Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-11
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
IN SENATE.

MIR. Dromgoole rose, and said that having Of
Tered substitute for the original bill, it was ex-
pected that he would assign TO the Senate the
ground of his opposition to that bill and the rea
son OF his preference for the proposed amendment
Before entering upon the discussion he berped IN
call the attention of the Senate to the fact thar
exertions had been employed to prejudice their
minds against the adoption of any amendment
whatever. lie hoped that a simple ausion TO The
circumstance would be sufficient 10 place US on
CUR guard against the indulgence of feeling so in
Compatible with correct Legislation. flatter my
sell That the members OF this body have not en-
tered our chamber predetermined TO turn a deaf
ear 10 all argument on this subject and to exclude
from their deliberations the operation of reason
fernaIs on the decision Of this question may rest
tho late OF the constitution and the tranquility of
the people. In a matter so vitality adectinp the
existence OF the government, and which there
fore Is OF the deepest interest TO the entire com
ironweaith, we ought TO discard all hasiy pre-
POSSESSIONS, every local feeling every sectional
prejudice, we ought to proceed with the most
guarded circumspectlon, aud accurately survey all
the dangers which surround US No unholy mas
SION should be permitted TO obtrude itself upon
our consultations. and the slightest wish To attain
an object by insidious legislation ought TO be
promptly expelled as unworthy the dignity of the
Senate OF Virginia. In a spirit of frankness and
captor propose TO examine the principles of the
bill under consideration. Against the pronosition
10 collect the . sense of the peOpie'' by act of
sdSseDt0ty, have ever protested as exfraordina-
rY and anti-repubiican. know that il il fruit
iql theme OF defamation among its warm admi-
Fers, and that denuncation and PRESCRIPTION await
tiuse who will not render it their support TIL, o.
dlous charge OF hostility 10 republican princDles
te accusation OF being unwilling trust the peo-
i1e, al desiring to she the public voice and eve
" ePi'het OF political reproach have been evellei
at those who stand refractory and unvieldng in
'seir resistance to this anomalous legislation Ia
king tie sense OF the people--wing TO trust the
People-submitting to the voice of the peope-rc-
teiring this great question TO the pcopie-grant-
N, he aartla Iao roTft
express their 0tcH opinions-these are the marie
sounds which accompany this measure and eliyen
and accelerate its progress. Upon these abstract
expressions The changes have been 50 often rung
uGat every distinct idea, connected with hecal Of
convention, has been nearly lost i'm the vast con-
ilslon OF sounds. Persuasive ingenuity pervert-
ing sophistry, and exciting defamation have com
hincd 10 shed around this subject Pickering and
betraying blaze, which has almost subdued the
mild but steady beaming light oftruth.
i propose, sir, to endeavor to shew that the bin
Under consideration is in conflict with the vital and
fundamental theory Of representative governments
--shat II IS founded in denial of the competen-
cy oil the people - act upon great questions
without Legislative assistance:-thai it is dictated
by jealousy and disrust Of the people on the part
Oh the General Assemby:-that il is not within the
regular proper, and rghtful sphere OF legal enact
nNnt:-thati 1t does not provide fairly and fully 10
anwscr the OSteHSibie purpose of its passa@e:-but
riatit is an iHsidi0HS fort to secure the call of
2 convention in violation of a most acrcd and long
received axiom IN republican politics
Representative government grows out Of the H.
eontrOvertible right Of the people TO establish their
own municipal rules of action. This right howe
yer, cannot be exercised by the aggregate com
nunity; and therefore, nyenient local divisions
have been marked out and anenis or represenfa-
tges have been delegated TO utter and perform
their viii. Ordinary legislation then, consists of
tire will OF majority collected and embodied by
agents constituted for that purposc-Revresenta
i've Assemblies arc clearly substitutes for thu col
4 OH q he arfsln IL.
trained within their constitutional sphere Of nc.
rOn, their permanent written instructions by le-
gal presumption, express the public wish The
very term representative forcibly conye Us the idea
that the individual thus designated is the organ of
the feelings and opinions of others III is fyue that
these agents are very frequently left by their en-
plOyers, the people, to exercise their own dscreton
upon some topics they are charged with general
upon others with special Instructions A lar re-
quiriug the officers Of government 10 collect the
" sense Of the people in the first INSTANCE. as
THle 10 govern the delegate and az a prenaraf,r,,
step to Interior legislation, interposcs Immediate
PERSONS between the constituents aud their AGENTS
breaks up the direct intercourse which OUGHT io
sufisst between them, and proceeds upon the he
Set that the representative system itself is INSULT
Gent to give form and Rstance TO the popular
wiz, The Intervention OF third persons materially
iInpars the immediate responsibility of the repre
sentative. This bill is in.con1ict with the esta.
bished principles Representative government be-
cayse Il interrupts the free and direct interchange
ofopnion between The principal and agent; be-
cause i directs D1inisferioI officer TO collect The
wishes Of the people, and then makes the Erecu-
tie the organ o. their enunciation; because this
eircuty Of communication wcakcns the responsi-
liEty Of the legislature 70 their electors; because
j virtually denies ihe ability the willingness Of
The representatives. 70 express the opinions of those
who have selected them for that purpose: and
sFei efore prosumes The inadeguaoy 81 the whole
tysiem 70 fulfil the grand object fits creation
1his pni denies the competency Of the people
- express tlrii opinions without legislative aid. n
rrOcced' upon 'ho presumption that the pconic
.o7H0t, in tact ii lcit o. themselves, g'.ea zen