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

Contention BIZ.
Mr.. Sr&AXEa:
If could discover in this measure any ap
appearance OF that unfaTness which has been
charged upon il by the gentleman fsom Prince
William, should be among the last to urge il
upon the BouEe. When look back, however
upon The which has been pursue! By the
opponents of Convention, am far from con
sideripg il amcnsbie to any jusl rensure. 1t will
he recolIrctej, that my frs, design was 10 offer
these amendments by way OF substitute to the o.
iginsI bill. This was objected 10 by the
gentleman from Ohio, because he considered il
calculated 10 embarrass the friend, of hat bill il
their Efforts to amend and perfect IT. In defer.ncs
10 his wishes, thus indicated, changed my deter
miua.on, and instead of Substitute, offered only
amendments TO his oyn !rnjec,. | surprised
to hear, in the course OF the debate, another id
vocate OF reform, charge urea me his very act
Of courtesy 10 lis oen friends, act OF njis~
lice. at subsequent time, those amendments
were laid before committee oil the whole House
In all their important provisions blanks left
with the sole view oil submitting every PROPOSE.
lion in an alternative form, and OF inviting the
fullest and fairest discussion. The friends of the
original bill, however, refused TO hear me, or 10
Deliberate on my plans. Protesting to exonerate
me from -inise CT Intentions. the, yet feared that
my amendments would h,Ye a sinister operation
and this fear Testified in their opinion, the most
unYelenting rgor on their pat. was driven ftor
The Commi.,ee without being heard and was tt;s
deprived oil all tiig assistance WHICH hoped to
ceive, in perecting the details OF my own mea-
sire. My last resort was 90 offer my amendments
in the House, and here, also, they were met By
ipo;ion for indefinite postponement, soon as
they read. In the midst of the discussion
the gentleman from Prince William called for
the previous question, bat it is due to hin say
that he politely waived il, in order that nigh.
be heard. His object not To prey cnt discussion
bu. TO avoid the mischief which he unprecedented
from uniting the amendments with the original bill
He considered tho-c amendments unfair attack
upon the bill. And wherein is il unfair, Other
gentlemen have submitted such ndInens as ap-
peared TO them expedient, and they have all been
patiently heafd and temporarily considered Is this
privilege to be denied to me alone? Or are gen
tIemen prepared to acknowledge that they are
Iarmed at the character OF the amendments them
selves, and would rather silence by the harsh
rules Of order, than run the hazard Of fair com
parison between their measure and my own? Sir.
have admired the ftsnkness with which gentlemen
have uniformly avowed their wishes upon this
aDbjsct. Ihave eudeaYored TO meet them in a cor !
respondent spirit. 1t is ia such spirit that these
amendments are now offered. Their whole aim |
and tendency have been repeatedly and Distinctly |
explained No man can justly complain that he |
Is deceived by them. If they be, indeed ss the y
have been Called trap sci to catch the uns i. !
aud the unwary, gentlemen will at least do me the
Justice to acknowledge that have stood by this |
trap from the beginning, and carefully pointed il |
those who desire 1t, and by them, assuredly, no |
Just complaint can be waged. claim no other |
right, than that which belongs to every member |
Of this House, a right TO be heard, and 10 submit
10 fair examination, every measure which consi. |
der conducive TO the public good The amend !
Inents now offered, contain new and important
principles. II they he adopted, they will operate
only to extend the facilities con empIated by the |
original bill; IL they be rejected, that bill will be
left precisely where it is, neither strengthened
nor impaired by any act Of mine. The prnpriety /
Of adopting rejecting them, IL, therefore, far
subject of enquiry, and whatever the issue NAV 1
be, no man can justly complain, that his judgment
has been misled, or his interests betrayed.
With these explanations, which seemed TO ne
10 be demanded by the severe epiihet which has
The examination Of the questions presented by
them.
The original bill proposes 10 submit to the peo-
I,le the simple question, ''Convention OF N o !
Convention" without making any provision for /
carrying into effect, the will OF the people, when
fbat will shall be ascenained
The am endments, adopting the original bill as |
far ss il goes, propose TO go still further, and to
provide that, in case majority Of the freeholders
he In favour Of Convention, IL shall be forth
with called, and shall consist Of one delegate 10
be chosen from each county and town, nov emit
tied TO representative in The House Of Delegates
fhs original bill s objectionable on mar
grounds. X appears TO fne, 10 be plainly !
chsrgesble with all those decepfous Influences
which have been unj1sly attributed TO he amend
suents. No one, II is presumed, wishes 10 submit
this vital question TO the people, as mere matter
ef speculative curiosity. We all look to some
Ysetissl feOt,, ~ sore fleet which IS u bs pro.