Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-07
CONVENTIoM.
SIR. STANARD'S ANSWER.


RIcHMoNp, fIarch 50, 1899.
Sv; have received>your letter of the 23d Instant
conveying the information that the delerates OF the
counties Oh Spotsylvania, Louisa, Orange and Madi
SON. assembled for the purpose of consulting together
and recommending four suitable characters to repre-
sent the district composed of those counties in the
convention to bc held in the city Of Richmond in Oc
tpber next, to propose amendments to tho consttu-
on of the state, had selected me as one of the ucr
sous TO he SO recommended, and requesting that I
would iniprn the chairman Of the delcratcs whether
or not taey have nay assent to make known TO the
People OF the district, my Willingness if elected to
serve DIS one OF their representatives in the Conven
tom ~ 0'
Having long entertained and often expressed the
opinion that, such OCCASION every citizen I'M.
less restrained by the most coccnt reasons should
contribute the services that may be required of him.
rave no other scrupic, III giving unhCstatngly, an
3arpatiYG answer to your inquiry, than that which
sS caused 5y The conviction, that by any can render
shah not be able to justify the fuvurab.e estimate
~h!ch Induced the recommendation of me by the dele
Sat,on. should not however conform to my sense
oi ddty, were to permit this scruple thouGh most
'inf0gncdy felt to prevent me from, nyowinp nv
rcid'hss to serve, if elected to the convention, and
a,thorisins the delegates to make it known 10 the,
i;Copc OF the district.
Sich would be My answer had the nou,ina,ion
hssI7 'fl'!c n my other district of the state HIs
: 50 ,.'.nco'Is!y proceeds from, district with
Il. part ur Which, was so long and SO intimately
conneccd, to which am bound by the strorn and
enduring tics of carly friendship and associations by
ssl2teiu rccocctions Of generous and long continued
Geniidence aud Kindness, az, hnpccd to add, land
nopa may DO SO without hazarding misconstruc-
ton OF my motives, that should the nomination be
ratified by the suhragrs Of tic people | will under
take the trust with pleasure and alacry and iuith-
ivJty and zeaously devote nyscifto lis duties.
entirely concur In the sentiment indicated T., vo,r
ieiter, which depreratcs the exaction of pc0,s from
those on whom the duty OF proposing amendments
To the constitution, shall be devolved to an specific
Hzi'S 9' Giendaent. The convention is designed to
be purely deliberaive. It's function is limited to the
prciffraon OF plan Of amendment, which is to have
40 force unless subsequently, sanctioned by the PEG
pc. In oevslng such plan much diversity ofopn-
lo must BE expected. Local interests of lie C Her
cnt portions of our widely extended commonwealth
y tend to Increase this diversity and the collisions
H. you'd produce would be utterly rrcconcilabIe if
Iach OF tho members we're 20 come tho convention
oehhtlVcly pledged to any precise scheme OF reform
9.Ich an assemblago would resemble q CONGRESS- of
ainbrssadors, representing rival and perhaps hostile
Parties, r1ttr than convention constituted by re-
presentation of different porti6ps OF the sam, com
5nqnty, consulting for the gpod OF all and anfnr to
biefi m harmonious concert the interest Of each part
tItb the prosperity Of The whole. In such an assen1
page, tire performance of its most important fnc-
tl2nS, those OF dcllberation, and candid and acabe
cfminfiSon OF opinions would be impracticabie or
useless the benefits Of inat,Ge and wall consjd-
ef?d counstis must be rsnounced and tire inpor-
Snt end, that OF preparing for the acceptance of tic
people scheme Of organic law improved by tn, ey
PfsHce OF n1oTethan fifty years, and digcsteG BY the
'lsdm OF those whom they shall ,levolve the trust
World be uHattaInabie. Let me add that the same
CAUSE would ~ all probability Illustrate hopes that
every citizen should iondy chcrish-fopcs that Che
scheme of amen 3inens Which shall be devised by the
c5Ve!ton may prove acceptable to TIRE people, that
ie MAY be healing MEASURE assuagng if it does not
ctadrc2te the catises Of discomfort and that it NAV
not impair, If it does not widen the foundations on
w:!'cn may be safely rested Tie future prosperity and
rc1oWu OF tie commonwealth.
, beg yun TO assure the delegates hat 7 have re-
ceivcd the token OF their confidence dlrI rrsnect
which ttir selection furnishes, with the lveicst
Sensibihty and to tender to them My grateful nc
Acknowledgements for the fatterng distinctions Of
which il makes me the object.
Cordially reciproratirg the sentiments of esteem
ai4d regard rendered by them, with very great
flspect,
Your most obt scrvt,
ROBERT SrANiRD.
I,9 Gen. Wan. Madison, Chairman OF the Dele
sates, Of the countict If Spottsylyania, I.plisa
Otange and Madison.