The central gazette. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1820-1827, 1825-09-10

Copies of the annexed memorial have been de.
posted at The post Office in Charlottesville Others
will be distributed through the several sections OF
the county. The object OF this memo, ial are COM
mon to all, who seek to obtain fair and decisive
expression of public sentiment on this long aeitaed
question. IL this subject has given rise to no i'm
P oper, POLITICAL excitement in state il is to be
ascrbcd in great measure to the mutual spirit OF
concession and frankpcss by which its in alton
has been characterized. The friends Of conven.
ton have not been awed by the Of superciiious
arrogance with which their honest have
been denonnced--they are not dsNay cd by the rdi
cuo or fallacious subtlety with which the question
mas been sometimes cvadcd--nor are they in,indat-
cd at the prospect of large odds against them
There are many, we doubt not, on both sides who
act from coiscicntious motives, We do not impugn
the sinccritywc cannot suspect the candour OF i'm.
tel&ent men, when they required to speak or to
act on matter Of such solemn consequence to
themsei'ef and their county It IS attempted to
stie the tather consideration Of ihis subject by a
political fessrasmain, which the people viii not
sanction 1t they fully comp, ehend il Counter me
morals have III one two Instances been prepared
oy the oppestinn by their means it is cndeavored
TO lie demonstrated, that majority OF the people oil
virginia are nnwilling-to TO what: Not to cal 4
cohyen''oHlor the amendment OF their constitution
but TO so 10 the polls of Their county ana there cx
press tboiEwishes on-the subject. IL must DE con-
coded, that the question. Convention or No Con.
Vention,"' one which be decided by the PEG
PIE a'o"e-rN only remains then, to enquire by what
means they can best decide it, Two methods ha ve
been suG9cstcd-by one Of which il is proposed to
submit the question dis Getty to the people Of the
state at Their next spring elections require each
man, as he approaches the poll, Of his country de-
hbc'atciy 10 record his "yca' or nay to this
question, I" Shall there be Convention or not p,
The other proposes to f,ist upon the public by par
tai and surrcPhious means, equivoc al and inlor.
NAL expression o.? sudden opinion dictated either
by popular caprice or the slang of an idle dema
sogue lfit were practicable to dispose of this
question by resort 70 such means, why has it re.
manned SO long unsettled !: But we will not urge
comparison between the two plans. We leave the
people OF Virginia to select between them, and to
adopt their choice We cannot dismiss this subject
however, without INDUCING hope that it nil be
can'assed and finally dee' with that fairness,
cahdour and magnanmiy which have SO nni o, MY
distinguished the deliberations of Virginia.
We, the undersigned, inhabitants OF
being convinced that the people ought
TO be heard upon every question which concerns
their o;vr,' brornrsnt, aud also believing mat a
large and respectable portion If not majority OF
The good citizens OF this commonwealth, are con-
vinced that the present constitution OF Virginia re-
cures amendncnt, by convention empowered to
frame and submit 10 the judgement Of the people
such amendments thereof as to the Convention ma y
seem just and expedicnt; all any Of which amend.
nents, If approved by majority Of the people, sbal!
become part Of the Constitution.
we do Therefore respectfully petition that tho ne.
cessary facilities be afforded by law for ascertaining
the sense OF the people, at their next spring cleo
tons, whether there shall be Convention or not
And as in dn'y bound we will ever pray