Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-15

against the commission Of the vices of which they
must be guilty and convicted too. before they are
punished? Or, would he propose to provide In the
fundamental and organic law OF the state In Con-
vention, that the vices should not thereafter De
committed? am astonished at the argument.
1t is urged, sir, as an argument IN favor, not
of the BILL for it is denied that proposes 10 call
a Cow en,ion; but of Convention, presume,
that there are great inequalities in the representa-
ton and taxation in different districts; and the
rich and populous counties OF 1.oudoun and Fau-
uuer as parts of the Senatorial districts to which
thew belong, are conrasted with the counties OF
James CITY and Sussex and the districts IN which
they are respectively. The estimate doubt not
is correct. But, why has the gentleman thought
proper to shew the amount OF land tax, and say
| nothing of the taxes rece'vedinto the treasury
from all subjects OF taxation: Is 1t fair, sir. TO
discuss question of this character in this mode!
| The gentleman has expressed himself satisfied
with the arrangement of 1916, but he cannot for-
bear to recur as every gentleman on that side oil
the question has done before him, 10 the hackneyed
subject of great and small counties, and great and
small districts. Yes, sir, the advocates OF this
bill, with their object steadily IN veS, have re-
sis ed every effort correct the pernici"us pin
ciples, which this bill contains; and while they
seem the advocates Of principle, are seeking
through this measure attain apreponderance in the
public councils, instead of wholesome amendments
the on-,itu,on. They propose to decide heque--
ton OF Convention no Cow ion, with view
TO political ascendancy, not TO correct bu' to
perpetuate the principles for which they have
contended upon a former occasion, and upon a
different subject. / allude sir, to the debate in
Douiha,'s case, and The argument OF the gentleman
from Wythe, and from Berkeley. The doctrine IS
that you can do what you please; and who would
have imagined, that those arguments were in ended
| to prepare us for the vote of to-day? The mem
Der from Berkeley contended. that the government
of Virginia, the time of adopting the Constitution
| possessed all the power of the community, and
tina, il retained all it possessed, except what the
constitution withdrew. And in this idea the gen
ilemen seemed to concur, while they differed about
the mode of its operation.
Ii is said, sir that the Offices of government
unequally distributed, that of 20 Governors only
| one ha- been taken west of the Ridge, and would
gentlemen have infer, that this is proof of The
inequality of he government, in its operation!
| How will he alter that, sir? Will he confine
in the selection ofGovernors, Judges, and Sena-
tors to particular districts? Does lie mean me TO
understand, that those selections have been made
at the expense Of superior merit, in gentlemen , ho
reside in that country, or that disregsrdng merits
in Others, they, from locality, entitled TO
succeed? Combining those incidents, and recurring
TO the bold and threatening defiance of the member
from Fauquer day Two since, must be
degenerate indeed, to accord to gentlemen what
| they demand.
Principles have been advanced in the course
OF this debate, that surprise and astonish me -
Gentlemen disclaim the idea of universal suffrage,
and yet, insist upou representation based upon the
free ~ he population alone. They not con-
tent TO tell US OF the difference in p pulation and
| territory, in the counties OF York and Frederick
but demand change which will only produce
a proportionate increase OF power their part
but corresponding reduction on ours. This
sir, is the very genius of Reorganization. My o.
pinions upon the subject of convention, are we'll
known here and elsewhere 1t would be gross af-
fectaton TO attempt 10 disguise or conceal them
mean TO do neither. But, the interference Of the
government In this matter, and | wish what
now say, not 10 be forgotten-wil forever defeat
the only legitimate purposes for which convsn-
ton should be called The convention assembled
under its direction or elected by its aid {" facii-
ties" think is called in the preamble) will only
partake of the cbarac'er of the majority who pass
the law but 1t will present motley group of all
possible varieties of character, oyer whom the se-
MUS OF discord will preside. This will produce
ansrchy-lead Us 10 civil Discussions and revolu-
tion No, sir, The whole difficulty grows out OF
the fact, that there is IN jory of the people of
Virginia against the exper ment, and i, is because
The fact is so, ANIL gentlemen wish recruit ihat
the bill you now have, has been brough. forw ard.
This trings me 10 consider the character of Thai
BILL / object 10 it, because - e have no power TO
pass ia,v upon the subject unil the majority are
BILL object 10 it, because it proposes to submit
this question TO be decided by known minoIi
~ OF the free white men If Vug nia and because
II does not even pro, ide for the certainty of ma
IJority on one side or the other; but obviously
coniempiates decision by plurality OF the vo-
tiers to whom il is submitted, when they are known
as l Sid before, TO be a minority
| l ask, sir, if such spectacle has ever been
witnessed before: here TO revise IN .
form OF government, or 10 admins ter il q If WI
are as think we ought, to feel ourselves tie SER
wants OF the people, do not at this moment exhi-
bit the extraordinary scene, OF attempt by the
servant to set at open defiance The will and pow
er of the master, by dis olulon of-the contract
and this too, while he is applauding him as one of
the best, mildes, most forbediing and foreiving in
| the world! Read the preamble, and remember
the character OF the parties, sir and it will free
me from the labor OF Analysing it. There is no
petition or memorial, and the excuse which is Of
fered in the preamble, for our iniermeddling, is
dsingenuous and lusory. The member from
Brunswick who offered il has done so, in a spirit
| Of perfect candor, and doubt not, thinks of tina
az know he does of the bill, that il Is harmless
But, sir, he and those who act with him. will ex-
cuse me, if it he necessary for saying, that it is so
| far from being harmless to be very mischeyious
| I proceed 10 show it,
| What is the language of the first section of the
bill! II proposes at the April elections to all
freeboiders 10 vote for or against a convention.
The first objection here is TO the time. II the
bill was IatD 10 day, sir, it would not be known
| by half the people in Va at the approaching A.
pril courts. To whom is this question submitted?
To the freeholders only, who do not amount 10
majority of the free white men of any county or
town, spprehend in Virginia. The member
from Wythe says this j. right. That having the
power they, the freehoders, ought TO be requested