Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-03


bate this right Of action. Honest men NAV differ,
as to tho necessity or propriety Of the movement.
the lovers Of peace may deprccate the turmoils Of
revolution, but there can exist opinion only
concerning the inherent right of tho majority.--
Is such sir the rea, situation of Virgiia.-are we
actually engaged in revising, altering abolish
ing our constitution by an exerlion of priMitirs
sovereignty! No. Mr.. Speaker, we have not yet
determined 10 act upon this essential principle Of
SELF government, the existence Of which il indie
feasible, but the exercise full OF per and should,
therefore, be wisely reserved for cases of dire
necessity, when the mider and less convulsive
means oil reform had proved unavaiiing. Nor are
wc yet prepared TO incur ths folly of attempn.
10 revert To state OF nature, in order that the in
habitants may meet upon the ground of their ORR
ginat equality, and that the voice OF each one may
alike prevail in the formation Of new social COM
pact. ihe strongest powers OF fancy cannot chain
The mind TO an ideal state;-the boldest effort OF
imagination cannot abstract tho attention from our
real situation, by producing the alusion that we
are simple " herdsmen and hunters" We cannot
close our eyes to the fact, that we are living UNI
der a government, TO which we owe allegiance
aud su5ordina.ion; government, which emanated
from the purest patriotism and the most disinter.
esteu love OF country. will not stop, sir, to de-
tenu the lame of the ilustrious founders of our
Republic from the slancer Of having designed to
perpe'uate an asistocracy in our land. The his
Tory OF their lives constitutes the ablest vindica
ton OF their motives. 1t is a relief to the heart
'oatiiing, and disgusted at the hollow pretences
and shallow articles Of hypocritcai politicians and
aspiring demagogues. to turn and rppose upon the
chas'e and exalted vii tues OF our revolutionary
ges Their regulations are lodged in the affection
ate remembrance OF posterty, whose pioas graft
tude will guard their brightness from tho corro-
sions of malice and envy.
virginia rot only has government; but ia also
member Of the Federal Union; and in this char
acer has rights to maintain and obgatio 10 dis
charge. An observance OF the constitution Of the
Y. States, and subsection to the State authorities
during their continuance. render the work OF re-
TORN one OF delicate execution, and impose the ne
cessity prosecuting il through the existing func-
uonaries, five would preserve peace, and not i'm
pair our connection with the co-repubcs. I am
wen aware, sir, that the General Assembly is in
vested win no power 10 alter the constitution, or
10 require its revision and amendment at the hands
OF others. IL will not be doubted hut that the peo-
pie might have confded to the ordinary IesisIa-
ture, the amendment of the constitutions the promo
sM OF amendments or the organization Of con-
ventIon Tor these purposes. In tho absence of
all such arrangements. under the pro visions of an
act oil Assembly passed atthe last session, the ma
jorty OF the .treeholdcrs, who appeared at the
polls IN the months Of April, May, and June, have
said that there shall be convention to alter and
amend the constitution ofthis commonwealth. IL
was the distinct impression, far as ann inform
ed, resting on the mind of every citizen, that if
majority Of the actual voters desired the call OF
a convention, the prcsen. General Assembly would
devise some plan for its organization. Contented
as have been with our form Of government, OPP
posed as have uniformly been to all legislative in
reference, under all the circumstances of the case
l ieei preciuded from making further opposition
10 conventions; and deem il my duty now hear
uy 10 cooperate in an effort TO give form and elf
cacy to the declared will of tho voters. will
mol endeavor TO thwart the well known intention
OF the majority. by pursuing glimmering doubts OF
the legitimate power of the Legislature to pro-
vide for the election and assembling OF a conyen-
ton, and TO make an appropriation 10 defray the
expenses OF its session. True il is, that over
whe!mning majority ofmy immediate constituents
were opposed 10 retarm and unwilling TO incur the
hazards of innovation With hearts, animated by
the congenia! virtues ofpatriotism and gratitude
they dec!ared their satisfaction with govern
ment under which they enjoyed peace and felt no
oppression; they expressed their profound attach
ment Tor the rich inheritance transmitted to them
and enhanced in their estimation by the conside-
raion that it as the first specimen of the unpar-
aileied invention OF written constitutions. Not.
withstanding, l will not do them the Injustice OF
surprising wish on their part to defeat the az
contained purpose of their fellow citizens, by an
obstinate enforcement Of their own opinions l
shall act upon the presumption OF their deternin-
alton TO maintain their republican character, by AN
acquiescence in the decree of the majoriiy As
their representatives, shall, assent to the organiZa-
ton oil convention upon such plan, as sincerely
believe and hope, will do equal and impartial JUS
ce to every section OF the state, without leopard
ing the rights and interests of any. AS their rep
any plan or the introduction Of any principle
which may lead to insecurity Of the rights al
property, if not OF person.
ITO be cO1,tiuuea)
NV YoRK, March 2i.-At the meeting of the
Corporation last evening, the following preamble
snd resolutions were presented by Alderman
Zebra, and adopted:
Whereas the great and fundamental principle of
the compact forming the union Of these United
hat ,.,1ix Al
when cslled on. shall be ever ready to lend their
utmost aid either in war, in council, in support
OF those sacred principles of civil liberty which we
enjoy, and hope and believe it Is our high destiny
IN th's happy land, to continue TO enjoy Impress
sei with a due sense OF this TRUTH
The Common Council Of The city of New York
while they deeply doplore the necessity which
calls Oh the state to nder to the national coun-
ellis one OF her brightest sons cannot but view with
pride and exutation the patriotism and public spir-
IL which has actuated him in the acceptance of
those arduous and responsible duties for the public
good; and entertaining, as we do, the highest re-
gard, not only for the pure republican principles
which have uniformly marked the political course
OF their feiiow citizen, Martin Van Buren, they
teein the present moment Of their separation from
him proper occasion for The expression of those
sentiments OF respect and Observation-Disclosures
Resolved, That copy hereof, together with
the freedom Of the City, be presented to Martin
Van Buren,, a testimony of the respect and es.
TEEN which The peopi: of the City of New York
entertain for bis private worth and public services
Resolved, That his honor the Mayor do carry
the foregoing resolution into effect. nv. Y. Enq
PBrLADELPHrA, March 25.--We learn that the
following appointments have been made blythe
Collector of,he Customs for the Port OF philadel-
phia:
JOIN Iser1, C e Dcprty Coucctor.
Lydia X. Bailey, to be printer s:asioner 10 The
Custom House, vice John Binns, removed. Sent
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