Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-01-04

hen the old Conlederacy had, in the opinion
of some Of the States failed to effect the objects
for which it was formed, our forcGathcrs, like
sensible men, set about its reformation without
any threats Of coercion or talk of war. They
assembled Convention, which formed the
present Constitution and provided for Union
when ratified BY nine States, and between all the
States ratifying. There was rs much objection
to the old Confederation as there is now to the
present Union, and there was as much opposi-
ton to its dissolution as exists ut present against
the disintegraton Of the present Conlederacy
But, notwithstanding all this, our 1orcCathers
proceeded with their work, and brought peace
and Constitution which won the admiration
Of the world, the nulifying States Of the North
excepted.
We know no reason why the example Of our
forelathers canEOt bc followed at the present
titnc-why Convention, outside Of the pre-.
sent Constitution, and appointed by the State
Legislatures, cannot assemble forthwith and
prepare Constitution to be submitted to all
the States, and binding between the first ten,
twelve, or fifteen States that ratify it.
1t may be urged that States not contiguous
might ratify, and that the new Union would
not he composed Of contiguous and cotermi,
nous States We do not think there is any dan
ger of this, for the delegates would know the
sentiments and wishes Of their States, and
would guard against this danger. The South.
crn States, without consulting the North should
appoint delegates to such Il Convention, and
ftbe Constitution then agreed upon should b.
submitted to all the States for ratification rr
rejection. The submission Of such Con>ttu.
ton to the Northern States would present al.
issue to the conservatives and aholitiuniSS
which would enable the Union men TO rally
and defeat the drStructivrS Tie States not
ratfying would he out Of the Union, divided
among themselves in local position rs
well us political opinion. Under exist.
ing affairs the Black Republicans having
possession Of the organization Of the Northern
States, arc enabled to smother the conservative
sentiment; but the submission Of Il new Con-
stitution, with the certainty Of It's adoption hE
the South aud the permanent dissolution UI the
present Confrderacy, would Introduce revnlu'
ton into every Northern State, which would
result in the overthrow Of black Republican.
iSm
There are many thousands Of persons at the
North, who dcspi<e Black Rcpublicanism a.
much as DO the people of the South. These men
arc powerless at present, but the submission
of Constitution for ratification or rejection
would present an issue whicl, wonld enable
the Northern Conservatives to rally and de-
stroy Black RepublicaniSln. Such a Consti
ton would form Il New Coniederacy Of the
Southern States, into which any Northern State
willing to comply with the terms Of lis ratili
cotton could enter, and some Of the Northern
States would ratify such Constitution for
hstweeu the manufacturing, tariff States Of
New England, and the farming, Free Trade
States Of the Northwest, there ii nothing
common, save Black crublicansrn---and this
would be surrendered by solne Of the Northern
States rather than submit to New England po
Icy.
Such Constitution would unite the South and
divide the North, it would transfer the battle
ground to the North, and so divide and dis
tract those States, that the South would not he
molestcd.
We have not undertaken to intimate what
changes should be made in the present Con
stitution, indeed; 9 are not satisfied that ii
could be improved; but its revision by a Con
rention is necessary in order to ascertain il
the wisdom Of the States can suggest improve.
ments