Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-01


VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
Remarks Of M. Bernard IN support of the a.
nnendmcnt submitted by Nj. CTopton
Mr. Bernard remarked, that when he had last
the honor OF addressing the Senate in labouring TO
be brief, Gas he hoped just estimate of the com,
rnrative value of the time of that House and any
thing which he could have TO submit to its consi-
deration, would always induce him TO do,) he
might have been, and doubtless he was obscure.
otherwise the gentleman from Kenhayya could not
have imputed to him amongst others, a horror OF
submitting this or any other subject to the deci-
SIGN OF the people. He was aware that he had on
that occasion, exhibited sometime like horror
but of 4 species which had excited a generous
sympathy and not the apprehension of that BODY,
weakness which, whether the result of consttil-
ton or habit nothing but that strong sense ofduty
which he should cherish with his life, could have
enabled him il not TO subdue, nj least TO DEFY
No, sir, said Mr. b., never felt nor did | ever
express any such horror. NY horror sir is not of
the many, but oil the artu and designing few who.
IN all ages OF the world, past, present, and fear
10 come, have proved and will prove an over-match
for the unsuspecting and dsunited many AMY fears
are not of the people, but for the people, of whom
am one. Equally mistaken, sir, was that pc ntleman
IN ascrbing TO me any profound veneration, or SER
vile supersltlous reverence for the wisdom of our
ancestors. feel none such. agree with that gen
tleman that we do indie ed occupy position upon
the shoulders ofour cestors not as pirmcs as he
supposed, but as ful grown men, in the complete
cal; but, sir, how often has it happened that hu
man presumption has outstrpped the progressive
march of reason, and hurried it with most wicked
speed. down the headlong career of wild speculo-
uon OF rash and mischevous experiment. The
estimation in which l hold our existing constit,,
ton, is not founded upon its age, but upon its
youthful vigor and promise, and L am unwilling TO
interrupt the progress of an experiment. which TO
my mind, has not had time TO developc its most
useful results, for the purpose of substituting ano
1 hav -.
ror, profound horror, at the idea of form of 90
Vernment being imposed upon Or mine, by the
Will OF minority, possibly small one. certainly
restless and blinded one, for 1 Contend that this
oil, III ITS present shape, is 4 mere blind. 1 have
horror at being led in the dark, whittier or by
whom, we wot not and if | am alarmed at shadows
1t is because ii is the instinct Of all sentent beings
10 be so, in the dark. Sir, give US but lgh., and
like Ajax, we fear nothing. Give US but truth
and fearless of consequences, we will give YOU
justice The friends of this darling BILL sir have
endeayored to invest it with character of such di-
vine or immutable perfection, that they seem to
regard 1t as species OF sacrilege in either friend
Zoe TO presume that II Is susceptible Of increase
But, sir, when gentlemen pretend to aim at per-
lection in their works. they should be mindful of
the maxim Of Cesar, in all his important under
taklngs, non actum puta, 81 quid superest agendum
Now, sir, will gentlemen pretend that this hill
contains within itself the means of effectng its
object? that il has the necessary Wis insita which
will enable succeeding legislature, even with the
expressed will OF majority of the frceholders
(Which, by this bill, can hardly be attained ! IN
progress directly to the contamination the le@iti-
mate contamination, mean, of its ultimate DESIGN,
is 1t meant sir to submit TO the people the mere
shadow OF aquestiOn, mere nominis umhra and
10 reserve 10 succeeding legislature the power of
deciding its real form and substance? Or sir is IL
meant merely 20 obtain an entering wedge where
10y the gnarled oak Of the constitution shall be spt
into faggots, TO kindle the funeral pyre of the first
and believe the best written constitution, even if
. Ia,I, l.. -. a.
ed and martyred Poiydore, should issue from every
assure? Sir, the elements, constitution and pow
er5 oil the convention, are questions which must
be decided somewhere, somehow or by somebody.
but the day that any legislature of this Common
wealth shall dare, without the express instruction
OF their constituents 10 decide them the day that
he shall dare to be guilty of an usurpation as fla
grant and as gross as that of the long Parliaue
0t England, trust in God that the people will rise
in the majesty Of their strength hurl them fror,
these walls which they would be unworthy TO oc
cupy, and make room for honester men. Sir this
6iIl may be perfect BUTT is the perfection of mon
sters; II IS the perfection Of Caliban, or rather TO
Judge from the ardent zeal, not of its fierce fire.
eyed dsputants, but Of its honorable and conscen.
tious, though, think deluded deyotces. IL is The
perfection Of the yelled prophet of Korapan Sir.
trust that the penetrating glance of the peoplc
VIII penetrate this glittering and imposing vpil that
instead OF this boosted, divine perfection il viii
discern deiornity which will alright not merely
ITO gentleman from Kenawla's inmates of the
nursery, but those least given TO horrors Sir, I
enireat gentlemen, upon whose cheek ! already
discern the flush OF assured victory to reflect that
although It's glorious TO possess a giants strength
'twerc tyrannous TO use il ike a giant. / coniure
them 10 give TO their darling not in words but in
reality, that moral beauty and perfection, which
VIII conciliate the confidence, the good will, and
the support Of all conscientious and honorable men
MIR Clopton's amendment being reected-Mr
Bernatd remarked, that, in redenbiiono Of a pledge
gwen in an early stage Of The debate, Of perfect
good faith, and sincere desire to render the bill
perfect AZ possible, he felt constrained by his duty
70 Office the following amendment Strike out tho
caption and the question, contained in the bill
and insert the ioiiOwing:-Will you, or will YOU
not, vote 70 instruct your Representatives in lhe
next General Assembly, to pass such laws az may
De necessary TO the calling Of a Convention 70 be
composed OF delegates chosen by all the free white
male inhabitants Of this Commonwealth, over 81
years Of age, and who shall be invested with full
power 70 change, alter, OF amend the constitution
as TO them, or their constituents, may seem fit
Yes. No. Mr.. p. said that be would moi con.
sufnc the time Of the House by entering into any
additional argument in support Of This amendment
lie would ccntent himself with simply stating 2
iiet, which had come under his personal observa.
ton Sir, said he, in a county az remarkable Tor
~ intelligence as any in this Commonwealth, ]
i-e 90 &c p~o-le ar,cGed . r., fNis - Nract