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

uay. our, N IS impossible otherwise TO obtain any
thing like that consentaneous expression of Opt
mon, which is, or ought to be, desired by all, or
which will relieve us from that confusion and per-
peAity, winch VIII be increased ten fold instead Of
being diminished Sir, L consider that we, at this
moment stand on the very brink of usurpation,
ana that, without such an amendment, it will be
impossible for the friends Of Convention to move
one Jot without plunging into the awful gulph;
they wi!i be completely estopped, sir. The bill is
oods without soul. human one, at least, or ra-
ther kite without tail. IL can't fly, except i'm
such strife OF elements, as gentleman would
wish 20 realized.
The question being then put upon the amend
ment, it was rejected by considerable majority.
MIR. DApE's argument in the Senate of Pr
g''nG, IN support Of the passage Of the Con.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
Mr. Dade rose and said.
That the BILL freed from all the amendments
I7ith which its opponents, have attempted to en-
oarIassit, is now upon its passage. The Senate
know that am not in the habit of making long
speeSnesi nope, therefore, they will excuse me
Tor adding few remarks TO this already protracted
debate. In doing this, have mo idea that any
thng may say will have the effect of changing
sinSie vote or varying the result of this question
MY pfhcipai object in rising, is TO defend the cha
racter OF this measure from the misconceptions
ana mlsTepTeSentGti0RS OF gentlemen that the
ylcwsot all parties may be fully made known and
/ distinctly understood. Reporter has been adj
mtted upon this floor; The arguments On both sides
viii be published; the people may profit by tho
points OF inquiry which have been here instituted.
MT. SPcaker-This poor, little, meek-eyed,
na'mteSS, peace-ofiering, designed 10 quiet dsscn-
uoh, by deciding question which has long agi-
lated the public mind, and which should be hailed
by every friend of good order in society, has been
SO distorted, d'sfSured and magaJied by It's as
sallants, as scarcely TO be recognized by its own
friends Sir, Whai is the object Of the bill now I'M
der consideration The object is merely to require
-Ia4,
OF the Jreehotders are tor or against calling a
Convention, TO alter the Constitution of the State
1T Is tauntingiy asked, why IS it necessary that
the Legislature should irlterpose in this matter,
when the People are competent 10 have Conven-
ton, and alter the Constitution whenever they
choose to do SO?
The reason is TO be found in the fact, that the
proprlety OF calling Convention is a subject
winch has for years occupied the attention OF the
People; and large portion of the community have
repeatedly pettoned the Legislature upon this all
important matter
Had this bill been discussed, merely with refer
encc to its avowed object it would not have been
necessary TO have entered much at length into its
defence, but it has been denounced as Con-
Denfion meGSure-as designed and calculated TO
promote the call of Convention, and thereby,
the proprety OF altering the Constitution has been
brought into debate, and, in that point of view de-
inands OF Its friends notice. The member
from brunswick (AIr. Dromgoolo) would have the
senate believe, that this bill perfect pando-
every evil; disease, death, dcsolation.
Atanother time, he represents it, in effect 10 be
second Trojan Horse, to stalk through the coun-
try filled with armed men, and that its policy is to
rear up band OF political gladiaors; rather than
TO cherish statesmen and patriots.
Here Mr. Dromgoole rose and explained that
ne had spoken Of what, he feared, would be the
effect of the bill
MIR. Dade accepted the explanation, and pro-
cecded. The member from Brunswick, cboofing
TO view this bill (whether or noD as designed 70
promote Convention; charges it as Gnti-TeDu5Li-
can; as Diotatiag the representative principle by
a'ctafng TO the people, a0hGt TO do; as cotrauen-
ing the Bill of Rights, which requires majority
to d!ier, reform or abolish their Government
Let us, for moment, see how these things are:
Sir by this bill nothing is meant that does not
meet the "ye its friends cannot be ansyverabie for
either the suspicious misconceptions or ,,,isreDre-
sensations OF others II, in the fertility Of their
iinaSlnatons, dangers spring up, let leIn faint not
arm, anu go forth; no cause OF alarm exists in
the bill; the 1cH of the people is its vital principle
we seek not, we design not, 10 impair in the
slightest degree, one principle in the great Repub-
mean Code. Truth and justice, we search for; the
Bill OF Rights our guide, and these in connection
with the welfare and glory Of Virginia. Is it anti
republican TO DO what our constituents have re-
CURED US 10 DO, either expressly, or impliedly?
Is 1t a violation of the representative priuciDIc
and debating to the People, to provide ,ncde, in
dcatea by them, IN which their will on an irnpor-
ant SUBJ ect, may most easily be ascertaincd?
great charter Of Civil Liberty, there is more pat
riosm in the breach than the observance of them.
The gentleman from Brunswick, objects to thi,
bill as contravcning the bill of rights-which de-
clares that majority of the community have the
right TO alter reform, abolish their form of co
vernment; and sought by his amendment (Which
has very properly been rejected) to compel us to
show, that majority of all the feehoIdeys in The
Commonwealth, entitled by lazy to vote were
in favour OF a convention. Aye; and in what ar
tice OF the bill of rights, are frech9IaeTs declared
to be the community? In this objection he i,
surely mistaken; it is that principle we desire TO
cherish. lie and the opponents of this measure
seem 10 consider that jTeehoiderS are exclusively
the community, in which resides this right 10 al
ter, reform or abolish; and, therefore, we were
bound to show that majority Of all those in the
commonwealth, whether they came TO the polls or
not were DESTROYS OF reiorm-beore a move Is
made TO effect it.
The friends of convention are more than gene
| rous; they concede too much, when they consent
to submit This great and inherent principle ofeivil
liberty and free gov eminent, to the GeehOldcrs
mere fractional part Of the community; cren-
lures OF legislation; brought into political exis-
| tence ;by government, previously established-a
description OF persons unknown in the bill of rights.
Ia submitting this all-important question to the
arbitrament of portion Of The community ac-
cording TO the provisions Of the BILL we do under
the confident belief, that III majority Of those in
whose hands political power is now vested are "a
yourable to reform, il cannot admit Of doubt that
majority Of the non-freehoders, or those whose
power and privileges are so essentially abridged
will be also.
The member from Brunswick in contendinr for
his amendment, which required That the whole
number Of qualified voters in the State should be
asceraincd, intimatcd that measures might be IA.
ken 10 call a convention, when there was not an ac-
| tual majority in favour of convention gir T hey