Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-11-23
IpKpoRTED ron rmE wHIe.l ~ Z
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
Debate Of Wednesday. Nor. Io--Co"ei4N's@'



lanes River CanaE Between one and two millions
of dollars have been avished it IN the course of
forty ycars-somc thirty miles are completed! and the
people the State, provoked with this gross Obsurdi
~ and waste, look the whole enterprise with dis
gust.
But Ii ;herc he a Commonwealth earth where
The right OF suffrage fairly and nationally suscep,i-
Die OF most liberal enlargement, 1t is that OF virgil
mia. Her people are habItualy steady in their con-
duct: the mass OF them rejecting; and, libel them
who may, every man who really knows the state OF
society and is willing 10 be Just to II, Will attest the
truth of the declaration. that morality and virtue Is
,ro,yipr amongst us. Who is not struck with the
temperance aud sobriety of the rising generation
plrcd with that whc! is passing away? Vice and
crime boldly affirm, have within ten years, rapidly
diminished; individual industry and energy arc III
creasing Schools multiplying, and religion is
Glusiug its genial influence on the land Over this
prtHre rudely but faithfully skechcd roloce with
fal Joy; and While chcertrly admit the virtue and
stability OF the lreehodcrs, the middle classes as they
ar termed cannot my judgment to the dction
which confines virtue 90 any description Of men. The
gentleman, and the Co lager too, pure Yes, Sir.
wh individual exceptions all deserve 10 share IN the
government OF the community that rules the land of
their BIRTH the theatre Of their JOYS end SORROWS.
that embosons the ashes Of their fathers and
unitcs tic hopes of the children of their affec-
Ii n. The composition and circumstances of the
society themselves invite the acknowledgements of
the people. No large or populous cities 1gtate or
corrupt as, few foreigners are lntermxed with US,
our pursuits, for the most part agTCulturaI an OK
tcnsyc territory sparsey pc0p!cd; and respect for
order for the character OF the Commonwealth itself
animating all classes of citizens. Such is Virginia:
such the material for her statesmen and law-gyeIs.
Are We 10 apprehend rapmc, disorder, dsurganiza
ton from Il paternGl aud generous course Besides
lnore than tblec-iIth5 OF the inhabi ants, conp-c
hendng Jar the greater part Of those termed IN Euro
pean countries the raOJie slaves. This single cir
cumsance is enough quiet all the apprchensicns OF
gentlemen. Il cannot DC successfully contended that
community, thus characterized and composed, is not
to be trusted to govern ITSELF that It, powers must be
Il. So. L.
to this day il has been conceded, that to enslaye a
man was 10 impair his worth and, that to clothe him
with the privileges appropriate TO his nature elevated
his sentiments.
employ Just originally, st half the force of the
conflicting argument taken away by the fact, that
no other Sta IN the Union retains the oLous dis
tinction VIII ch combat lfthc freehold suffrage ex-
listed in the other States the problem would exist in
al lis force ami interest," but, when It is abandoned bv
tweny-hree States, to retain il here, were insufra
bic. The humble citizen of Virginia cannot pass the
confines Of MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA. Ohio Kentucky
or Tennessee without being tainted by his ncighboIs
with his yassa. condition. The bordcrer on North
Carolina brhois amidst the most perfect social or
der and security, the very free negro exercising that
privilege which is withheld c,n him. This Is rraU-
ing AMI 'ausl iuuliUat.ug.
Let those who feel soic.,uie, and who does not.
for the future destiny Of the State, inspect with a
satesmals eye, It's diversified population. There IRE
four dlstIncl classes-lhe freebooter, the non-frec
holder, the .JCo negro, and the slave. Pause Mr.
Chairman, and examine this Interesting subject. Nav
not occasions arise when tie common veal will loud.
~ call for the united eXcrions of your white pouua.
ton' large part Of them have already poured their
murmurs into your NiH you deafen t' adj
lure YOU, Sir adjure this Committee TO bind IN the
chords Of common affection the whole people, and to
treat them as one family.
4esffnot but think that the condition Of The world is
greatly inprol cd and rapidly improving. All yirlu-
Gus men vcnerotc their progenors. But how was II
possible IN ancient times, to duse through society
l.v,,. vlti M
ing, itself. was sufficient change the face of the
world and It IS certainly changing il. The mariner :
compass, posto!ices, the application Of steam in IA
ciltatnp intercourse amongst men. and i'm the rutn
al transmission Of Information, are, with q steady
pace, pressing us in the career of mind These
with many anclIary are exaltinp \ meoratnr
the species. Why shall we alone lag and fiulter IN
the generous race; Adopt wcI-devised wise and
economical system Of education for all classes md ol
will be capable Of performing the cardinal duties of
the citizen ali VIII be worthy TO become depositories
OF political power and all Will love with fIal rarord
the land Of their birth
Aitcr al, VIC are merely commissioned to sketch
for the adoption or rejection Of the people, the plan
Of Constitution If they approve they will csta-
blls d., IT, ON the contrary, they disapprove they will
REJECT t--and then our work VIII terminaie WHY
then do gentlemen attempt 10 alurniis Whv this
cry vi separation intestine war; and all the horrors
that ClOQucuce can pllnt or ingenuity cOniure up2-
Rather, Sir, let Us be calm, and endeavor TO do ,,,r
duty ln q spirit Oi cancellation and harmony. One
gentleman for whom eBtartain grcut esteem dis
tngu.shcd bog his talents and virtues Mr. Nicholas
announced 10 us, th" other day, TINT we were IN q
most uw1 tuaDou, that clouds and darkness hover
cd over u- and terrible caam.tcs besct our paths -
PERM, zoe 20 congratulate that amlable gentleman
upon The Tranquil. and serene aspect which he cyhi
bt,d % as IL L.y midst Of the storm he raised or fan.
cict. ! hal Tho pleasure 60 sit near him. and mar
vtcd 40 te pac.dty OF his brow in a scene so % n
polug. T. there Mr. Chairman no rhctoric in tlioie
horrors, The same gentleman informed us that ho
had held On official station under the government E,r
some twenty years, and shat things had howed on with
wonderful smoothno-s during mo whole time TIo,
may be, Sir, so far as tic genl"man is concerned -
A good official station has charming effect i,
smoothing the ogperiics Of life, and mpayting bri,bt
or tnts 20 the scenes around one Hu, il docs not
follow, from o this, thlt the people are content wifi
their Acknowledgement. ] wish the worthv Donfic,,r
long continuance of the advantages Inc has so ricii
mcrlted; but ray fret wish is for my country
Another honorable gentleman, in spcaky, cr a.,
determination OF the minority TO retain us power, wa
am a Western man, the language which Sna,y
hold 90 The Persian Monarch when he demanded tL,
L.