Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-09

~ Impossible. HE rotundity of the speaker
while It proved his assertion to be demonstra
ton, produced hearty laugh, which was one anon,
not the least agreeable things that grew out of III,
/ convention.
80 great number of persons are supposed tc
nave never before met together in Staunton. Ever,
public house was crowded to excess by stranger.
from distant parts of the country. The private
houses were also more or less occupied by vsiters
"A part of the ground floor of the church, sufficiently
large, was set apart for the of the convention
ana the remaining part of the floor, the galleries.
doors and windows, were crowded TO overflowing.
In THIS large assembly the most perfect order pre-
! Vaiied. Allwas calm and tranquil as though the
| IehSious exercises OF the Sabbath in the house of
1od, mad commenced. Some of the speeches
would have done credit to the highest political bo-
ay IN our country. MIR. Cooke, adverting to the
uisiranchisement OF SO large part of our popuIa-
uon Is said TO have chained the hearts of his audi;
ence by most powerful appeal TO their feelings
MI. ,hunters speech, on the same subject was
highly rhetorical and characteristic of that gen
leman 5 happy touches of fancy. Mr.. Sheifey, MIR.
Niinnis, and Mr. Scott, although in opposition to
nne-tenths OF their hearers, We're listened to
with the most respectful attention MIR. Nav
lor's argument was strong and convincing, abound
ing In that originality of thought and logical rea-
soning which always distinguish that gentleman
AT this stage oil the debate it was suggested by a
member that discussion on this time must be
waste OF time, as it was well ascertained how gen
tlemen Were prepared to vote on the question
True; the vote was nearly unanimous.
From our informant we learn that a mutual feel
ing prevailed in favor of a convention among all
me delegates. Although different opinions were
held on some minor points, yet such difference
would not In the least affect the general issue
There seemed TO he but one opinion. viz. that
there must and would be convention maurre all
The efforts OF its enemies.
MIR Mer,,,r v,,r ohva-uol a.
the sitting, and will, in due time, present TO The
public full and ample report OF the proceedings
From the Winchester Gazette
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF vIRGiNIA:
Inc memorial of suRdry citizens, deputed from,
rdrious parts Of the commonwealth, and as
sen,bfed at Stduntom on the 25,h day of Juiy,
1873, respectfully represents
That your menoraliss have assembled together
70 consult about the means of obtaining redress
oil various grievances under which they labor, in
common with those who deputed them and MANY
o'iier good citizens OF this commonwealth, have
thought 1t advisable 10 address you tbs memorial
The grievances OF which your memorialists have
TO complain arise out OF certain defects IN the con-
sututlon or fundamental law of the state They
cannot therefore be redressed but by convention
deputed 10 revise and amend the constitution But IL
Is one among the striking defects of that instrument
that II contains no provision for the amendment of
S1Sh NSiCCts Us oil science
ment or change OF circumstances may SUGGEST
lhls detect, however, be supplied by the eais-
iature and the people; and your memoriaiis,s have
right 10 expect that 1t toi2 be supplied, if they
Can show that there is even one important provi-
SION IN the existing constitution which was oyip-
nally and always Inconsistent with the great princ-
pies On which all Tree governments are founded,
and which, by the operation OF various causes, has
become still more oppressive ard injurious in its
practical effects than IL was at FIRST
Your memorlasts 10 not mpute 10 the wise and
excellent men who framed the constitution the de-
fects In its structure to which they aude In the
declaration OF rights of Virginia. We see what they
Wlshedil 10 be: III the constitution itself we behold
an instrument fashioned and modified by inauspici-
Gus and uncomfortable circumstances. These are
so generally known that il is deemed superfiuous
TO state them. In this disclaimer OF all imputa-
tons on the wisdom and patriotism OF the fra
mers oil the constitution, your meorialists are ac-
tuated by a sincere feeling of love and admira-
ton for the memory of the men whose gene
rons devotion TO liberty secured US our rank a.
mong the nations ofthe earth, and the ines,mabe
advantage OF free republican institutions. TO give
to those institutions that consistent shape which
the trainers OF the constitution so distinctly con-
ceived, but found themselves unable to provide,
should be the aim oil every citizen of the common
wealth. II is the sole aim of your menoriaIists.-
They are persuaded that period has occurred
sihSC duOptOH Oh TIE constitution favorable
as the present to It's revision and amendment; the
storm OF party spirit being hushcd, and the public
mind composed and tranquil. They fear that so
favorable state OF public feeling may not long en-
dure;--tbat new parties may arise, whose dissen-
tons may prove unfavora5le 10 a cool and dispas-
sionae investigation OF our fundamentalaw
Your memorIalists have affirmed, that in our fun
dameh'al law " there Is one important provision at
least which was originally and always Inconsistent
with tie prlncIDles
menis are founded, and which, by the operation OF
various causes, has become still more oppressive
ana Injurious lii It's practical effects than il
was al iirs' Need they exhibit their proof in
detail OF the truth of this assertion while address,
ing 50 enlightened body The legislature OF Viz
gina! IL every manor, assuming the principle
oil the constitution conect,-if c, cry freebooter
OF Virginia in l776 {. by nature equally free -
or, IN more precise and definite language entitled 10
an equal share OF political power, how could that
article oi the constitution be justified, which, by
giving Two representatives 10 each OF tie counties
distributed that power among the citizens OF Viz
gihia in shares so grossly unequal
Your meinorialsts foibear to enlarge on this to-
pic, persuaded that your intelligence must suggest
to you this una, oid.be dilemma > either so much
theoretical injustice cannot exist without great prac-
teal evil or the whole theory of free insttu-
tons IS founded in error, Expecting from a con-
vention remedy of all the defects of the constiu-
tIon, your memorialists purposely abstain from
enumefaiing what they conceive to be the imperfec-
tons in the organization of the existing government
These, injurious as they may be the public " cal
sink into insignfcance when compared to the de-
fects in principle, TO which they have called your
attention.
Your memorialists therefore ask YOU TO enact a
law for taking the sense of the people at the en-
suing spring elections on the question of ASSEM-
bling in convention to amend the constitution, and
providing. that if it shall appear by the returns