Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-03

N.
Although the Convention now sitting at Redmond
has hitherto, Tor the most part, banshed from delhe
ra ion' those angry passions. once they should
gam admit:anrc, would hur reason rom her throne,
and put TO flight all expectations of usefulness from that
Body, still there have been instances OF excite
ment which must have filled every patriotic hos
with regret. Ii rere ever was occasion when the
most perfect moderation and entire self were
OF the utmost Importance il il in that assembly at
the present time. Our conduct i'm this bushes. OF
new modelling the Constitution, may excite an inhu-
cnce, not only upon Ourselves aud posterity but al
so on the condition OF unborn generations in other
climes, between which and shores, the bound
less lifts up its solemn and eternal voice. The
enemies OF aud of ire edom in other quarters Of the
world would hail with rapture any symptoms of di.or-
der which might occur among us, and point to them
arguments 10 prove the truth Of their perDicous, de-
grading and execrabe doctrines while, on the other
hand. the friends Of liberty look bither for example to
justify and elevate their hopes and TO confirm their faith
in the capacity OF man for self government. May we
not disappoin, the wishes Of philanthropy, and shew
ourselves unworthy OF our god-ike estors May
prove that foreiAthers did sufrr every pri-
vaiion, and encounter every peril for abstracns
mere imaginary forms OF ideal excellence in govern
men (which where really exist that the ennoblng
freedom we now enjoy, IL not ranstory meteor, il
Eliminating for moment the political horizon sink
again in darkness; but that it is pure permanent and
steady light, which, like the sun in the armament, shall
shine forever.
a and momenous era is now 10 its commence
men'; magnus, sb integro, saecorum nasctur ordo;'
and II this great work OF reform shall he carried through
IN the spirit OF Cancellation and mutual orbearsnce, this
era VIII afford to the friends Of Dsnknd Of the most
RTaiHylnR tpectdcIes mat mas ever Deen
exhiOited upon the ce OF the globes that Of whole
people quietly assembling 10 alter its system Of unds
mental law, without any violence tunult.
In Other countries, the people have seldom
been sufhcienty free and enlightened, 10 modify the
frame of their Government without bloodshed and civil
war, aud all the crimes usually attendant upon such a
species Of wadre aud after ALL the change has com.
monty been, from one tyranny to another more cruel,
or, at best, HtHe mildeT In them reform has borne
the scmblance of tempest which, though il may pro-
duce some lightly beneficial; Eft cts upon the atmos-
phere, carries along with IL terror and desoaton, and
death let IL be our aim that IL may here he gentle
zephyr cooling, and rendering the air more wholesome
without any u0propitious consequences whatever.
We will not conclude these brief aud disioined
dsregar ard which has been manifested, by some mem.
bers Of the Convention, towards certain political te-
nets, which have heretofore been deemed by many al.
self evident. The soul. ring strains Of r. trick
Hcnrys elJquence, breahed forth in behalf of equal IL
befty have hardly ceased TO vibr2te the ; the
echoings OF the t cannon, fred in the oil the
volulion, have died away, but along the shores o
the Chesapeake and now, even now, maxims bdllowed
by that glorious and memorable struggle, have
fallen into disrepute, IL into dersion. Even nov
Of the pillars which prOgenitors foudly bcIiev
ed necessary 10 sust The holy structure Of
free institutions, threatened with being ruF " torn
away. To W, must allow, this " has an awfsl
squinti2g" These departures from principle, though
seeming trivial al first, may lead i'm The end 10 fatal
suits The majority is At present required TO yield 10 the
minority no; protection merely, defence from law
les' aggression, but absolute control, the ground
that the latter class possesses peculiar specie
Of property. VI this conceded, alter we had be
come iamliarled and recOnciled TO This idea, oihe
cl4ns might be set up by smaller minores and 70
other reasons until atlengh it would be oontended tina
tJe majority should have nothing at all to do with tn