Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-12-24
IRON oUR coRgEsPoNDEvr.l
Richmond, Dee. IL.

IN unls city. The newspapers Will doubtless
supply you with the most accurate aud detail
ed reports of the course of proceedings both
in the Convention and in House of Delegates.
but as have moment of recreation at this
time from my duties in COMMITTEES and in the
House, | will furnish you with such views. as
my limited opportunities of observation ena-
bic me to give of the probable course of e.
yents--their courses and consequences
The Convention IS still in session-and no
one | believe will venture to predict when it
will terminate its MISUNDERSTANDING In a week
perhaps not for four, five or six weeks. II on
yesterday elected Mr.. Barbour of Orange, to
fill the vacancy in the Chair, occasioned by
the resignation Of Col. Monroe;--and remov-
ed the-seat of its deliberations from the Hall
OF Delegates to: he Baptist Church, where it
still continues to attract the anxious and I'M
devided attention of all who have assembled
IN this City. The numerous new propositions
daily Submitted, and the VARYING vicieitudes
impaired to the contest, serve 70 keep expec-
tation awake aud to stimulate curiosity
which together with the rich stores OF politi-
cal science profusely poured forth, accom-
panied with the boldest and most magnificent
displays of eloquence and passion, make it
an attractive theatre for the scholar--the po-
Gtcian and the man of taste firmly believe
that more competent and interesting body
of men could not be selected from any single
nation on Earth-men possessing greater
mental lights and experience and combining
a greater variety of talent ard requirement
than the Convention now assembled IN Rich
mond. Most truly may ii be exclaimed of
Virgnia-.Magra Mater peggmi All have
their merit-some more, some less, but each
of kind peculiar To himself In Madison
and Monroe we have the actual embodied and
recorded experience of this government from
its foundation to the present time In Mar
shall we have all the lights which the most
perfect acquaintance with the Federal and
State Judiciaries, and patient and thorough
investigation of their respective merits can
afford-In Green, Coalter, Summers and Up
shur we have valuable experience derived
from long and intimate familiarity with the
Judicial System of this State--Its vices and
defects--In Peasants, Tyler and Giles, a 81
mlar experience derived from a service in
cine Executive Department ofthe Government.
E.tro these are to be added a host Of distin-
gushed men who now are or have been high
| in the councils of the National Government
such as Tazewell, Randolph, Mercer, bod
i bridge, Barbour, Gordon, Powell, and ano-
\ Their class not inferior in ability, who have
confined the display of their talents within
4 the narrow limits of professional enterprise
and fame,--of such are Leigh, johnson, Stan
ard, Cooke and Campbell With such mass
of talent and legal and political experience,
you will conclude, surely the people OF Vir-
ginia have right to expect a Constitution as
Il perfect as one can emenate from the efforts OF
human wisdom. In this expectation, reason
able as it may seem, they are destined to en-
4 counter very certain disappointment. The
! suggestions OF Wisdom and Experience are
continually frustrated by the obstacles which
q pride, prejudice and passion throw in the
8 way, and sectional jealousy and feeling are
4 destined to atchicve a melancholy triumph O.
yer the settled convictions of the wisest as
scmbly on Earth.
The Convention has now been in session
!. ten weeks, and has not definitely acted upon
any single proposition Were | to conjecture
= however from what have seen and heard
what the results of their deliberations may
be, | would say,
First That neither the Executive nor
Ministerial Officers viii be made elective by
the People.
4 Secondly That the present Council will
be abolished, but perhaps an advisory Coun-
ell instituted.
Thirdly That no important changes win
be made in the Judiciary except that perhaps
| of INCREASED responsibility to the Legislature.
II Fo,sthlt That the Right of Suffrage will
be very little extended.
II Futhtu. nat tDt EuStS " ncpTtsSiHuttUs
will be the compound ratio of population and
taxation in both branches of the Legislative
Department.
In reference to this last proposition, to wit
Il the Basis of Represcntation-that which IN
q fact constituted the great cause of complaint
q IN the West-the primary and leading induce
4 ment to the cali of Convention, 1t is be-
yond question that we are destined to en-
j counter decisive overthrow. This may sur
prise you, as it was generally agreed when
left Berkeley, that the advocate OF the white
the only true Republican basis, had maJorl-
4 ty of ttc0 What then it may be asked has
caused an event so unexpected? What has
reversed the scales of victory, even after the
enemy's flag had been struck by one OF the
bltterest and most uncompromising OF oui
foes?s II may be traced TO a variety OF caus
! y f'sf more especially to two, which l Wi
4 nenuon.
Eisst. To want of concert and organiza
don in the Western Delegation. Too conf
dent OF victory, they were too inattent,ve Il
the means of securing II. We had too many
who aspired to the distinction of leaders--to(
few who were willing to lend an auxiliary
aid in the character of subaitems. Victory
has been snatched from our banners, while
our chief men idly contending among them
selves fo- the honors of conquest. Each hae
his favo,ite projet; 20 which he adhered witt
i'll timed pertenacity. In their private cham
'in ailuslon TO John Randclph's speech.