Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21

years the friends Of reform nthe existing constitu-
| lion, have ia an orderly, peaceful and decorous
manner. peitioned the Legislature, that the sense
oil the people might he taken by the officers Of the
gov ernme ut whether conyention 10 alter the con-
| stItution, should b. called or no.,
This was asked of thu Legislature, not because
| the people did not know, that the sovereign power
resided IN thein-no, because they were not
Sible, they could effect their object, without lie
gisiatvc agency; but because for the sake of good
ordev, they were unwilling TO exercise their pow
ef, unless driven thereto. by denial OF aid on the
/! part OF the existing government The General
Assembly OF Virginia yielded TO their Just demands,
| and assed law directing that the sense of the
people should be taken, submitting the question,
however, to Jreehoiders only. The freei oders
WIN magnanlmity and a confidence, which en-
utie them TO the admiration and gratitude OF eve-
ny votary oil tree go, ernmcnt 10y large majority,
declared that they wished convention called TO
alter the present constitution; and to organize that
convention, according TO the will OF the people.
Is now the plain and simple duty have to per-
| form.
| The friends OF reform, in vi, Ling the submission
| oil the question OF convention convention, to
freeholders only, did not thereby admit that theu
| alone were the community, who had the right TO
alter, reform or abolish the government" and
therefore should alone be consulted but confiding
In the justice OF their cause, they were willing
10 adopt that mode OF testing public opinion, as the
| result has justified.
To give effect to the will of the majority, as de-
ci"'ed in the Bill OF Rights should ever be consi-
dered the sacred and pious duty of every Repub-
| iican, and which am happy to believe, will not
oe questioned by any member in either branch Of
the Genera, Assembly Of Virginia |, behoves
opposed 10 vision ot the constitu ion, and NAV
On former occasions, have strenuously e1erted
themselves to defeat call Of convention) to unite
now IN good faith, to ganizc upon just, equal ami
liberal principles; consulting as practicable the
interests and opinions of the people of every sec
ton of the State.
is wrong for members to suppose, that be-
cause, Their constituents may have voted ag ii ST
me can oil convention, that their Delegates a.
! pound To act now in way TO obs,ruct OF defeat
every change in the provisions of the existing
constitution So 10 believe lai d act, IS ould be a
stigma upon the Justice and magnanimity OF their
constituents. not war anied by their char &C ter
Gentlemen SANDER them when they imagine for y
moment, that they wished expected TO 90 in O
convention, upon any other than erms of practical
ius'ce and equality. The people of Virginia may
lay claim to De consd red, only just but geu-
eiou' and magnanimous. his character they
nave carmel, by their open and dsinterested con
d"ct' on all trying occasions-it is conceded TO
them wherever they are known-and even those
who differ wi h then in political opinions are
constrained to admit, aud have in public speeches
been heard to say" although Virginia may be
IN politics sometimes wrong, yet she is ever dis
IL
ed reputation be maintained, if after the will of
me majority upon an important question is ascer-
aln"d the minority persist in efforts defeat that
will?
Can gentlemen believe, that the people would
nave voted Tor Cow 10 reform the Cons-
utsn unless hey sensible of its great and
RADICAL defects! l. it liberal. is it fair, hen to en-
deavor so TO organize the convention as to defeat
the principal objects of III friends OF REFORM and
produce the effect OF retaining the prominent fea-
Xa; Tho f,u
cannot b. disguised, that such is the tendency of
The efforts OF some gentlemen.
am aware that the substitute offered by my
sell TO the original Bill does not do complete JUS
uce; and candour requires me to say it does not
entirely meet my appreciation; but consider il the
nearest approach practicable, after the develop
nents IN the other branch OF The Legislature and
under the existing state OF things. My amend.
ment recognizes all the great principles asserted
ana sought to be maintained by the original friends
OF Convention.
Ii provides for representation, based alone upon
free white population.
III pr lvides Tor elections by districts arranged
according TO equal portions OF free white popu!a-
uon IN each district. 1t repudiaes the odious Tea
ture In the present Constitution, which allows (by
countess The same number OF representatives from
ne small counties as from the largest And il
provides that certain non free holders shall vote
ia common with freeholders, for members OF Con-
venton. Ii requires the Convention 10 consist of
80 members, tthe smallest number yet proposed)
our oil which TO be chosen from each district of tho
present Senatorial Districts--tO be citizens 81
years old and residents OF The districts for which
chosen. have said that my plan does not come
up'o what consider complete Justice What
consider complete justice, would be to apportion
ihe representation according TO the present year
mad II been ascertained-that not being done ius-
nee requires that we should be governed by the
census of 1920
Why then,it may be asked have | taken Senate
ri" Districts DIS at present arranged, they having
Oeeh idid of according 10 The census oil 1910? The
answer Is ms. IL was too apparent from the dis
chssIon IN the other House, that thi. measure was
regarded as contest for power, rather than an eff
ioIl 10 reconcile jarring interests and opinions
WIN view to an adjustment of right-and I'M
ssthere was concession on both sides the will of
me people must Tor the present be defeated. By
au"pIhg the census OF 1910, the west is made TO
con ed only a small advantage in population-the
's"s' concession, IN my opinion, that can secure
me support oi the Eastern Members | regret to
LAY, mat think the members on the East of the
biue Ridge, have advanced opinions and contend
ca ior principles, which Can only find sanction in
the unwiIiingnesS TO sur ender power Neyerthc
less, they nave right thus 10 contend and wbe.
ther their opinions be well founded or not thew
may he as honest and siEcere as those OF ohers
and -houd and must be respected accordingly
Cali them political heresies-preiudice. If Won
please, they still are opinions, and will have their
ihuhrncc. Under this stale of things am rer-
suaded no other estimate of the population than
'la' OF the census OF 1910, and no other appor-
,,oninehi man tue one have made, can prevail in
me other House, and hence | have proposed it,
CONCESSION after concession has been made of
Eastern prelensiouS. The small county, interest has
Oeen most CALAMITY maintained. IL has been main
tanned with an ardour & iirnness, worthy of bet
'ei cause Lake the Spartan band, posted within
thelr own selected Thermopyle, headed by their
own Leonidas. they beat off mUiads of pIrns: but
lenRin SeUUce6 fhpi koIIt l.. IL