
both as To the alleged mpcrectious ofthe constitution
and the yaunted cOrrcctives have heard proposed
have much better opinion of them than the I.ouloun
committee seems to entertain. shall still appeal To-
uer good sense To their love Of country, their love
OIL ORDER even TO their regard for their opponents Let
me committee rate If IL viii, the scass of fine,
dfft'miStS" do not believe, that il is within the com
pass OF IT'S power. TO excite any odun against me- even
among the friends of convention bv that rcproachful
denomination which has invented for the occasion-
care net how loudly or hpw roundlv IL NAV lcnounce
me as Epicsmnptuuusn have NOT the least irnari,,a
lion that Tins spirit of intolerance the friends
Oh Il convention IN the stale ut large IfMe} shall conn
leuahce these DcccRrII Of Loulouu i'll charging with
presumption every who doubts their political inai-
hhity, orwo wants faith in the probable Improvement
oil our institutions, BY the twelve tables Of the law which
their wisdom shall collect and digest then, indeed is
their more cause TO tie alarmed possible success of
fhelr schemes, and at the influence it will procure for
ItheIr leaders, than ever before apprchendcd
Dt he tfiny I 4,
noIhnG to say, address myself tn the sober friends of
Ia conventions who mean only the welfare of their
fry And ask them coolly and seriously 10 consider
Fhe objects avowcd by tins committee OF Oudoun and
thc proposes for tic attainment of them: and
fhcn to determine whether they will,
emily with any principle OF social order, unite in the
pursuit .! such objects by such means.
The committee after having invited the friend, of a
convention IN the several counties of the state TO send
dePutation from their respective counties to co ope
rate with them IN deNisig iatriUi ami erpceat
OF procuring convention to amend the defects of
state appointed Tie place and time of meat
Ing-and suggested suitable opportunity for choosing
dcpuIcsprOCecdst to proOse tie objects and recon-
Inehdth prop:Icty OF erecting snew powcrmth com
monwealth i'll tlic following words Our object is to
"compare several opinions and those of our cOust
t"ents III relation 10 the defects of present con>t-
tuition; to look into the abuses to which they nave led;
land TO recommend toe peOpte, such mode provision
"for their amendment, common debeTa ions NAV
Suggest and approve We shall thus establish in tho
''only practical mode, ta unity sentiment and ocor-
rcsPondcnt action among ourselves essential to
''Iuture success. We shall mpart vgou opera
"uons; repet the rcProachfM distinctions Of on, apo.
"aents confirm the harmony and increase the number
'to cur friends; and sound appeal distinct md
rdi6|e TO the neTt General assembly, 10 procure,
fh0y nope, 3uSb respect To 3ightSW indeed,
'aware that many OF you disLrsi This 6ody on account
'Iof ITS present constitutions; Gnd think thai stotI
fpot G'oaH its aid for tie cut Of contention, Even
'fjW oPPonG'ts seem TO reprovc delay 10y denying
EOr questioning the authority Of the General Assembly
'to take the sense OF the people in the have
requested on the proprcty of any change in their pre-
''scnt constitution" (FIere follow twenty -four
lines of defamation against this imputed doctrine OF
their opPoncnts) "But yet, fellow citizens, however
"repugnan 10 your feelings this burniiating doctrine
''may appear let unite in guarding against ITS loo
'obvious tendency and g1ce 10 those, ,oho oouid urge
''s to incompetence, stW further evidence Of our Ior-
| "bcdrdJlrc and mOderation.n
We then, that it essential part Of The scheme,
70 exclude from the proposed association at Saunton,
all but the friends Of conventions and that the object
is compare their opinions, and those Of their