Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1828-11-22
CONVENTIONS

by us at the time III the uproar of the Presidential
Election. Accident having directed our attention 10
IT. we are so much pleased with its temper and senti-
mcnts to rcpublish it for the qualification Of our
readers.
Nothing more strikingly proves the monopoizing
interest OF the contest through which the milton has
just past than the extraordinary Stiffness which has
prevailed for the last - months on the subject of the
State Convention. The people voted upon it almost
without sensation and since its ratification bv them
1t has caused but little discussion either in political cir
ces or III the newspapers, although preliminary qucs-
lions OF the deepest Interest," who shall vote for
members Of Conventions and what shall be the basis
OF Representation, in the first instance TO bc set
tied by the Legislature.
Perhaps the avoidance of long discussion of these
points, and of the consequent irritation may prove
beneficial, and iii this way the Presidential contest
have rendered some service. But we are glad to 500
public attention beginning TO revert 10 subject which
SO well deserves it as the Convention-and the pre-
minary questions which must occupy the attention Of
the General Assembly clearly stated and nervous
ly reasoned, as they are by Joscphus. We observed
short time since. writer in the Enquirer sounding
aarum TO The Anti Conventonists and inviting
them 10 their asccndancy in the Legislature in a
mode that seemed iegitnnatc TO our apprehension
But du not think that his suggestions will be
embraced. We have no idea that the majority in the
Legislature VIII attempt to defeat the declared aud re-
corded will not of the people merely. bnt of free
holders However this may he il time for the friends
Of COnventionto be wide awake and not lose By their
supnencss the fruits OF the long and arduous but fl
nally successful struggle III favor of State Refor-
inhton. We learn that the Augean Stables are to be
ceanscd at Washington, and that reform is TO b,
pushed into every recess. While the spirit is abroad
Let the broom also be used IN Richmond and the State
Government. We know that there are cobwcbs
here, as well IS there-rats perhaps whose hole, j;
may be as wolf to stop uD III Treasury as the
other. Some people Ihty advocates for re form
and rotation and all these fine things while tlcy OPP
crate at distance, but finch when the first person
singular is approached As the people are in The In.
mour for reform. let embrace all.
Fan INC J.G-,s.ua, Rtyp5'c1n
Tho character Of and the deep interests involved in
the Presidential contest have drawn pubic attention
too much from the effort IN favor offndaulcn;a reform
Since the ascertlnmaut OF public opinion The oucs-
ton Of Convention it is believed that no further d;-
rect attempt will be made Ia resist tho will Of the ma
loritybut those vino think that the cardinal prnci-
pie OF republics, THAT the majority shall govern, is
as all powerful IN prIctice as it universally acknow
lodged in theory, uuacquantcd with mans loyo |
of power, and the nature of party spirit. " hat can
no longer with decency b resisted may Be defeated
by indirect means
There will probably, h. in the novt General As /
scrnby, three views plans Of organizing ConyeI-
ton. 1st Allowing each county one decorate. 2d. I
Allowing four, five, to each DISTRICT Congress
slona or Senatorial. Sd. making white population
the bass of representation therein.
The first plan county bass) give to small counties
clual weight with large continues in Convention,
the representative inequality, now existing IN the As
sembly--exhbits tn anomaly Of d body convened to
redress an evil constituted the very plan 81 the
evil ltset-and will ensure in Convention large ma
iority Of members opposed 90 Convention.
Phe second plan District basis gives larr. c7un-
ties proper weight without injustice 10 small sbstan-
laly adopts the principle INIT taxation aud population
mot the latter only should constitute the basis Of r.
prcsenton-proiuco5 and Is produced by. c0ncills-
tory and compromising disposition essential 20 wise
and salutary results and by charging the sphere o.
choice secures to Convention greater rl.u. old cx-
periencc.
The third plan tpopuo ION basis rejects the c,irna-
tlon of taxation in the tI-i- OF representation. encaI-
tcrs difficulties almost Jr upcrablc, from our present
county dvislOnsanG 8ugIn uts sectional 4, local ica-
leuses aud fears. Bot 81 is believed LIlt those vii,
favor this plan will b" deferred. by their paucy OF
number and hopeessn"sf OF success from pre- -cuting
n at all. aud that the struggle w be- the adoption
ofonc 81 the two iorm.r.
How can rational minds differ ODD lhc choice Of.
County or District representation DO Convention, OF
those capable Of cJcuolon douDt tina. the District
plan IS desired by the People of virginia. Yet it IS
possible, % gn"ves the writer ~ add perhaps proya-
bic TINT owlug to the inequality Of representation in
the Legislature and the prevalence Of sectional zeal
ousy, the plan oialiowIu delegate 10 every Gyun-
~. no matter what s stl, may b. adopted. n So
the Convention is likely tJ be aYmia1t onlv-"k ccp
ing the promise % t,In and breaking It 10 tic
hope. "--Some few mrnporteui changes rccomnen-
dcd for firm s''". But s 10 supposed, That Che ma
Iority WI. hc content go have their win thus set N
nougllt Their rqA,s thus violated, That they viii /
take the shadow for the substance, Or can be- de- /
ccved by veil so hiusy, And should they deter .
mine 10 continue th' struggle, rb0 ayoeci cH n as
s'DHe'--Ihc spirit of freedom hath not expired ~ .
NTginla--f Only s'rmbsc,--tS wake but arouse .l 3
not.
Could tIh' sdaI'H unite 'Ia cordial and hearty .
support of ell thrr, con be- np doubt that the result
would prove emlncu'y beneficial aoy, lhcr yalutary
and comparatively spaa,iu0) without alloy. Nothing
could more conducc o. such horoouiou, aud cheerful
s~f,fr.. linn ..l . g r.