Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-12
Lro DE CONTINUED ]
Mr.. JoYNEs addressed the co,ssnittee as fol

Ms. JOYNES addressed the Co,a,nittee as fol
iows:- ava
MR. CuArRMAH:-The subject now under the
consideration OF the Committee is one of great impor
lance 10 the future huppIness and Prosperity of Vr
gina, and have ask the attention of the Cmnmit
tee Tor short time, while present TO the Commit, 90
the views have taken of this subject In do;no
TINS Shall not indulge the expectation that anV
thihg that can say will change the vote of anv
member OF this Committee. Every gentleman in
TINS convention has no doubt rnuszr9ig E;onsiteSI
the subject, and honestly made up his opinion-anj
II the able and eloquent arguments which have olrea
dy been addressed to the Committee have been in
sufficient to change the opinions of gentlemen have
not the vanity to suppose that any thing which NAV
say would have that effect. This subject is interest
ing to the whole State and particularly to that MR.
ton oft in which live, and if were to permit this
question to be decided without expressing the op,n
ions entertain, and the reasons on which these
opinions are founded, | should be wanting in DUTY to
myself and to those who sent me here.
When was elected member Of this Contention
Mr. Chairman, endeavoured TO persuade myself
that while 1t was my duty, in concert with nv COL
leagues. to watch over and protect so far as coud
the particular interests Of my constituents vet that
was representative, IN some degree, of the whole
people Of Virginia and bound to consult the interests
OF the whole community | came here, sir actuated
by spirit OF compromise towards other members of
this Convention. came here prepared TO reconcile
as far as practicable, by mutual concessions all sec
tional and conflicting interests, and to agree in the
adoption of such Constitution as we might reason
any iiOpC HOulu permanently promote the INTEREST
and happiness of Virginia. Il was idle for aUv man
to calculate that every measure was to be adsDted
precisely according to his wishes. 1t is by mutual
concessions Alone that any beneficial results can be
expected to arse from our labours. There was M
subject which it probable could come before tho
Convention, on which felt more strongly actuated
by q wish Tor mutual concession than on that rov
under the consideration of the Committee, and was
gratlhcd the other day when my friend from Fau-
quier, fBIr. Scott,l proposed an amendment TO the
amendment proposed by the gentleman from Culpe-
per, MIR. Green,) which would afford me an opportn
nifty OF manlfestlng by my vote, that was really dis
posed to compromise this interesting subject: and T
regret that majority of the Committee entertained
different views from relative to that amendment
We have been told in the of this debate by
the gentleman from Albemarle (NIr. Gordon,) that
the amendment proposed by the gentleman from Cal-
pepper, Mr. Green,) was incompatible with the ex
tension Of the right of suffrage The right of suf-
fragc, Mr. Chairman, is not by any means involved
IN this question, nor have they any necessary con.
neX1on. The question here is not to whom the rioht
Of suffrage shall be granted, but in what poportions
shall the political power of the Commonwealth be
distributed amongst the different sections of the
state Whether 1t shall be distributed. having refer
encc to white population alone, by which those Dor
tons OF the State which pay less than fourth fthe
whole revenue oftbe Commonwealth, shall have the
entire control of the Legislative power or shall il be
SO distributed that those who are compelled To nav
NOR" than three ourths of the reyenue shall have Il
IN their power to protect themselves from im2roper
taxation avn in favor of the extension Of tho rirht
OF suffrage as far, perhaps any man in this Con-
vention aud much farther dare say, than shall be
sustained by the votes Of majority Of the Conven-
ton. am willing to extend it to all free white male
citizens of this State upwards OFF years of age, who
have committed no crimes against the State and who
actually pay to the State or county, whether
they be freeholders not; and would allow to the
poorest who went to the polls precisely the same
vote that would allow to his wealthy ncighbor who
might be th-n master of five hundred slaves
shall not pretend TO question the correctness of
the general rule, that the majority shall governs and
q majority Of persons in general, furnishes the best
evidence Of majority of interests. Since the elo-
quent argument of my colleague from Northampton
Judge Upshur) most of the gentlemen who have
engaged in this debate the other side, have pla
ced dis ques.iass ~ the ground o?oxt edencya!sas