Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-12
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:

To the Editors Of the Enqu,r~:
HALIFAX, May 8, 1916.
Gentlemen: observe that one OF your CORES
pondents, in apprising you OF the result OF ou
election states, that "lhe election turned upon The
Convention question; Majors and Stoval beins
in favor Of Convention on the mixed basis, anc
Watkins and Hughes opposed 10 it," Now, bef
| leave most respectfully to differ with your cores
pondent with regard TO the sentiments othe people
OF Halifax on the subject OF Convention. II i
true, that the candidates assumed the position
above indicated by your correspondent but that the
people generally did no, make The Convention
question lest in The canvass, is equally true
But, Messrs, Editors, lest you and The public
should be betrayed into the belief, from the re-
suit of our election, that The people OF thIs county
| are in favor of a Convention l desire 10 state
some OF The circumstances and influences that
produced that result.
MIR. Slovall, you are aware, has represented the
county for series OF years, and issaid by many
10 be one OF the most popular and hardest meD
10 beat in the county; and TO use racing phrase,
had the inside track and whip-hand, which gave
him decided advantage in the contest MIR.
Majors is worthy and respectable citizen. &C.
nerally esteemed and beliked BY all his acquain-
lances; since many individuals who are, in truth
and in principle, opposed 10 convention, voted
for the Convention candidates from personal and
olhc! couslderaiions. IN addition 10 all this,
wi,h one memorable exception, | never have
known The county as closely and as induslriously
canvassed, as il was By The Convention cand-
dates. Messrs Hughes and Watkins are also
highly respectable, honorable and intelligent
men; but the former al one period oil lis lie, dIf-
tered with the Democratic Administration in re-
gard 10 some OF lis measures, and for time aifi-
lated with The Wings but, discovering his error,
relraced his steps and resumed his natural posi-
lion amongst his old political associates and
brethren; which circumstance was Zealousiy
urged against him by Wings and Democrats who
were opposed to him, for il worked both ways
The charge was raised and circulated asainstihe
latter, that he was unpopular, naughty and stiff
necked. But the vote in his neishborhood, Mt.
Laurel } as well as in the county, has sufficient
IL refuted and nut that charge TO rest. But you
know, Messrs Editors, what effect such things
TOO frequently have in canvass
But my object is not particularly with the can
d;dates, or the result of the election, but simply
10 place the people OF Halifax in their true posi-
ton (wha the lawyers, believe call 7ecus IN Gu
ria) before the the public relative to Convention.
The fact is, Messrs. Editors, the people of this
county are, and always have been, opposed 10
Convention; and whenever they come 10 vote up
venlion, the result, in my humble opinion, will
fully verify this prediction. 1t is true, there arc
many defects and imperiections in our present
Constitution that might be remedied, and some
radical changes and alterations probably made.
But have we any assurance, Messrs Editors,
that we shall get those desirable and wholesome
alterations and amendments and stop, were we TO
90 INTO Convention2 Nay, is it not obvious and
clearly demonstrated, that the friends and advo-
Gates OF Convention differ, and differ widely
too, as to wha, alterations and amendments are
necessary and proper 10 be made when we meet
in Conven,ionl We OF the East should bear in
mind that we are divided, TO some extent at
least. as TO how far we should carry our
remedies and reforms; whilst our Western brelh-
rem are perfectly united as to their main object.
They desire the taxing and expending power,
and il is our interest and unquestionable right,
upon the fundamental principles oil our free in
,tiluions, 10 withhold it. They expatae very
plausibly upon our Bill of Rights, equality &c,
bnt they forget or overlook that fundamental
principle in our form Of government, that taxa
ton and representation shall go together" When
ever the East surrenderS our present basis oil re-
presentation, we not only place ourselves COM
plelely in the power Of our Western brethren,
who must be superhuman if they do not use il
for their own benefit but we deprive ourselves of
a part Of our strength and representation in the
Federal Government Bat will leave the dis.
cuSsion Of those important and momentous SUBJ
lccis to those who are more competent and better
able 10 do them justice than myself. omitted
TO state in proper place that, with scarcely an ex-
ception, the Wings in favor Of Convention vo-
ted for the Convention candidates, whilst many
OF those opposed TO Convention stood aloof and
took no part in the contest so that the result Of
our election j, no evidence or development OF the
sentiments oft people on the subject of Con-
venlion.
But apprehend our Convention candidates. or
delegates elect, are satisfied ere this that they
overshot the mark. a all events, reckon they
would be very 10Th 10 begin the canvass anew,
making Convention or no Convention the test,
with the distinct understanding that each voter
should express his sentiments on the subject, by
his vote And | am very much inclined to think,
they will be, in their votes next winter and in the
canvass next spring, il they should be candidates,
rather quasi Than thorough going Convention
men.
1t is said, by high authority, that tout OF the
abundance of the heart the mouth speakelh. y
Some OF the leaders of the Wing party seemed
highly delighted and elaled al the result OF our
election, not because they felt any extraordinary
interest in any particular questions involved; but
because they thought il might possibly create some
heart-burnings and discord among The Demo-
Gratis. heard one of them say, Gan aspirant TO
office too) that he wouldn't take thousand for ii.
But would caution my Wing friends, not 10 be
TOO hasty in applying the iatering JUNCTION, for |
venture TO assure them that, whenever the tug
shall be between Wing and Democrat, Wing
principles and Democratic principles, they will lay
aside their preferences and predictions bury and
| forget their discussions, and act in harmonious
unison together Yours respectfully, &c.
PISA Lynchburg correspondent, in the En-
qurer OF May LIST, attributes the defeat Of Mr..
Darlington, lie Democratic candidate in Char
loite, 10 some vote he gave last winter in The cleo
lion OF officers about the Capitol, in Richmond
With due difference, think he is mistaken. 1t
was in consequence otsome family feuds and dis
contents amongst our political friends in Char
loite that Wing was elected, and Isaac c. Car
ringlon, high minded, worthy citizen, and mag
unanimous Democrat, was sacrificed upon the altar
Of political strife and local prejudice. Could our
friends have selected more unpropi'ious time TO
settle their internal dissensions2 They should
have recoecled that the political character OF
U. S. Senator from Virginia, might depend on
the vote OF The delegate from Charlotte.
Yours respectfully.
The Wheeling Times states that The wheat
crops in all sections OF the surrounding coIn-
try, never looked better In the low grounds it is
feared the stalk may be too heavy.-Other crops
look equally well, and the meadows and fruit
trees promise abundance.
RHODE ISLAND.-The Legislature met at
Newport on Wednesday Robert B. Cranson,
(W.l Of Newport, was unanimously elected
Speaker OF the House, and Francis E. Hoppin