Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-03-31
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 81. 1880

We present our readers. 10 day, with
Dir. Doddridse's circular. and part Of Mr.
Cookies reply thereto. The great length
of the latter obliges US to divide il; or to
dispense entirely with that variety which
we desire always TO prepare Tor our readers
Mr. DIS circular has been looked for
with anxiety by those who are opposed 10
tho new Constitution. and with curiosity
BY all, ever since his intention to write on
this subject was publicly announced. But
Ne think oil who have read il are alike
disappointed Instead OF an able argu.
lnent against tho expcdieney OF adopting
the new Con stitution, il is Q personal 1T
tack upon Messrs. Cooke aud Henderson,
particularly upon the former gentleman,
and an attempt TO exhibit their course in
the Convention in as odious light as pos.
able. We are at = loss TO perceive the
sounexion between this matter and the
question Of ratifyins or rejecting the Con-
strtution; or how in deciding this quss-
ton, IL can be material to inquire, whether
Messrs. Cooke and Henderson acted wise
~ or unwisely; and IL Mr.. D's circular. be
intended to influence the people to vote a.
gainst the Constitution. we must confess
our astonishment that he should have
placed the subject upon this ground.
we deem this question one Of tho most
interesting importance to tho people Of
Virginia. and are DESTROYS that our rea
ders shall have every opportunity which
our columns can afford. Of bearing both
sides ofthe question; Notwithstanding our
conviction ofthe propriety Of rstifying the
new Constitution. and our anxiety TO SEQ
it adopted by large majority. II, howe
yer, Mr. DIS arguments. contained 10 his
circular, be the strongest which can be
urged on the side Of the opposition. we
thiok there is 90 danger OF defeat to be
apprsAended by the friends Of the new
Constitution. That this instrument was
manufactured by the eastern members.
and that the West generally, voted az ainst
1t upon the final question Of adopting it BY
tho Convention, appears TO be the princi-
pal argument urged by Sir Doddridgo TO
induce the people TO reject il. To ask the
people to reject II for this reason, is to re-
quest them TO surrender the right Of judg-
ing for themselves. and 10 pin their faith
upon the sleeves Of their delegates. But
when the reason is given Why the West
voted against II. and the undeniabIs fac,
slated. that members Of the Convention
voted against il 10 that body, vho will vote
for II at the polls. and yet act in the mos,
consistent manner the argument is not
worth straw. IL was believed by many
Of the delegation from the West, that il
the Constitution could be rejected by the
Convention. one better suited 10 the view.
Of the West would be obtained. in con.e.
qucnco Of the patriotic determin stion Of
some Of the Eastern members to yield
moro TO the West. rather than disperse
without framing a Constitution. Macy,
FOR this reason, voted against i, in Conven.
ton, who viii vote for it q, the polls.
The following 10 extracted from an article
IN the Richmond Enquirer of the 25d, upon
the subject Of the new Constitution.
What does Mr.. Doddridge desire?
He admits the proposed is better than
the present Constitution. Does he ex-
pect better one 60 be formed at the
present timer Does he. after his re-
& cent experience, expect the East to 90
sfnto new Convention? Or. does he
z'sish tho Citizens of the West 70 or.
game a Convention of their own, and
form new Constitution foe themselves
Is there not some reason to fear, that
The only alternatives before us are, a
ratihcatIon Of the Constitution, or di.
piston Of the State? And can Mr.. ID.
have broughthis mind to this last dread
ful branch Of the alternative?
There are now reasons 70 believe,
pat the opponents Of the ratification,
etuated as many Of them are, by the
pest motives, will make a strong efFor,
70 discard this Constitution. We 10.
: er Il, not only from the language Of
hessrs. Campbell and DOddridge,
RON the resolutions of Ohio and Wythe,
rom the tones Of some Of the Western
papers, but from the private informa.
ton which we have received. IL be
ZONES the Voters Of the Valley and the
hAss, TO weigh veil the part which II
becomes them 20 aet--snd to act &C.