Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-15

was, that Il sought, or objected &c seek, snot-
taina6ie amendments of the constitutions, IN a
mode different from thai, ,chich the coastitu-
tion had itself expressly proridedj and, in so do
ing, in the midst Of foreign tcar and actual inra
sion, to say nothing of alarming discontents at
home, it seemed TO threaten, if 1t did not actu-
ally endangcr the cristence Of the Union, and
with it the security, freedom and happiness Of all its
members.
There are, now. no threatening dangers from
abroad; no serious dissenions at home; and more
over, though most unhappily it must be acknow-
lodged, the Constitution OF Virginia, unlike that
OF the United States, contains no precision for
its amendment. Away then with the resemblance
between the S'auntoh Meeting and the Hartford
Convention, which exists, only in the jaundiced
Imagination of prophet OF discord.
Judge Brockenbrough, who is known to be ali
amiaele man; and who, moreover, approves Of a
convention, does not approve OF the S,aun,on
meeting lie also disapproves OF any address
from the people OF any county or corporation,
10 the people OF any other, in favor of conven-
tor. lie would, If correctly understood, obey
the instructions of majority of the whole people,
| in voting for the call of a convention, but not
those of single district county, though he
the immediate representative of that county or dis
rict He would, the subject of convention,
leave the counties to themselves; that is, to act
separately, and apart from one another. He also
doubts, and Mr.. Leigh, for that quotes lis
| authority, with commentator, whether there Is at
present a majority of the people in favor of
venion.
Now, without some cotemporaneons expression
of opinion by the people, how are such doubts to
be removed; And if the legislature cannot, or
will not, provide for unequivocal expression of
tie public sentiment; and the people cannot, or
ought mott TO do so, by deputies, elected for that
purpose by themselves, what remedy remains, but
patient and silent Submission, which, according TO
this reasoning, would be much duty, under the
most intolerable, under the slightest grievances
Will separate aud dis ointed petitions answer!
W lat security, have you, can you provide, bu,
by law, that their subscribers will be eeloders or
even free white male citizens or that they shall have
any existence whatever, but in name?
Had tile cons:ituiio:, indeed, furnished prov-
sioh tor ITS amendment, there would be some force
In several of the objections 10 the Stanton meet
ing, which are urged at present, without plausible
preiext TO sustain them. Some Friends of political
reform await lis approach, as the unlutored
Indian the return of the sun, in silent rever-
encc; some expect it 10 come uron them like
their dreams, while asleep: others desire the end
loud enough. 10 make their voices audible, hut re-
Ject. or repcl the prolIcred means OF its attain
ment.
Judge Brockenbrough is certainly correct, in con-
s'derinS the representative of every county, OF the
smallest, well the largest bound in relation to
this question, by the voice OF a majority of the
,rhoie people, and not Of all the counties. WHO
would rely on the will of majority of the repre-
rentitives OF aHthe counties, without computing
their relative population; when such majority
might, in fact, represent but a small minority OF
III the people: The concurrent votes of the del
eSates OF county, or the single Of the soma
Tor OF particular district, may afford presumptye
evidence tint the people of such county, or scna-
toria district thk their representatives. But Mr.
Leigh niers the will of 50 600 people, from the
votes oil their two senators, not only in despite of
The opposite testimony of their delegates, but OF
The wishes OF the very same people, solemnly en-
pressed At their spring elections.
ms loPic both merits, and requires farther in
vestigstiun.
MIR. Leigh triumphantly refers to the very re-
markablc, and amented fact long since erted TO-
In a correspondence of part of the Ioudoun,
with the Shenandoah Committee, that the bill for
taking the sense OF the people, the expedency
OF convention, which passed lie House of Dele
gates, At the last session was elected in the Senate
where the representation had teen cqualized, ac-
cording 10 the wishes of the most jealous reform
lists (they have in the seli-same argument, been
charged with dissatisfaction by majority of t,.o
rOteS. AID these votes, Mr. Leigh says bur how
he comes Uy The knowledge, lie docs not inform
the public; nor can one of them readily conceive,
represented $4,000 free white citizens. Ii is be-
eyed, nay, it is known TO be the fact that no two
inhabitants, aliens included. No, nor four-ffths
OF that number. But if some taco actual, did, by
what authority does Mr. Leigh make their votes
the majority! Part of that majority they were;
bu,if quorum of The senate were present, they
would have been but two. out of the seven, of
which, at least, such majority must have con-
sisted.
Counting this majority, in his own way, Mr.
Leigh eSul'ingly eSclaims-Here is evidence g.
nou6h, ON which side the majority lies BE it so.
The friends OF convention may readily close in
with this confident appeal, leaving the evidence
which induces 1t, The utmost sway, except where
better testimony OF the sentiment of his constiiu-
ehts Than the mere vote OF the senator, himself
modifcs or contrsvenes this testimony
And now, then, sc a Freeman of 1921 not
only unequivocally denies, but is prepared 10 dis
prove, the trSth Of Mr.. Lcghs conclusion To
be relieved from this labour, however, and to cut
short part OF this wearisome argument, he entreats
you, Messrs. Editors, to supply his place, BIZ
better advocate, in all respects, he means the in
tellisent author Of late essay, published in the
Constitutional Wing, and addressed to Chapman
Johnson, Esq In requesting of you the republica-
uon oil that essay, you may rest assured that INV
sole motive IS TO aid which you have long
been known 10 beiriend; and which the extensive
circulation OF your journal affords you the bes,
means Of promoting.
Along with several merited compliments to this
distinguished member of the senate, some of which
are nearly, IT not quite, gross, as the 80 Free
man" paid him, and, for which, be stands reprov-
ed by MIR Leigh steadier friend, it is to be hoped
OF this senator, than he has been of Mr.. Mercer,
this writer firmly, but respectfully complains, as
every real friend OF Mr.. Johnson must regret that
he did not accord 10 his constituents the oppor,u
nifty sought to be afforded them, by the bill against
which, lie vo;ed, OF eNpi essing in the most une-
quvoca manner, their well known sentiments in
FAVOR OF a convention. Mr.. Johnson could not