Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-20

! lie gtsature may make law upon this subject the
right OF the minority is asserted to enforce their
VIII against the will of majority of the people
conclusion contrary alike to Reason, to Justice &
.he explicit declaration OF the people themselves
| IN the Bill Of Rights.
| denying, therefore, all RIGHT in the General A..
senbiy to Iegislate on this subject, as implying a
power incompatible with the sovereignty itself,
every where and always resident only in the ma
Jo'"y Oh 'hs cohmunity-I proceeded to disclose
the view that had presented itself 10 nv mind of
the uae relation they stand in towards l.. at
hrned that their only rightful authority over il,
grew out OF the general wish Of the community
that q plan OF Convention should be recommended
oy tnein: the people having declared their will TO
be TO exercise in convention their hiuh sovereign
risht ouscussng and determining the great u,ies.
uons,aiecnng the Constitution Of the government
now nhhappiiy, exciting dis -enon and di-satisfac
non throughout the state. Had The ruh,ic wish
been similarly directed towards any Other nublic
body, towards the Executive for instance or to-
"aIus any Individual OF the community, who can
ooupt, but II would have conferred upcp the IN
me precise right over the subject which it has cho-
s-h' rainier 10 devoive upon its Assembly of Dele
ga es! W no would have been found 10 ramsay ,I;s
right oil designation? The lie gsaturc itse had this
oeen done, would Nave felt their impotence
against even this silent but not the less
overpowering intimation of the public will
lhey had then confined themselves to the dis.
charge oil their ordinary duties Of legislation -
ihey had not nteriered between the people and
nm or them whom the people had thought
n. 80 eh'rust with the exercise of this high and
delicate trust. But they themselves are now
looked TO to discharge it. Coming warm from the
bosom OF the community, clothed with the beau,i.
iui Prerogative OF listening to their complaints and
Ieo,ess'hg 'heir grevances-the favorite offspring
OF the popular principle, they have ever beyond
any other department. OF Government. cnioyed the
commence and the favor oil the people. The peo-
pie now, with one voice, enba rrasscd in the ex.
ercise oi their high sovereign rights for the mere
want oil some concerted plan Of procee dinp ask of
the General Assembly to submit TO them such n
seheine. Men of all parties and of all opinions
the friends OF freehold suffrage and its enemies
advocates and opponents Of all the proposed bases
OF Representaon-men differing in view as to
the proper composition Of every Department of the
government, and as to almost every principle of
ule Sohstituiion-all unite in asking OF the Leyis-
ia'ure 10 recommend some just and proper plan
Tor organizing Convention
ask for the views have presented of the real
attitude OF the Legislature towards this question
candid examination. More especially invoke
iair consideration OF il on the part of those who
no" caiied upon to act, cannot move without in
iact, deciding on Its truth alSty. The infinite
diversity Of opinion existing amongst them on mi,
interesting subject, have seen with the ,leepest
soiicitude. have witnessed with pain the heat
ana pertinacity with which partial views and sec
interests are urged, where only the great
principles OF general justice should prevail APP
prehenslve OF the consequences OF such a sprit
should It be acted on-mpelled by devoted an, xie-
" 10 ward Off (as far my humble efforts NAV a.
",1 uie e',is winch so unhappy state OF things
IS likely to draw down upon a land the boast md
the love OF her sons-I have given to this subject
the best energies of my mind.-The warmest and
Purest aspirations of my soul, for nv conntry's
GOOD, nave seconded my etiuits. Truth I well
know, like oil falling upon the waters can alone
sun the tunultuous waves OF opinion Hence I
nave directed my endeavors exclusively. TO elicit
truth. ~
IL i
III Shall have been as fortunate as feel An. o
been honest in my effor,s-if the view have ia
Ken De as true as 1t is certainly we'll intended
then will this harrassing subject l am sauouina
enough 10 believe, be found disembarrassed Of it's
Leading difficulties. One of the most considerable
oi .nese grows out OF supposed obligation on the
part OF the delegate, 10 consult and pursue the
particular views Of his immediate electors
mere TINS duty justly attaches, no one more mex
r'biy than myself, exacts its implicit discharge
representation were indeed, but mockery and
h"ie, were the Representative liberty 10 disre.
gard the Will OF those whose interests and WIS
IL Is The very purpose OF his creation 10 etfctuate
In all matters of Legislation, therefore. members
OF Inc Legislature are impcrously called on TO o.
'ie WIZ OF their immediate constituents. From
inein they derive their authority-their views on
w. II - the business of the Representative TO pro
mole But this, according TO the view have TAX
en- OF H. IS no matter OF ordinary legislation. IL is
one who'iy anomalous & extraordinary in its nature
anu TO which peculiar principles apply The true
constituents here, OF the General Assembly ar Il
OF every member of that boty, s the whole peo-
PIE OIL the State from them only. do thew derive
mere any power what,o.ver 10 act To them il
que now, the obligation of pursuing their will
winch ordinarily they owe to their Tespec,ive o.
iectors' Iopursue here, as Delegates, the will of
thelr immediate constituents were 10 he fa,thJec
10 the high and special trust, which the people in
their great sovereign character, have devolved i,
upon them to discharge Fidelity here TO the conn.
~ were 1fedchery to the State. For, il is obvi
GUS were TINS principle acted upon in its extent
me non Conven'ionists having majority i'm the
Legislature, the undoubted will of the people de-
cisively declared, must be defeated In ,ru,b
principle of ODE the Will of their
electors as Delegates of Counties has no applica
uoh mere. Should the people Of any county be
D ,teasohao'e or UNJUST enongh,to demand OF their
Deegates obedience to their wili--let him refuse
70 accord, what they have no RICH, 10 rsoi,ire-
what ne cannot yield, but at the expense of ne
cesSaFy reachery TO a high trust--of the atan
comment OF princple-and of hazarding the neace
ana tranquility OF his country Let no regard TO
is personal consequence at home, in,inuate itself
mo MS Misunderstanding the truth of mi. nc rcen
tons-suliying the fairness of his course LET hin
meet, win proud defiance and contemut all con
sequences to himself, which the path he shall MIR
sue, wi'h single eye TO his paramount duiv In
the people, III their high sovereign capac,tv ,,,av
."', upon hih-iet him say when he shall re-
turn nome, to any who shall rebuke him for his
course" acknowledge 10 power higher Than
the People-They called on me for the pIan of a
SonVennon-lo have obeyed yOuT will in recon-
mending Que, had been to defeat nteiys[bad been
10 ueihoiisi the cornerstone of popular Govern
lem ray the axe TO the tree Of Liberty-bad
been Treason to my Country"
III would further result, from The view haze
taken, That no plan should be formed by the Ieois
ia'ure, mo which principles entered calculated fo
deiea the fair settlement by Convention itself oil
any OF ,ne leading questions now in controversy