Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-13
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

FOR THE ENQUIRER.
THE CONVENTION.-No. l.
The period - at hand when the Legislature will
be called to settle finally, the principles upon
which shall be organized, the contemplated Con-
vcntion for amending the State Constitution.
Certainly, whether we advert 20 the intrinsic
consequence OF the questions which necessarily
arise in fixing these principes-or TO the effect to
be produced by this decision az it shall be found
ed in truth or talsehood in aaying, or siill further
exciting, pubic discomfort the diversity oil
views, too well known, unhappiiy, to exist, res
pee ing the proper to be pursued-in what
ever point Of view this subject it obviously
possesses every claim TO the reest and fullest dis
cussion.
Surprise is often expressed that the Press OF Yir-
ginia teernlng, as II has so long been, with in
Vulnerable disquisitions topics inferior in i'm.
portance, should this, the highest theme of all
have preserved SO prolonged, almost unbroken
silence. BY some this fact has been explained
by an imputed unanimiiy 10 public sentiment as
TO the proper measures to be taken, which as ii
could scarcely be expected TO obtain OH so COM
pick subject, so il has already been evinced by
recent vote OF the Legislature ITSELF in truth not
to exist. Others account for it the ground, that
general indifference TO THIS subject prevails a.
| mong the people
Very differently does il affect nv mind To
ne II seems as the stiffness that ushers in the
storm. As, preparatory TO The strife OF the ele-
inents, Nature seems TO pause, in fear her very
empire VIII be Overtbrown--so Man stands for n
moment appalled,, when he sees the principles of
his social system about TO be unsettled, lest the
fabric itself should be upturned. am not OF that
number whose iances indulge in gloomy antici-
pations. BY nature, love rather to dwell on the
bright and cheering, thSn the tart, and dis
hearieniDg aspects OF things. And here Reason,
Teaching that to man alone, OF all his creatures,
ms VI akeT has not denied capacity ade quate 10 his
necessities,) sanctions the confidence my dispose
lion inspires, OF suspicious results TO the proposed
undertaking And all experience bears witness
10 the fact, that, wherever the people have moved
to" ards the correction Of abuses in Government;
although for a time, excuses and violence have
marked their progress-yet, in the end, hath
anelioration always waited Oh a change. Let the
proud and happy feeling that dilates The bosom of
every true American, when he surveys the beau
niul frame oil his tree instiiutioDs-thc fruit Of
revolution-thc work OF popular wisdom and popu
lar virtue-atiest the truth OF this Proposition
Let the ever increasing sway in England of the
peoples voice in affairs of government ION as it
has heen by successive efforts from the rule Of
once abso ute monarchs bear witness to its truth
Let France, tossed she has been on the widest
pillows OF observation-disclosures, whose awakened
spirit oil liberty, leagucd legmates insoe ntiy but
vaiDiy essayed to crush, sheY, in the softcned
r'gors OF her Censorship,n the blow she has late
" aimed at the pernicious, thrice cursed power Of
the presthood,-in her better administr alton Of
better laws--and in the more general diffusion of
Juster views oil government, that even the worst of
all J. volut;onsthose in which revenge OF injuries
sbarpens at once, and Yields the sword Of rel form
have tendency still ultimately TO improve the
condition OF the people. Let the concessions TO
public opinion Tn oughcut all Europe, tho slight
reluctant yet sensible, the effect of attempted
or threatened revolution, give cheering demon
STATIONS OF the sill prevailing influence OF the
Rights OF Man. 10 pursue The parable. I set out
with, as commissions in the natural world. growing
as they always do out Of some disorder OF iis Gle
Inents, instead OF impairng dominion they ap-
pear TO threaten, tend always TO recover an euti
hbrium that had been lost and restore a harmony
that had been disturbed: So, these examples IN
spire just confidence, that shocks in the moral
world, the consequence also Of some original
vice in its principles will result in lnpar,ing new
strength and new beauty only, where injury
seemed TO impend TO the fabric OF human society.
But, while we may thus indulge, even in cases
oil violent change, exharating ancipaticns of ~.
terror good, yet is object nearest the heart Of
every good man. that Reform should be effected
with the least possible interruption 10 the GOOD
teeing and tranquility Of Society resembling
herein, those silent yet admirable natural process
ses, that melt gradually the Winters SHOWS into
Summer Streams, and break, by the beautiful IRA.
cations OF the dawn, 0ie otherwise too abrupt
transition from Darkness to Day. 10 what extent
this most desirable object shall be accommodated
sentaIIy depends on the character of the measures
to be recommendedby the present General Assem-
bly,
Tho enterprise in which they are about TO on.
gage, - ut once the mos. imposing and most inter
esting, that b. offered 10 the contemplation Of
Man.--A people, resolving th-ir government into
IT'S primitive elements, in order that they may dis
YER and cx.irpa,e the germin- os evil and give
cnowcd vigOr and activity TO The PRINCIPLES Of hui
man happiness, IS spectacle that arrests and FIX
es the gaze & Inen-snd, on which, We may sup
pose he ego even Of DEITY Itself 10 turn with
competency How il fills win pride, with clad
ness, yet tempered solcrtife, the heart OF the
patriot a, home How il kidd abroad the bes'
hopes OF tn phran,iif is iow IL heightens in