Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-08-20
COMMUNICATES

I a
State, 10 address the voters OF nrico-I must
graduate myself, that you have imposed no heavi-r
task upon me, than to answer the additional remarks
you have thought proper 10 mase.-I am sure need
not have epprr any thing in tho shape Of argu-
ment. OF very stui born impor'; but the skill with
which men OF the people sometimes spriy their 1,tter
ing JUNCTION. will give with the best p,n
to susaio it, feel c"n6deD', that the people will be
satisfied there IL little weg ht in your reulosk-
Tor, even allowing them TO be plausible. they Who'll
~ made upon mistaken grounds, aud therefore be
| aband med
AS reside a, distance from Richmond, and am sell
dom Mt the spot shall make reference local cir
cums'ances; but only intend 10 discuss this up
| on gen. raj principles.
cannot see in what particular have mi.construe
your meaning You should at least have pointed II on;
and as to your object had no me ans of
that except from the scope Of your remarks. and from
them can orly gather, that you were urging Mr.
Leigh's refusal TO publish his views upon particular
subjects, against him; or II he should declare them,
and they were OF certain compl- xion you would
desvour to turn them 10 his prejudice, knowing that,
upon the same theme, many man before YOU had
dsscan'ed very pr-ty, and to eifect.-But il
PLAN you have nisconctived my meaning, from be-
ginning to end.-I never did, either directly or by
Implication, deny the right OF instruciion-or depict
u as inimicsl TO the Gov-rnment."-I would soon
think OF demoshrg the whole representative sy,tem
instInc ton aud accountability, bod To be the life Of
our liberties, and would be amorg the las TO destroy
or impair them-but the right Of ins;iuc;ing our
representatives., the most glorious OF all political rvi-
eyes, like every other blessing, may be and times
Is, greatly abused-and transformed into curse.-I IL
was against the ndisceet exercise Of This right that
wished TO caution the people. sure that 10 such
inference can be fairly drduced from my language,
that would deny the r'ghi.-ln Ike this,
frankly avow, that TO demand pledges give insruc
lions, in my humble judgment. would be exceedingly
inJudcions, and might result very inuriousy.-Where
the people have had fair opportunity Of pos ssing
thorough knowledge Of .uch subjects be acted
on by their representatives. and have used the
understanding them as they ought, then ihey might
prudenty demand pledges Of candidates for their sui
rage-and In any case wh're they have reason Co ap-
prehend' that their representative. from ignorance,
prejudice or corruption would beray their int cess
tie Their unqne'tiouable right, and more than that
their duty TO instruct, in the strongest and most Pc
rempory terms In matters Of ordinary legiss ton,
they are undoubtedly the best judges; expert
ence aud observation make tn soft is onI putting
that in solemn torn OF law, which the majority would
feel inclined 10 establish custom and lie sound and
Wholesome. ii they live agreeahly under il, ~ II must
suit their genius and spiTi,-hut whore the whole de-
tails OF Government 10 he settled not on,- branch
CT which has bsen thoroughly discussed, and, there
fore not properly uudrrs,ood H. il most absurd to
make mere 6ids upon any one seuerd[ ons, the
ties, tor qualification to important trust,-ls il
most lksly, that shall have sound and wise gov
eminent, by trusting to able aud patriotic men, whose
Interests are Identified with own. than by pur,uing
any other cnurse' Could feel deeper interest in
es abhing good government, than those who have
hair Individual fame suppradded to oil We have
stalker Admit that learned msn may indulge prejudi
ces, that would irusste the wishes OF the peoples but
DO they possess more, ihsy more obstinate in
them than ignorant ones? had always been tang hit 10
berva, that ignorance with concei, the parents
Of all dosma,sm Now is the time we need he ser.
vices OF great and virtuous What, il the opn-
ions OF some do not entirely agree with and
are sure Of the correctness OF ours! Can wa expect
10 do better ny choosing inferior men' Have VS.
better guarantee Tor them, that in every impora
QUE sion which may arise. ard which cannot he fore
seen, they would, if they c0tld ener US that service
we wish? The Legislature should h. composed Of m n
of different incnstions, with re,dsm pursue thsr
own course, that every view might be taken Of a sub
iect, aud heD as body Of wise the bes' would
b. adopted We must expect TO incur ri.k; and
for my own humble part, give the who will
not consent to for. stall hs convicons and tie up
conscience by pledges really hiuk tits due to tina,
magnanimity aud zeal for the public gond which Mr..
