Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-10

nent. Of a Convention have settled down upon
this difference only. whether county representa-
ton in the House of Delegates shall be preserved,
or whether that system shall be exchanged for re-
presentation upon the ratio OF free white pnpuls-
ton. VIVA, can be more simple than examine
co vention which shall secure either of these
bjects? II the Convection he composed OF del
.eates from the Senatorial Districts, these di--
tric,s are themselves arranged upon the ratio of
free whe population, and iii easy 10 imagine that
Convention which owed its ex silence to thai
principle, would incorporate the same principle IN
the new form of gov cTnment. Do the other hand.
Convention consisting OF one delegate from each
county aud corporate town, would be equally GER
tain 20 preserve tina, principle Of representation IN
the new constitution. In this manner, the very
organic alton of the convention itself, will indi-
cate, with almost positive certainty, the precise
nature Of the change which is contemplated, upon
the most important, and indeed, the only point
which now divides the hopes and wishes OF the
people.
The next proposition which occurs in The order
in which propose to examine this subject, Is this
II il be, as have endcavoured to shew, both just
and politic TO enter at into details caculate ed
to Indicate the nature OF the proposed changes in
the constitution. and If i, be also, perfectly Prdc
ticdbie TO do so; do we transcend our legitimate
authority in undertaking that task!
should have considered it wholly unnecessary
TO enter into this enquiry. had not rome gentleman
in the course of this debate, strongly commended
against the existence Of such authority. The gen
,leman from Fauquer mir. Wallace,) in hi- re
marks vpon this branch of the subject, evidently
misunderstood the proposition announced Ivy the
gentleman from Asnelis Mr. Nash.) That gen
tleman did no, say that the Legislature could
limit the potccr of Convention. II is admitted
Or all hands, tina, the legislature neither call
Convention 10y i,s authority limit its
powers when called by the people. The p inci-
pie hch all acknowledge j., hat all pow er
over the government is with the people, and hal,
THE power Is sovereign, unlimited, and rrespoas-
bic
Bur .hese propositions 90 not necessarily enter
ito this discussion. We contend only fer this,
that we may RICH fully enquire Of The peo-
pie Dhelher they tohH haze Convention
10Th specific Limitations. or not. Surely
those who possess all 20 er, possess every com
ponent part Of that power; those who can brogate
and annul, may al:er and amend. If, therefore, the
reorls should be asked whether they will have a
Convention, organized in psriicul mode, or not.
and they should respond aGirmativei, the organi
cation OF that Convention would not be dcrir ed
from the Legislative act, tu from the people hem
selves. This understood to be the proposition
OF the gentleman from Amelia, and it's soundnes-
cannot be denied. But. wha, do gentlemen pre-
pose by the original bill? Does no; that bill en-
quire OF the people whether they will have un-
limited Convention or rot. Whence do they
according 10 their own doctrines, derive authority
to ask his question:? And if they may ask il in
his general form, wba, prevents them or Us rom
asking II IN more special and restricted form? In
neither case is the power of the people either en-
| larged or restricted la whatever form the question
may lie propounded and villa ever public set il
may lead TO, II is the act of the people lone anG
The legislature do more than spea, the will OF the
people in the regular constitute nsl mole We do
not pr pose TO ask the people whether the, will
4 ye m ed nP frltt
ow" right TO DO % cannon ne denied; but we ak
them whether they WI have an unlimited on
ventIo organised IN particular mode thu
they have the power TO adopt this or any other
mode, Is unquestonab'e; and ii they do adj ut il,
the Convention kill not be organized by the Leg
is!StVe act. but by the people themselves, adopting
the suggestions OF that Thus it i. clear thai
we do not aiiemft either give power to the peo-
pie, or to take power away rom hem. Admitting
That they already possess unlimited controII over
the subject, merely ask them tell Us in tchqf
mode the wish that controul 20 he exer,ed We
speak "a their organs, and the question which we
ak l. ad ire--ei by each of the people to all
there's. Wherein, then, do we transcend cur
!eSi;I'nafe authority as heir representative?
h. gentleman from Fred rick { NJ. Msson)
ha- objected to the amendments, because, as he
contends, we have no instructions from the people
as 10 the mode in which 'he Convention shall b.
organized. Can the geatleman possibly be corrsc,
lie mind mas been deeply aai awfi ly ssnsied by
tins subject; o her gentlemen have reiterated The
sentiment, and we all admit that it is true. Ye-
Sir, the subject has been discussed on every court-
green, In ever1 hamlet and IN every cottage. Whsf
IS II then, thai mas produced this alarming agita
tont Are these Universal expressions OF the
public will. no hing than the oyefao ings of
restless and dissatisfied spirit, Do they proceed
only from feyerish ImpalIence under The existing
state OF things, al a restless and freful longing
after novelty! Are the people willing to tempt all
the dangers of this fearful expo i;nsn, for some
imaginary and undeined gnod, To be found only 10
he distant regions OF hope? Have hey, indeed
sighed so ler,; AID sIdenGy, for a change of the
Constitution, and have they never yet proposed 10
themselves any distinct object in ,ba, change, /
should do great injustice to the intelligence OF the
people, II l could suppose that all the complaints
OF which we have heard much Proceed merely
from restless nquIeiude of temper, which seek
only to fnd fault without rropo-ing any msde
or measure OF relief. No Sir. Whoeye,
has openly complained of the constitution, ha.
at the same Tine, sta ed The grounds of his com
plant; whoever has expressed wish for Con
venton, has disclosed the objects which he hoped
to obtain 10y that measure. This /, the only form
in which public opinion upon such subject can
claim any just TILE to respect. Al OF US tber
sufficiently instru- lei slGeady. We all kroy5
whether our constituents have complained or
not; aud if they have complained, we know of
Dhat they have complained What more does
the gentlemen wish TO learn from the people?
Does he expect that they will dictate to HIM, eve
~ line and every word of the bill which he p,o
poses at future session, toin,roduce upon this
subject! The people neyergo TO this extent in
their Instructions. II is enough Tor them to tell
heir representatives. what great objects they are
ds=rou- 10 effect, and hey must OF necessity. in
all cases analogous 10 The present, leave the
mode OF eGectBg those objects to tie best iudg