Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-10-17

" tNh ~ OuF CUI~
dren's children.-we are the creatures Of a moment
but principles are eternal.
"In treating these questions, cannot we for a mo-
ment forget " the lin spot" on which we. respectively
stand, aud hx our eyes only upon the glory of our
State! Cannot we lose sight Of those invidious dis
unctions, which prejudice may nourish, but which,
OF truth. whether we are Lowiand.rs or Uplanders-
whether we re.ids on the peak. IL the Allegheny, or
the sands Of the Atlsn'ic!-The great elementary prin-
ciples, on which tlis Republic is fouu led. oug,,, to he
equally dear TO rs all-and the means of intro In icing
these principles into practice. ought not to be accom-.
nodaied TO suit the passions Of IA party. Let us seek
truth at any hazard. The glory OF Virginia il a,
st"ke-For, upon the adherence 10 principle depends
her reputation.
" In these cursory structures. ! will attempt 10 proyc
the following propositions:
"I.t. That you ought not to Yell 10 the prayer Of
the Staunton Convention, by calling a Convention OF
the people,
"2J. That The only step which you can properly
pursue is to cali upon the people to say whether they
are disposed TO have a Convention:
Sd. That this IL a MEASURE which you ought to
pursue, In regard to the inequalities OF the rcpresen.
tation which a, present exists. anil 10 likely 10 increase.
"!h; That this defect Of the Constitution is so Ia.
grant, that the people ought not only to consent Cf you
appeal to them) but that they ought to demand thi.
appeal at your hands"
The 4;h No. Tin the Enquirer Of Oct. I'll, 1867 thus
concludes:
"This brings ia to tn. An Proposition TT the pco-
pie ought to conseat TO a call, (when you make the
appeal to them) and that if you do not, that they ought
to demand il at your hands.
"The FIRST branch OF this proposition flows directly from
the principles which we have established. II the de.
fects in the present Constitution be so great; II the inc.
quality OF Representation be 40 CALLING and so growing.
as to make 1t proper ior you TO consult the wishes OF the
people, they owe 1t to the cause Of justice. they owe it
to themselves, TO seek the remedy in the call Of a Con-
vention. Who are interested in the question:! Not ie-
gitimate princes, not privileged peers, nor privileged
priests, but the people themselves: I. is their own go
vernment; for, as our Bill Of Rights declares, il is elm
stitnted for the common benefit ani protection Of the
people" re the Constitution be founded on correct
principles, who will be benefited by il! TIN. people.
III nj be incorrect. WIN will sust,in tina ipstrye TIL. r,n
pie. IL II requires remedy, who ought TO seek il! The
people themselves-it is their right as well as their du-
~ to do so.
"~Recommend it TO them, therefore, 10 ponder upon
this subject; point out the means by which their wishes
may be expressed; and the field Of argument becomes
open AZ once TO every citizen. Every one will be led TO
investigate the ~subject; every avenue by which truth
may be poured in upon the public mind, will be thrown
open; the private circles. the public prints, public meet.
ings OF the citizens will be called into action-and the
business OF Reform will go on with effect, and without
tumu't. 1.-THE defects which have been stated are un-
real, the people will protest against the Convention
but, II they are found TO exist and 10 be gnawing like
a cancer into the very heart of the Commonwealth they
will bow 10 the urgency Of the case, and yield their con.
sent to The measures OF Reform. They must consent,
II not This day, or the next, at least at some future time;
Tor the defects arc too gross, TO elude forever the eyes
OF the people. A few men may set their faces against
the cause OF Reform; a few may be alarmed by the
prospect OF a change; others may dislike the trouble;
some may tremble for their own interests, ~ children
Tear a shadows; but the great body Of the people of Vir-
ginia are too deeply imbued with republic an PRINCIPLES.
and too enlightened to submit 10 their continued viola
ton.
