Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-02

THE CONVENTION QUESTION.
MR.. COOKIES FOURTH LETTER TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
From the Winchester Rcnublican.l

THE CONTENTION QUESTION.
MR. COOKIES FOURTH LETTER TO HIS CONSTTTUENTS.
From the Winchester Republican,
To the People Of Frederick and Jefferson Counties
FELLow-CIrIzENs The Hon. Philip Doddridge,
late member Of the Virginia Convention, has avail
ed himself Of the 0tn dignifaie which he enjoys
at Washington, and Of the ranking privilege annexed
to that dignity to prepare. aud TO circulate through the
western part Of Virginia, elaborate libel on cha
racter, and on my whole courte and conduct white
member Of the Convention have read this libel with
utter ds0nfshnent; not only because II contains
saon' absolutely fatal true, to my reputation which
he must have known. in his proper senses, that
could and would most triumphantiy refute-not only
because he has, by ito publication. incurred the risk,
nay encountered the certainty, of being stamped and
branded with indelibe infimybui because had sup.
posed, np TO the very moment when the libel hand
cd to me, that the most friendly relations subssed he
tveenus. Charmed, while a Ricbmond, by the appa-
rent amaby OF his character, had in despite Of some
obvious end known defects in II. contracted Tor him
personal regard, which, judging from his language and
department mp to the very moment of parting be-
icved to be mutual We parted friends; and although
him UP ito the moment when read his circular had
uniformly spoken of him in kind and respectful terms
exhibited the most favorable aspects Of his character to
those who inquired OF mo concerning him, and main
tanned systematic and guarded silence respecting hi,
f0bles and his faults Neither 10 il now my intention
to say or hint any thing further conserving them,
only to utter the hope that this most inspt, hal al
most said insane, performance 10 the result Of bis
sober reflections Be ths may, he has imposed
ms The necessity Of treating it IL it ,ras-of expos
ing 10 the public whose ear he has abused by
and unprovoksd attack my character the ab,urdty
OF ,ome OF his charges the sehood of others the
maignity of all. And if do not shew that oil his
charges (such at least as at all worthy OF
passing notice. either false, or absurd or frivolous
and ridiculous. will consent 10 sink that abyss of
nfsmy to which il is my purpose 10 eonsign him.
he circular in question commences with general
ntimation OF the purpose OF the writer which h inter
ALA $50 notice the by which the just and equal
claims Of the west were betrayed and charge
Of "beraying the equal and just claims of the west,''
which the subsequent part OF the circular shsws have
been aimed at me- is afterwards spread into specii
cations, which shall notice in their proper place The
second paragraph give in ertenso.
when Napoleon had planned the conquest OF Spain,
ne halted for season with his army Bayonne where
he invited the Spanish monarch visit him lend
consult on measures for their mutual safety. The
king OF Spain was induced to accept this friendly iuvi
iation. He visited Napoeon, who immediate seized
him. compelled him to renounce hi. right to the
oil Spain shut him up In prison. and marched his army
across the Pyrenness for the conquest Of his deluded
prisoners domnions. Throug hout Christendom this
conduct was called tredehery."
This paragraph is iinmed iatey followed. in the circu
lar, by an elaborate history, commencing with the
meeting at Staunton in 1925 of all the ante COW en-.
tonary movements; q history which the writer re-
mor'ees>ly inflicted again ain, the Conve ntion
Richmond, and which Sir Archy Mac Sarcasm would
have described as "vary excellent, snd cary new"
Through the three following closely printed quarto pa
ges the reader OF the circular looks in vain for key
the enigma,cal meaning OF this splendid and grandio
-
like verdant oasis amid the arid desert OF its STYLE
Bsfed and .su in his search, he is almost per-
,u,ded TO believe that the paragraph in question
mere rheorics exercse-thst rssorsd to by the
writer, with view to acuminats his pen, 10 elevate
HI. perceptions, TO practise himself In the narrative and
n'''onea Style aud thus TO prepare himself for the
effort OF writing sir quGrto pages Of polf
zeal history But when he has given UP oil hope OF
discovering the nature Of the "eachery oracusrly
hiGed at and The name Of the offender who i. my.ti-
cally per,onated by the emperor Napoleoo,-when he
Ponderng, in the midst Of the fourth quaro page
the perpetual SLAVERY" which Mr. Gordon, Mr.. Mad
ison and Mr. Cooke, conspiring and consderatng to-
geher have ruthessly entailed on the people OF the
west, Hood OF light is suddenly thrown the dark
ness oil the second paragraph by the passags which
follows
necessary TO state to you my for be
ing thus particular as TO Mr. Cookies votes in conven-
ton after the fatal 10Th of December.
"Thst gentleman has deemed il proper publish two
papers to explain and vndicate his in conven-
ton, particularly his deserfton to the standard of our
opponents. These papers have attentiveiy perusod
am informed Mr.. Henderson has taken the same me-
thod OF ustfyng himseIf but have not his pro-
ductions. have the least de,re to read them Mr.
Cooke has thought proper TO dparsge the views of the
extreme west, and 10 disowD us as allies. He has
termed the country between the BIue Ridge and tide
the Piedmont Of the State and maintains that the
pie OF that country are tho allies Of the valley-ihat
we have no common interest with them. He admits
we came to their aid and fought by their side but not
for their benefit for principle but to retain the pow
er we had and get what else could He goes far c.
nongh 10 admit that his object in calling on as TO
joi" him. scns just like that Of Napoleon tchen he call
ed on the Spanish monarch, piE to take portion OF
our pocer from usr
The admission alluded to- as contained in my second
letter. is the statement of the following unques-
tionable facts, TO wt that when (of the valIey)
sought, IN common with translate ghany fellow
citizens, for redress, by of convention, Of our
manifold grievances, were according TO the census
OF 1920, greatly derrepresented, and they, the
Allegheny people, somewhat ouer-represcnted. That
the interests of the two sections the subject of
quaiizing representation, were therefore, G,scordan
they being interested in retaining the undue they
had, we in seeking to make good our deficit by taking
a portion Of il from them. That (of the Valley
went into the convention TO obtain what il called the
"white basis, and thus to take from the
ny people portion of their undue power. provided it
should appear that according to tie present population
of the several districts they STILL in 1920 orey-
represented.
The "treachery then consists In my having in COM
with all the friends of reform in The valley invited
our trans Allegheny brethren to join in an attempt TO
enforce, by means OF convention, the true priucipc
Of representation, knowing land they suppose not
knowng) that the enforcement Of the true principle
might have the effect of "tkng portion Of their pow
er from them And my conduct in thus inviting them,
Is pronounced to be as Ubiquitous, fredcheros that
OF Napoleon in invcglng the feeble and pusillannous
Charles into his power by professions Of friendship and
then depriving him Of his crown and his liberty. To
pronounce this accusation false and belous, would be
admit by implication that common had something
TO do in its conception. II the very dwelling Of fau
ty-the mongre and deformed offspring of mental mbc
cility and impotent malice.
But the writer Of the circular alleges in the passage
last quoted that "descrted to the standard Of mn op.
poncnfs and towards the close Of studously endea-
vors to convey the idea that after voted on the 10Th
December, for Gen. Gordons scheme Of representa-.
ton, became absolutely identified with the eastern