Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-06-14

4 Sunrage.' The Loundoun memorial TO the last
General Assembly, traced some of the consequences
of these defects in the constitution; and were there
no more than these to be discovered, they would |
warrant convention 10 amend them. This is nei-
Their the time, a suitable occasion TO complete
the enumeration of those defects Il has been as
serted and repeated, in regard to them, that two
friends OF convention concur in opinion. Is not
this +" presumption" derogatory 10 the character
OF the friends of political reform, and not only un-
sustained by fact, but urged in open contradiction
OF their repeat ed memorials and declarations? There
several defects of the constitution glaringly
unjust, that scarcely know two men in the COM
monwealth who do not admit them to be so. There
true, concerning greater variety
oil sentiment prevails; and the precise mode, well
as the exact extent of the just remedy for them, has
! not been generally agreed on. If universal con-
sent were the only test OF political truth, how few
would be its maxims! All government would rest
on force or fraud.
Hence the utility Of the proposed meeting al
Stanton, of deputies TO be chosen by the friends
OF convention in the several counties of the COM
monwealth, who will 60 charged with the opinions
OF their " consttuents''-thc friends of conven-
ton. We shall thus establsh,'' say the com
nittee. sin the only practicable manner, that uni
! ty OF sentiment, and of correspondent action
among ourselves, so essential 10 our future sue
cess" Surely this proposition is too evident TO
quire proof or illustration, and comprehends
sure as eXpedient as it is lawful and Just. q We
SHALL the committee add, impart vigour 10 our
operations" Is not the anticipation of this result
one OF the causes of the violent hostility of this
adversary OF the Staunton meeting? We shall, say
| they, "Tepel the reproachful insinuations of our
opponents. Let him who has not read or heard
such insinuations often repeated, condemn the lam
guage OF the Committee, which il is absurd 10 sup
pose that they meant to apply to every individual
who simply differed from them in opinion as TO the
| expectancy OF convention. "We shall confirm -
\ 81
aad the committee, " the harmony, and increase
the number of friends.' A Just people have
only to be assured that those reproaches are un-
founded, to sanction the prompt amendment OF the
defects which time has created, experience dis
1 closed, In their system OF government.
| While told that, under the promise Of REFORM
the most dangerous innovations win be attempted
| and probably accomplished; while men of high
character secretly whisper or openly proclaim
that, " so long Mr. Jefferson lives, there can be
no safety IN a convention" though limited to the
! simple Offices OF framing and submitting amend
ments OF the consution TO their constituents is it
! wonderful thai alarm should be spread among the
Ignorant and the timid? And is there any inius
tice or Improperly in calling such men, discreet as
they may deem themselves, alarmists' who inces
saptly proclaim that the judiciary will be over
| wheimed, and intimate, in language not to be
mistaken, that single man has possession of the
Understandings and conscicnces of a maiont7 of
the people or Virginia? II does not become those,
4
are said TO diffuse unfounded alarm abroad.
| It is remarkable, that this alarm peryades with
most effect, theSmallest counties of the common
wealth, and the sparsest population. 1t scarcely
reaches Shenandoah, Frederick Fauquier, Lou
doun, and Jefferson, or even Accomack; but
| is most sensibly felt in certain coteries around
the capitol. 1t distinguishes no particular par
ty, but is bounded by certain meridans and lat
itudes Peace and tranquility be TO Mr. Jefferson
Time ana much disappointment in py search for
perfection in man, has allayed whatever unkjnd
feeling ever entertained owards him; and would
not willingly pain him, by repeating the language
OF his former friends. | certainly am not his enc
my. But were so, and did dread his influence
would wish him to live, since death might serve
only 10 bury the recollection OF his frailties and
give sanctity to the opinions he may bequeath TO
posteriiy. This, OF all the current arguments a.
gains convention, is least founded in the princi
pies Of human nature. There was time when the
venerable name of Washington was banded about,
by hlreiing writers of two-penny pamphlets; and
denounced, by wigwam orators on The floor of
Congress. When the proof-sheets of the libels on
his fair fame submitted to still higher counseIs
Tor correction, and their authors rewarded with pro-
fuse liberality. Now, where are his accusers5
some OF them rest IN the grave, and are silenced
with the oracles from which they quoted. Others
remble on its verge, and have made their peace
with the sainted memory of the Father OF his
country, by honorably retracting every unkind ex-
preston they used towards the fallible mar:
Tor so are all men. His wisdom and authority are
now unquestioned, and the tomb of the dead coun-
sells the listening ear, in louder and deeper tones
than the voice of the living. So, may il be, with
the sage of Monticello.
he ls too old and infrm to attend the convention
in person but were he there, in the full vigor of
renovated youth--where are Marshall, Madison
Monroe, and the younger Washington--I will no,
De unjust, add TO these, the respected name of
Johnson, whose unwearied vigilance and care over
the counsels of her Senate, have retarded the des-
cent OF this declining comm onwealth will not
such men as these cum nl,tIts aiiis, Of junior age
and less noted merit, guard the constitution against
the excuses OF incorporate Innovation! Could
more favourable PERIOD than the present be desired
Tor amending those defects of the Constitution |
which experience has disclosed, and time must ag-
grayate Defects, which twice, in the last ten
years, the House of Delegates have admitted tn |
exist; and concerning some of which, no doub, is !
entertained, by large majority of the people2 But
l am violating the Injunction which laid uponuv-
self in prior stage of this vndicaton of the Lou
don address, by entering at present UPON the defects
of the Constitution.
That paper distinctly avows its design In call
ing Tor an expression, at Staunton, Of the senti-
ment, not OF a majority Of the whole community |
out oil the friends ef conventions: and the last
purpose which At announces, is 70 " sound an ap-
peal, so distinct and audible, to the next General
Assembly Of Virginia, as to procure, we ma hope
IT'S authors expreSs'd Just respect for our rights
Against his object Of the address, has been levell-
ed charge, but little short OF treason; and by an
hcIpaton, counter appeal has been made to the
pride OF the Senae Ia order TO forty its late deci-
sion against whatl q Just respect for the
rightS''-not of the Committee who have 80 un-
pardonably offended; nor of their constituents,