Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-19
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VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
In THE SENATE, FRIDAY. Feb. G.

In THE SENATE, Friday, Feb g.
The motion of MIR. Taylor to stsike out the Sec
ton OF Mr.. Dade's amendment, extending to nom
Teeholders the right Of suffrage for member OF
convention, being under consideration,
Mr. Bernard remarked, that rarely, if ever in
MS lie, had be felt himselfplaced in situation OF
NOR painful responsibility, of more pc rple King
embarrassment, than by the alternatives, pre-
sehted to his choice in the amendment of the z en-
tieman from Chesterfield. On the one hand, was
Inc violation, the apprebended violation at least,
oil principle, which no less than that gentle
man. In his representative character, he had ey err
held sacred; that OF faithfully representing the
views and wishes of his constituents however
ascertaned; on the other was an obligation of G.
quail II not paramount sanctity, 10 maintain nvio
late the rights and liberties Of the people Of this
commonwealth, secured to them in their bill of
! rights, which he did not like that gentleman con-
slider mere idle abstraction, but as the true and
substantial exponent of the constitut on, Of hich
1t forms the most sacred portion. True il was,
that those views and wishes, bad not re ached
him in Oh solemn and imposing form OF instruc-
ton, Tin that event il might have been matter Of
serious elaboration, whether Hrs sense Of duty
would not have required the Resignation of his
seat on that ioor;) they were presumed merely,
ou' 20 strongly presumed, as TO leave but little
doubt, that on this subject his opinions were at
variance with those Of majority OF his constitu-
ents. Neveithele less, with ui knowledge OF his
sentiments, they had returned him unrebuked
lore, w'icb, in all matters ofexpedieney merely,
would induce the unqualified sacrifice Of his in
uiVhlal opinions TO them, did net apply to a ques-
uon oil the paramount, indeea,ible right of others
equally entiiled by the terms Of the original com
pact 10 protection. Sir, said he, the whole of this
discussion, in my judgment, so uuneces sarily and
deliberately expanded, turns upon the fair and just
nteI pretalion Of Jingle word. The comaiun-
tyf who's benefit alone the existing gov eminent
was instituted and who alone have the acknow-
tk,ot o;,,I,. a.
change alter, amend, or utterly abolish it, when
ever they shall deem iiinadeqIate 10 the purposes
io' which ii was Instituted; and TO institute new
government, cannot without a prrversion Of every
scnbIance OF truth and justice and utter con-
JUS OF. o. all proper distinction etween pl imary
and dervative right, between right and the pow
er which upholss it, be for one moment deemed
10 reside in the lreeholders alone, They are The
mere creatures, and not the realtors OF govern
ment, and Cannot without he m st flagrant u
furpatoi', change one title OF pact, which
they are co-equal parties mer' ly, but not the
Constituted arbiters. The negaiion Of this princi
pie leads 10 the consequence, that governmen mt
a. Is OF itself, by ITSELF and for ITSELF and that all
changes must proceed from il alone. Ifthen the
non-ii old IS were ever 10 be regarded as orr
ginal cor stituent elements Of the body politic
ask how can they lie deprived OF n is character by
this leg iatur- Gentlemen persist in treating
ihI' as an eSte' on o. the right of suffrage. Ii is
n such thing. Ii is merely the recognition of
right as eternal truth and as immutable ss Jus.
tlce herself Whilst have said this much, how
ev'r, IN vildicatiop OF principle, from which
w en- asserted ii impossible that / could
WI hhod my assent, 1t canno ecessary that |
should remind IN Senat-, that i have ever been
among the most jealous advocates of suffrage le-
ultimately and properly restricted by the -consttu.
ton, in the formation of which, hope il will not
b lost sight Of l have ever regarded ;hi, & a.
ture, though not perfect, as the most valuable in
constitution; and the hazard 10 which il
might be put, has ever been with me the strong
est argument against the eNpedi ncy of calling
convention. know that gentlemen think that
this hazard will be much increased by the pro
posed recognition of the right of the non-ireehoI
ders 10 vote Tor members Of conventions; and that
intoxicated with the novel sweets OF reverted
power, hey will not readily submit 10 sucn limit.
lions of political justice and expediency as
VIII o IRE property My fears on this subject |
are IN c disyed by the confidence " hich repose |
IN the sound discretion and just moderation of the
present non ireeh holders Of Virginia: satisfy them
Oh your justice. do 10 trample upon their rich |
and the OF reehoders and the exp Giant heirs
oil property, will cheerfully to those mum
ments of property in which they have a common
intererest+ believe that the character of the |
convention VIII rot be materially changed by the |
admission OF this new element; that thc result will
be the same, whilst shall enjoy the satisfaction
OF having based the government upon those pure |
republican principles, whose broad and solid foun-
dations shall render 1t neSpuenable. l consider |
honesty the best policy in public, as in private mat |
tiers. Come what will of il, must still exclairn.
fiat juslitia, ruat celum.
Much has been said. and very inspuropriatalv |
SAID, here at least, which would have been quite
appropos before the convention, and should GER
family hav been reserved for that body. This !
example shall not follow. Gentlemen have ar !
gued the question Of suffrage, as if we and not
the convention, were to FIX its limitations and have
con ounded the admission of the pre- existing right
OF the non freehoders to vote for members Of
convention, with the notifications Of that right
which may or which ought 10 be imposed by the
convention. Now, these questions 10 my mind
have about as much relation TO each other as the
judgment OF county court 10 that Of the
supreme tribunal Of this land, as The moon has TO
green cheese, as the TO the syre Of grass
which springs under its influence. Such argu-
ments, as the lawyers say, are completely coram
n JUDGE, ami ought not t1te nte toned here.
Gentlemen may soothe their troubled conscien-
ces by supposIDg that the convention may remedy
our injustice by submitting the constitution TO the
ratification Of the non reehoIders, as well as The
freehOlders. But will that body represent the non |
frceholders' Will they be any thing more than |
ourselves, the delegates Of lreehoidersl win 1, |
n be still Alexander alb Alexandra; a succession |
of the dynasty debating a constitution IN |
the people, No, sir, ii'the nonfreehoIders are to
have any finger i'm this pie, let us 20 the whole
hog at once, and let them have a share in the cool
ing, "a well a. the eating Of itiet us not prsciice
towards theu the insulting mockcry Of a certain |
loving and affectionate wife TO her submissive |
hen-pecked help-mate. You choose soup my |
dcaT, ana hot or cold, rich or poor poor Jerry |
must swallow the revolving portion The gem
ueman from Chesterfield says, that we have no /
instruction from the reeho'ders on this point |
and seems afraid Of usurpsfion. f1e is not more
90, than am, but i, is certainly MOI my fault.
that for want Of IT, We ore now about 10 conn IL