Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-04-06
MR.. sTANARD's ANSWER.

RICHMOND, March 30, 1922
Sir: have received your letter of the I'D instant
conveying the Information, that the Delegates of the
counties OF Spoisylvania, Louisa Orange and Madi-
assembled for the purpose of consulting torether
and recommending four suitable characters to repre-
sent the district composed Of those counties in the
convention to be held in the city of Richmond in Oc-
tober next to propose amendments to the constitu-
ton OF tho state had selected as one of the mar
sons to be so recommended. and requesting that
would inform the chairman Of TIE Delegates whether
or not they have my assent to make known to the
people of the district, my willingness, if elected, to
serve as one of their representatives In the Conven-
ton.
Havirg long entertained and often expressed the
opinion, that, such OCCASION every citizen un-
less restrained by the most cogent reasons, should
contribute the services that may be required of him.
have no other scrupc, in giving unhcsitatincly an
affirmative answer to your inquiry, than that which
is caused by the convictions that by any can render
shall not be able to Justify the favorable estimate
whichinduced the accommodation of me by the dele
CATION. / should not however conform to my sense
of duty, were to permit this scruple Though most
unfelgnedy felt to prevent me from avowing my
readiness to serve elected to the convention and
authorising the delegates to make it known to the
people of the district.
Such would be nay answer. had the nomination
been mado in any other district of the state. But
when IL eponten eosly proceeds from district with
part of which, was long and so intimately
connected, to which am bound by the strong aud
enduFng ties Of early friendship and associations by
grateful recollectons Of generous and long continued
cd1Sdence aud Kindness, am mpelied to add, land
hope may do SO without hazardng a misconstruc-
ton Of my motiyes,) that should the nomination be
ratified by the sutfrages o! the people, ! viii under
take the trust with pleasure and alacrty, and faith
fully and zealously devote myself to its duties
entirely concur in the sentiment indicated in vonr
letter, which deprecates the exacon pledges from
those whom the dnty OF proposing amendments
TO tho constitution, shall be devolyed 0ny specific
Plans Of amendment. The convention is designed 10
he purely doiberatiYc. It's function is limited to the
preparation of plan Of amendment, which is to have
no force unless subsequently sanctioned by the poo
plo In deyising such plan much diversity fopin-
ION must be expected. Local interests Of the differ
ent portions Of our widely extended commonwealth
will tend to increase this diversity, and tho collisions
IL woud produce would be utterly irreconcilabe, III
each Of the members TO come to the convention,
defuitvey pledged to any precise scheme Of reform.
Such an aEsenbage would resemble congress of
ambassadors representing rival and perhans hostile
parties. rather than convention constituted by re-
presentation of different portions Of the same conn
munly consulting for tho good of all and aiming 10
blend harmonious concert the interest Of each part
witithe prosperity OF the whole. In such on osscm-
blnge The performance of its most important f1nc-
tions those Of deliberations md candid and amicnba
comparison of opinions would be irnpracticabo or
useless; the benefits Of m tture and well eonsid-
cred counsols must be renounced; and tho impor-
ant end that Of preparing for Tho acceptance Of the
people scheme Of organic law improved by tho OK
pcronce Of norethan fty years, and dgcsted by the
wisdom Of thoscon whom they shal devove the trust
would be- unaiainahls. Let me add that tho samo
canyc would in all probability Illustrate hopes that
every citizen should loudlv clcr'h--hopes, that the
secernc ~ amendment which shall be devised by the
Convention nav wcro acceptable - nc p"or'' tbat