Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-01

ce torn down, aud it's fragments scattered 10 the
winds by lbs unholy spun, of innovation. But,
Mr. Speaker. hope il will be understood by all
thai these observations exclusively founded
upop m own views Of The subject. without the
mos distant illusion to the conceptions of Others
III ac'ng under the perfect convic;ion, that the
gentlemen who ere opposed me are Influenced
oy motives the most omuendsbe. ] never could
anti never can condescend to s-cribc improper mo-
ives TO Others tor mere difference of opinion
with myself, and should Isdain even accept a
triumph IN argument, obtained by the ascription of
4 Improper M 1iiyss 10 my antagonists. No, Sir.
nave no doubt, but that the jealous advocates OF
ms OIL do sincerely believe hat they viii render
her country service by i,s passage. doubt not
out that they sincerely think, i.t they can make
better and a more splendid Constitution for Yrgi-
MIA, with the perieci facility and that some
I oi the more Javen!e, ardent spirits, with their
hearts stored with virtues, and their heads with
intelligence. do sincerely believe that they can
'Ske more beneficial and splendid one, with as
much ease and little thought with as much
pleasure and as little concern, as they could foot
\ down cotilion al MIR. Xaupi's balls But beg
20 De permitted 10 differ with the gentlemen in this
| oplnlon consider the business OF consli;u,ion-
nakIrg as occupa ion OF an extremely differ
en- character: and had supposed, that, upoo the
meeting OF the Convention al Siauntpn, this course
oil ieiectloD had received perfect dsmper arising
rom The dubious fate OF the frsi proposition pre-
sen'ed ior It's consideration. Although that Con-
ven'ion consisted entirely of brethren of the same
creed yet IT has been said that no two OF them
could be found precisely agree in that frs, pro-
position. But, SIR, hope may be permit ei 10
say that see, or think see, zeal so ardent for
he cons umnstion OF this measure, that I rannot
nope 10 OBTAIN even listening ear, much less III
impartial kindly one, 10 any thing 7 may have to
ofer upon this subject. No, Sir the passions are
4 up; they seem 10 he Iptoe: aud human PAS
-iD IN. IA a me- l., -
reasonable, unkind, and ciuel in E,c, 10 ask
'he ehamorTed advocates OF this bin to give ears
o 'heir passions Tor the purpose Of lie ring any
h'ns ,IatI had 10 eifer upon the subject; and il
would be supernatural on their parts to grant The
request, were presumpuous enough 10 make it,
NO, MIR Spesker, make such request; still,
sir, this reelection yes additional influence TO
other d,scouIagemen's Comparing small things
with great, Mr. Speaker, my condition, on This
occasion, reminds NE OF similar condition into
which the Roman sagss, philosophers and orators
were thrown, upon The occurrence OF famine in
the city OF Rome Alter all the efforts for CO.
aiming bread Tor the inhabitants o! that CITY bad
proved unsuccessful; il propo.ed that the
people should all assemble in The Capitol and that
the most celebrated sages, philosophers and ora
tors Ahcud address iheu exhor,ing them TO emu
ale tie virtues of their fcrefa hers and bare their
SyneEiiiSs WI iortisude and patience. The meet
lps was accordingly he'd, when every eiror. of tie
human mind was brought into acquisition in adj
dressing the people upon that calaIritous occasion
: ihe venerable and veneiaied Cato scfed as Ger
scr Alter the great orators had ended their fine
speechss each one, with ears open, and intent
was looking upoa he Censor, Tor the NEED oil
praise 10 be awarded TO him for his peculiar merit
when Cato addressed hem 10 the following effect
" Gentlemen, have been charmed with your eio-
quence and craiory. You have Drawn forth all the
stores OF nature, Of reason, OF philosophy and OF
science upon this awful, melancholy occa.ion
Boti resret--deeply regret to say TO you that all
the ine things you have said are perfectly useless
and uasvailing. You. gentlemen. have been ad
dressing Tue Roman people with hungry s,omachs
AND hungry somachs have 10 ears!.! Bread " az
ibe only afgnmsnt that could he heard By hungry
siomacbs, and, therefore, all your fine speeches
nave been thrown away" So, sir, in the present
case, human passions have for any algu-
Inenis, but such tend facilitate their own in
diligence. Still less So at The very momeuI when
lhey are on The tiptoe of iruition. Notyihsiand-
ing al these discourag emeuts, MIR. Speaker W III
now proceed 10 give plain, unvarnished state
inen' 1t The impr essons made upoa NY mind by
the oes reflections have been able 10 bes,oyy IN
on the subject. siisli do this purely in spirit
oil inquiry al er truth, and with the most perfect
defer ence and respect the opinions of the adyo-
e Gates OF the bill. Indeed, sir, will go so far as
to say; that, however tul the Consequences in
my apprehension, OF the passage OF this bill may
he, ought, and shall derive some consolation
from The DIFFERENCE and respect due TO he differing
I, opinions OF others. l have been induced. Mr..
I, Speaker, 10 make these developments of my mo-
n ives and views, upon this occasion, in conse-
quence OF unfortunately being a stranger. perhaps
uisfepresented one to great portion Of the
e members OF this honorable body; with whom, ]
: nov express my delight at being associated upon
c this hoor. II had been personally known to
= them, might have been spared the trouble oil
II the whole Of this exposition. Before took my
> seat IN this House, | bad enaeevored to an,ci
: pate the process of reasoning, By which should
y find II Engaged IN its deiystiye corporate chsrac-
u ter, In ins'saciing the people in their nigh sove-
u reign CHARACTER; bur without success. UPON cast
e ing my eye over the original preamble he bi.l,
: the dithcuiiy was dissipaied in a moment Per-
c haps, M Speaker il may not be -ricy in order
l. 20 refer 10 this presInhe since 1t has been stricken
rom iba bill, and another substituted in is rlace
e 8u refer TO it, merely foi the purpose Of Illus
II iration, IN relation the remarks intended 10 he
e made upon rs substituted; aid in that view pre-
2 sumo It 70 be in order. VIZ Speaker nodded his
Z. assen) will then proceed to read the original
preamble 70 the bill II l. in the following words:
Is g Whereas It is represented TO The General As
. senbly, that rPorfion Of the good people Of This
: Common" esliE are desfous OF amending the con.
u siiioton OF he State, this assembly feel IL their
e dufy 10 ascertain the wishes of the people
L th1euP0n" The preamble states, that ''n ~
e represented 10 the General Assembly" &c The
. FIRST inquiry made, was in what manner was it
3 represented; whether by rumour or petitions I
Is was informed as expected, by petition. The
S preamble proceeds 10 state, " that n portion nj
y the gOOd people Of this commonwealth are de-
u s'row NJ amending the consfilRtion nj tn.
sfafe." u VII here be observed, that there is a
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