Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-08-11
Tbe Constitutional ge1bto.
Tuesday Evening. hug. 9.


HT The Enquirer of this morning calls an Anti
Iariff meeting in this city, for Friday next, and
similar notices have been given in Powhatan and
Brunswick.
We inclined to think that the mass of the
Anti-Tariftes look upon the Convention at Phla
dclpha, with disapprobation. In all that has been
said, one sound reason has been giyen for sucb
movement. 1t cannot be necessary, in order to
enlighten tho country by discussion, for the best
talents of the country have been engaged in the dis
cussion for ten ycarsnor to stimulate the zeal of
the enemies of tho Tariff for it is admitted to re-
quire no stimulant-nor to organize opposition,
Tor no party was ever better organized. What then
rs the oblect-what the an-what the expectation?
Have Amos Kendall and Isaac Hill, nothing to do
but lay their heads together, propose Convention
tor some nsidious purpose, and hurry Virginia into
the measured They the unquestioned fathers
of this project.
There cannot be notion without reaction. This
anttarf convention, will lead to tariff ebnven.
tlon. Excitement Oh one side, will beget excite
mont tho other and tho conciliatory spirit which
is now obviously at work oil the land, and
which has produced general wish and general
expectation that the extingushment of the Nation
al Debt will lead to immediate revision of the
Tariff, and such q one will pacify the whcle
country, must be greatly endangered, if not des-
troyed. We ask moderate men-patriotic mon
rejecting men-if it is not wiser to leave events to
their natural and necessary operation, than by at
tempting to controul accelerate them, incur the
hazard of exciting party spirit as to render con-
ciliation and compromise impossible We have no
personal interest, no partizan feeling in the mat
ter. We are actuatod by warm wish to see
tho Tariff reduced as other men; we know that it
l. H., ,,,Lo Al NJ =
paid off; we arc deeply convinced that this Con.
vention at Philadelphia, is to have the worst effect
in alarming the friends of the Tariff, in urging
them to counteractng efforts, and in stirring up
mutual ill will 81 excitement. Can the friends of that
Convention, offer single argument of sufficient
weight to counterva even the possibility, of these
mischievous consequences? They havo not done
It get.
neighboring paper has placed our opposition to
the Convention on the ground of Clayism. We
expect liberality from it's conductor and ask
none Yet we might ask, how is the Convention
to hurt Henry Clay? If we are right in supposing
that its effects will be to and unite the friends
of the Tariff, it would i'll all probability, promote
his success, by turning their eyes upon him as its
ablest champion. Comprising immense MAORI
ty of the nation, Mr.. Clays identity with them and
ther cause, would ensure his election the Prcsi-
dency. Strange, however, it may appear to
that Editor, who never has viewed, and never
will view things through any other mcd-
um than party interest, capable of for
getting Henry Clay altogether if by doing so,
we could see an amicable composition of the two
great and dangerous questions which now excite
the Union-aye-much as we admire him-much
honor him-great, and noble know
him to be--vilely traduced he has been by the
of party, and the minions of power, and con-
solatory it would be to see him acquitted by
nations verdict of crimes which knaves have i'm
puted and fools believed, and to chase from Wash
ington the wretched crew who have made official
honours contemplate, and the Presidency itself,
ridiculous Notwithstanding all this, could re-
concie it TO ourselves, to hear of Mr.. Clay,
if union, peace, harmony and national good will
could be once more restored. We nave motive in
opposing the Convention but to advance these-and
ask the people of Richmond-to reflect dispas
sionately, if by promoting it, they IL, pos.
bly, injuring the cause they are trying to help-to
ask themselves rUhat they gain-to weigh
any thing they may hope to gain, by the disastrous
effects which will naturally follow.