Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-09
MR.. JEFFERSON'S THOUGHTS ON A
CONVENTION.

Pending the Stanton Convention in 1916,
Samuel Kercheval, ESQ. Of Shenandoah, address
ed Mr. Jefferson by letter, and solicited his
views on the proprie,y Of amending the Consli-
tuition OF Virginia. They were given with the
usual frankness which distinguished Mr. Jetter-
son-but his modesty leading him to consider
himself as belonging more to the last age than
to this, and DESTROYS of passing the remainder
of his days unds,urbed by political contention,
Mr. Kercheval was deprived OF the liberty OF
publishing them Since Mr.. JeHerson's death,
Mr.. Kercheval properly thought himself iber-
alee from the injunction of secresy, and has
accordingly, through the Sentinel OF The Valley
published these invaluable, and glorious let
iers. Yes, glorious! for not the Declaration OF
independence itself nor the Bill Of Rights, nor
his first message to Congress, nor any other
production Of his distinguished Lille, displays
more individuality, more powerful develope-
ment ofthought, more heartfelt and enthusiast
tic Republicanism than these letters. / his man
was the best the truest democrat that ever
brea,hed. Born to an aristocratic fortune, with
blood flowing in his veins, which all who pos
sessed it besides, were pleased to think aristo-
cracitic, and were proud so TO think-attaln-
ing the summit Of political power-trace him
from the dawn Of manhood to the grave-and
il is impossible to select an opinion of his
whole life, connected with government, but is
characteristic Of the passion Of his heart, deyo-
ton to the people.
We will not ask attention to these letters--no
man can withhold it. There is that in Mr.. JET
fsrson's STYLE, which makes the reading OF one
line, the guarantee for persuing all the rest. we
thank Mr.. Kercheval in the name oil the Repub-
lican World, for their publication-Iori il is not
to Virginia only that their sentiments are APP
plicable, but TO all climates, where man is OPP
pressed. If any man can read them, and not
confess 20 his conscience at least, that there
ought 10 be a Convention, that man is too proud
to be convinced, too self sufficient to be ersua-
ded. or too shallow to understand their reason
ing Richmond Wig.
cony of Letter received by S. Kercheval, Esq dated
sMoNTIcELLo, July 10, 1916.
"SIR:-I duly received your favor OF June
Is, with copy of the letters on the calling a
Convention, on which you are pleased to ask
my opinion have not been in the habit OF
mysterious reserve on any subject, nor OF but
toning up my opinions within my own dou-
blet on the contrary, while in public service
especially, have thought the public entllled to
frankness, and intimately to know whom they
employed-but am now retired: resign my
self passenger, with confidence to those at the
present helm. and ask but for rest, peace and
good will. The question you propose on equal
representation, has become a party one, IN
which wish to take no public share, yet II 1t
be asked for your own satisfaction only, ana not
| to DE quoted before the public, have no mo-
tive to withhold it, and the less from you, as 1t
comedies with your own. At the birth OF our