Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-24

by summing up tue quantity oi the ppcpl, vou,,. 49,,
oid' children ana men, mule and female, and thus e..
ing the value Of the votes of those he sclcse,e,r.
part Of this assembly, who represent them wi.
- tho use OF deliberations Why did we rcsplye 49,
selves into tpechl Committees mo miniature Con.
yontions' Why do We sit here dscl,ssing aucstion,
from day ot day, and from week 10 wcckS Wbv d,a
the people look round 90 collect the pntrif 6hs ~ 49,,
land' that they might bring thor prudence and wis
have to do is only to add and TO subiruci. No Sir.
this representation of the question winch | Lstoyc
has had more effect both here aud elsewhere than ali
other arguments, Is utterly lallaciuus Cuns;derr
tons OF majority or minority do no, bclong 10 m,
military inquiry. If they did, they would n1nnI Ic
functions Of counsel and deibcratou. AM, whn, !,
the character of this assembly, We were s,ni Lo-c
to counsel ana delberdle tu take broad surrcv ~
tins widely spread nation; TO take the mpasnrc IS,
It's n'crcs's, ana ITS capacities; To weigh facts =,
u'aw cautious anu sngacious inductons; and then IL
submit TO the people, not what they have prescribed
out that which we think minority of the pcorI,
ought to ratfy. We are not be forcstallcd bv c,i
cn!aionS we are 10 present the result of wide view
OF the true interests OF the state, taken by the con-
Eregated wisdom of this body. We are 10 carr
INTO effect the principle of our selection. We are -
have the-intuence OF the patrarcls of the land 10
recommend the result OF our investigations W.
are to nave the inestimable value of the weight of
their authority They to stand before the people
as instructors not as the passive instruments of a
torCgouc decree.
The true question is what in tho on;r;o, = ,,:,
committee with oil It's experience and all its polt;.
cal prudence, alter all its nductions from an extend
ed observation OF the interests circumstances, habits
and physical aptitGdes of the state, majority of tho
people ought TO accep rs their organic law.
Here we are on Foundation where VIC can cva-
else our minds not filtered by the results of calcu.a
lions winch, by decomposition, has the authority
oil mandate, takes away from US all free will ana
counsel, and leaves Instruments TO asccrta;n
numbers. and to record pretended decree.
have remarked that the argument which III, Ia
not most frequently used, yet really the most pre-
sient and irresistible, is the argument of epithcts
shall address myself to that first
Let Us then enquire, whether the amendment md
the principles on which it proceeds merit the dspar
aging epuhets which have been given them I
shall be indicated by the judgment of the Commit,
tee, IN addressing myself first TO this pnr of Tho ~
Sumcn' because | am satisfied that there is not ORC
VINO mas looked upon recent and passing scenes md
mas anticipated others, still not developed who will
hot cohcede that The argument of epithet is most
potent one, II not the most poten, one on nil not
IcaI thrones beg pardon. have been too bostv
agree with my friend from Chesterfield that there
IS one yer more potent, and it is ihs:-Ve are or
Sla be- the majority. Yet this is of little val
We, una companied and unaided by the oibcr
sha otcr my humble effort to dsarn my opponcu,s
OF ms argument, by showing that it has been ora
tutousy assumed, and most wantonlv applicd
shah cndcavour TO do this, from the rr,scn m
the case, from tho concessions Of our edvarsor,c,
themselves (ldTersarics hope only as they are our
oIp'hSn's IN arguncntl and from the examples fur
hlshed by the political institutions of our sister
states, and of the United States
- NE means oil liking stigma on on opinion
h'!d oy so many, gentlemen have assumed that that
no principles in government. / avn under no necl
OF indicating The gentleman from Northampton
from tins imputailon. lie is able much more efitc-
tuaI!y TO YIndcate himself. Whether such scrfi-
mcnt Is Justly ascrlbed to linn. whether in fact il
was ever uttered by him and if it was whether i,
must not IN common charity, be- received rs only
strong expression of the opinion that a sinnlc ura-
cipe Is not safe guide IN adapting political nsttu.
lions to u mature people, THE opinion which sLal
maintain ] leave for gentlemen to determine.
Here Mr. UPsHUR rose and declared, that &c ncyc.
uttered the opinion.
Mt SrANAUD resumed.
did not near the gentleman utter the sentiincn,
and his disavowal OF II conforms my recollection
OF his Argument Such position is no part of nv
political creed Ny creed instrucs me in opposi.
tIon TO ttis dogma, that the principles of govern
mont, are numerous and muorm; as much so az
are the interests, habi'udes moral condition and
physical situation Of the people TO be governed
No principles n government Every one of these
considerations IS he fruitful parent Of numerous prn.
cples, and 10 the business Of the sta csmnu bv yiI
& extended observations & searching Investigations
10 extract the principles which ought to regulate
their organic or municipal law Principles mu!.
hpy with the dversites in situation, habits, and
/ terests, OF the people TO be governed. They are
lew and Simple among new people, whose poprlG.
ton IS homogeneous whose interests are united md
| among whom, great disparitics or contrarietics
| are TO be found: they become numerous, and they
multiply IN gcnmetricnl ratio, as such people adj
Ynhces to maturity as they diversity their Interests
and by long continuance under system of organ
lc law, they become gradually moulded by il in all
their habits and interests. These principles often
take their origin from different parts of The social
circlc--they traverse and intcrsect each ohcr-onc
principle often encounters antagonist principle
and then Is the province of wisdom discern, and
Of prudence to allow tho due proportion of force to
each. Under the government of reason all Of them
arc rnii; led TO Their picrogatiycs-though not
equul (tc fancied republic of men where all mr..
equal al have a voicc-and the car which will not
near all is deaf from tho Influence of prejudice ard
av"roe from the policy which alone can conduct -
peace and happiness No principle is TO how, n
despotic sway and 20 hush to silence all the rcst
AHaIe to be hcard-and here is our point of differ.
| CuCc. ~
"cntI'ncn have imputed 10 the supporters Of tic
al or the maintenance Of The sentiment that there
are no principles IN govcrnmcnt-and they on the
| opposite hand have given 10 solitary principle
d'spoiic sway, scncing all tho rest. Gentlemen
have applied Themselves 10 what they were pleased
% cI nnnlYala Of IN. nIiucln-a Of nnunrl-nn.l.