Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21

that we were in an unpleasant dilemma, that ma
ority could not agree upon Mr.. Peasants pream-
BILE and resolutions, and that il equally out oil
our power to agree upon substitutes; that 10 refer
! the matter back 10 the meeting would be attend
ed with defeat, contrary TO what conceived to
be the sincere wish Of all; viz: that something
should be done without delay: that if Mr.. Robert
son would Withdraw hi, proposition imperfect as
he declared il 10 be, and Mr. Peasants would
permit me to retain his, would state TO the meet
ing, that majority of the committee had not been
able toagree upon report; but that could con
sole the meeting, by informing them he'll in my
hand a preamble and resolutions, which was
thorized bya minority of the committee TO prof
Ter them, with the hope that il might meet their
APPRECIATION. Thus il appears that this preamble
and resolutions were not handed in upon the sole
authority of the Chairman of the committee, as as
serted by Mr.. Heath, but that il was sanctioned
by Mr.. Peasants who produced ii in committee
nor either as a formal report, but informal
| propo ';ion, which any individual might have Of
| Tered without the Intervention of committee, hdd
| he been disposed. After the document was read
| by the Secretary, stated, tina, in Difference or
courtesy TO the majority OF the committee, would
move that the preamble and resolutions, with full
discretion over the entire Object of the meeting
| b. referred 10 a select committee, with instruc
| tons 10 report TO an adjourned meeting on the
Tuesday following; not that disapproved Of the
minut st title Of the documents; but rather ex-
pr ssed an earnest hope tina, the motion to refer il
| would be rejected; and that the meeting would
delay Now was the time according TO parliaRen-
tary usage, for Nessrs Heath s. Harvie TO make
their oojecuons TO the course recommended; but
they were mute. After some farther conversa-
ton respecting the time to which the meeting
| might adjourn, the motion TO refer the subject to
select committee to report on future day was
Ijected. The question was then open for the dis
cussion of the preamble and resolutions, on their
general merits or seriatim, might be desired
but no. a distinct objection TO them was raised by
| we're IN he ate
| by acclamation
| Now, cannot conceive the object of Messrs
| Heath and Harvie, in coming into the newspapers
! with splutter about the matter. if il he not to
disparage the cause, and dscredi these proceed
ngs III the view of the distant public, as il is obvi
| Gus to the citizens of Richmond, that every pro-
cedure was put forth upon the most perfect princi
pie OF fairness, except that in placing them upon
| the committee, they were perhaps allowed more
| credit for republican willingness to CO operate
with the rabble non-freehoders, than they are
disposed to recognize in public manner as their
names have been announced; by which meaEs
they may possibly be taken for non-fre eholders
themselves, by persons to whom their possessions
| are not known. But grant, that from the great
| cOncourse of persons interested in this weighty
subject, or from some other cause, Gen. Harvie did
not hear his name called on the committee does
that justify complaint from him, which has
tendency to discrcdt the fairness of the proceed
ing-' Much less can he be justified for insuua-
ting that the "non- freeholders may be disposed 10
| for members of the Convention'-the 1dfinad ra-
tho which have only heard alluded TO as grow
| ing out OF the unequal represent ton of tn free
holders themselves in different sections of the
> t.. But the mshap OF placingG Gen Harvie on
the Committee without consulting him, is no more
than what occurs TO some individual in almost ev-
cry committee that is raised; and in this case, his
disclaimer only shows that he had credit for more
| than he deserved. AS TO Mr.. Heath, he seems
to wash his hands of all intention whatever to
| atpba at tipy nj kolb
| ers," fo"sootb, because he is himself freehold
err! anil did not wish TO be placed the commit
| lee, though,by some strange fascination which
| came over him, of which he has since disenthral-
led himself, he did act on it, and is not satisfied
with his chance OF being eXonerated from any
responsibility along with the majority, who, it
exnressly stated, could not agree, but endeavors
toihrow the whole responsibility upon the chair
man oil the committee, though he knew that Mr.
Peasants was the author of the document, con-
sen'ed should make the use did of il, and would
| freely divide the responsibility with me, if the
| meeting had not assumed the whole responsibility
on themselves, by adopting it with almost
a unanimous voice. Perhap. Mr.. Heath has been
consulting some Of his legal friends ani has got
alarmed with the bug bear Of treasons: so il would
appear from his 4" disavowal Of any unfricndlines.
to re sSonable extension of the RICH; Of suffrage
| IN teSdt and constitutional manner" Mr.. Heath
il mistaken il he thinks the non FIRE holders Of
Virginia are such dolts TO participate in his a.
larms about treason, for diligently claiming, in
| contention times 10 act upon the reverted
| rights of freemen, Though Senator who so hand
somely mad that argum mt in their behalf, aban-
doned the ground he took. They knew the ground
| they stand on better. And fear that until this
odious distinction Of freebooter and on-fi eeholer
be done away in Virginia,t will be difficult TO
store good feeling between these great divisions Of
her citizens. No truly democratic r.p blican
VIII deny that birth years residence mature
40 the payment Of taxes. bearing arms ~ other
wise rejecting the property of the rich, matrimo
ny, and such other useful qualifications in part,
or in the aggregate, might constitute freehold
| with more propricfv, the emnnation Of person.
| merit, than twenty five acres of land. the mere
contingency ofinberitance good fortune.
In fine, hope the non r. seboldcrs will have
sufficient time and energy to act in concert, with
| the aid of ineligible freeboders, who are firm
and true 10 their cause. so as To insure hearing
IN Convention, either by IN emorial or bv reprrsen-
talon. RO MAYO
To the Editors Of the Richmond Enquirer
! Gentlemen-Hayng heard the speech Of MIR
| Mason Of Frederick. the Tariff Resolution
and conceiving ID important that The public at'en
ton should he called to il, beg leave, through
the medium OF your columns, 10 do so.-That
| speech does not stand in need of any eulogum
from met will speak for ITSELF hui there are
many who may moi read il, unless their. attention
is particularly called toii. II was indeed clear
common-sense, luminous. and perspicuous view o.
the Subject. If il be published as il was deliver
not be able 10 understands ! wish most partct-
larly to invite 10 perusai Of it, the yeomanry of
the country the bone and snew of the commune
| ty. Mr.. Mason has proven conciIsiyeIy to nv
mind, that there is no, majority of the people in
any section OF the country, who are benefited by
the restrictive system. He makes il appear very
! satisfactorily, that few wealthy capitalists scat
tered throughout the country are aIone