Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-22
CONVENTION.

ra,ed by political conflicts, that we thought they
required repose. This was a CUES ion calcu-
lated. we knew,,a~.o excite strife, even among
friends, and we were disposed, as far as We
could, TO prevent any such contest. We had
seen The Wbis and Times, kindred spirits, and
others allies Of our own, entering The lists-ano,
IS words fell thick and heavy, The comoatao's
seemed 10 wax warmer and warmer. We desired 10
l,oL calmly on ADD fsl, no inclination to engage
n-e,,aturely in the war We determined neither
70 aei,a,e nor be agi,ared. We we're listening 10
me murmurs of di.con,en, which pervaded ma
nv paris Of The Stlte-to the grievances, real or
imaginary, of which the people complained-to
The remedies proposed, and the manner OF apply
Ing Them We were disposed 10 pay attention 10
those who combaed this disconlent-who were
ready 10 prove that there were no grievances
worth redressing, and thai The remedies proposed
were worse than the evils suggested. We we're
patiently waiting for The people 10 make up tneir
own unbiased judgments. content 10 abide by
the result, satisfied that they were competent 10
Judge and 10 decide.
II seems, however, that our silence is likely 10
be lnisconsrued. Under such circumstances we
do NOT hesitate TO speak our sentiments as De-
comes The conductors of free press.
The question, we confess, is one not without
its difficulties and dangers, and most worthy Oh
deep and serious rehcctioa.~ er such deltpera-
ton az We have been able tcgee 10 II, we hE3iere
j, would be better for Virginia, that her present
Constitution should be changed in several part-
culars-not ru,hlessly and violently with The
unnamed spirit Of innovation or demolition; but
di.passionaelv, seeking the good which expert
ence has evolved and discarding the evil that time
has made manifest. We are mol OF those VINO
will no, venture to attain good, because e'i', py
possibility, NAV be the consequence The people
af The present age are as competent 10 understand
their wants their rights, their obligations, Inc
principle. OF government, the means 10 promote
their welfare, and he facilities for advancing ther
prosperity, as The age which preceded them. Inc
condition Of The country The situation oil lher al
fairs The repose and the calm around them, all IA
yor deliberation With the workings OF the ma
ehinery OF their own government heretofore, hey
are familiar They have seen IT'S detects ana
,es.ed II fuly and fairly. The Constitutions OF
twen,y.siy cher States, formed By the collected
wisdom OF patriots and statesmen, are before
Them. Experience has demonstrated, what por-
lions Of each system have been beneficial and
wha, have proved injurious. and we believe, there
are vet wisdom AID virtue enoughto select and 10
amend, and patriotism sufficient % GUIDE The
Convention 20 happy results.
The State requires rencyaiiis. Many OF her
hes, sons admit that premature old age : "a
pidly coming over her. She must be torh again
New life, new energy, freshness OF spirit ana
a determined enterprise, must be Infused INTO her
system There is van, Of unity OF pafpoSe'
want al concert OF action, local, sectional iser
inp existing which all have seen and depioFeu--
And ,his rery feeling il it does not proceed from
is directly ios,ered BY the present CONSTITUTION
The Stale is laid of into four great divisions
s.ch sunnosed 10 have distinctive features with
different Interests and coniiictuS - -
ierent subjects OF taxation, and different species
II property and wealth and each IS 10 have a TX
ed representation, and thereby 10 be kept separate
and distinc, Nv imaginary or geographical boun-
diaries, through all lime. Thus We have created
four separate. and We may almost say, ndepend-
On, States confrGera,ed together III ole State
Ills next 10 impossible 10 attain united councils
under such sts,em Whether for improving
the physical or mental condition Of The people, il
is all the same. There must be three or four
works or institutions, one in each grand divisions
similar in all respects, whether wanted or not, or
it's opposed with vehemence bordering on
dissolution Of the coniederacy, by all The divi-
sion. in whose limits The works or Institutions
are not established. The people are induced 70
believe that these are ccnhic,s Of interest, when
IN ruth ihev are identical. Every man is
made 10 believe, unless The work or insi-
luton is brought near his own door, or, a
any rate, within his particular division, that
he is compelled 10 be taxed, TO support
The institution or work, entirely for the bene-
4, OF others. In order TO carry any useful
measure, therefore, il is absolutely necessary 10
combine with il some other measure wholly use
;4ss or that might, without Inconvenience be dis
uensed WITH 70 the de,riment Of The finances and
resources Of the State and TO the destruction ofthe
prosperity OF The whole. This system OF bar
gain and losrolIirg and wholesale corruption
must be the consequence CT continuation oil such
division Of The State into distinct sections. And
every man must discern tie injustice OF fixed
representation 10 a division, lei The mutations o.
the division be what they may The represen-
ta,ion is assigned, upon the combined basis OF pc
pulation and properly and The ratio Is 70 remain
Interchangeable, no matter how that roruai
may diminish or increase, no matter how thai
wealth may un ergo change or Modification, no
matter how both may become Identical with olhcf
divisions. or hoy lime and circumstances NAV
make their Interests one and indivisibe The
.,unlari, n u. on which these imaginary divisions
rest, * continually undergoing mutations. The
src,ion below tide waller, which was once popu-
Ions is, in many places almost deserted; the pro-
rerlv and Ire wealth is shifting to other divisions.
The section beyond the Allegheny, once The re-
sol, Of the wolf and the BEAR Is fast iiling upwith
an industrious, high-soucd, thriving population,
whose wealth is rapidly accommodating, and whose
immense resources are being daily more and more
developed And yet The same ralio is 10 te pre-
served. The people Of The East may rely upon
Il, this state Of things cannot as,-ihs injustice
will moi long be submitted TO. The system is de-
fec,ive; i, must eneender d;scord. Break up these
divisions, and you will destroy local differences
aud sectional ieelnss-unte all classes and sec
lions into one harmonious people-and, instead
Of thinking how 10 advance The interests of the
,ide.warer section, or the section above tide, or
the valley, or the trans-Aleehany regions, all
will strive to promote The interests OF Virginia.
Instead Of keeping ~ forever four distinct mu-
inequalities, creating alonses and heartburn
$50 ,rhoIJ,, ;rrecnnc;pable lct there be one Viz
ein.a, united in councils, indvisible in inleres',
with a common cause 10 maintain, and CON-
mon tame and glory 10 defend, and Virginia will
te wha, she once was-lhe pride of,he Union
Upon the subject OF The right of suffrage too,
We are decidedly in favor Of change. OF all