The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-01-19
The Bofetourt Resolutions.


Although, when I'VE espousr II political
opinion, we always concientlously believe
il Ia be correct, and therefore never aban-
dan it, ar Gag IN our exertinns to promote
is triumph, unless We are Convinced tn t
we err, yet We are not such bigots AS 10
believe that we are, ofnecessity, right, nor
81 ungrnrrous as to prohibit free, fair a d
fall Discussion, in our columps, of any topic
which concerns the public veal. Error
Is neyer dangerous when Renson is Jeff
free to combat It," said the iliusirious Jer-
frrson aud the history of the world is "A
lucid commrntlry on, & u trI 1mphant alhr-
Nation Of the remark. II ue err, we are
always ready 10 listen To the admunlti0ns
fwlsrf and more experienced beads
We. therefore, give place, with pleasure,
tolhp resolutions otthe people Of }ntetourt,
against convention, II we cannot be
convinced Of our error, we are always
prepared dnIA 10 appreciate The motives of
thosc, who, differing win 10 IN opinion,
are moi the less anxious for the prosperity
aud welfare Of their country, but NO SEEK
is advancement by different, and, in their
opolon, more eligible means. Believing
that HE amendment of our state consttn-
Ton Is a measure not nearly of speculative
exppdiency, hut uf absolute necessity -not
drPmlDg it as a simple sncc",aneum to
appease the nnrmnrS ufthe politically lis
cnnlrn'ed, but as an act Indispensable In
The preservation of thr moral aud physical
power of the Stltp--We have advocated II
with all our energies, feeble aud impolrnt
as thry are. We have rndeavored, b>
every argument which oar ingenuity could
d''sr or orr research could furnish, 10
eNhlbh to the people the Justice of the
clam which we set forth. We have rn.
nea'or"d TO combat the arguments of oar
oPP"nents-to shov the groundltssuess If
we l'arS which they have attempted tn Il.
fo"'e' and the snphi,try by which they
nave hoped Ia sustain their ground. Whe
M We haFr berJI successful in rnli~linG
wen one single voice in favor ri the great
m'hs'It" ~ hlch WE confess Ia have deeply
"WHI' or even OF inducing those "h"
had at FIRST conceded with Us, 10 maintain
"ef npmon finn and unshaken against
We III" oi opPusilion mhrn has been
P'"td 'anh with such relentless fury, We
''''" 7''' We tan only hope mai onr -
nav" noi br"u wholly unsvaIilaG-
'''' ihey have not been n seed scattered
W. sterile tnch, hut as " brad cat upon
waters. but, whatever br the effect
''"'f "Nrrt'ons, (conjoinrd With those Of
Wv workers 10 the sane great cause
''Nsr OF equal rights we shall never
'''l 'he tim" we have devoted to them.
a'If, on the contrary. rejoice that it
Ff' employed IN advocating the npln-
" Earnestly aud 81 early advanced bl
linalrlnns Jefferson. and many others
VIZ Parest men of the age and shtll
~ the proud consolation, five are de-
,''"' ut rrh"ciing that III IS glorious
-" oJat IN great cnuse."
y may be often remarked. that, in thu
'''s''n u! subjects of vital import thosr
ate most opposed Ia each other in III"
= 3'' pr"c1Pte, agree in eSsentiM deiails.
gree with the writer of the Betetonrl
n> and remonstranee that our an
'''or' were "wise and virluous"-that
''s III vain expect to ind them "gur-