Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-08


question suddenly started, and presented for the
first time, tc be determined off-hand. upon the
snot without time either 10 understand or TO reflect,
whether they trouid agree 10 have convention
for the purpose OF changing their constitution
This question, the most important certainly that
can be presented to the consideration OF free peo
ple and which, above all Others is entitled TO their
soundest and naturist deliberations, not only
thus brought before them to be acted upon in the
most hurried and inconsiderate manner, but was
urged upon them with all the ingenuity OF which
its advocates capable, who. both having
precedence in the discussion, consumed as much
time as was necessary to press every argument
that could be devised in favor of their object,
whilst on the contrary the only individual who APP
pesred in the opposition, being last, had not time
sufficient TO get through his argument before he was
interrupted by having the sherf's watch presented
10 his view (by which it was shown that the day
was far advanced attended by an intimaton from
that officer that IL was necessarily time to COM
mence the election, which am assured, induced
the speaker to hasten toa conclusion, without an
opportunity to reply 10 that branch of the argument
which-had been urged in favor of the convention,
relating 10 the existing inequality in the represen
tation of the state. Notwithstanding this, after
the polls opened, and the election progress
ed, arguments were continued to be urged, by one
OF the gentlemen at least, in favor of convention,
upon every person, Enthusiastically, who approached
"
and all lis ingenuity and power ofpersuasion were
brought into requsiiion 10 carry his av oriie object
and when man appeared, after every entrcaty, I'M
willing still TO vote for the convention, lie was
told that if he chose, lie need not vote at ALL and
would accordingly 60 of without recording his
vote. In short, every effort made to wheede
and beguile the people into the measure. To some
one statement was made, TO some another. / even
heard some assured that their fields, which were
represented rs now barren and unproductive. would,
by change IN the constitution, be covered with
green clover, heavy crops of grain, SC. &c.
BY these means, which known TO have been
practiced, it seems tina, ia were procured,
IN favor oil The convention, which triumphantly
published against 65 all that opposed TO il.
One important fact, however, seems 10 have es-
capped attention in this publication, viz. that there
were many persons present decidedly opposed the
convention, besides those who gotten rid Of
above stated who did not vote at all on the
question, going upon the principle that a PROPOSE
ton, when submitted, ii not carried was of course
lost, and that in order to be carried it must have
che support OF amGOrity Of those entitled to UOte
7.pon IT,
This view OF the question NATURALLY leads to the
inquiry, whether ia majority of the voters
ofFarfsx ? or whether they are majority OF
those assembled, upon dUe notice that this cues
zion tcGS 10 be taken No one can pretend to
answer afhGmatvely TO either OF these INQUIRIES
d
Fairfax have followed the distinguished example
OF Prince William and Loudoun, and that the re-
pre- entatves of the county pledged to further
their views! Can II be POSSIBLY said that this
vote thus taken, IS to be considered expressive OF
desire The part of the freeholders OF Fairfax
for convention Surely no one can say so.
The most that be fairly said is that BY means
of crest persuasion, ia who a minority decid-
edly of the county (there being upwards of 500
freeholders in Fairfax have been induced IN rom
sent to it, VIII the people sit quietly by and see
individuals who have to say the least of it. under
gone within a short period, 1oOnderJuI change of
opinion this subject, force upon them a mea-
sure filled at least wlth Importance if not with emil
and that on the authority oil minority. No, /
trust that the good people of Fairfax will arouse
themselves, and speedily and promptly take sue
steps will lead to full, fair, and candid ex-
preston of the atH OF a majority
sEvENTy-sIx.
No communication of the kind alluded 10 by
50 Seventy-Six'' has appeared in the Herald;
though we have doubt he saw it in the ENQUIRER
which journal may have copied it from some Virgil
MIA paper, and owing TO our proximity to the spot
OF The election, no doubt, inadv ertently, gave US
credit for it. Yet, actuated by a motive which
should govern all public journalists TO give a cor
rect and impartial account Of matter, however
unfavorable il may be with our own feelings; we
have given place to the foregoing article protesting
10 have this object in view, and which comes from
source emitted to every respect. ED
= TO those who happened to be present.
COr7igend,fm. account of the procee,,-
ings in Fairfax, alluded 10 by 80 Serenity Sir' and
denied by tie Editor of the Alexandria Herald 10
have appeared in his paper, ought to have been Gre
dted to the Alexandria Gazette.
FOR THE. EMO CIPER.