Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-22
VIRGINIA LEa1s1AruRE
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
MR.. DOUT'HHT'S CASE
Combinations of The Argunent mon the c

staut,ondAty Of The Duching Ldtp
MT. CFatg having moved The previous oues
''on, upon the ground that much time had al
ready been consumed, was requested by MIR.
Oouthof TO Withdraw his motion for few IN;
nutes, which request Mr.. Craig cheerfully an,
promptly granted
lows: 80 'o'
MIR. SPEAKER am. under obligations TO n,
sen'eihah rom Montgomery for yielding his mo
'ioh 10 my solicitation, and however much Linz,
regret with him that il should be NV fate 10 Mac,
me Rouse in possession of question, which oc.
casions so much discussion, yet, sir I feel No
disposition TO otter an apology. The able and con-
spicuous views given by various gentlemen.
oeVeioping truths and PRINCIPLES OF consiiutiopa
-" hitherto obscure and wanting elucda ion RIO
DOUBT has been gratifying 10 most of the mem.
oer-' and instructive to all; for myself i, suffice.
me 10 know, that my rights as citizen. and The
rights and privileges of my cons,i uents are i,
VOWED IN this enquiry, and il ought 10 be remem.
oered by the House, that rot only the risbts nj
INK, 10 individual, Immediately the subject of ,hi-
Resolution, but the rights If eyerv free man in
virginia are to Re affected by it's decision. NV
apology, 1t any be wanting, is 10 be found in the
return OF Delegates from the county of Charles
City.
Before proceed to answer the arguments OF
ne gentleman from Berkeley, permit me to ac
cord 10 him my Acknowledgements for the kind
]
relation TO me personally. am well scqusinted
with the character OF that gentlemen TO entertain
ior moment but one opaion of the course he
mas pursued In relation 10 this matter | know
that his opposition 10 the Report of the Commit.
tee, arises from thorough conviction in his mind
mat the Report Is founded in error All who
Know his ardent zeal in the pursuit of truth
expected of him in question like this. (which in,
voives not only an important, constitutional cor
siucraion but includes great moral principle Y
'hat ne would actively pursue the impulses of hs
conscience, and the directions of his exce,lsn,
Judgment; and yet, Mr.. Spe ,lier, the jealous ar
Sumen OF tie gentleman has convinced me
that nay rights citizen, protected by The n :
most UNANIMOUS vote of my constituents, are TO be
iightly regarded or tamely abandoned.
You may well remember, sir upon ano her oc
casion, In the humble character of petitioner, I
solicited at the hands of he Legislature rarJon.
begged IN language Of almost servile import TO
DE restored 10 he valuable, and ever be valued
rights OF citizenship. You turned upon re the
cold brow of policy Religion raised her firm
ana severe iorm in opposition. My claims were
teJec'ed appear before you to-day, Mr.. Speaker,
In boider aspect. mo longer bow a, the foot
stool OF your power. no longer claim res,ora.
non TO my rights through your mercy and your
oenignity. My cause has been decided IN bi.ber
tribunal The tribunal Of the peopie--to them
have appealed, and their decision makes ne bold
tnis day In presenting myself TO justify that decis
ION, a6d TO plead her cause now 80 closely CON.
nerted with my own.
shall proceed concsely, TO ans,y er some of the
arguments OF the gentleman from Berkeley His
,ifs' POSITION amounts TO an admission OF one
branch of the argument urged by the gentlemen
from Norfolk, viz: that the words in The 5,b sect
Oh Inc constitution" Or du!y quayifed according
10 lGlc," reier 10 pre-exsiing Laws; bu, he quail
mes That admission by con.endmg, thar these wort,s
also give the Legislature the power by subse1uen,
laws, oil abridsing the rights Of the people in the
choice OF representatives.. Or in other words. n.
adding dIsqnaliiisatons to persons elected to the
Legislature lie, us look to his proofs.
lie asks, what was the object of the Conven-
ton in the 5'h sect. OF the CONSTITUTIONS He an.
swers himself. To establish freehold and residenc,
as the Interchangeable basis of representation. Ar
answer most unquesiionably true, but which b,
MS argument ne as unqueaIionably dsproves in
every particular. He contends ,ha, the lreehoIe
is made an Interchangeable basis; yet that the I.esis
| ia'ure may change the quantity of freehold, Tho
rot its qualify. Now, let examine the resul
OF this. The Legislature may change the auanti
~ OF freehold made necessary by the Constitu.
ton, either by increasing il TO 1000 acres or re.
ducing it to one foot. Take either dilemma: ga,
they have the right to increase il to 1000 acres o.
consequence, they may increase to 10000 acres
and ultimately produce a landed aristocracy no
only dangerous and TO be feared, but according Il
the genleman's own shelving few DAYS since in
debate upon another question most sbhorrent e
republican principles. So abhorreni that he ,voul,
reduce it from its present limited character, b,
the admission of lease-hoders and others of smale
landed influence. So abhorTent that he yvouId 81,
into Cow eniion, give up our present excellen
government, and look for better among the "a III
and chmerical schemes of every tinker of con
stu,ions in the land. But, this landed aristoc,sc,
is not to be feared, for the terrper OF the peopI
would not brook it. No: instead Of increasins III
Luna mi, tbory
they, reduce il to one foot oflsnd; how does ,bi
/ comPort with the true intent and meaning OF tn
Constitution? Every owning one foo, of land
shall be eligible 10 either House Of Delegates
Can you imagine universal suffrage in a MOI c un
i limited shape! Can you imagine universal suf
irage in more dangerous shape? How man,
grants of freehold o, no value, and at no urirl
would issue Tor particular views in times Of warn
political excitement? And those granted to me-
without character, having no interest in the com
mon veal, subject 10 The nod or Influenced by W
bIibe Of some equally corrupt demagogue Surely
Mr.. Speaker, if this alteration of the quantity,
not material alteration Of the quality of The free
hold, The affinity is only maintained By the name
ii This position of the gentleman be true, the
away with all talk about Convention; the poYe
OF the Legislature is ms boundless as the wind
and as uncomfortable. Away with all our fon
notions OF written Constitution Of late the prid
and glory Of American politics. Let TIE not, 70
the sake OF maintaining on our Statute Book
{ law which can be otherv ise enforced, admit doc
trines that go TO destroy the fundamental prnci
pies oil our government; which intact GO to prov
, that we have no Constitution at all.
Buls The gentleman also admitted that, in add
ton to freehold, residence was also intended o 3
est ablished as Interchangeable basis OF suffrage
Clearly, sir, no manner of doubt Oi IL. Yet, say
: the gentlemen, the Legislature may change III
oh Of fq how