Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-12-21

TO oppose it. But as the proposition
was, to take the sense of the people, he
considered the General Assembly fully
empowered to legislate, and the propo-
sition such an one as he was bound to
vote for If such law passed, it did
not impair the present Constitution,
| which must stand until annexed by
Convention.
Mr.. Mallory of Brunswick, felt cali
ed upon to explain the vote he should
give. His individual opinions were in
favor eff Convention, bat he consider
ed himself instructed by the known OPP
position of his constituents to the meas.
ures.
Mr.. GholsoR Of Brunswick, remark
ed, that the peculiar attitude in which
he stood on this subject with regard to
his constituents, rendered brief ex.
PLANTATION Of The course he should pur-
sue, advisable. He should vote for the
| resolution under consideration, because
a respectable number Of the citizens of
Virginia prayed at the hands OF the
Legislature, the passage of the law,
which it contemplated. Should be vote
against it, or the pretext that the same
number of petitions DO not now burden
the clerks table, on this subject, which
have done for the last two sessions, be
would be acting gncanddly; for he
| could not doubt, that their absence was
the result alone of repeated and morti-
tying rejection. He represented peo-
pie decidedly opposed to the call of
Convection and were that the question
before hun, bis dut, as republican
representative would indicate bat one
course for him to pursue; but the pec-
ole of Brunswick had never told hin to
libel their capacity for self-goverament,
by refusing to submit te them question
affecting their own sovereignty, and Sc
riously involving their political happi-
ness. He protested to be republican
of the most liberal school; and had ever
been an admirer of the old republican
maxim, shat the majority should rule"
Submit the question OF II Convention to
the freeholders of Virginia, from whom
the Legislature derives its powers, and
leave with them it's decisioh-if a ma
iority of them desire it, in the name Of
liberty, he said, let them have tiff
majority Of them should be opposed to it,
in the name of common sense, he would
ask, where were the evils likely to
follow from such result The prayers
aud petitions of respectable minority
Of the State will have met the attention
and regard, due to their importance,
and the causes of complaint and dlsaf-
lection entirely removed-the fermeIt,
distrust and jealousy which the protract-
ed agitation of this question had engen-
deIed would be dissipated-peace and
tranquility restored to the State, whilst
the Constitution would remain untouch-
ed and safe.
Mr.. Upskur Of Northampton explain
ed the vote he should give. He had
never concealed his opinions on this
subject, and he felt it incumbent on him
to state the causes which would pro-
duce a variance between his vote at
this session, and former one. }ndi-
vidualIy be was opposed to Convention,
bat when the question came before the
Legislature two years ago, he had voted
for taking the sense of the people. He
should have given the same vote at the
last session, out for the almost unan-
imous Instructions of his constituents to
oppose the measure. From these in
structions, involving fundamental prin-
ciple of our Institutions, be could not
depart. When the question was pre-
scented in its final shape, he should not
oppose his vote to the will of his con
stituents. But what was the question
now? 1t was merely to introduce the
GnaI question of taking the sense Of the
people. He could not believe, that his
instructions required him to smother in
its incipent stage, question of such
vast Importance, so long agitated in the
State, and hanging as It was believed,
OF so nice vote of the General Assem-
bly,. He thought that common courtesy
required of its enemies, to allow its
friends to introduce and present it 10
the least Objectionable shape. At for
mer sessions this subject had been acted
upon after hotce-no notice had in this
instance been given, and the forms
of the Hall, indicate the absence of
many members. If rejected, it could
not again be introduced without a spe-
cial vote. He believed that the repeat
ed rejection of che bin to take the sense
OF the people, had procured more friends