Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-10

has been going on before our eyes, nothing seems
more astonishing than to observe that MANY of YOU
appear TO be so perfectly unconscious of danger as
even TO be lending a willing aid in the promotion
OF desgn, the success of which most inevitably
tend to the prostralion of some of your dearest
rights AID materially impair If IL does not effectu
ally destroy, the value OF considerable portion of
your properly
IL we would allow ourselves to be sufficiently
cool and collected 10 take calm and dispasson-
ate view of this .t,.it would be difficult not to
be led 10 the conclusion, that il was mere strup.
gle for power. The ambition of the people of the
mountains seems to have been aroused, aud their
cupi1ity excited. Like the Lion that becomes the
more eager for having tasted blood, the easy facility
with which we have always yielded to their " sh-
es, and the promptitude and alacrty with which
ne have constantly ministered TO all their wants
have only had the effect OF producing in their
minds, an increased desire of drawing more and
more from US continually, until, at last, they ap-
pear 10 have become impatient as TO be incana
BILE Of brooking any longer delay. 1t would seen.
that nothing short Of the scepire will content
them They would eagerly grasp The reins of Go.
vernment out OF our hands-in which, should they
be fortunate enough to succeed, we might then
prepare ourselves TO the Seat of Government
transferred 10 their mountains, and ourselves and
our property laid under the most srievous and op-
pressive taxation, for the fuitherance of all their
projects of Internal Improves and their own
self-aggrandize
But finding that they are-not able to cone with
US, under the present situation of Affairs they appear
10 have resorted TO ihisscheme OF Convention, as
the means by which tn accomplish theirobiect. In
the hope if they prevail in getting the Constitu-
ton altered to exclude our slaves and COLOUR
ed people from Representation; extend the right
of suffrage ireeholders; and equalize the re-
presentation the principle OF numbers, including
only the white population, that they would have il
III their power, In the course OF few years to ac-
quire complete ascendancy over US.
On examining into the long list of grivances that
have been brought forward and urged as objections
TO the Constitution, 1t must be of some sur
prize 10 find that many OF them (such as that ssIt
was formed IN periiuus times"-'' that il was no,
framed by Convention specially delegated for
that purpose"-and others equally frivolous, are
OF character too unimporiant 10 merit the serious
consideration of the People. That one at least.
and which seems to have been pressed upon us
with great confidence, (the inequality Of the Re-
presentation) is altogether inappcabe to the sub
ject. That another (tLe inequality in the right of
suffrage) although seemingly plausible enough at
the first sight, will be shewn, upon critical ana,
lyss, TO be evidently more specious than solid
And that none of them of sufficient NJ agnitude
to justify US, either to ourselves or to poserity, in
destroying government that, for more than fif,y
years, has so well preserved the peace and-tran-
guilty of society-hss so perfectly secured to US
the enjoyment OF all our rights and privileges
that has, with such paternai care watched over and
projected our persons and property.
From such examination we must naturally be
led The conclusion, that it is scarcely possible to
devise any alteration OF the Constitution that
would place us in happier condition than that
which we at present enjoy. And that, Their efore
there is good suspect the existence of
some secret object which has not been avowed but
which has been indusiriou-y endea CURED to be
concealed under the vehement manner in W bicb
they press their complaints upon US; The earnestness
with W bich they appeal 10 Justice and liberality
and the zeal manifested in their endeavots TO enlist
sympathies in behalf of their pretended suffer-
ings aud expressions.
In unfolding the view, here taken, before YOU. il
may be necessary to Recall your attention to the pc
Rod when our Constitution was formed In those
early times there was great diversity OF interests
amongst Us. We had,- then, neither Banks nor
Brokers; stock. jobbers nor shayers; usurers, nor
any of that numerous horde OF spectators, sbar
peIs and swindlers that constitute the elements
of that anomalous monster of modern DAYS called
monied interest-At once the most scrdid sci
fi-h and unrelening that can be conceived; OF The
least possible value TO nsnkind; and of the most
pernicious consequences in society. An interest
that adds but little to the common stock; affords
but few facilities to the interchange OF commodi-
Ties; fstens the wretchedness of mankind: gree
Oily grasps at the fruits of human industry; aud
that would appropriate every thing to the sole gra-
tihcaiion OF l's own Unsuitable avsTice.
Agriculture, IN some rude shape was then the
order OF the day. Aud what little of the mechanic
arts and scientific professions was 10 to be found
amongst US, was SO entirely dependent upon that &
all seemed to be completely blended together and
interviewer, as it were, in the same destiny as to
present only one uniform and h0mogen eons aspect
Blu, how vast the change! Population has now
greatly encIeased. All our mountain country has
been peopled over by men who the owners oil
but few slaves. Society has become greatly diver
tified. New and anias MIXING interests have sprung
up. Sectional and local jealousies have been ex-
cited. And feelings of deep rooted hostility wide
Iy disseminated, have been enkinded and dir. cied
with keen and bitter sspeTily, against our slave
population; threatening to involve alike, in one
common ruin, both them and their owners
1t is not the generous impulse of disin,erested
libersiy; IL Is not the aTdor OF genuine pairioiism
u is not that enthusiastic devotion to the Rfghfs
ot Man, that would make willing sacrifice upon
She altar of friendship and justice, which has
prompted hese advocates for Convention 10 enter
the lists with much zeal, TO plead the cause OF
these poor non II eehOtders, who are moi poor
add OF this much injured and oppressed class of
citizens, who are neither injured nor oppressed.
But the influence OF those conflicting interests
those local and sectional jesioUsies that reign a.
mong u, added TO The desire Of domination that
has given rise TO all this Glamour about Conven-
ton.
The Interests even of the freeholders themselves
are no longer the same Them of the mountain
without slaves, IS now very different character
rom the slave owner below. Born in Iougher
country and under more Indictment skies and DOOM
90 10 delve amidst rocks, and SHOWS, and noun
tain cliffs, 10 earn precsrious subsistence by the
sweat Of the brow, these mountain people appear
TO be yexsd with Us for being more happily situated.
Oar gentle unduiaiing hills, and smiling yalIies, ia.
seTeectsd, here and there, with flowing streams and
= N@Yigsple water courses, together with our more