Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-10-06
sSeg1eeetoesD Sga geeM.
UESDAY MORNING, OCr. 6, 1879.
TEZE coMylNTsorE.


TEE coMylssTsoEE.
between ten and eleven yesterday the public
began to collect in large numbers about the Capitol
out without any accident or interruption Of order. As
IL approached noon, the Members OF Convention be-
gan TO assemble in the Hail of Delegates and it was
soon apparent that very full quorum of the body was
10 attendance. In pcrusing the appearance of So
many Distinguished and venerable men, in ytncssino
their salutations after long separations, aud wher
met on SD interesting occason, and in reflections
On the consequences Of al event frau"It With so nc1
veal or woe TO Virginia, the public we're deeply en-
gagged until Mr.. Madison rose i'll his place to call the
Convention to order. His address was brief. and de-
livered III SO ow tone, that it was lost to creatc,
purt Of the audience.
Mr. Madison rose, and reminded The Convention
that IN the organization of deliberatvc assembly
.nc hfSS step was the appointment of presiding Off
Ger. lie had therefore risen for the purpose Of no.
minatng James Monroe. He stated THAT he cousl-
dercd It improper to make any reference 10 tie me-
Tits OF Mr. Monroe; aud it was equally uimecpssury,
as nEe whole OF that genienans public life was ia
!niiiaf TO tue public eye. lie would therefore content
himself With the nomination Of James Monroe to be
the President ofthe Convention
FIR. Doddrldge suggesting the ru,ilitv OF ballot,
the question was put oiOa by IIr Madison and Mr.
Monroe elected neln cou. Thereupon he was con-
~. IA
whence llc addressed TIC 1Tous, - .oIlows:
Having served my country from my carly life in oII
us hshest trusts aud most difficult emergencies from
the most important of which trnsts have lately ret
req, cannot otherwise than feel wiki great ssrsi
bity, this proof of the high confidence OF His cow
enlightened and respectable assembly II ,vos roy
earnest hope and desire that a very DISTINGUISHED
citizen and friend, who has preceded me- in Several
OF these high trusts, and who had lust CLAIM to
that precedence, should have taken this stotIon
n SiJaruf
induced him to decline 1t. The proofs of his vc-y i'm
portant services and the purity OF his life, will rn
down to our latest postority, and his example aided
by that OF others, whom | need not rnention will
give strong prop to free system Of government
regret my appointment from another considerp-
to' tear that shall not be able to discharge the
duties OF tilatru with advantage to my country I
have before held such station and nm ig,o
rant of the rules of the house-I have also heeS NJ
iicted OF late, with nfrity, which still exists to
degree to foEm serious obstacle. Beinr placed
however, here, will exert my best faculties phvsi-
cal and mental, such as they are at every hazard
TO dschaTc Its duties to the satisfaction of this u.s.
sembly, audof my country.
This assembly is called for the most important oh
Ject 1t IS to amend Constitutions and thereby
give new support TO our system of free rerbI;csn
government. Our Constitution was the first that was
formed III the union, d has been in operation ever
sInce-We had at that period the EXAMPLES ONLY of
the ancient republics before us,-we have now the
experience gilmore than half a century of this onr
lift has defects, as think it has, experience will
have pointed them out and the ability and integrity of
tus enlightened body viii recommend such alterations
Us II dcells proper to our constituents in whom the
power OF adopting or rejecting them is exclusively
vested.
All other republics have failed. Those of Rome
ana Greece, exist only in history. In the terrific
ffeS which they ruled, we the ruins of antient
buildings ohiy-the governments have persisted and
the inhabitants exhibit state of tecrepit,Ide and
%retchedness, Which is frightul to those who visit
them. ~
On the subject Of order, and the method of pro
ceedlng, need say nothing to this assembly. The
Importance the CALL and the manner Of election.
give ample assurance that no danger need be appre
1ended on that subject. Our fellow citizens in the
elections they have made, have looked TO the preat
cause at ISSUE and selected those whom thew tbonrb
most competent to its duties. They have NOT devo
principle, and sought TO secure it. Tn this soc
strong ground to confdc in the stability and success
sf our eystetn. II inspires me with equal confidence
mat the result of your abCur5 viii CorresDoad with
heir most sapguine hopes.
EWeare happy to state, that Mr. Monroe looks
younger and better, than we had heard or were pre-
pared to expect. Mr. Madison too in vvacitv OF conn
enance, and alertncss of movement surpasses what
we bad hoped to secJ
. The Convention then proceeded 10 the choice of q |
secretary. MIR. Gordon nominated Spottsyvood GAP
and, OF Nelson. BIr. ID. w. Leigh, Georre Wvthe !
Iuniord, Of Richmond. Mr. Doddrdge, ERASMUS
5triblng OF Augusta. Mr.. Morris, Edmund PEN
.ieton, of Caroline. Judge Green, David Briggs. of
he Executive Council. Mr. Stanard, Tbos D, Barton,
! ( I ! 8