Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-04
VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURE

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
lin. DApE's argument in the Senate of vir-
gtnid, IN support of the passage of the Con.
ceHtion Bill, (comciuded)
Gentlemen, however, are not willing to rest their
cnuse upon this view OF the subject and challenge
IS to an examination of the provisions of the pre
sent constitution; choosing 10 rest their defence
upon its peculiar merits; and here their cause
lads them. 1t would be the height of ingra;tude
were Virginians to deny, that they had been as
.appy and prosperous, as the people Of any other
state or nation; but have not some of our Sister
states been happy and prosperous too, under gov
cr0ments, differently constituted? and have not n.
Their States altered their constitutions and contin
ri to be happy and prosperous. no commissions;
10 violence, accompanying the alterations. Yes
sr, and Virginians can alter their constitution
md be happy and prosperous too.
Sir, are all the sciences in state of proqres
IMPROVEMENT, but the science of government?-
Vas the march Of intellect upon this subject ar
rcsted fifty years ago, and considered forever sta
uanary? The doctrine is degrading to our nature.
The prevalence OF such political bigotry, would
nave led to the stake, those sages and patriots
whose virtues, and talents, my friend from Bruns.
wick, has spoken of in snch eloquent strains. Mr..
Speaker, we have been hdppu and prosperous
not by virtue OF the peculiar excellence of the
present Constitution, but from other causes: from
The virtue and patriotism of our people the stabi
" OF our character nation, the circumstances
u the country, since the adoption of the Constit
ion. We had just declared ourselves independent.
we were just rele from the thraldom of KING
and Parliament; the happy contrast Of our situation
with what 1t had been made us satisfied with our
new condition; the constitution was adopted with
out proper scrutiny. Seven years of war follow
Ell before our independence was established
then came the transition from war TO peace and
soon alter arose difficulties in foreign relations
which brought on war again in 1872. The yari-
Gus scenes & trials, through which we have pass
ed, have afforded the people good opportunity of
testing practically the operation of the present
fltntr ho.r Al
vilege, are not properly distributed; they are dis
satished; they have chosen to ask legislative adm
calling Convention, rather than endanoer tho
pcace and harmony of society by directly usine
The power in their own hands: how long thew will
iofbear, or how much they will bear is an experi-
ment no friend of good order in society, ought 10
wish to see tried the People are becoming rest
less under the inequality OF representations the I'M
st and unnecessary restriction of the RIG hit of suf
age; the irresponsible and intangible character of
the judges; tho vast expense of legislation; the
Increased and increasing numbers of the House of
Delegates, without the corresponding benefit of
representation; These are some of the grievances
growing out of defects in the present constitution
They are palpabe and cannot have escaped obser-
walton. The member from Caroline (Mr Bernard)
has triumphantly asked, what acts of Ierislatiye
oppression have we to complain of? 1 answer, true
there have been none go great TO drive the peo.
Ole TO arms, to impair their allegiance to the
Constitution, but there certainly are many gyiep-
Gifces to which they are subject, Legislative Ex-
ccutive and Judicial, TO which they are sensibly
alive. From the improper and iniudicous restric
ton of the right Of suffrage to landed qualification
springs the odious and arisocratic series of laws
relative to landlord and tenant relative to poor
rates and county leves: relative TO roads and GER
tain other subjects, which will not stop TO emu
merate at this time, all Of which are UNEQUAL in
their operation, unjust and highly oppressive
SIT, the proposition Cannot be denied, that the
Legislation OF all countries will partake of the
prominent principles of the government.
nc nf no, ,,loI;
cd from the feudal SYSTEM is at war with the ge-
giiW OF republican government; and has ascribed
10 il virtues which do not belong to it. Every
Patriotic and ennoblng sentiment connected with
home and country, is Improperly transferred TO the
ownership of land-There is magic influence
upon our feelings, associated with the idea ofhome
country, and the place Of nativity; which irnpels
iS to their defence at every sacrilice but this is
devotion we should feel whether we were owners
Of The soil or not 1t is natural to defend our
homes, where are deposited our wives, our chill
dreD, our property; it is fal picty to defend the
place of our birth, where too, may be the bones
OF our ancestors; II is patriotism to defend our coun
uy. The same generous devotion would animate
us, whether were landowners or not
Bredthes there man tcih soul so dead,
TVho nereT TO himself hath said,
This ismy otcr, my ndtire iond?"
To hold different opinion, would be TO saw that
landholders, only, were patriots and heroes, that
Gur gallant armies and navy were composed of
mercenarss; would be TO rob many Of the gallant
defenders Of every country Of the glory Of their
deeds Of noble daring" would be to say that the
beautiful tributes to home and country By poets
and historians, were mere afTectaon.
No, sir--Ths generous devotion 10 country
Ills ennobling principle should be located in the
hedrens, rather than in earth Sir, the PROPOSE
ton have just laid down, that the Legislation of
country, necessarily receives bias from the pre-
dominant principles Of the government, is exem-
plited in the history Of every country. In Fronce
for the sake of ustration) where there have been
repeated changes within a few years, land where
the character Of the people cannot be supposed TO
have changed so rapidly we saw how promptly
.he tone, aud spirit Of their laws conformed TO the
det1oeTGtic military, or despotic features Of the
successive governments.
The member from Nelson (Mr. CabelD in adj
s0ca'ing his amendment to the hill under consi-
deraiion, said, no was legisladng for Ereet0lders,
and JreetoIdeTs had petidoncd for an act 81 bmit-
ting the question Of &c convention or no cor.ven-
SION TO the freehoiders. Aye sir, this rule Of
legislative actioh il not only applied 10 this parti-
cUlar case, but has pervadci and will pervade our
legislation long the elective franchise is res
stFicted to land. The representative min seek 70
please his constituents. Selfinterest will prompt
hin, 10 consult the peculiar interest, and feelings
8 hose who pass upon his election Of those who
an put IN o1ioe exclude from office, and too 0f-
IN atilc expense Of other interests For instance
.et us examine the operation q the series Of
s'77s ur5f. ihe subjects rcfcrrci -. 4 landlord