Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-04-07
From the Winchester Republican.
MIR. COOKIES THIRD LETTER TO Ills


From the Winchester Republican.
MR.. COOKIES THIRD LETTER TO Ills
CONSTITUENTS
This letter is published out of courSe-the fourth
(being reply to Mr.. Doddrdge's circuar) having
been published last week. for the then gwen
To The People IF Frederick and JEFFERSON Counties
Fellow Citizens; told you, in my first letter, that
had been urgently and repeatedly called on by some
of those who had done the honor approve my
course IN the Convention, TO explain TO my consttu-
ents why IL was that alone, of oil the thirty-six
members from the Wes:, voted IN favor Of the amend
ed constitution submitted TO Tie people of Virginia.
snid to you, in my second communication, that my
reasons for Zcaousiy supporting, and finally voting
for the amended constitution, might be summed up in
few words. Grinding that the true principle of
representation could not be obtained, voted for and
supported, the an of representation submitted
TO you, because thought IL the nearest Gpprorima-
ton to the white basis which could possibly be OBJ
tancd, and so near an approximation TO be cquiva
lent to IT, for the present in practical rcsuLe" Ny
second letter was principally devoted to the support
OF the second OF these two propositions. How far
succeeded IN making out my case it is for you to de
eide. 1 puTposely abstaincd from the consdc ration
OF tho hrst proposition, to w.t. that the plain of re-
presentation contained in the new constitution WINS
the ne1red approximation to the white basis which
could possibly be obtained, partly because the TOPIC
was not agreeable To me- and partly because itreaed
at oil 1t was important enoughto deserve separate
consideration.
The topic was dsagreeablc to me for this simple
reason, and no other. could not discuss it without
imputlng to my respected colleague, and other old
and valuable friends who differed it'll me in opinion
on the subject, an error of judgment. l could not
sh0v that my opinion was correct, without showing
that theirs was incorrect They thought that tho
tOestern plan, thought that Cen Gordon's WINS the
nearest approximation to our common standard of
practical and theoretical perfection. The inquiry,
moreover lost its interest with its Importance when
the western plan was defeated and Con Gordon,s
prevailed. TO prosecute the inquiry under such
circumstances seemed like stirring up again the half
eXtinguished emoers OF party spirit, and wantony
counting controversy with the valued friends whom
have alluded 10, with other practical object than
tire egotistcal of showing that had taken
correct view OF the relative merits of the two plans
OF representation.
Actuated by these views and earnestly desirous TO
bury in oblivion oil the unpleasant feelings which
difference of opinion had engendered between mo aud
my personal friends, determined to leave part of
the promise Of my first letter unpcrformed even nj
the risk Of being thought shrink from the investi
cation OF the relative merits of the two plans and TO
address you no more.
l have been driven from this purpose by the inces-
SAINT attacks made on me in certain journals (not of
my own district, but published in Loudnun and the
upper part of the valley,) in which have been de-
nounced, merely because l thought proper on the
one great question which divided me from The west
en delegation, TO with my own eyes and not with
those of tho party to hear with my own ears and NOT
with those OF the party TO follow the light of my own
reason and the monItIOns Of my own conscience and
not the reason and the conscience of others as dc
ScIIeTs an apoState anu traitor. However CON
tempti6e The source from which these dcnunciations
have proceeded do not feel myself justified in dis
regarding tbcm. II would DO a stretch of pride and
holiness to which not equal to treat them with
silent contempt, And while avoid, far as posi-
bic, the contamination Of collision with the authors
of these foul mputations, will defer so much 10
public opinion as TO shownot the faIschood of these
charges for not citizen Of Virginia. aatter myself
IS SHY enough TO believe them, to think that their
authors believe them-but to show, that in abandon
ing ne party on the one great question alluded TO-
went over to the people, and that the plan of repTo
seutaioD which voted for on the 9th Of December
and Afterwards zeaousy supported, was better in |
principles and better in practical reeults than tbot
which wqsBuppOrted by the western Delegation az
party. ibis 10 whAt believe and what feel u1vseIf
10 prove, If can. repeat that in the |
execution Of this purpose, shall studously avoid
giving to my friends, who differ with rae in ounion
any just ground of complaint.
viii assume, at the very threshold Of this inquiry
What ] presume will not be denied by any man or
sense and information, TO wit, that the white busis
having been abandoned as unuttoinnble nv Tho ,ybio
western party, within six weeks after the commence
nent OF the session, the question lay between the two
plans OF compromise called "Gen Gordons plnn I" md
the western plsn" Tho latter, as it's name imports
was supported throughout BY the western ele0stion
ls party--the former, after the 10Th of Decembcr'
by myself, because, os ] said before, I thought il
better m principle and IN practical results than the
western plan.
thought il better in principle than the western
w pfbfctPtcs us true inc
Dry 10 fairly stated in tho following quotation from my
remarks IN the convention on the 18th Of Dscem-
1er "lie" (Gen. Gordon, Recommended on arbi-
rary apportioEment Of representation, in which no
express reference should be had ether 10 the prnci
PIC OF the equal representation Of the white people
or to tho principle Of the representation Of federal
numbers, or 10 the principle Of tho compound ratio Of
white population and taxation, or to any other of
he debaioablo and hing debated propositions which
lad disturbed the harmony Of tho body an appor-
ionmeHt In which the sole object sho6ld be- an oqui
abie compromise, so fp ne aSy compromise co,, be