Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-12

most part the result CT conventional arrange :
ments. He confessed bis astonishment al near
ing some oftbe opinions which had been ex
messed on this ioor-for, he had never snPpo-
sed that any politician would doubt the rum
ofthe principle, that the majority oDght 10
govern lie admitted that there was no politii
cal truth more certain than the maxim
Scion, that we should establish not the best
form Of government, but the one which Was
most practicable aud eTpedent for the people,
but whilst he had admitted this, he presumed
no person would doubt that the republican form
WIS the best calculated TO advance the hapIi-
ness OF our people, and that the only means Tor
carrying such form into effect, was 10 consult
the will of the msjorlty-wilh this condition
besides, that regard must be pad 10 tue pecu
Il ar interests Of the people, taking care, how
ever, thst this limitation should be pressed no
farther than the necessities and circumstances
of society required.
! With these preliminary remarks, he prece-
ded 10 examine the resolution oil the LegIsla
tive Committee. He contended that this reso-
luton was justified by the principles oil our
government. and no exception Was required
| Ivy the situation OF the State. 10 prove his
positions, he submitted series oil statistical
delalls--and contended thai there was great
danger Of alteration from sound republican
principles in adopting the amendment ofthe
gentleman from Cupeper. But supposng
there was even any necessity for departing
from the great principle OF the will of the ma
jorty, does not the amendment proceed further
than the necessity of the case required Could
any such position be proved 10 him, he was
willing to 20 with these gen emen as far as
neces' AIRY TO consult the interests OF the people.
M. F. denied that il was called for by he pro.
lection OF property He would so with gentle
men for the protection of property-but he
warned them, that they dad not go too far Tor
its protection. lie commended thai properly
had certain means of protecting Itself not
that corfupIng influence which some gentle
men had exposed but that which arises from
the education ii secures aad the influence II
eyerts He would 10 fariher-he would Sc
cure property by requiring some standard of
property for Tho exercise OF the right Oi SUIT
trage II he could take The liberty OF advising
his friends, he would tell them Here stick
your standard--here un'url your banners"
But he commended that there was great dit
ference between protecting property by reqGir
ing property qualification Tor the rgh O
suffrage, aud allowing TO different sections VI
the State an unequal share Misrepresentation, IN
consequence of the wealth they possess or thp
taxes they contribute.
Mr.. +. made some remarks upon n rropo.
Ioo'iSh vi WI btlShJ W hIli(i n6 ConIteStu
he had been alarmeG-that the integrity of the
State could MOI BE- pr served, II the principle
which he laid down could not be carried into
effect, and the will Of the majority shouli rule
! despoically over the mnoiuy. Nj L. ex.
planned, that he had said, his second wish was
to preserve the intcgrlty OF the State, his f ST
! TO pt eserye his Union with his Western brethren
under JUS, equal aud well balanced govern
ment.
Mr. F remarked that the gentleman from
! Chesterfield sremed TO thluk it was drspotism
To subject the Eastern people TO the proposition
of the Legislative COMMITTEE and there were
some gentlemen in the West, who had gone
TO the other extreme j; but for his own part, n
would go with n ither he WAS tor preserving
IN any event the integrity OF the State and he
was happy "a find from the nod of the gentle
mao from northampton ,r. Upshur thai
he also perfectly agreed with him in thai wish
Nr. +. proceeded to examine the yarious
oil jectlons which had been urged to this ResoIu
tioh ofthe Committee. Il was said for Instance
thrt there was danger Of excessive taxation on
slaves-but he begged leave to state. that al.
though three fourth OF his own fortune
was vested Ia this species of property. yet ~
entertained no fears of ABUSE partieulary wiz
the guarantee which he himself hsd prono,to
IL was sad, also, that there was danger OF
an abuse OF appropriation Tor internal IMPROVE
ments by the cIlizens Of tn West H., -
tempted to show that these dangers did not tx
lst or were eyeggera ed bat lhal be had suugI'
for provision which he had proposed to tn
Convention 10 prevent any such ahuse
lie coniended that thu .ro .. I'd check in IN
SENATE loi the compound hisis was carried
beyond the supp sed Necessity OF the cas-, -
that not only might II be enlplo,cd to urotec,
| Drpup bu1 IA al ct Va
this was his objection even 10 give any UGH
power TO the Senate but sui less vas he ure-
pared TO give the minurity a control over the
other branch OF the Legislature. IL was giving
poiluCal power aud not pIotec ton to the minor
ny, which was contrary to all the PRINCIPLES of
Republican government.
He contr0Serted the position of the qentIe.
man from Northampton, that it was not the
majority OF numbers. but of interests. that
ought 10 prevail in the whole government. But
carry out the principle, that the majority nj
interests ought 10 prevail, and he had no doubt
mat as the treeholders pay two thirds Of the
who'e taxes IN the ate, they ough to possess
the whole power of the adm instra,ion--snd
'he F'ght ot suffrage wouif then be restricted
10 The pr sent proprietors oft
| lie also ConiroveIted The Dosilion oCtbe sa,,.
gentleman, that the Constitution, had r.coeujs.
! ed the influence o property. and tim, il vol,
be vio a'on OF the rights OF hose who held If
10 organize the new Constitution upon dit.
ferenl principle. Mr.. F. denied the fac, and
asked how then it came 10 pass that the b IN of
Nghls asserted the right ofthe majority to alter
the Constitution when they pleased.
lie denied the proposilinns of gentlemen
,ha' men were to be entirely governed by selc'
interest-and that the different sections OF The
state Were TO be judged by the same painciple,
indeed that position be true, he admitted ,ba,
Inc members might return to their constituents
and declare that we were not qualified for the
support OF Republican Government.
lie concluded, by say inc, that when he rose
u" "nis ooject was 10 declare The sentiments
~ "n'ch ne soould be guided-that he wished
VI p'se'Ve those republican principles by
~" ne nao been always governed but he
was perfectly aware that in such body ne mi.
every one could not .rn.ct A.,