Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-27
From Tie Eedericks5urg Nems.
SKETCHES OF THE CONVENTION

SKETCHES OF THE CONVENTION.
View messed the deliberations of this body in our
late visit to Richmond and noticed with some interest
the men who constitute it, We saw the Conyention
OF 80 and listened for some weeks to its debates The
contrast Is marked. In point ottalent of dignity and
OF imposing pretensions twas The amphyctonic coun
ell ofthe Greeks and the barebones parliament of Crom
WELL The one was the eliminated wisdom of that gen.
GRAFTON which founded the Republic. Whilst the other
though composed OF sensible and intelligent gentlemen
lay no claim to those high publications., which were
universally conceded to their iustrious predecessors
The Convention of 80 contained larger number of
great men than ever assembled any occasion in
this country Madison, Marshall, Monroe, Randolph,
Leigh, Johnson, Morris Doddrlge have no canals in
the present day. They had no superiors at anv time
Besides these were hosts of powerful men (many OF
them unknown to fancy who were worthy of associa-
ton with the most renowned of their contemporaries
Stanard and Scott and Cook and Jones and Barbour
and Green and Gordon We're each host within him
self They gave pwoer and briancy to the discussions
which caused their influence to be felt in every por-
ton OF theUnion.
We had seen in the public prints claim 10 talent
In the present body equal to the Convention of'29 We
were surprised at such declaration before we saw
me Convention. we are now satisfied that the au-
NOR must be either tool knave, q mailman Had
ne contrasted the present Virginia Legislature aud the
Convention there might be some proprety in the con-
trast But i is sacrege to breathe with the same
breath the Conventions oi'29 and 80.
we do not wish to be understood in this TO intimate
that this convention is not just well qualified to make
good Constitution as the last. We have no doubt
~ mas uiSlei qhdlfcdllOns because OF the a0
sence OF many OF those characteristics which made tn
last body so distinguished They were old men, with
Their preJudces we'll as their experience These are
comparatively young men, with all the lights OF the mast
and the hopes of the future The last Convention
comprised remnants Of a noble stock They were hon
est ana honorable, bat proud and arstocratic They
were Republicans IL theory but they feared the peope
1t was only with partial power they felt disposed to en-
trust those whom they had ncknamed soyeriegns They
iet hoinhlng Of that progressive improvement which
marked the age aud which incorporated n our institu
tons would make a great pa6ple' They had haan
reared under different form OF Government and whilst
they mbbed the spirit Of freedom they had not taken
to the embrace OF liberal aud enlarged rspnbinan.
ism The present Convention possesses this spirit and
will carry it out in such Constitution as viii Give 70
the people all the rights to which they are ented I,
comprises gentlemen ofrespectabe talents the strjeest
integrity and fixed determination to execute tha
wishes Of their constuens. Just such body il NEE
ded at this uncue and such have in the present Con-
vention.
IN casting our eye the Convention we were sur