Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-11-15
CHAREoTTEsvIILE.
SATI'sRA NOVEMBER 10 Pr.


correspondent in Eynchburg in insertion to the
say of JosEPuus, from the Joersonan Republican The
question, Who shall be next Governor: sonsd-
of little moment compared with tho deep interest
of his suggestions tho subject of the Convention
What is the basis which the election of members
that body should bo placod' We .pprehend that much
difficulty will DO encountered in the practical adjustment
of this question The small counties Will not
surrender thor influence without struggle though, to
apprehension, their of right indepen
don't representation in the contemplated Convention OPP
posed to tho ndamen ta principle of representative gov
enment The question whether there shall bo
ton being settled in the Affirmative corrective in
the provisions of the Constitution of the nequay in the
representation must be, in opinion necessary re-
suit ofs abours As basis otf representation III that
body, should prefer certain number of representa-
tves say three from each Senatorial district The body
would in that consist of - members number suf
ccntly numerous to smbody all that most valuable in
the talents and experience of the represent fully
the interests and oengsof the people, and, the
time not too large for the speedy and efficient discharge
of business Shall the ratio be adjusted
20 tho white population of tho state alono This will be
in opinion, the most agitatng question which the
Convention will be called upon 10 settle. 1t will present
30 che wisdom and temper of that body problem OF
most difficult solution; and its discussion and adjustment
will task tho FULL the mutual forbeaancc and modcra-
ton of its members
The occasion will, undoubtedly call forth all tho tai
ents of the State The discussion in the public print.
will, no doubt, be full and ample and all the &" ht
which the experience and talents of sblsst
furnish to dill and to cEl the decision of the peo
pie WILL trust be sbundantly supplied We trust al
So that the discussion will be conducted with the temper
and moderation which become the earnest soennity of
the occasion, and the high interests involved in it,
From the Jefferson Republican,
The character OF, aud deep interests involved
in the Presidential contest, have drawn public at
tention too much from the etior, in favour of fun
damental reform Since the ascertainment of
public opinion the question of Convention, it is
believed that further direct attempt will be
made to resist the will Of the maority-But those
who think that the cardinal principle Of republics
"that the majority shall govern is as all power
full in practice as it is universally acknowledged in
theory, unacquainted with mans love of pow
er, and the nature OF party split. What can no
longer with Lecency, be resisted, may be defeated
by indirect means.
There will, probably, be, in the next General
Assembly, three views or plans Of organizing a
Convention LIST. Allowing each county one del
egate. End Allowing four, FIVE, or six to each
District, Congressional or Senatorial :ird. Max
ing white population the basis of representation
therein.
The first plan (countv bass) gives to small
counties equal weight with large-eontinues in
Convention, the representative inequality now ey-
listing in the Assemhly-exhbits the anomaly OF
a body convened to redress evil, constituted on
the very plan ofthe evil itseE-and will ensure in
Convention large ajorty of members opposed
to Convention.
The second plan District bass) gives large
counties proper weight, without injustice to small;
substantially adopts tse principle that taxation
and population mot the latter onlyl should con-
stitute the basis of presentsion--produces, and
is produced by a cenci!iatory and compromising
disposition essential to wise and sautary results
nv bpr~ nf Oh
Convention greater talent and experience.
The third plan population bass) rejects the
estimation of taxation in tho basis or representa-
ton, encounters difficulties almost insuperable.
from present county diyisions-and augments
sectional and LEGAL jcaousies aud fears. But it is
believed, that those who favour this plan will be
deferred by their paucty Of number aud hopeless
ness OF success from presenting it ALL and tina
the struggle will be the adoption Of one oil the
two former,
How rational minds differ on the choice oil
County or District representations Convention!
or those capable of calculation doubt that the Dis
trIct plan Is desired by the People Of Virginia
Yet it is possible, lit gricves the writer TO add>
perhaps probable, that, owing to the inequality oil
representation in the Legislature and the preya-
lence of sectional jealousy, the plan Of allowing
one delegate to every county, matter what its
size, may be adopted. If so, the Convention is
likely TO be nominal only" keeping the promise
few unimportant changes recommended for foru
sake. But is it supposed that the majority will be
content to have their will thus set at nougbt
Their rights thus violated? That they will TAX g
the shadow for the substance? Or can be deceiv-
ed by veil so aimsy! And should they deter.
mice to continue the struggle, aohat aspect wiW ii
assume The spirit Of freedom hath not expired
in Virginia-it only slumbercth-awakc, but a
rouse it not.
Could this subject unite the cordial and hearty
support Of all, there be no doubt that the re-
suit would prove eminently beneficial, altogether
salutary, aud Comparatively speaking) without
alloy. Nothing could more conduce to such har-
monious and cheerful cooperation than placing al
the head OF the Government in the gubernatoria,
Office some one in whose integrity, patriotism and
wisdom all Virginia would confide-a citizen
moral, enlightened, and deeply imbued with love
of country and its Republican Institutions
statesman calm, prudent, and sagacious. Who
is such an individual?
In this crisis, pregnant with the homes and des-