Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-11-23

with any sort of distinctnes and that the people of
China and OF the South American Republics, when
they come hither, r puzzle our modicuhi OF physi-
cal and political science To arrange hem. This IS n
embarrassing question, It must be admitted; but
ifthe learned genteman VIII concede our principle,
We will endeavour relieve him in the labor OF It's
application; and should not be competent to the
solution OF this matter ourselves, have yet re-
source which may save the Republic. We will call
DIR. Mitchell into con,ultation, and from the acumcn
and er,idon which he displayed upon the occurrence
of a similar difficulty in the celebrated of the
Almshouso vs.. Alexander Whsteloe, he will doubt
less prescribe with effect.
Mr.. Chairman, 1t is not question who is white; but
how shall the wrongs OF the people be redressed.-
Siriy thousand men, i'll land liberty, ask their fell
low men TO admit them to equal participation in
their political rights; they ask i'll the spirit ofbrohcr
hood, but, III the uuquaung voice OF conscious rect-
tude and firmncss. Every where around them they
see those who for the claims with themselves,
and none other standing up and giving assurance that
they men. Shall they, they alone bear the stamp
of political villinagc'
MIR. PLEASANTS said he rose To ask favor of
the Committee. lie wished TO ask the Committee TO
permit the resolution and amendments which were
now under discussion to be laid aside while he offered
to the Committee proposition which might be after
wards considered.
Mr.. LErGu inquired what was the nature of the
proposition:
Mr.. PLrAsANrs said It had rotation to the basis of
representation in the Senate. The Committee were
engaged on the third resolution of the Lcg>la-
tive Committee, ami the proposition he wished 10 of
fer was intended substitute for the fourth rcsou
ton. II dictated by a spirit Of compromise, and
ne wished the Committee to have time to examine It
before the next resolution should be taken M.
The question was then put that the Committee law
aside the resolution and amendment under discussion,
and was carried IN the atirmative-Aves 65.
Mr. PLEASANrS then said he had risen 70 make this
notion watch ne had hoped That some other gentle
man would have made He uad hoped that some gen
'ieman whose standing IN the community. and whose
weight IN tins body would have given greater de-
gree OF authority 20 his SUCCESS ions would have risen
. make motion similar IN eject II not N terms 10
th1i which ne now proposed 10 offer. He had been
disappointed. and lit It to be proper in him TO axe
upon himself that du':. which would have been SO
much more ably aud much suitably perform
ed by other gentlemen of this Convention. The pro-
position which he had to olIt5 would have been pre-
scented TO the Committee in the hope that it might
have some tendency in inducing members 10 take 4
course of Cancellation and to make some progress to
wards that compromise which ali admit ought TO be
catered mo, but with view 20 which no gentleman
had hitherto submitted any specific proposition He
begged 10 call the attention of the Committee to the
fourth resolution of the Legislative Committee, which
reads rs follows:
"Res0iscd, That the number of members in the
Senatc of this State ought to be neither increased
nor dninished nor the Classification ofits members
changed"
The motion which he had TO make was TO strike out
all the above resolutions after the word that and TO
insert the following:
- representation in the Senate shall be based
on the whole number of free persons including those
bound TO service for of years, and Excluding In
dams not taxed, and adding 10 the aforesaid number
OF free PERSONS three ths of all other persons; and
the Senate shall consist OF number not exceeding
and It's term Of service and classification
remain at present
The district which lie in part represented had re-
cciycd the notice OF several gentlemen in the course
of tins debate IT. was what the representatives Of
that district had expected, and whatthey were glad
to scc because 1t gave to the people of that district,
who Intelligent aud an enphtcncd peoue
land he hoped he should not be censured for speaking
Of them they desorycd,) and to their members an
opportunity TO place themselves in that situation be-
fore the Committee IN which they desired to stand
II had been frequently sal that the people do not I'M
derstand the subJect-tIat they were IN the dark and
are not competent TO decide the particular branch
OF the subject which has occupied for the last three
week, and that they wanted more information than
had yet been elected by the discussion 10 enablc them
10 see IL IN lis true hight. All tins well. The
people are always glad TO receive nformaton and he
had never been dsappontedn the expectation he had
formed ofthe accuracy of their conclusions when they
were lett to themselves and when cxtraneous in
huencc was brought TO bear upon their opinions and
warp their judgments. He did not say that such was
the case now; he dsclaImed any intention TO impute
such attempts 10 influence TO any Individual. He had
attended very closely to every part Of the subject
which had been 50 ably and candidly discussed and
I'D winch lie had seen the display Of the best talents
OF the Statc--the chHTn and power of which he had
so often Witnessed with admiration. The country
had been greatly lumnatcd-an intensity Of interest
had been excited throughout the Commonwealth on
this subject, although he might say with confidence
that the district which he III part represented had in
no respect, changed It's position, If he had been cor
reetly informed. Tho little county in which he re.
sided had indeed been opposed TO the opinions of the
minority Of the district but the people had without
solicitation, and almost unanimously elected him IN a
seat Ia this Convention II was an honor which he
felt,and gratitude for distinguishing mark of their
confidence would be one Of the last feelings of his
llie lie would do nothing 20 violate their confidence
he should be the worst Of villains if he could male
such return for thor generosity. That county was
III opposition to the district and the district itself ro
tas It's position If bis information Is correct III, was
more sInGuary situated than most gentlemen. no,
only from tho geographical position orhis district ban,
from other causes. lie did 20 through the coun
Try ~ search OF expressions Of popular favor-he had
never gone TO the Hastings to discuss these sultecfs
he was taken up as candidate by the people 1nex.
Pectedy aud not I'LL then did he feel himself ca led
upon to disclose his sentiments Then, Welding ~
the convictions Of duty, he promulgated his opinions
candldly and fully to his constituents Tho subiec,
had been most fully canvassed in his district. Scn
teman who had been some years at the head oP tbo