Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-02-24

question, he said, was new one, It had been
agitated in every part OF the state, il had been
discussed and re discussed, both before the
people and in the newspapers-and he pres,I-
med every member had made up hts mind on
il. He confessed that he WAS alarmed when
be heard gentlemen talk about breaking down
the independence Of The iGdicisryi that Judicia-
nv whose purity, intelligence and patriotism
had so long pursued the inward course OF r'ght
and Of justice-and substituting IN ITS stead ne
which, If we are to Judge from examples ~
other States, would be any thing aud every
thing but what it was intended to be. Ike
hardy yeomanry Of the country too, that class
OF our citizens who owned and who titled the
soil, and on whose exertions every thing IN So
ciety depended for support, are to be driven
from the management of their own affairs, and
they are to be intrusttd, as IN some 81 our SIS
ter States, 10 the guidance OF men OF desperate
fortunes, and of principles untf@d and uneer-
tain in their character. The old and venerable
Constitution of the State, which bad carried
us through the pillows OF the Revolution. aud
had preserved our happiness and Tranquility
ever since, sas to be demolished, and q new
and doubtful fabric was 10 be erected
on it's ~ruins-Against these doctrines and
these experiments. ne felt it his duty most so
lemly to protest The people ne represented,
he said, were frugal, honest and p2triouci they
were sincerely attached TO our present free m
situations. and whenever they were endangered
would be found prompt and eager IN offering
every sacrifice Ct fortune and OF HE IN their
defence. These people were content with a
constitution under which they bad lived III
ne ace and happiness for forty years; they were
not disposed to touch it lightly.
But what right, MIR w asked, had that House
to meddle with an affair belonging SO peculiarly
TO the peoplei What right had that House 10
saw there should be a Convention What right
had they thus to produce unnecessary excite
ment among the people OF the commonwealth?
Were they 10 do it because q few large counties.
like Loudoun and Frederick, lad imagined
thev labored under grievances, winch when
brn,ph, to the test would be found IN truth
ore deal than reali MIR w. here contrasted
~. condition of Virginia with that OF several OF
ter States, who had introduced into their
80, ,tu lions amendments similar TO these
s1'sbt 40 be engrafted on ours: and INSISTED,
go :, relation to character, rights, tranquil
;tv and ba,>piness, We were not teAina 'iisih'
~ ~ hee, said that General Jackson was to
be COR preside. It, and that he was to coHs IN
~ oe;ce sustained by the whoie army ana me
clergy. For his own part, he uid not 'hink
that he General WAS 10 succeed lie 'houBht
IN desrite of every indication 10 me contrary
MIR Craw ford was yet TO DC ei~c,eat" 40 n'2a
ard d,pniiea office. Bat ii Jackson was 70 pc
elected with his mgh-hsnded policy, and the
SUPPORT of the army ard clergy, was ti's, ne
asttd nroner time To add 10 the excitement
and commotion of the country, by stirring such
as that of resolving ourselves INTO our oFigInsl
elements and undertaking the task OF remodel
limo our institutions, and defining the political
rights OF society
Mr. Briggs expressed bis regret both
that the motion had been made, and mat the
r,der had been offered. The proposition con-
tained in the ryder, he said, had been before
the Committee OF the Whole. snd mad been
there rejected. Its principle, he thought, I'M
proper and not consistent Win the present
constitution. That instrument authorized The
House to confer no such power on the noa-iree-
holders az the ryder contemplated. "neh
gentlemen conte nded for the rights OF the Pee
BE. tley seem TO forget that that word EN-.
braced ali ages and all coloFs; and surely It
never could nave been intended to submit such
a question as this to all that would be embraced
by IL. He saw no necessity tor any excitement
on the occasion. The people had petitloned
fer a conyention, and he was wiling 10 leave
the matter with them. All the legislature had
to do was to refer the subject to their decision.
If they thought the constitution ought TO be
touched. tlley would so decide; if they thought
otherwise, SO would they pronounce. lie
hoped no incumbrance would be thrown on the
bill. :. Il
Mr. Randolph read that clause in the bill OF
rights which declares that a majority OF the
community had a right to alter or abolish the
constitution. Mr. Briggs. he said, had taken
the narrowest construction of the word comnn'
min. for his own part he would take the widest. /
Rnt the suggestion that the blacks would have
the right to vote on the widest Interpretation
of the term, lie considered a mere jest. Ii no
thing should be done In favor OF the nonfree-
holders, he thought there was danger OF tu-
mults in the ranks of the militia at the spring
musters, and Of excitement at the polls. A
large majority of the people were tor a Conven-
ton. and if provision was to be made for CAL
ling one he thought it ought to be done justly
and fairly; without violating the rights OF the
freeholders. lie was surprised at any objection
TO his proposition, for It expressly required
three.fiths of the whole number of treehoiaers
and non-ireehoiders to decide in favor Of =
convention.
rHere some explanation took place between
Nesssrs Randolph and Watkins, in which the
latter disclalmed any personal allusion IL his re-
Harks1
MIR Winston understood that on the motion
Of Mr. Watkins to postpone the bill and ryder,
the merits of the question came under conside-
ration. He eontended that the objections of
MIR w. had nothing to do with the bin, and
whatever might be the opinion Of the House
upon this important subject, however strong
inc opposition might be to a convention, still
those who respect the vor popah; those who
respect the principle upon which all our gov
ernments are founded (emphaically upon the
will of the people,) cannot object 10 the pas
sage of the bill 1t may be asked, have the
people called for such a measured To this it
may be answered, yes. Lock at The petitions