Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-19

in both those countries, particularly ~ France
1 was present during three Of the great move.
ments ofthe People who seemed 10 act without
any check or control. I saw one OF u.
movements direct against th-'r existing Go
vernment, and by which il ~ss ally torn 70
pieces. 1t was at length res I'D with the
bayonet by Pichergra. In smother the Con
veation was most violently assaied; the multi
tide burst iOlo the Legislative Hall, they we're
met and opposed by the members: they killed
one, and cutting OF his head, marched with II
on a pike TO the Presidents Chair Wit
messed that scence. That third OF these Po-
pular movements, was also an attack upon the
Convention. The Convention was about TO
pass over the governmental the Directory ana
the tive Councils. The excitement among
the people was very great, (being fom ented,
as believe, by the agents OF Foreign powers
for political purpose, and they bad Ike 10
have overthrow the Government, but after
mech bloodshed they were atlength repulsed
I had seen also something of the same sort IN
England, though not Of so marked tendency.
confess that these things made me pause: |
wished the tendencies Of the measures asked
foI in the petitions TO be carefully weighed
hcsitated: not from any thing bad ever seen
in my own country, but from what had seen
of man elsewhere. 1 reelected long, bat at
length became wiling to go as Far - was
then desired: l aD now ready TO go farther
We are differently situated lroa any other ma
ton on The face OF the earth. II a free gov
ernineifs car exmt amy where, 1T Is in America
and .in Virginia; as we'll as in any other part
of our coustry.
iwil carry the right Of suffrage as Far as
any reasonable man can desire. Then the
rights OF all the cnizen. viii stand upon the
lsua to tbe arran
tricts and the protection oc property by some
reasonable GuaraHtee,I do notknow howitBeed
affect the question ef equal rights. Ii Will
! not ai3ectit within any one district where there
are both poor and rich men. if the plan
were to create and order OF nobility or to
make the right OF suffrage depend upon pro
perry, it might cause the rich to Cypress the
poor: but that Is not the case; it leaves both
on the same ground, and gives the ore nc ad
vantage ever the other j only say That
presentation should be based on The white pc.
.pulatien, with some reasonable protection for
property. Bet how is this TO sbe donee--lt
may be doEe,in two modes: First it May be
arranged as il is now in South Carolina, by
taking both into consideration, base your re
| presentation on the free white population OF
| the State, and combine that With the proper
| ton of taxes throughout the whoe, then each
district will<haveits own share. The other
mode is thus: Let one of the branches of the
Legislature be placed upon the basis of white
| population alone, and the other branch Spon
| the compound basis of population and taxa
| tione-lf this plan rs adopted, then the ques-
! ton arises ia which branch shall the white ba-
| sis prevail and III whichthe compound VIII
| you give the basis of white population cnly TO
| the House OF Deiegatcs, or TO the Senate?
NH ~ md
safest for the Atlantic country, ii you give i,
to the House of Delegates, and let the com
| pound basis prevail in the election of the Sc
nate.
III you could agree on this arrangement, the
country win be satisfied, and there will be an
| ample1heck upon the course of legislation,
by The structure of the Senate. The popular
branch will then originate every thing accOs-
dlBg as they shall think most for the good OF
the country; and if through the stimfiogs OF
heated feeling they propose any improper
measures, the Senate viii operate as an i'm
mediate check. 1t was on this principle that
| voted against the proposition to establish
the white bass for the Senate.
Mr. Chairman, thought twas my duty to
rise and state the grounds my vote, SO far
as my ability and the state ofmy health would
admit. wish TO see the basis of white popY-
lation alone adopted fof the House eff Dele
gates, and the compound bass of representa-
ton, consisting OF poralation and taxation
Combned for the Senate. This is my view.
On Saturday, 9th Now the Convention
being called to order,
The President communicated the letter of
resignation from General Taylor, which will
be found below, and which, on motion of Mr..
Mercer, was laid oil tlIc table.
R1r. Ia<t,reh then rose and stated, that, az
the request OF his remaining colleagues, he
bad to perform the duty of-intorining the
Committee that they had agreed on sue
cessor to General Taylor, who would be mott
fed Of his election, and that the gentleman is
Hugh Blair Grigsby, of Norfolk
The Convention then resolved itself into
Committee Of the Whole, Mr.. Po,ceH 10 the
Char.
Mr. Scott, MIR. Green, and MIR Moore,
made few remarks in explanation and re
ply to observations in which they had been
misunderstood.
The question being then about to be put
Mr.. Leigh moved that the Committee rise,
in order to give an opportunity of addressing
the Committee to his colleague, Goo. Gilcs)
who wished TO express some views, but was
prevented from doing it at this time by indis-
position aggravated by the state Of the wealth
err lie expressed his readiness to Withdraw
the motion If any gentleman desired to ad-
dress the Committee
After few remarks from MIR, Dodhfdge,
who expressed belief that other gentlemen
intended to explain their views. and, if so. the
hone that they XyOuid occu,,1 the floor with