Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-03

sense talked in and out Of Parliament against 70.
! reign Governments. who prefer their own dear and
| indifferent goods TO better and cheaper articles
manufactured elsewhere. Their own people, the
native consumers, may-and if they understand
! their own interest, tUiii-condernn them hut what
| right have are, hardened sinners as we are, TO
bring that as charge against American malignity,
which is but an imitation of old English pghcad.
edncss and fslly'
/ NATIONAL CONVENTION.
The more reflect upon n great National
Convention, for the purpose Of settling disputed
constitutional points, the more satisfied O
it's propriety at the present period in our history
Nearly forty years have elapsed since The
present United States Constitution went into ope
ration. Six administrations have managed the
complicated concerns Of the country during that
period; two of which have been disapproved ant
put out of office by the sovereign people, for at.
tempting 10 misinterpret the constitution and mould
ii to personal purposes In peace and in war, thi.
instrument has been tried. On some occasions il
has been found defective, and much discussion ha:
grown out Of points of debateable nature.
| The men who framed its provisions were wise
intelligent, and true patriots. They had all the
| experience Of the world at that time before them
on the action of free governments; but what has
been added By the internal history Of the United
States for the last thirty years, is much more val
liable than any then possessed. Within the last
few years several dcbateable points have arisen in
the nation. Dcmagogues and hot-headed parti-
| cans have seized upon these things TO ride into
power-to attain their ambitious purposes, or TO
distract and divide the people.-The time that has
been spent in Congress, constitutional discus
sions, has been great and valuable II has intict.
ed unnecessary expense upon the nation. Let the
whole period occupied in such discussions, since
1880, he thrown together, and every one would
be startled at the injury practical legislation has
suffered. Even at the present session the House
Of Representatives has been threatened with two
constitutional discussions;one from General Smyth
OF Virginia. on the Presidency, and another from
General Mercer, on the Cumberland Road.
There is remedy for this and other evils. Let
general Convention ofthe states be called to meet
at New York, Philadelphia, or any other central
place, to revise the Constitution; settle the debate
able points Of doctrine; mark on. the Path for
the Congress to follow hereafter; and such amend
ments as our national expeIj ence has suggested;
pursue the whole in tone Of moderation and Dig
nifty, and submit their deliberations TO the PEG.
pie OF the whole Union for their final decision.
The time is now highly proptous for such
work. A president has been elected by such an
overwhelming majority OF the people, that the
opposition of demagogues ia set at defiance. The
waves of faction will lash in vain the rock of pop
ularity. on which the heros administration is
founded. They cannot prevail against its solidity,
i's strength, its integrity, its talent, and its eleva-
ted patriotism. Since the time of Washington, no
PRESIDENT has been elevated TO the chair of the re-
public, with such warm and confident sentiments
pervading the body Of the people. great nation
al convention, composed of the wise, the expert
enced, and the patriotic, from the east, the west
the south. and the north, would bind us in closer
union. would aliay all unnecessary excitement
would relieve congress and the State legislatures
from intcrminable discussions, and would accom-
p'ish much for the honor and glory of the nation.
IL Is the duty and right Of the neope to recur to
fundamental principles at stated periods. con-
stuton fitted for the action Of thirteen sovereign
states, containing three millions of people, may
notbe exactly suited for the increased views, en-
iarged experience and consequent happiness of
twenty-four states, spread over immense surface
of country, and containing nearly twelve millions
Of inhabitants. The discontents, which now agi-
tate certain portions of the country, would be ef
lectually allayed by this mode Of action The
whole scheme of our government, is founded on
conciiiation and compromise-not on force or une-
quail legislation.
The questions 10 be agitated in such convention,
would be all those which have grown up of late
years,& created much embarrassment 10 the action
OF the legislative power. The renewal of the bank
charter, internal improvements, re-eligibility of
the president, his term of office, the revenue and
tariff principle, would form the leading enquiries
of such convention. The constitutional points
Of law, settled by the United States Court could
also be revised, and such portions Of il as were
good would receive additional sanctions-such
portions as did not suit the nation, could be repeal
ed or modified.
In short, such a measure would ne great and
magnificent in its design, and happy in its conse-
queNCcs, 10 tue OF the natlOn-the
rights OF the people, and the principles Of general
liberty. IL would form an epoch in the history Of
the nation; and distinguish above all other events
the presidency of Andrew Jackson. the second "a.
Their Of the people. What spectacle it would
present TO the powers of Eurcpei A nation Of
twelve millions of people, after an experience of
forty years, meeting TRANQUILITY together by their
representatives., and reviewing their past cond
examining the principles which have guided
them thus far in the road OF independence-lop.
t,tn III nyyn. IA
girding themselves up for another rare, by reno
waiting and re-touching the fundamentals laws OF
the republic.
We hope their subject will he looked ut in all its
bearings, by those whose duty and pride IL is TO
advance the interest aud glory Of their common
country. nv. y. Eug.
A Jackson Ball is to be held on the 9Th Jan. at
Buffalo. A young artist is preparing full length
picture Of the General for that occasion. The
celebration Of ''Santa Victoria as Mr.. Randolph
called the 9Th, will be very general throughout
the country. IIb.
We understand that letter has been lately
written to John q Adams, signed by Harrison GRAY
Otis. VIM Prescott, Thomas II. Perkins and VIM
Sullivan, and other distinguished federal gentle.
men, demanding Of him to shew his proofs res.
pectingt this atrocious charge against the federal
party. Mr.. Adams must now come out, If he has
any regard TO his own reputation. re he sustains
this charge, he will he ntled to the gratitude of
his countrymen-'f he does not, he will be Steep
ed TO the lips in disgrace, and will stand fixed
figure
'JoT the hand Of scorn
To point his si0tO ttnm0ping finger of'
Boston Statesman.
The next April election in this State will he one
OF uncommon interest. The fcderahsts, whatey-
er they may pretend, will run for Governor, Har-
rson g. Otis, and make powerful effort to re-
verse the decision pronounced by the people of
Massachusetts, in 1928 and 1924, upon the Hartford
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