Leigh has signaliy shown in sacrificing hi, ease
aud encountsring personal danger that lie should poe
ses large share Of confidence in any part Eastern
Virginia-snd take my word for IL, shall in no other
way secure TO curse Ives the services OF high
men; they will not be treated as ii they had no more
principle or public spirit than slaves Now, appeal to
The candour aud good sense of all, whose arrogance
not brNo. d endurance, (for such have not a word
aimee am sure it would be beyond the power of rea
son to convince them OF any error under viii they
might be labourng0 ii we ought not TO distrust out
own notions, caught up in an IL slant, we know nSI
how or why. when opposed by tina judgn ents of
whose gigantic minds after years Of arduous study, AM
constant experience and observation, have brought
hem to decision; especially ii see no motive
IN them, for declaring dishonest opinion? But | do
not believe that Mr. L., highly favored he ha. been,
Tor enghtenng his miud has determined upon ths
cou'se he would pursue; nor Qua hi hs-no wise man
would, situated az he is.Fo- what obje ct IL il desired,
hat the next Legislature should be composed OF Tia,
able meD OF our State, or that should aIli
IL il ly thai they may act upon pre- sp-
ions! Or that, by tb- lights al each Others sxpe
aud reflection, they may all be able TO form the best
judgment Of which they are capable, and then act!
fancy few will hnG IL difficult 10 q. eide.
You admire my magnsnifpi'y in throwing of the
mask" &c.-Throw of my max before I made my
first appearance. while in the Of doing ii! And
Tor what earthly object in the Of onder. coud !
have put IT, onlAnd throw II of TO insinu1te One
would suppose that the proper use TO he made of =
mask would be TO nsnuae and d. ceive had slwAy.
houRht that hare face only suited bold snI darins
declaraoDs.-Witb just such logic conceive yon SUE
ain your otjoctons 10 Mr. LlnJeed. caonoI for my
lie perceive the force of any thing you have .aid nm.
2ss allow you 10 rut unwarrsDtsble lion
| upon my femaks. Away with such notions follow
ing leaders rir bt wront! would have no pariiss
aud no leadershnt confess myself willing, and would
persuade others, 10 reee instruction from superior
wi dom.--Now, I would ak these high-to adVC-
Gates tor reform, If they really think they perfectly
deretaDd how their scheme. will operate, when put in
practceabG II they entirely certain they will e.
feet cure OF exciting evils 20 fervenUy desired by ALL
Because Mr. l.. Ito borrow 6gUre will not determine
al cnce, lint e diseased limb should be Topped m Al
though consna'ion il certainly TO be held, 10
tain the exact nature OF The disease and the remedy Ia
be applied, he must he discarded and one more deter
mined and resoute, Of you plesse) called 10 take h
pace-snl because he does not exactly agree with YOU
~ 10 tbs remedy, slhcugh you know him to be most
skiliu surgeon, he is not to be trusted Mark this well
! enneat you.
One would suppose, from your indignant ebuke ths
bad actually pfo'aned the veneraied names OF wash.
irgton aud JefFsrson- Notiug certainly, was frthe
ifofa my inten ion; and such coD-iruc ion
can be given 10 nv words On the ever-gorous An
niverafy Of our Independence, ! utter these name
with much pride and enthusiasm any Virginian
aud would, any suitable cssion, pronounce glow
ing euioguin upOn heir characters. ! chaIs nge an
to show more heartfelt respect 10 their me ,orie
ard opinions than I do--tie one wonld pteserve a