Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-12-19

the number, when he stated that there were not les
'nan one HUNDRED and fifty tenants; not persons who
merely rented small houses and gardens but that
Der who rented fartns. and equally uh the landlord
participated in the butthons of government ard
equally interested in lis wise and es,oica atninisira
ton These PERSONS dei wing their srhsisioncc firm,
lands equally attacked 10 the soil my sone,co
even 10 the locality with the eelelier & have an equal
permanent attachment Ia, and interest " i,
him, the Conmonw ealth. That besides tl,s, ,rs
were throughout the Valley counties, numerous and
respectable class of mechanics and rannfac,urc, who
mnstered 10 the wants and necessities of their fellow
citizens. and i'll whose bosons the ttrob of ,ao,isp
not less strong than IN the heart of tfe Ccehodor
Where solarge respectable proporiion of our nopuI
ton said MIR. c., who taken in the arprepae are no
numerous than the ffeehnlders themselves arc th,s
denied the privileges, whilst they feel the burhcns of
the government ii is not 10 be wondered that in conn
lies situated sympathy !or their situation shouII no
morally he felt, and desire prevail far as
ole withprbc safety To remove these disabilities
from portion of their fellow citizens I'm, what &c
now their situation? i mechanic wants not land md
because he not able 70 spare from tie support of his
family the price Frequently exravagantl OF propert
in town. he is condemned either a state of roli.
teal inequality at home, 10 exile from the Lane, of
his nativity.
MIR &. said lie would not enter upon that exclusive
and l,aclsoeyed field Of discussion. which considera
tion of tie existing political scas,ies in the difrc
tions of the State would open to him. he would not
call The attention OF the house the equal weight
warwick and Frederick that floor the one posses
twentieth White puation OF other
thereby giving to one man in Warwick, the same po
litical influence with twenty in Frederick This was
matter which had been often discussed in that body
not To be fully understood; sufficient for him bat
changes i'll other respects the circums ances of the
people, had rendered corresponding change
toithe features of The Existing government indspensa
ole 10 the happiness, the prosperity and the ianu-
sty OF tiie commonwealth.
SPEECH Of Mr. CARTER. Of Prince JT-Ilianl.
Mr. SrtANER: In accordance with The views of the
gentleman last up that the present intended as fl.
nal disposition of the subject aud the vote,
II rise under the accumulated feelings the decpc.,
DIST; ust IN myself and respect fr The opinions OF ma
ny oil those around me, amounting almost awe,
express my views nnpeI feet rs they may be- On the
SUBJECT Involved in the resolution before the house
The magnitude o. the subject and the interest taken
III II by every portion of the connnnitv, consdc-
ratons sufficient IL make it the duty every penu,nau
favour able TO the measure, give his supports and
to impei inc, painful the task 10 contiibute MY
mite in lis behalf.
One, sir aCquaine! with the uDical (.ei;,os and
The republican doctrines, expressed al least by the
people OF Virginia. coming into this house, composed
OF the representatives q! hat people, and made acquan
tea win The Character oi the resolution your hands
wonid readily suppose that this hon co,sd and ,ooI
consume but little of tiie.r time in cunning Ia con.
cuson m the affirmative of the question contained r
the resolution. But sir when regard the numbers that
ill this hail. when consider their relative constitutional
weight OF perfect equality here and what vou! be tie
weight estimated by that ruiz. winch is prescribed b,
the theory OF rights the numbers f tlos,. ,yiS
sent them here, and reflect hor -. lnt theme f,
discussion, and subject To- amendment. rris grow out
ot this comparison in that convention j.ic the resou
ton is m iuGlpIen step io 1::1 '!c, surprised
at opposition, but ain el 10 that cOncIs ch
experience too eGuen:iy directs ~ that abstract urju
ciples ofright weigh hui li';e the hatance
gains, strong and conflicting interests. Not sir thai
ocal or individual feelings a;gcer o be csre.
garded; not that they NOT in degree Yo,cr i.e
by which gentleman shau!d regulate a.r votes on AZ;
occasion hike the present: for lived families aI:i
hn-des before their existence nations states
] Il.ttf ,ynl,. - -
er, and more exalted principles The citizen of az: en-
ightened republic has, in regard 70. tie public c:
nooler incentive TO action, ti: any cons; eralio
oflocal or party agg'arzement For my own pant >ie
build upon the supremacy Of the psof; not in einptv
profession mS,ely. shall attss; il bv .,y vote E know
my own feelings on tins occasion. | believe | Do
as well as on any that present ITSELF if the good
people having tie right 10 Conro the councils o: Til,
commonwealth shall hare cony iucei mr. nv their ac
lions direct or in1ircci, that there donb: al least
whether there be not maj ri; III favour Of cUns;u-
tionai amendment | would net withhold iosn them The
means oil deciding 1t, OF placing !. bcJ ord all douJ and
etfectipg such Amendment though il should deprive
me- and those whom represent, of theinost ,ccu ar
advantages. IL ike doctrine which resolves all legiii-
mate power into tic will Of the peoIc, be good doc
trne, 1t must be true throughout, You caDuot limit
sir; you Cannot legislative body reserve 10 vour-
selves the controu OF one great and fundamental qnes-
ton, and tell the people they Shall! be sovereign in all
other respects. You cannot with numerous petitions
you table (ifnnt now, east fresh in your racol
iecton,) praying for constitutional amendment to say
nothing OF other manifold means by which ,lo people
bdVe manifested to you their WISHES, deny the opDor
turIiy OF expressing their general urOn this sub
lect thus reserying 10 yourselves the right ofdecidna
on the merit of the constitution and yet call tie PEG
Die sovereign. Gentlemen cannot commit ono great
aud fragrant SIN against the tenet OF pure republication.
the will Of the majority, guide ofour laws and claim
10 worship again at the shrine of the public good la
wing offended in this great article they have broken
every title OF tae law said ii the people require il
this question OF convention or no convention onchi
TO be submitted TO them. DO they not REQUIRE il
sr is II not in proof that they requiree ii9 What
proof can gentlemen ask, that they have not Civ
en-? What proof ran they give, that they haze nat Civ
en- that which they praying FOR the means
Of Civ ing, through the fundamentally IF this house
We all know sir the difficulty of SO concentrating the
public mind, as to obtain decided expression of the
public opinion, any subject speculative in lis char
acer, however important il may be- and vital to the in.
erests Of the state The great mass of mankind arc
reused into action and stimulated to resistance, by
single of oppression, thorEh comparatively ucon
=. L. l. --Ll 1900 L.