Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-02

But we are especially in its favor, because its re-
concentrations conform near as may be, TO the great
u principles by which all propositions con-
nec,ed with the Convention ought to be tested Taken
as a whole of opinion, IL has adopted the most
efficient means that be devised, in order that the
voice of the Convention shall be The voice oil the peo
pIe in contra distinction 10 the voice OF politicians, and
of preserving the relative weight OF the States in the
Presidential election, fixed by The Constitution 1t
secures n compensation, at least in great degree by
the appointment othe delegates by districts, and voting
per capita for the surrender which the smaller States
and less populous portions of the Union make by 90
ing into a Convention, Of their contingent advantage
in case of the election devoyng the Honse. 1t is
here proper remark in order TO avoid msconslruc-
ton that in insisting on preserving the relnive weight
of the smaller States, not actnated by the slight
est feeling of opposition to the larger. we would not,
if we could subtract grain from the relative weight
assigned them by the Constitution We hold that The
interest and the prosperity and happiness Of each and
all, are best promoted by rigid conformity in all
things TO the provisions OF The Conshtuion more
especiay that which touches It's great onpromises
and on which tie balance of the Government dc
pends-and it is principally because we believe it
does that that we give adhesion 20 the Maryland
plan.
We have now declared views, explicitly and
frankly on the points in relation to The Convention
which, as we believe, remain unsettled by the public
voice Our object is not to throw difficulties in the
way of General Convention, nor to distract d.
vide common party. 1t is the reverse, to harmo-
and unite; which, according 10 our cencepton,
can only be done by calm, manly appeal reason,
Justice equity patriotism, and the Constitution -
These are, we think, the only foundation on which
the Republican party can or ought 10 stand; and
strict conformity 10 them in practice, The oily means
by which union and harmony can be preserved in our
ranks.
The objections we have stated against tie plan to
which we are opposed and the reasons gves IN favour
of the one we support, are OF grave character gong
10 the principles OF the CONSTITUTIONS ano some oil lis
most sacred compromises, and which touch in their
be,rincs The very yi,as of political system they
are true they must the opinion OF all VINO value the
and tho Constitution, settle the points of
difference in favour of that which we, IN common with
40 many other States, recommend. 'Fht question then
is are they true That they are, is our toemn convic
ton and all ask is that the reasons We have advan
ced in their favour should be carefully, inpataly, and
dspassonately weighed; 1t not assenbd 10, the oP.
posing presented IN the same ipift OF truth
and irankness, in which ours have been advanced. If
wrong, we shall be happy 10 De put right.
r,nti is ou, first object But as loni as convinced
that we are right it cannot be expected we shall sur
render the ground on which they placeus. To do so
would be abandonment of principle and with US
principles are oil more Importance than lie Presidency
and we feel assured that Virginia, hersf the plan OF
whose Convention we have been constrained to opposed,
would lie the last expect us TO SURRENDER our ground
unless convinced that il erroneous is, according
to our yiew the old ground which she has made SO
many glorious battles for liberty, and OF maintaining
which her influence and respectablllty State de-
pend and happy shall we be- this critia and danger
erous period of our political history, TO find her stand
ing side by side with us, in her old position, on the
rampar,s of the Constitution, ready te repel all as
sauis from whatever quarter, on It's saceo PROVISIONS
whether by open and direct attack, or by the still more
dangerous hostility of covert undermining