Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
CONVENTION


At no period since the adoption of the Fedora!
Constitution, have the People of Virginia been
called on toperform so solemn ann important du
ty AZ now. Upon the wisdom which shall guide
their eounses on this great occasion, depends the
happiness Of the present and future generations.
II 10 no ordinary act Of Legislation that are a
bout to perform; which may be tried for a year
and repealed, if found pernicious. II is not tenn
porary residence thatwe about to erect; which,
IL found to be unsuitable, we may abandon with
out loss. We are about to form Constitution, 10
make law by which will abide. We are
about to erect mansion, in which we intend to
spend our lives, and which shall shelter our chill
dren when we have descended into the tomb
We should, therefore, cali to our assistance arch.
tects in whose skill and experience can con-
6de. Above all, we should pause, reflect and cal
eulate, before we adopt plan, and decide on the
fitness Of the materials.
consider that provision of the act for calling
Convention, which requires that the new Constu-
ton shall be submitted to the People for adoption
orrejection, as admirably calculated to prevent
tho excitement, which so important concern AS
the choice OF tit persons to form Constitution, is
apt TO produce. II is thereby rendered unneces-
sary to discuss the great questions which
tho occasion gives ries to, previous to the
election. No po,oer is delegated to the Conven-
ZION. 1t cannot by its decisions bind the rights Of
the people for single day. Its duty will be to
suit aud advise. The people will judge and de-
eide whether they viii take the advice not
We should then call on those whom we think best
able to advise We should not tramIneI them
but give their minds full play. Their recctnmen-
dations will be accompanied by all that can be said,
both for and against. Through the medium of the
newspapers we shall have in tangible form all
the arguments in favor Of against this that
change. We can carry them with us TO our fire
sides; read and ponder, and reflect, and, unnilu-
enced by the agitations Of court yard or the in
terested representations of men, who seeking
10 build their popularity on prejudces and our
passions, calmly decide. BY a contrary course,
L r II 4
cfdes cause and then calls on counsel to argue
It, or willful children, who ask advice only from
those whose advice they know before hand, will
accord with their wishes. We shall deny our
selves the benefit Of the lights. which the great
and good men whom hope to see in the Con-
vention, may throw the various subjects ofde-
liberation. For what will il avail if Madison, a
Marshall or Monroe should point out with un-
erring certainty the perditon TO which favourite
measure will lead. il OR representatives are cho-
sen under pledge TO support II! BY such course,
we shall fulfil the prophesie Of the enemies OF re-
form; who have said, that " the election Of con-
"venton will set the whole State together by the
"ears." Young men who are aspiring TO popular
ity. and who should rather seek for Information
than presumptuously assume the task Of teachers,
will start agitatng questions and taking That side,
which they deem most popular, may lead captive
the understanding through the instrumentAlity Of
passion and prejudce: Whilst men Of experience
aud inform alton who have political elevation
In view, no darling popularity to foster, and are,
therefore, best qualified to guide us, will not leave
their retirement to mix in the troubled scene
Young Lawyers, who could not stand rigid ex-
animation on Blackstone's Commentaries, but, me-
vertheless, imagine themselves deeply skilled in
human nature, and the science of government
condemned to sesce in the courts, will turn
stump orators, and carried away by the ardor o
their own feelings, fearing no danger, because
they can see none, may influence the unthiDkiDg
Whilst grave judges, whose lives have been spen
IN developing the secret springs Of human actions
whose minds are stored with all that books Car
teach; who. after twenty years iucubrations are
ready 10 exciaim that I" those who know mos
know best, how little they know" will be cas-
into shade. Such men will ot,unasked, obtrud'
themselves upon the public.
Look we'll TO the men who shall attempt 10 sti
singh questions, and prescribe tests, and you vii
lind them to be those, the friends Of those, who
are seeking to gain retain popularity. Such RI
not the lights which VIC should take for guide
/ On this trying occasion. Let US rather turn on
eyes to men advanced IT, life, who have not mix
ed 10 political turmoil, who have no private end
TO answer, no political advancement in view 4
warp their minds and lead them from the path {
duty Virginia at no period OF her history possess
ed more talents anil virtue. Let us call them in
/ 70 action. They will carry US IN safety through
4 the dangers, which, from the nature Of our jour
/ ney, necessarily besct our path. We can fssem
1 bic body Of men, who, for talents, learning an'
Integrity, will bear comparison with any ever as
scmbled in the United States. convention form
cd OF such materials will give US constitution
on which we all unite; one, which viii b.
be pride and boast Of the Sta;e;a Constitution
which will secure the blessings Of liberty AM
l COOL government TO Our latest posterity. We ne
Yer we're, & protsiIyncver will bc,more free iron