Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-14

I and il must be taken for granted. thai
now as heretofore, they will maintain
their character abroad and at home, 70,
deiiberation and reiIeslion. and disap
/ point those who are in the habit of calcu.
lating upon their creduIi,y, who treat
them as children incompetent TO think
and ae, to be misled by whomsoever
may desire"
Ma. MALLeRY-
Mr.. Sneaker, as the subject to which
this question relates is. in my estima.i
on,off far more magnitude than any which
has been agita.ed during the present ses.
sion, must solicit the indulgence of the
tiouse few moments, in order to state
as brisay as possible, thase reasons which
VIII influence my vote on so interesting
! an occasion, =
am in favor Of The proposition for a
postponement, sir, not because we should
transcend the limits of our authority, by
recommending to the people oil Virginia,
the measure contemplated by the petit
ons from Franklin and Patrick, 1t is
nc; con,ended by the advoca es Of that
measure, that the Legislature, in it's Or
binary capacity, is invested with the right
ct calling convention, or of saying TO the
people, you shall! constitute a conventions
al body, 10 reform The constitution of the
state /; but certainly il has right, in
common with every individual of the
community To Gdvise ard recommend any
meass that would be aaeg cite 10 So grea,
and SACRED, an Object.
shall vote in the affirmative of this
question, not because the constitution is
too p@rfe@ TO require or admi, of an "a
mandrpents Wen am ] aware Of the
defects 1t contains. and believe me, no
man can lament their existence more than
myself am particularly opposed TO
that part which conGaes the right of suf-
irage ia the owners Of the soil, in as
much az it oreates d,stinelions of an o.
dlous nature, and great portion, perhaps
a majority, of our fellow citizens, Is dc
Privsd 81 The dsacsst ana most iaes,ima
bic privilege Witch freemaH can boss,
os on enioy. IL IS. AFR. Speaker. ,ea-
ture in our constitution, I'm direGt hostili
TO one Of the great fundamental princ,-
piles of republican goyernment--a prn-
cip'e which has been recognised by our
Bill OF Rights, which declares in sub
stance, that no man ough. 10 be ruled by
a law, in the establishment OF which &c
has no agency, either r1ediately or in,
meGlateiy. For my part would wish
This right to extend to every Virginian
who is liable to be called out with his
nusket on his shoulder IN defence of his
county.
j am for = pos'p1renent, SIR, not be
cause fear TO trust the people. III this
country, and at this enlightened ara, such
an idea would Re strange in the extreme.
The people already, without the in,erte-
renee of the Legislature, possess the
pever not only of revising, bu, of annihi-
lating The constitution whenever and in
what manner they think proper. And
were this not the case, will venture 10
affirmdhcy arc as patriotic and as much
attached to principles Of freedom at this
day, as they ever vete or ever will be.
Can we then suppose that the men to
whom they might delegate such an
important portion &C their sovereignty,
would not consult the happiness and pros.
periiy Of Virginia with as mitch anxiety
and zeal as those sages who formed the
CONSTRUCTION, which with all its deFe0s,
secures TO us at this moment so many in
valuable blessings.
Bot, sir, am in favor of the PROPOSE.
ton for pusiponement, because deem
this daogerous period to attempt an A.,
moderation Of our political conditions
Tina, tranquility which has so long reign
ed in this western hemisphere, scetns
likely to be interrupted. A prospect
presents itself, which view with emoti.
Obs Of concsrn and distress, Of our being
ere long engaged in those ruinous wars
which now conviiise iii fsled Europe
But, admii,ing there was not the mos,
distant prot dty Of such an event, still
I think we have progressed to too late
period Of our session, 20 consider this
sUbiecl with thst calmness aud ma;ure
deliberation which It's importance merits.
In short, sir, am a6tuated by another
weighly consideration the people whom,
represent--.by whose authority hold
seat on this foor---whose sentiments ]
come here to express, and 10 whom am
responsible they, sir, conceive are OPP
posed TO the calling Of y convention,
re be concluded in orr Herf.)
.rHsF