Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-10-12
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.



The Convention met Yesterday, in tho Cant.
t0l of Virg una, agreeaby to the law of the Le-
q stature Of Virginia. Il WINS duly organized,
hy the election OF a President, Clerk, Sergeant
nj Arms aud Door-keepeTs. Out of the 96
members elected, there were but six abseuteos.
An ihiense m crest wa, eXcited-tha Gallery,
the Lobby ard part Of the Hall were crowded
with anxious .prcrators. The spectacle of So
many distinguished men, onvened together for
so solemn and important a puI pose produced a
Sensaton which baiIles description. When
James Madison rose q nominate his friend !;
when upon the election OF lanes Monroe 10
the Chair, he was escorted 10 II by MI. MADISON
and by MIR Marshall and when James Mon.
roe delivered his feeling aud impressive Address,
the scene was peculiarly touching. There was
many wet eye ia the Hal.-We record this
moroing, their fist day. proceedings.
The Convention elected for the purpose OF
revising the Constitution Of this State, assem-
bed yesterday Ut The Capitol The attendance
was very general. The entire number of dele
gates heing present, with the exception Of six
persons, d tanned by indisposion.
Atn little aft II O'Clock, Mr. Madison rose
aud addressed the { invention.--He 5 ated the
propriey Of organizing the bndyb, he appoint
ment Of "A President hat he therefor. hOmi.
mated James Monroe "A qua fled 10 Gil the
Chair and onr who's. character aud long pub.
lie services rendered il unnecessary for bim 10
say more THAI present him lespec fully 20 tue
notice of the House.
No other candidate being put in nomination,
The question was put ON the nomination of Mr..
Monroe he WAS elected mem c0n
Messfs. Madison and Mlrsnal having con
Quoted him to the GhnIr lac addressed the Con
yenlion nearly in The following terms:
Having served my country from very early
life, in all is highest trusts and most difli1u,
emergencies from the most Imp0i tant of VIII ch
trusts have lately retired, caaaot Otherwise
than fee, with great seBsrhiIiy, ms proof OF
the high 30, fdruee o. ifsV'ry heightened aud
respectable ass, mby. H. IA my .arn-,t hope
and desire, that very Distinguish ed citizen and
heud who has preoed the IN several Of theAe
high trusts, and who had a just calm 10 that
precedence should have taken tnis station,
and deeply regret tie considerable waich
have induced him 10 decline u. The proofs OF
his very important services, aud the purity Of
his life, will 20 down ~ our latest posler,ty
and his example, aided bv thai of otheis,
whom | need not mention, will give n strong
prop 10 our free system Of gov erDmeni.
regret my appointment from another con.
sideration a fear that | shall not he able to
discharge the duties of the irnst with advaatage
to my country. i have never before held such
a station, aud am gnorant of the rules of the
House II have, also, beennilllcfed OF late, with
ihiitmity which sill exists 10 a degree to form
a serious obstace.-Beng placed, however,
here, will exert my best faculties, phy seal
a0d mental such rs they are, al evety hazard.
to discharge rs duties to the satisfaction OF This
Assembly, and ofmy Country.
This assembly is called for the most imyor
tant object. I is TO amend our Constitution,
and thereby give new support to our system
OF free republican government our Consiitn.
ton was the first that was formed IN the Union
and has teen IN operation ever since Wei ad
al that period, the examples only of the ancient
republics before us,-we have now the expert.
ence of more than half a century OF this, our
own Consultation, aud Of those Of all our sister
States. If il has defects, as think il has ex-
perience viii have pointed them out, and the
ability ami integrity Of this enlighe ned body,
will recommend such slleraiions as il deems
proper TO our constituents, IN whom The power
of sd npiing or rejecting them is exclusively yes
ted.
All other republics have failed. Those OF
| Rome aud Greece exist only 10 history. 10 the
| territories which they ruled, we see the ruins oil
ancient buildings pnly--the governments have
persisted, and the inhabitants exhibit a state o
decrepiiude and wretchedness, which is fright
ful TO those who visit them