Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-04
Enr lie Endnirer

Gentlemen: In my hasly communication bear
ing date the 9Th, and published in he Enquirer q
MaY the l2:h, had no expectation .; provoking
what seems IL lne 70 be an uncaiIeior attack in
The Enquirer Of Jane The Goth, over the signature
oil "Couvenlionisi." | should no. trouble You
with any reply 10 "Conventonisi," but j, appears
10 Ire that he has either msconceived or pcrycrt-
Ell both The objcct and he purport q my commu-
nca,ion. My object, as avowed, was simply 10
give il as my decided opinion, that majority ct
The people of Halifax were opposed 10 Conven-
ton, accompanied with the circumstances and
reasons that induced that belief lie says, "ln
looking over your paper Of The Sih ut }, was very
much struck with the error OF your correspondent
from HALIFAX, (not Intentional presume) who
states tina, The people generally did not make The
Convention question lest in the county for dele
galfsg 'Visiinast bean R.ihe .HsEi. .C'fafry ishS
ous 10 correct toe opinion as therein expressed b.
your cores pendent, bu, lair pay would seem 10
REQUIRE that Justice should h. awarded 10 oHih par
ties all being lerested in the maiier." II is true,
as "Convenuonsl" says, ne does not seem par
,icuarl, anxious 10 correct" my error, but rather
annears 10 labor Throughout, his piece 10 convict
me OF Injustice and uniairness towards others
Bat. Messrs. Elilors even lawyers sometimes
fiji 10 make out plain and clear case before
Jury. mean no di>respectto that honorable pro
lcssion, or any individual member belonging 10 IL;
far he il from Inc to do 50. Let MS look 10 The re-
cord and evidence, and see whether "Convenion-
isl" has fully succeeded in convcling me oi inIns
tice and uni.Iness ! stated that the candidates
assumed the position above indca,csi--tha, is, ,he
Convention question Majors and Stovall being
in favor Of a Convention on The mixed basis, ami
Watkins and Hughes opposed i'll. "Cnnven'ion-
ia saws The same thing. | further stated that
the peop.e generally did not make The convention
ures ion test in The canvass, and that many IN
dividuals voted Tor tic convention candidates from
nersonal and other considerations. ] might con-
fienily appeal 10 The convention candidates them
selves (one OF them leasiD Tor the truth oil TINS
assertion. "Convenioni>t" says, This issue was
proclaimed from the stiles al The Courthouse and
at every point in the county where The candidates
spoke that Stovall and Major were the conven-
lion men, and Hughes and Watkins opposed 10
il. Upon this ground alone, The whole county
was lraversed, every corner stirred up. All who
intended 10 go To The polls, il is believed, vent
Every man voted underslan1inely" &c. THE can
dida,cs made The issue" Again, "Convrntonsl'
saws nAlrhoush much light still remains cover
I'd up with regard 10 the present Constitution,
(Which was scarce halt made up, and ina, 50
lame and ii-proportioned rs 10 require thorough
reproduction there was enough eliciled 10 de-
monslrae 10 the entire satisfaction Of those who
AS pervades our organic law ought 10 be looked
into" Leaving the conclusion, aud by no means
strained inference, that our convention candidates
were Incapable or nnprepafedto set forth this sub
lec before the people in ils true and full light bui
leave this preston 10 "Conventionisi," and his
friends The delegates elect, 10 settle between them
selves But SAYS "ConvenioniS;" again. Let
every man who thinks himself secure IN me en-
joymcn .! snecure iayorS, beware ol me hes 81
March," | am al q loss 10 ascertain 10 what
class Of iavurs cr Offices "Gonven'ioniSt al!ndes
Tor know o no provision IN our Constitution
or laws thai makes or PROVIDES lnr sinecnres-
unless Cunven,ionist refers o our Judges and
am sure il cannot be properly applied 10 tnsin
for iher's is a very abofuns and responsible rhce.
Your correspondent, SAYS "Conven'ionist, ac-
know.edgcs the fact, that there are MANY impcr-
fectons in our present Constitution that mighi De
remedied and some radical changes and altera-
tons profi.ably made, &c. But differ with our
delegates eecr, land with 'Conveniionist" 100,
| presume from his communicaion) as 10 what
constitutes those desirable remedies, changes and
alterations
believe they arc in favor OF elecling all our
officers, Judicial and Ministerial, by the people,
even down to Constable; though am not
certain that they include the Jndces-onr Judges
and our Magistrates too. il we nave magistrates,
should be independent, further lhan amenahle las
they arc) 10 the Constitution and laws oil The land,
for their good behavior, especially II we EXPECT
10 procure the services OF high minded honorable
men, who will discharge the duties pertaining 10
their office without favor, partially or affection.
Why, sirs, il was quite common in our late can
vass, ifa Magistrate happened 10 be opposed 10 a
Convention, 10 hear The charge made against him
tina, he was interested, he was looking forward to
the Sherifalty, and hence il was that he was OPP
posed 10 Convention. do rot mean 10 apply
This remark To "Conventioni>t," nor have any rea-
son TO believe that il has any application what
ever 10 him. and merely mention The clrcnm-
stance TO show to what extent and extremes such
slang is resorted 10.
But, saws "Conven,ionist" ave are unwilling
10 believe any assertion which goes 10 impu'e
unworthy motives, in an attempt 10 submit the
call Of a Convention, By anv part Of our people,
that The main object is 10 set the power and as
cendancy, and. by consequence, exercise II over
the majority with iron and mischievous rule"
Referring, suppose, 10 The remark in my for
mer communication, that whenever the Eas,
snrrenders our present basis OF representation, we
no, only pace ourselves completely in the power
Of our Western brethren, who must be superhu.
man il they do not use il for their own benefit,
but we deprive ourselves OF part OF our strength
and representation in The Federal Government.
Do 10 our Western brethren any injustice Do
d;sparace or draw anY nvidious distinction be-
tween or Western brethren and any other por-
ton or section of the community II 20, why
is il that our delegates elect are only Convention
men upon The white basis, and upon no other prin-
cinlesi discaim any such intention or design
-, ,,o,,d M, depaTt from that fundamental