Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-15
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.
MIR. Eppes addressed he House


| II 1 were to consult my feelings upon this mo-
mentous occasion, should remain silent. Al
| imperious sense OF duty requires me to do nor,
| than vote; to do all in my power 10 avert The
! evils which any time threaten TO overwhelm
my country, and believing as do that the prac,i.
cal operation Of the principles commended for by
the advocates of this measure, lead inevitably 10
the breaking up of the foundations of political
! association and governmental order; when I hear
those principles asserted and reiterated, with a
pertinacous obsIinacy, that overlSoks the res
| trainfs of parliamentary decorum, shudder for
my country. II is, perhaps. a hopeless effort, 10
attempt to arrest The progress Of this bill But, sir
the patriot IL never deferred by the difficulties
which surround him. He may be overwhelmed
but tue TO his purpose, lthe safety and happiness
OF his country he never iauters. Humble am,
MIR. Speaker, and perhaps the humblest OF Virgil
MAS sons, ask TO be heard upon this CUES
tion When the cloud, the precursor Of the three
tening tempes, FIRST skirts the horizon, the sailor
boy, who rocks with the blast the topmast-
head, may admonish the OF the approach hing
danger; he may avert the miseries OF wreck
The member from Wyrbe, with Characteristic
acuieness, commences his argument, by an ex =
preston Of hs~entire confidence in the people (:
and asks " If they not 10 be uusted!" Are
you afraid 10 trust " the people!" I, must not
be forgotten, sir, that are not now in Conv Ell
ton; that discussing bill which pro-
poses TO afford facilities TO The expression OF pub
lie opinion upon the subject of Convention !:
and VIVA, aid then does the gentleman de We from
the application OF his principles from the bill OF
rights, 90 that no man ought TO be bound by any
law 10 which he has not himself or by his repre-.
sentative given his assent?" Is not this equality
OF political right perfect by The present form of
government, as it will be, il that bill passes? Can
that bill passed into law, have any tendency TO
advance the principle of this equality of rights? or
sir, is The other quotation, a." that majority Of the
community have an undOubied right 20 alter, a.
mend, or abolish the goverD'.r nt," more exactly
within the scope and tendency Of this measure? 7
Does the gentleman, by that bill propose 10 SUBJ
nit this question Of breaking up foundations 10 a
majority either oftbe people or Of the community?
No, sir, il proposes 10 submit this question TO
known and asceriained minority?
Blu, why, sir, pass this bill 7 Referring 10 the
argument OF the gentleman from Northampton, IL
is replied by the gentleman from Wylhe, that
great inequality exists in the political organization
of the state, and although expressions are sup.
posed to exist by the member FROM Northampton,
and the opponents OF this measure, the mem
Der from Wytbe has given US some striking illus
trations OF this political inequality, and not
few instances OF oppression. Indeed, sir they
assume, under the magic influence of that gentle
mans powers of description, appearances OF
horrible outrage, aud savage barbsniy.
lie tells us, sir, Of the iatcs which nflict zorro.
raj punishment, for particular offences, and that
the individual liberty OF the citizen depends upon
bis pecunisry ability TO pay the fine or receive
the stripes lie goes farther, sir, and ascsr,sins
the price al which Virginian may be scourged
And is the only remedy for This extraordinary OPP
preston, 10 be found in reeuuei 10 the prin-
ciples deduced from the bill Of Righs9 WHY
not repeal the law? But not punishmenis
incident TO be very existence Of all civil and
political security Would the admission Of those
men, who are liable to be logged. to the exercise
Of he elective fistchiss, Ia certain prsren'.ve.