Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-03-21
A GLIMPSE AT THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION Oh

Not many persons remain even in Virginia who wit
messed the celebrated Convention that sat in this city in
ls29.sn. Fewer still are to be found in the North
Among these latter is Edwin CrOswel at that time edi-
tor Of the Albany Arg', who was at Richmond, the
guest of Father Richie and in company with Martin
Van Buren, In answer u some inquiries Mr.. CrOswel
in private letter to Mr.. Bryan Of Batavia, " gives
the following brief but graphic picture Of that noble
BODY of men, whose ike, indeed the State may never
look upon again.
The virginl Convention sat in 500, the first year Of
General acks0us Administration. IL was worth while
20 have lived them 70 have that remarkable body OF
men Except in a qualified sense, our own State Con
venou of N2s the present century had not witnessed
ANYTHING that could approach Il in character and inter
est nor can look upon Ike again. Monroe, the last
Of the Presidential Of the Ancient Doenion vas rs
presiiing cctr and iisOu Governor Gle John kau-
d,lph Watkins Leigh Chapman johnson, and other re-
markable men, we're leading participants IN is dehoe!a
cus That WAS scene not TO be icTgOten,in which a
President Of the Revolutionary stock occupying the all
Glen, Chair of tie Rouse OfDacgatesa relic OF the earlier
heroic DAYS, before hm, II earnest debate, another
OF the Revolutionary Presidents al whose feet outrech-
ed on the carpet the reporter Susbury, rcortus
10 this posture 20 catch each word It fell from the hp
Of yenerated wisdom that in the FefsrCit' "a the Cou
veUtOu Of 1851 IN numerous State papers and m many
forms OF craftsmanship, had become oracuiar Inc D"-
ruprrcOtyne thlu unfortunately pOt IN VOGUE, cCu1 'ot
have Or, sented more striking group. The Convention
was fan of talent and renown OF other days N'nrce
though aeuua.cd aud showing signs OF age and fatigue
VA IN his three-cornered hat venerable aud impress
sve tvps o. his school Madison, bis senior, more
elastic IN manner but feeble in voice Both wore shorts
and buckles t the uee and in the shoes Randolph was
in good health, and becoming IL his appearance aud
fre n than usual from characteristic singuag:les sharp
clear and peculiar in debate am quite that Henry
A Wise then Young man. no the beginning OF his public
career WAS member OF the Conventions; and that u was
of h that Mr. Richie said That sir, is ~ this nen,
the mos: rising Young in the Commonwealth The
great question Of The dAy the basis OF repreS Mt tion
"a question moojea v.th al the power snd talent OF the
anita gorstic division which threea-! AZ time the
dissolution OF the bOdy-and the adjustment OF which
M last a. the slavery topic has been, tue result
Of oopromise t was my fortune to hear Mr.. Randolph
on that subject and Mr. Madison, Governor Giles Mr.
Leigh, Mr. johnson, Ar. Sanard &c, on less important
discussions.
You we're too young TO recolect this assemblage OF
sage. and great men; but YOU who well read in the
history Of The States aud the political annals OF the
country know that IL was her las; Pgbc body in which
statesmen Of the Revolution participated, and that IN
the scope and ability of it, discussions, the dignity OF Its
deliberations and the parliamentary deeorum OF IT'S pro-
ceedrgs il was an Illustration Of ;he best features Of our
irs,tuors and an example, lost upon the action OF
its own times in the process Of Constitution making
One thing t did not do think Of DOING that of crea-
ing an elective Judiciary.