Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-12

mission TO the will OF the people.
While acknowledge that the relation ia which
l now stand to the public, entirely justities the
call which you have made for my sentiments
upon various topics, take the liberty respectfully
TO suggest, that the necessity for such an expose
from person so situated, is not so obvious to my
mind, az II seems 10 be IN the estimation of many,
Tor whose judgment have the utmost de fere nee.
The connection between the representative aud
his constituents is rendered so close by identical
interests, common sympathies and blended associ-
ations-the dependence of the former upon the lat
ter, for countenance, encouragement, and applause
is so complete and he is punished severely by
their rown for any derelictcn of duty real sup
posed-that the danger most TO be unprecedented
is, not contemptuous disregard OF their opinions,
or an obstinate opposition TO their viii, but sub
serviency which sacrifices the general good 10
sectional prejuGices, and a plancy which surren-
ders all scrupes OF conscience TO the love of popu
larty.
There is further consideration which, it seems
TO me, renders the precise sentiments of the
preventative a matter Of comparative insignifi-
canoe. The only power which will be entrusted
20 the Convention, is HAT of recommending con-
s,itution oil government TO the people, for their
adoption. The exercise of that power necessari-
~ involves due regard 10 public opinion. How
foolish and uniaithiu, then, must be that repre-
sentative, vino shall go into the Convention with
fixed determination to advocate his own peculiar
notions OF political right and expediency, to the
utter disregard of the feelings and wishes of the
people for whom he is called upon TO act and by
whom viii be Indignantly rejected any SYSTEM
which may incur their disapprobation To de.
wise constitution OF government, ought to be an
effort OF practical wisdom, and he is an idle vi
sionary, who weaves cobweb theories in his co-
set, instead at adapting his system TO the charac.
ter, the habits and the rreiudices of the COM
munity for whom il is intended.
The foregoing remarks are not founded upon
any misconcep,ion of the purpose with which
J you have submitted your enquiries. do not un-
derstand you as requiring me TO pledge myself to
adopta prescribed schedule of opinions, to advo-
cate any specified projects of reform; but mere
| ly TO give such a general view of my ideas in re-
gard 10 existing defects in our plan of government,
as may enable an intelligent and sober minded
community to Judge, whether l am opposed to
rash innovations the hand, or friendly TO the
removal of abuses, on the other.
Before proceed to notice the several topics 10
which you have directed my attention. it is due 10
myself and to others, that no misapprehension
should exist as 10 the course which have hereto
fore pursued upon the subject OF convention. /;
ought 10 be distinctly understood, that until the
sense OF the people was clearly ascertained, L was
not an advocate for that important measure. My
opposition 10 1t did not arise from blind attach
ment 10 our present constitution or prcposterous
belief that unlike all other human institutions, il
was not susceptible of amendments. But am free 10
confess, that in my mind the fear OF evil had over
come the hope of good; and that was unwilling
in the search after imp ovement, TO incur the risk
Va elGdN3 anu leIIhpSy err
rors. Most sincerely do wish that the result may
prove, my want OF confidence in myself and others
10 nave been an error oijudgment, proceeding
from an excess of caution.
Now, that a convention has been resolved upon
by the people and the means OF organizing it have
been provided, the path of duty for every either
IS too plain to be mistaken. AL should unite, il
a spirit OF justice, temperance, forbearance, pru
dence and Cancellation, in devising a syetem of GO
venment best calculated 20 secure 10 all the en-
| lOVmpnt and han, n
system which shall encourage industry, promote
social order and harmony, repress RIGHTEOUSNESS
and faction, and ensure the prompt efficient, ant
economical administration OF Justice; system
which shall call forth and stimulate all the re
sources and best energies of the Commonwealth
and direct them, by means of wise Legislation
and faithful execution of the laws, so as 10 elevate
the character of Virginia, and spread prosperity
and abundance throughout all her borders. Shal
L tell You by what plan of government these bles.
sings are to be obtained' Yous good sense would
| treat such an effort the vain and feeble effusion
| OF ignorance, presumption and rashness. You
know that the collected wisdom of the State, is
scarcely adequate 10 such task-a task which
requires all the lights Of history, all the preceps
experience, all the resources of genius, and all
the expedien!s OF consultation, elaboration, and
| discussion.
| You will infer from what have said that in the
formation of our fundamental laws, the noblest and
most important social function Of free and civilized
man, deprecate the wildness of enthusiasm the
blindness OF bigotry, the rashness of ignorance
the presumption OF sef-sufficiency, and the tyran-
ny of arrogance. AT the same time, acknow-
ledge the truth and propriety of your sentiment,
that there is principle of relative political
power, which the citizens of Western Virginia
can never surrender or compromise, nameiy,-that
representation should be apportionsd throughout
the State, upon the basis of white population. On
this point, there is difference of opinion West
Of the Blue Ridge mountan. restrain myself
from all discussion of the subject. IL involves ev-
cry thing manly, independent and sacred in our
political ideas and feelings. We love our Eastern
brethren. respect their virtues, and admire their
talents; but the bare stat ement of the preensions
advanced by some Of them, requires from as an
effort to quiet our throbbing bosOms, and subduo
the torrent which rushes through our veins
| Compared with this momentous question, all 9TH
er matters OF political reform dwindle into con-
temptibe nsigniiicance. If the Western people
should not be admitted to a due participation in
the powers of government, the parchment which
tne Convention may issue, will be merely sheep
skin; or, perhaps, may be transmitted, by the in
carnations OF party phrenzy, into fatal scorpion.
whose sting will pierce and poison the vitaIs OF the
Commonwealth.
| Jtis Obvious, tilat ire i-iiv;iual -irht Of cuff
! frage rests upon ground entirely different from
that Of the apporlionment OF representation II
has never been regarded by me as a matter of alb
stract natural justice on the contrary, have al
ways considered If as one of merely social expe-
diency. 1t is privilege which cannot and ought
not to be enjoyed by all the members of the Com
munity; but should be confined as far as practical
BILE, to such as will probably exercise it in a man
ner beneficial TO the republic. There are no
means Of ascertaining with certainty the compe-
iency Of individuals, for the discreet and faithful
use OF this important power; and yet the necess-
! ty OF the case requires some uniform criterion,
though every one must admit, that no rule can be
| adopted, which will not exclude many worthy and
respectable citizens and at the same time embrace
many others, mot entitled from their merits to such
preference. l have always thought moderate
freehold qualification, within the reach of careful
industry, TO be liable 10 fewer objections, and to