Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-07

any communication between the upper and lower
parts OF IL. Without sort Of concert and uni
~ OF action, between the different sections of tho
district, there might, and no doubt would, (from
the very nature Of thiugs) be a great deal of dis
traction and division amongst US. Without the
coneertl kelyio be established by such meeting
as this, we might expect to each county voting
for delegates TO the Convention exclusively out 81
its own citizens and without reference the views
oil the other sections OF the district and in the gen.
eral confusion, a selection might be made far
iom being tie choice of majority. Indeed,
without that concert and unity OF action. which
we conceive this meeting will be likely to estab
sh, any one OF the larger counties in thu district
might, and very probably would, send all four of
the delegates; and thus, those Of our citizens ,iv-
ing retaote from such county, would be repre-.
sente'i by individuals with whose feelings and
principles they might be entirely unacquainted.
Communicated for the pirginia Herald
Richmond, March s0fh, 1929.
Sir,-I have received your letter of tho Esd inst
conveying the information, " that the delegates Of
the counties of Spottsy vania, Louisa, Orange and
Madison, assembled for the purpose Of consulting
together, Snd recommending four suitable ctarac-
ters TO represents the district composed Of those
counties in the Convention to be held in the CITY
OF Richmond in October next, to propose amend
ments to the Constitution Of the State, had select
ed me as one ofthe persons to be so recomme nded;
and requesting that would inform the Chairman
OF the delegates whether or no they have my as
sent TO make known to the people Of the district,
my willingness, IL elected, to serve as one of their
representatives. in the Convention
Having long entertained and often expressed the
opinion, that, on such an occasion, every citizen.
unless restrained by the most cogent reasons,
should contribute the services that may be re-
quired OF him, have no other scruple, in giving
unhesitatipgiy an affirmative answer 10 your en-
curry than that which is caused by the convic-
m. IN IN II alas t~.n l.
to justify the favorable estimate, which induced
the re Recommendation Of me by the delegation.
should not, However, conform to my sense of duty,
were to permit this scruple (though most I'M
readiness 10 serve, il elected to the Conve nlon
and authorising the delegates to make il known 10
the people Of the district.
Such would be my answer, had the nomination
been made in any other district of tho State. But
when il spontaneously proceeds from district,
WIN part oi which was long and so intim-
aieiy conneeted,,o which 1 an, bound by the strong
and endearing ties of early friendships and asso-
Citations, by grateful recoections oil generous and
long continued confidence and kindness, 1 am i'm.
PEELED to add, (and hope l may do SO without
hazar.!ing misconstructon Of my motives,) that,
should the nomination be ratified by the SURFACES
Of the people, will undertake the trust with plea
sure and alacrity and faithfully and zealousiy de.
vote myself TO its duties.
entirely concur in tho sentiment indicated in
your letter, which deprecates the exactng of
amendments TO the Constitution shall be devolved,
to any specific plans Of amendment. The Con-
venton Is designed 10 be purely debcratiye Its
function is limited to the preparation of plan OF
amendment, which Is to have no force unless sub
sequently sanctioned by the people. In devising
such plan, much diversity of opinion must be
expected Local interests of the different portions
OF our widely extended Commonwealth, will tend
TO increase this diversity, and the collisions it
would produce would be utterly irreconcileable,
1t each OF the members were to come to the Con-
vention dehnitively pledged to any precise scheme
Of reform. Such an assemblage would represent
Il congress Of bassadors representing rival and
perhaps hostile parties, rather than a convention
constituted by representation of different portions
OF the same community consulting for the good of
all, and aiming 10 blend in harmonious concert
the interest OF each part with the prosperity Of the
whole. In such an assemblage, the performance
OF Its most important functions, those of de-
liberation, and candid and amicable COMPARE
son OF opinions, would be impracticabe or
useless; the benefits OF mature and we'll con-
sldered counsel, must be renounced; and the
important end, that Of preparing for the accep-
lance OF the people scheme of organic law i'm.
proved by the experience of more than fifty years
and diges'ed by the wisdom of those on whom they
shall devOlve the trust, would be unattainabIe
Let me add, that the same cause would in all
probability, Illustrate hopes that every citizen
should fondiy cherish--hope that the scheme of
amendment, which shall be devised by the Con.
vention, may prove acceptable to the people, that
1t may be healing measure, assuaging, if il
does not eradicate, the causes of discomfort and
that II may not impair, il it does not WIDEN the
foundations ON which may be safely rested the fu.
ture prosperity and renown Of the Common.
wealth.
beg you to assure the Delegates, that have |
received the token OF their confidence and re- |
spect, which their selection furnishes with the
liveliest sensibility; to tender TO them my CRATE
full acknowledgements for the Hatering distinction,
OF which IT makes me the object.
Cordially recIprocating the sentiments Of esteem
and regard rendered by them,
am, with very great respect,
Your most obedent servant
ROBERT STANARD
To GEN. WILLIAM MADISON Chair
man OF the Delegation from the