Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-21

speech Of MIR AFTER Of Prince H'ui;0n,
on The motion for ieare TO bring IL. u bill In
take the pOteS Of the Freeholiers on tie call
Of a Contention.
MIR SPEAKER: In accordance with the views
oil the gentleman last up that the present is in
tended as final disposition of the subject. and
the v'de test vote, rise under The accumula, e.!
! feelings of the deepest disrust in myself, and a
| respect for the opinions of many of those around
me, amounting almost to ave, TO express ,nv
views, imperfect as they may be, on the subject,
| involved in the -ouiIon before the House The
magnitude of the subject, and the utere., taken In
| 1t by every portion OF the community, are consd
| eration' sufficient TO make it the duty of every
gentleman favorable to the measure, TO give il his
support; and to impel me, painful as is the task
to contribute my mite in its behalf
| One, sir, acquainted with the poticel feelings
aud the republican doctrines as expressed at leasi
| 10y the people of Virginia. coming into this house
| composed OF the representatives, OF that ne uple
and made acquainted with the character of The reso
| luton in your hands, would readily suppose tina,
this house could, and ,couiG, consume Tut little 81
their time, IN coming TO a conclusion in the affir
native, OF the question contained in the resolu
ton But sir, when regard the numbers thai
| nj this hall, when l consider their relative con-
| stitu'iona weight, of perfect equality here, and
what would be their weight if estimated BY that
rule which is prescribed by the theory of rights,
mean the numbers of those who sent them here
and reflect now important theme for discussion
and subject Tor amendment must grow out of hi.
comparison, In that invention which the resolution
is ,ncipent step to promote, am no, su, prised
at opposition, but am led to that conclusion, 10
| which experience too frequently directs US thai
abstract prnciIle les Of right can eigh but lille in
| the balance, against strong and conflicting inter
esis. Not, sir, that local or individual feeling.
are together to be dsresarded; not that they are
not In degree proper rule by which gentlemen
should regulate their votes an occasion like th.
present; for men lived as families and hordes be
| lore their existence as nations as states. But
the volume OF repubcanIsrn has opened 10 us other
| aud more exalted principles. The citizen of an
enlightened republic has, In regard for the public
| veal, nobIer incentive TO action, than in any
consideration OF local or party ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
For my own part, sir, build upon the supremacy
| oil the people; not in empty profession merely,
| shall attest II by my vote; if know my own feel
inSs on his occasion, as | believe do as well a.
on any that can present itself, if the g, cd peopl,
having the right 10 cOniroul the councils of tb.
| commonwealth, shall have convinced me by the
| ACTIONS direct or Indirect, that there is doubt a
| iedst, whether there be not majority in favour o
! constitutional amendment, would not withhold
IRON them The means of deciding il, Of placing il
beyond all doubt and effecting such amendu en-,
| though /. should deprive me aud those whom re-
|
doctrine which resolves all legitimate power into
the will of the people. be good doctrine il must
De true throughout. You cannot limit it, sir; YOU
cannot as legislative body reserve TO yoursels e.
'he controul OF one great and fundamental uves
ten and tell the people they shall be SOY ereign in
all other respects You cannot with numerous ne
mons on your table, OF not now, at least fresh In
yoar recollec'ion,) praying for constitutional a
mendment, 10 say nothing OF other manifold means
| DeODls oil 4. -.
wishes, deny the opportunity of expressing tbei,
general sense upon this subject; thus reserving tc
yourselves the right of deciding on the merit Of
me constitution, and YET call the people sovereign
| "eh'!enen cannot commit one great and fragrant
SIN against the tenet of pure republicanism. the
VIII Oh The majority, the guide OF our laws, and
calm 10 worship again at the shrine of the public
good Having offended in this great article, they
| have broken every title of the law. said if the
PEOPLE require it, this question of Conv enion or
NO convention, ought to he submite ed TO them Do
they not require it, sir? Is II not in proof that they
require 1t! What proof can gentlemen ask, that
they have rot given? WHAT proof can they rive
that they hare not given, save that which thew
are no" praying for the of giving, through
the Insirumentality of this House?
We all know, sir, the difficulty of so concentra.
ting the public mind, to obtain decided express
sion OF the public opinion, on any subject soerul,
i've IN lis character, however important il NAV he
and vital to the interests OF the state The great
mass OF mankind are reused into action and stimu-
lated to resistance, by single act of oppression.
though comparatively incoDslderable DIRECTLY pre,
sentng iisel to The senses, when they will sleep
Tor sges ~ slohiu obedience TO regulations inee
nIouslJ established, though the eye OF the states
man may discern III them causes far more detri
Nenial to the liberty and happiness of The state
rlanknd IN an uncuItiysied state must be governed
by sensible. and almost purely sensible causes. A
chIid Is more terrified al the sight of blood though
issuing IRON slghi wound, Than at a prospect of
loss oil liberty. Our fathers were reused indionaot
W TO throw of the yoke and secede from the motbe,
country, by the arbitrary taxation of single atti
Gle, when they had given an obedience of wears IN
acts not less arbitrary, but more ngeniously mpos
ed. The chief evils, sir, OF which we coruplsin
however Injufiously operating on the people. are
derived ON speculative Causes as all those mns, no
termed which not constituted of direct incu,.
SONS on lie, liberty, or property. We do NOT
say that these substantial rights are not. in the
main, sufficiently projected. But if your laws FOR
The protection Of The lives, liberty and proper,v. nj
e'soDs, be caicnlsted TO promote individual nan
piuess those laws TOO which regard che dree,ioo
Oi he pubic revenue, and look TO proper ecooo
my IN all the iunciionsries Of government, should
be calculated to make them happy, a. a STATE. r,
is not, BY individual exerioDs alone that the ba,,;
Dess Of people Is to be effected. Their exc,
tons should be met and aided, by such manage.
meat OF Ae public Concerns, aud controuI OF The