"what follows then, but that the people of Virginia
are not only bound TO consent, but that they mill con-
sent on the very first appeal which is made to their
wishes,
"But II. gentlemen. you do not think fit TO make thi.
appeal TO them, they are bound to demand il. What IL
more, they mill demand it at your hands. Ifyou refuse
il this winter, think you that YOU will stop by stemming
the tide! Think you that the representatives Of the
people viii arrest their clamours and complaints! No
the defects Of the Constitution must be amended
Bow. then, to the destiny which awaits YOU; for il H.
inevitable. The spirit of reform and enquiry has gone
forth. Next spring ii will work with redoubled ANNA
tion-Niemorinls will be circulated for signatures-Men
will be called into public life, who are al present re-
posing in retirement, 10 promote the cause of re form -
The small, still voice, which at present scarcely whis-
pers in the breeze, will swell into a peal of thunder
Had we not better, then, submit with as much grace az
we can-while all Is calm ami harnony-before resis-
lance has lent its bitterness to complaint, and produced
lys" "''
" What time can he more propitious than the present,
FOR amending the Constitutions? Hitherto, Il has been
ohjectei, that the season was MOI favorable that foreign
war hung over our horizon; and thai, il, was first neces-
-ary to repel the enemy, anil asser. our independan nee
before we turned our attention to the perfecting and po-
fishing Of orr civil Institutions. Weli-thi< argument il
no longer relevant. The clouds of war are dispersed.
The rights OF our beloved country have been asserted
by the sword. We have not only redeemed our repn.
ta'ion from the stains with which il was tarnishe,i. but
won a new !ustre in the eyes of the world. No nation
was ever more distinguished, than the u. States are
at this moment. The fcats Of our navy; The feats OF our
army; the energy of our citizens; their devotion to their
country; the enthusiasm which a republic creates in the
hearts OF it' supporters; the stability Of our Union; such
are the fruits ofthe late contest; AMI such are the traits
which we now exhibit to aimiring nations. While
peace then d wells upon our borders; while our rights
are so resp 'cted, and our reputation is 80 distinguished
abroad, whit time Is so pro pitious for reform? Let ~.
add 10 the glory we have acquired, the glory of inn
proving our civil institutions, anil exhibiting a more per-
feet model TO the admiration Of other nations. While
our minds, too, are not distracted by foreign commo.
tons, we may devote our energies to this purpose; and
thus accomplish the work of reform With more talent
and with more success.
" In another respect, too, the time is peculiarly ia
vorable. We approach the Constitution with The hcne.
FITS Of experience. We have beheId il in operation for
ioriy years. We have seen too the republican priuci-
pie exhibited in various models; in the Constitutions of
eighteen sister states. We are thus at liberty to reject
what Ia obnoxious. and TO select what is the most sslu.
hry. We have seen, too, in another hemisphere, the
dangers Of too daring rage for innovation. The vol.
eano Of the French Revolution has burst in ruin upon
the heads OF its authors; a melancholy warning even TO
the American people. We take up this Constitution
then, at a time, when new light is furnished US both at
home and abroaJ-when we may gather wisdom from
the mill lessons oil our own experience, and from the
gliuering ruins Of the theories OF France.
" We may add, another advantage which attends IN.
present juncture. We may cali to our all the talent.
OF some OF the fathers OF our own re yolution. A few
years moTe-and the genius of Jefferson and Madison
will sleep in the tomb! Let US seize the precious mo-.
ment, WI lie they are still among us-Lct Virginia again
call into her sovereign council the wises, of her sons
awe understand, that this illustrious Citizen tako, a doom in,et.
est IN the question, agtatcd in these Nos.-Hs is suppossd Ia he
strongly IN favor Of the Convention Of tho People. Perhaps no man
has given more attention to this subject. In the Summer OF ,9J
when II was expected that the Assembly OF Virginia would call q
oon,epuon, q prepared a draught Of a " Fundamental Constiiu-