Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-06

own pocket. Yet, Syi'a's funeral was attended
by the Senate and the yestai Virgins !-anj
hymns were sung in honor Of his memory, not
wlthstsnding his crimes at Rome, and his vices at
Puteoli And, the reign of Cromwell is still syl-
ed the Commonwealth of England, and his detes-
table hypocrisy has not yet deprived him of the
| title of Protector.
The power Of the few, and the power of the
many. when in opposition, seem to move in cir
Gle, alternately preceding each other; but always
equally distant from that point Of human happi.
ness, in which we would wish them to CENTRE
Happily for US, tellow-ci,izens, aud, we hope for
the rest OF mankind, osr efforts have attempted TO
give TO these forces, new direction. The people
Of the United States have done more TO reconcile
mem, Than any other people; and, consequently,
they have made nearer approximations 10 that poll
benefit.
The right road is discovered, and if we do not
abandon ii, we shall arrive at the City of Safety.
But, should we turn aside-should the old contest
between these powers be renewed, in this henis-
phere, the delightful hopes, the fond expectations
oil the human race, will be forever blasted.
Heaven forbid, that the experience of ages
should be disregarded; that the blood and tre asre
OF nations, shall have been spilled and spent in
| vain.
These reflections have been excited by the de-
bates on the bill to organize a Convention. Per-
haps my mental vision dimined by anxiety.
But, feared that saw some disposition to return
10 mat old contest, which has turned the world
iriend-neither is partizan patriot. Were a
seeker Of popularity in this or that section of Vir
GINA, should not present to you these reflections.
That counsel, which is most agreeable, is rarely
most profitable. 1t would i'll become the sigma
ture have assumed, to fear offence by the expo
sure of errors, or by the denuncaiion of whatever
may be adverse to the public good.
When heard Of the exclusive representation Of
districts OF country, or county corporations" the
powers that be" commended for, in derogation of
the rights Of the majority, and the other side,
the exclusive representation of the free white pop
uation, in derogation of the rights of the minor
ty, melancholy forebotings filled my mind. But,
hope they will be disspated by the elections in
May. They will determine the destnies of Vir-
gina for time, that man living can calcula ate.
Ii. in the Constitution which shall be form
ed, the rights Of majority Of the free
white men of the State shall be disrep arded.
in any matter deemed by them essential,
the inevitable consequence will be Revolu-
luton. And, how that would end, none can tell
How 1T to0uid progress, the History OF all Revo-
utions, commencing on that ground, will teach US.
And Il, on the other hand the control of property
principal element OF the power of the minority,
or legal right to tax it., shall be vested in those
VINO are not Its owners, resistance by the owners
Will be the inevitable consequence. This resist
ance would be rebellion, and would be termed
just rebellion, unless the principles of our Revo-
Iutionary War were wrong, and Britain had a right
to tax US, without our consent. How this rebel
| lion might end, none can tell-it might be sue
| might, that form of government could not be sta
BILE, which vested the control of property in any
others, than those who had, by their TOLL acquired
1t; because, all incentives to industry and acono-
my, would be extinguished. The security and
control OF property by its owners and the secur-
ty OF personal rights in the present of Soce-
ty, must be united. No other state of things call
it by what name we will, can be permanent, or
productive OF prosperity.
Temporary, and productive of great, and per-
lrrene0atJle ms iIx, ha
unless greatly err in my estimate of your char
acter.
Whatever political provisions will, there fore,
best secure the rights of persons and the rights Of
property, to their respective owners will be wis
est, best, most permanent, whether in accordance
with the distractions of ultra aristocrats or ultra
republicans.
The selection of them, to represent you, then.
in the approaching Convention, is matter of high
and grave import. Take care TO know WELL those
to whom you confde the destiny of yourselves,
and OF your posterity. CATO.
To thejreeaolders of Charlotte, Haljfar and r.
Edtoard
FELLow-CITIzENs-The conflict between the
friends and opponents of convention to alter our
state constitution, has been violent to degree
greatly 10 be lamented. The contest, SO far as il
respects the present Assembly, is put to rest, by
the passage OF bill, which prescribes the time of
elections, the mode of eecting members to the
Cow ention, and the time of their conference,
L he most SupeTuc1ii observer must have seen.
that the bill owes its birth TO concessions and COM
promise among the members representing the
seemingly discordant interest of the people, inhab-
ting different parts Of the state. Should any ma
terial, beneficial change be made to our present
form Of government, 1t must be effected by putting
aside all sectional feelings and anmosities, and
looking with single eye, TO what the public good
may require. We should set the example TO those
whom we elect to represent US in Convention, by a
generous forbearance towards one another, and by
laying aside every SELFISH personal feeling, in ma
king selection of members. Let us adhere to
our principles, regardless of personal friends.
The better to accomplish these desirable, these
in your respective counties, at such times and pla
ces as may suit your convenience, and select six
honest, firm, Intelligent planters and farmers from
among your voters whose duty il shall be, to at
tend at Charlotte courthouse, on the first Mon
day in April next, and nominate four fit and pro-
per persons to represent us in the Convention
giving to each county in the district, least one
representative, from among its fire., holders. BY
pursuing this course, we shall, hope, escape the
commotion in this district, which must inevitably
take place in some others, ii we look to the num-
Der OF candidates announced in the papers. In the
interim, let US not commit ourselves to any man
who may voluntarily come forw asd-as candidate,
who may be declared rs such, by his friends.
Let do this, and there cannot be rational doubt
Of our gliding on harmoniously, to happy ter
mination. CULTlVATOR.
To the SOUTHAMPTON and .Ndnsemond Senate
rial District.
The present age Is pregnant with many chime.
rcal schemes, which unless judicially managed ,and
rightly executed, must prove lasting and serious
injury-among them the call tor a Convention has
created aud the bill authorizing The appointment
Of members, is now creating, much excitement
and although II has passed both houses, adopting