Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-23

AYES hs,i il bv the sounds Can there be any man
so blind as act TO perceive the serpot head OF eavy
making its way through this eSprcssioes What
coacert had his manner (evca isit be uae) to do
with simple narration os iac,s, which soae Were
requisite to sule,au,iate slaieneo,s
Although sos.se OF those, who have undertaken
TO inanase The opposition ,oa reformation IA the
constitution, are men OF distinguished talents, Se,
their talented ingenuity has no, disclosed any Sryu-
men,s which can operate. even IN the m,nn,est de-
gree, upon an in,uisihse mind 10 cause a conS,e-
ton tina, there exists cessty Zoe change In
the fundamental articles oil our government, Have
not ,wo-thirds OF their publications 6eea personal
attack MIR. Mercer tor the par, which he kassct-
ei to efer, changed believe they may be challeng
ed 10 point oasa single argument, which has beea
ajduced by t.cn that goes to establish The pesiee-
lion, divine iaa.iibii,y" OF the presen, con-
s,iiution, which does not Turn ia manner upon
the character OF MIR. Mercer VIVA, is their s''onS
| holds l, has beea acquicscel in by the pco-
ple'' &c the dagger OF change" 1t Is not true mat
the people have ac9aiesces. but /, ls uncuesucn"-
bly, ,sae that they have pesonedthe legislature ot
| the cali OF convention, and tho necessity ot ''St
! call has esea sanctioned aud Acknowledged oy an
/ avowsl OF majority of ,heif delegates, who are
certainly qualified 10 ,ndse OF tho wishes OF their
constituents with as much discrimination as Se'ea
| soyS.
| Tha, therr is a" danger in change Is oneon-
coca..y denied, While there continues as moch IN
| ,el!isea,e and good sense in the people; bur how
long this may be said, under the present cons'itu
,io, by which mere than wo-h;rls ot the ci,,2ens
tisiraachise and cons;i'o,ionsiiy dare not eS-
press political sentiment, and when The state OF
society assumes more Ii.lerea, cast from ,he III
crease of population, viii no, presume 10 predict
The order and tranquility which have been en-
hib,cd in The states of Massachusetts anti New
York wi,l.a few wears on change oi Their ne
specive constitutions, and which eShiite,l al
most every wear ut the formation OF new cons',u-
oas by the states admitted into the union, arc con-
elusive refn,aioas OF any past appseheusoas OF any
thing hut mild sr' temperate conduct Ga the part
oil tae people, ii must be conceded, even by the
mos, yeaioHs advocates FOR the presen, system ,hs,
we can comn,aad much integrity aud practical
,s,eas IS ei,ispr @: those states,
Let u take an incidental view OF the sat1iti5;ity
al these . Freehold tested electors and inquire
whether country is under ,hsr irn-
lnaruiate control aad direction, THAI II portion of
political power placed in The hsnds OF every
respectable member OF tire community who has
gwen siiacien, evidence olis affection Tor the well
;sre and prosperity of tie state Ii, ar, Je9er
soa says, ' vision, hereditary, az honor and
virtue 30 be b0ug., with money! thea we might
look 10 our present elective Qualifications Us ,',e
'oncfsione OF purity. We nigh, look to the Brit
ish house Of lo,s for The fshes, wisdom, honor,
virtue ad atcgri,y 10 be found in The universe; ana
70 ,heT house of commons vile, disi,onorabe.
dtive.isng collection, because no freehold Is re-
pared f,pns them; ba. TO know tina, these very
commons hooked 10 10y The nation ssis chief pro-
ieciion in any rcueitous eNtscncy.
i-ct as Suppose a case, which may happen. and
which ii Is tie dutyof every wise state 10 provide
sssiasa, that invasion take place iron a !orcien
enemy whose superior forces indicate al almost GER
iao conquest and Subsection OF the state and, under
those circumstances, TIA, enemy issue proclama-
lion securing every his property and allow
Ing him Cos psorlamatioH) to atead,o his usual |
concerns; can it be believed, oreven supposed, by |
any man who has given the most superficial at;ca-
ton to The conduct of mankind in state OF civil
cation, or who has with any discrimination read the
history OF government; aud manners, ta, the bulk of
reehoe-s so pure and patriotic as 10 sacrifice
their property, which they have now no hesitation
10 make the only criterion OF wisdom, Of integrity
of honor, of Intelligence, ard OF power, to secure
that which they treat as an empty name r.
freedom, the right Of franchise, the right Of hap-
ias a rcice ia making those laos eadregaidfioas
iphtch are 10 scBeyn us.
Let US remember the sentiments OF a man who
thoroughly understood every motion of the human
heart aud action (Bonararte,) conveyed in his de-
clarstion to lis coadact in invading certain
coun;ry----'' that he would proclaim security 10
property; that lie well aware The people were
more fond OF i, than liberty, and 'voud therefore
joia those who could protect them with ii'' .
Now, would ask, who the persons that
fight the battles of the couuTya Are they not al
most without exception persons deprived, by our
constitution, of the elective ffaucbisei IL hose
prisons are not to be trusted with az opinion why
trust them with 5ay0net? Surely the latter is the
more Stern of tie o. The reason is plain: they
arc The nerves and sinews of The country.
Under the present system, foreigners who come
to the country may be npiuralized by the United
S,atesnay settle in this state and, as they usual
ly do from their habits, which entirely different
from ours, acquire freehold and thereby become
legislators while the native dare raise his voice,
and grovels in political nsignifcance Is this just
Would not Tie native, with his relations, friends
common country, and all the objects of his early
regard and affections have, at least, as much inter-
est in the community, without foot of SOIL as this
Certainly he would
1t is indispensable for the perfect protection and
security OF the citizen, to have the Fundamental
rules of governnen, definitely determined ard that
by superior authority TO the ordinary legislatures
which should be equally bound and its powers de-
Incl with as much precision The powers of any
functonary known 10 the public ervice.
Ii IS point, lii my estimation, worthy of the
most scrupulous consideration, by frcehoIdeTs and
others, 10 know whether presen, constitution has
not most serious and pernicious tendency clecl
the increase OF a useful population, by virtually
driving from the It's native youth of enterprise
and intelligence, and Withholding inducements rom
the citizens Of orr neighborins states to settle
amongst us. That the citizens of other states who
hayebeen accustomed TO political privileges, arc
restrained from settling amongst Us, cannot be
ed. As evidence Of this representation,
witness the repugnance OF the people Of Virginia. !
aud also OF the other states to become inhabitants
Of the District OF Columbia in consequence OF ito
political Acknowledgement.
1t were to be wished that some slsilfu pen would
take upon i,selfto assist Mr. Mercer who has been
almost left alone TO sustain the attacks Of interest
and envy IN elucidaiDe, vindicang and explain-