Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-15

and SO important in its results, would disturb the
body polite in all its relations, was to have been
anticipated, and in the present instance has been
fuy realized. Ii is certainly true that the reputation
OF the country has in some degree suffered from
the unchartable and unrelentng scrutiny Z,
which private as well MS public character has be an
subjected. But on the other hand, the injury
produced by this dscredtabic exhibition Ina. been
relieved, ii rot removed,by seeing how the
oyeiiiowng waters OF bitterness have spent them
selves, and that already the current of public
feeling has resumed its accus,t stoned channels
These excuses are The price we pay Tor that full
enjoyment Of the right of opinion which il en-.
phatically the brthrght of an American citizen
IL Is with perfect Difference to that sacred privi
lege, and in the humble exercise of il which be-
longs 10 myself--with sincere desire not to of
iend the feelings Of those whose views in this re-
spect diilerfrom my own-that L beg leave TO
congratulate you, and through you, our constitu-
ents, on the result Of the late election of Presi.
dent and Vice President OF the United States: A
result which, while it intuses fresh vigour into
our political system, and adds beauties to the
Republican character, on e more refutes the obi
Gus mputation that Republics are ungratef,,l:
dissipates the vain hope that citizens can be
influenced By aught save appeals to their under
standing and love OF country, and finally exhibits
in bold relief, the omnpotence of public opinion
aud the utility OF ali attempts to overawe it by
aliuremenis Of pa,ronage."
The oath of Office was administered TO Mr.. Van
Buren, on the Is, inst. at his own house in State
Street, by the Secretary Of State--a salute of 30
guns, one for each thousand majority, was fired by
Jonathan Kidneys Old Clinton tield-piece ON Clin-
ton Hill.
THE CONVENTION.
We have stated in another part of this days pa
per- that i'll the OF the ne xt two weeks per-
I'M l.,ft
ton. The Debate was Yesterday suspended on
the motion 70 have two bills containing new
projets, printed for the use of the House--in the
mean time, we shall 20 on 10 lay the Debate az
fast as we can before our reatiers-As one earnest
OF which, we submit this day the Speeches of
Messrs. Newton OF w. and Mason of F., together
with a Sketch Of Mondays arguments.-We shall
give more copious account of the Debate of
Iuesday-Mr. Rutherford delivered clear, frank
and manly exposition OF bis views. Mr. Browns
was luminous and eloquent Speech--aud reflect
ed great honor upon the section which he repre-.
sents. and the cause which he advocated.
owe are requested by our Reporter again 10
state, that he fears the Sketches Of the Speeches of
Niessrs. Moore, Williams, Parker, sc on Monday
last may be considered by those gentlemen, as TOO
brief; but for the reasons, which he gave in our
last, he has found il difficult to extend them so as
TO preserve the spirit OF the debate. We shall be
happy, however, as we have already iIi,nated, 10
present more copious Report Of their Speeches
it those gentlemen will be good as 10 enlarge
them.l
we have scarcely felt any anxiety upon the
termination Of this great question. After the voice
OF the people had been soleninly expressed i'm
favor OF The Convention, would not permit our
selves TO believe that il could be defeated by any
difference OF opinion about modes s. forms. 1t is rue
that various schemes have been suggested one bas-
ed partly on3 5ths of slave representation a, ex-
hibited in the Congressional representation, scaled
on the Census of lS20-anotiier founded ON an
equal representation of the counties; and Sd ND.
| on scale OF population in the coun les; another
| upon the Senatorial basis, drawn from the free
white population OF the Census of 1910; and
others, slightly diversified in these respects -
| But we have always believed, that where the
interests were so strong, and the points of COM
promise SO numerous, II would not be Diff
| cult to strike out some arrangement, which might
prove acceptable TO majority of both Houses
Our opinion is. still unchanged. Members seem
| determined on doing something. Some little
warmth has been kindled but the general spirit
OF the House IS decidedly in favor OF conciation
The voice OF the people will I've obeyed.-We
| have couversed with gentlemen on both sides Of
/ the ques,ion-And are disposed 10 believe
that the Legislature will at last settle down upon
| the Senatorial basis. The Eastern members
generally, contend, that they will give np too
much, by coming into this scheme, for it allows
no share OF representation to their slaves. The
western members say, that although they are
willing 10 take this basis it does not give them
the full weight of their free white population as
they lose all the comparative increase, which that
population has made within the last eighteen
years-We consider it highly probable, that This
| scheme will finally prevail.
AS 10 the proposition for giving each county an
equal representation, scarcely think il has any
chance OF prevailing. So unequal. and therefore
so unjust Is the representation it would effect
ali son shall ask bread OF any of you that is a
| father, will he give him a stone?"