Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-04-09


thority q still greater cell than cicH ,cdr."
A. The proposed constitution, unquestonuby e.
the minority of the free white people of Vir-
gina into the ruling power of the State; and it is as
that the ruling minority is not AN in
creasing, but decreasing one, compared with the
relative and increasing numbers of the enslaved ma
jority.
5 81 6 The principle that majority OF numbers who
represent MINORITY OF population have the rirht to
secrde, MIR. Cooke nun' aimed and urged to the mi
nority in the Assembly of 1889. The advice there
given was to sacedc and make law for calling a
convention. This law, it was supposed land hive
no doubt corrcctly,) would have been accepted and
acted upon by minority of the people. They would
have elected convention in which a mao,ty of the
people would be represented In the late conven-
ton, such a secession would have been much more
practicable. The majority represented by the AZ
who voted with us was great, and had the minority
seeded and formed just constitution, they wo-ld
"have done the work for which they were sent but
instead of this some of them Welded to the minor
lty, because that minority would not consent to bet
ter terms, and because some Of them thought "a sub.
Mission TO usurped authority much" lesser s.cvil
than civil war" or they thought the people had i'm
posed on themselves obligation TO abide b thc de-
cston OF such minority, not having majority but
only an equality of members.
z. The opinion of Mr. Cooke. that the difficulties
OF seeding and acting separately would be found to
be much less than would at first be imopined he
must have changed at some time durino the abors of
the convention; or
MIR. Cooke must have changed his opinion, and
nave cometo the conclusion that civil war would
follow either secession aud actiuo scnarotov or
an adjournment of the convention without DOING onv
thing, and that it was better to take what the minor
NY would agree TO, "because it the hes. that
conG DC got ard because ''o'sr oton jauorite plan
toas lost by the cote Of q minority.
Thus we the views held out and the pr;nc;
pies maintained by Mr.. Cooke while encouraeinp
the friends of reform to their work. These and the
principles to winch he has yielded, now, matters
OF history. 1t is no great concc< to me or nv
coun,rymen, when or how the opinions OF Mr. Cooke
underwent so strange revolution or whether his
Judgment was influenced by argument or fear nor
is II OF mita Importance to inquire at what precise
time ms determination made known to our adj
VerSaTIcs The effect was the same. The detcrmi
nation and !le knowledge of it, came in time to dis
appoint 1.-The hopes aud wishes of the friends of re-
oTn. Inc situation IN Inch the people west OF the
icgha1y are placed, Is ntoerrble, so much So that
those who aided, among them, in the call of con
vention may be well Supposed to feel the effects of
a painful Indictment.
MY own opinion is, that the adoption Of the pre-
posed constitution viii ensure the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the State. 1t Is well known OF me, wherever air
Known at all, that my feelings have always been Cd
posed to ACKNOWLEDGMENT. That such were INV fee
ngs at TIE time, was well known in the Convention
Lhat ACKNOWLEDGMENT must follow is the deliberate
dictate OF my Judgment. Experience has shown me-
If history had failed do it, that our lust rights will
not re yielded TO us peaceaby and surely the refec
rHG part OF me community cannot believe the west
with its increasing relative strength. either WILL or
ought, long to endure theoke preps red for it by the
labours of the late convention.
respectfully, but earnestly request you-the Ed,
tors OF the Enquirer, and all others who have or shall
publish Afr. Cookies Number to which the foregoino
remarks refer, to publish this and at the same time
to DO me the Justice to accompany the publication OF
this, with the extract from Mr. Cookies No. II.
WHICH was appended to my circular.
p. DODDRIDGE.
[o-'- The extract from Mr.. Cookies Cd No referred
to, we have not seen. It was omitted in the paper
from whicli copied Mr.. Doddridge's Circular, in
consequence of the whole No. having been previous
iy published in that paper it also in this on
the 9th ult. If Mr.. Doddridge will mark out the de-
sired quotation from Mr.. Cookies Cd No. it shall he
rc-pubiished without delay
To the Editor of the Genius Of Liberty.
=, MARCH Goth, 1880.
DEAR Sir: perceive, by yonr last paper. Won
decllae publishing the con: roversy between Messrs
Doddridge and Cooke.-I beg you to revise that
determinations as the editors of the other paper ha We
given publicity to Mr.. Doddridre's Circular surely
fair play requires the publication of Mr. Cookies
deeply regret that such correspondence should
have taken place: every man of good feeling readily
dIscerns the reasons.-The high station these gen.
emen filled. he kind relations that subsised between
them in Richmond, the public repose, all pleaded a.
gainst such feud.-It has arisen MIR. Doddridye
and Mr.. Campbell, both of the county of Brooke
nave addressed the people of Virginia against the
r.
abstaned, so far as know, from personalities; and
although am not struck with any great force or nov
city IN his argument still it is argumeut.-Not SO
Mr. Doddrdge forgetting the dignity of his own sta
ton regardless of setting all the courteses of
gentleman iat defiance, he deliberately procaims to
the people OF Virginia, that Mr.. Cooke and were
traitors to the interests protested 70 represent:
and more than insinuates that certain sinister infu
ences IN Richmond, warped us fom the path of po-
litlcal roctitudeWhat is the question submitted to
the public? Is the new constitution q rood one Ia
ken all IN al-ls it your interest to adopt it?-How
does this veteran lawyer and practised statesman,
Mr.. Doddridge, argue it'-By asserting that two
gentlemen, who have given him offence personal
y,to say the least of it, treacherous aud unwor
thy because they did not happen to concur in opin.
ION with him, upon questions in relation TO which
they were bound, by the high Obligations of patriot
Ism and honour, to Use their best Judgment;
upon questions where the interests of his constituents
were evidently somewhat dissimllar to those of their
own; and where, if this mighty autocrat of all the
heghanies will excuse the freedom fiey felt
themselves, especially towards the latter part of the
sion TOOL. i.I -oIr r