Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-26


we alone lag and fauer in the generous racer Adopt
wedevissd wise, aud economics system of educ ation
for all classes and all will be capable of performing the
cardua duties of the citizen will be worthy to become
repositories OF political power. and all will love with eli
al regard the land Of their birth.
Ater ALL we are merely commissioned 10 sketch, for
the adoption or rejection Of the people, the plan Of
Constitution. Ifthey approve they win establish IL; IT,
on the contrary they dsapprove, they will reject IT.
and then our work will terminate. Why, then. do gen.
tiemen attempt to alarm us? Why this CRY Of separa.
ton, intestine war; and all the horrors that
can paint. ingenuity conjure up Rather Sir let u.
he calm, endeavor TO do duty in spirit OF concilis
ton and harmony. One gentleman for whom entertain
great distinguished by his talents virtues (Ir
Ncholas announced to the o'her day. that we were
in most awful situation, that clouds and darkness no.
vered and terrible caamites beset orr pa,h
Permit me to congratulate that amable gentleman upon
the tranquil and serene which he exhibited to US
in the midst Of the storm he raised fanc. had the
pleasure to Sit near him, and mavelled at the pacdiy
OF his brow in scene so appalling. l. there, Mr..
Chairman. rhetoric in those horror- The same gen
ueman informed us that he had held official s alton
under the government for some twenty years. and tina,
things had flowed on with wonderful smoo'liness during
me whole time. Thatm be, Sir. far as the gem
ueman Is concerned A good official station has
charming effect In smoothing the asperi,ies OF le and
npar,ing brighter tnts to the around one. But
il does not follow from all this that people are con-
tent with their Acknowledgement. wish the worthy
gentleman long continuance of the advantages he has
so richly merited; but my first wish is Tor my country
Another honorable gentleman, in speaking OF the
determination OF the minority to retain its power
20
am Western man, The language which Sparta held
to the Persian Monarch, when he demanded the sur
render Of their arms come and take them. Sir, here
no Spartans, Persians. We are all Virpinisns
During the of 1912, the citizens of Norfolk talked
to us in different language. They then said "comc &
help us. Aud we went; and ranging ourselves
der the banner Of his gallant townsnan we babe the
enemy "come and take the city" Aye. and we are
ready to repair again to his In fighting, there
Is no sectional line. no exclusion Whenever the stan.
dard Of freedom Of Virginia the Spangled Ban.
unturled, Or he al tha North
the South, then will every true hearted American he
found TO face, not his brothers, hut the foes Of his
we'd and common country. Permit me- Mr.. Chairman
humble as am TO make passing effort 10 relieve this
learned gentleman from distressing state Of perplex
into which he has fallen. He seems to apprehend that
we shall not be able TO discern and define the white
man. with sort of distinctne ness and that the peope
of China and Of the South American Republics when
they come hther, will puzzle m0lcum Of pIIy,i-
cal and political science 10 arrange them This is q
mos. embarrassing question, il must be admitted; bu,
ii the learned gentleman will EIDE our principle
we will enieavor TO relieve him in the labor OF it's
pcation and should we not be competent to the sou
lion ot this matter ourselves, have yet resource
which may save the Republic. We will call DR.. Mitch
ell into consultation, and from the and erud-
ton which he displayed upon the of a SINH
lar difficulty in the celebrated case of the Amshous 80
w. Alexander Whiseloe, he will doubtless prescribe
with effect.
Mr.. Chairman, it is not question who Is white; but
how shall the wrongs OF the people be r-dressed. Sir
~ thousand men, in land OF liberty, ask their fellow
men to ADM, them to an equal participation in their
political rights they ask in the spirit OF brother hood
but, IN tho unqnaling voice of conscious rect,ude and
hrn'pess Every where around them they those
VINO nave me same cfnfms with the,nseIves and non
other, standing up and giving that they ara
men. Shall they, they alone, bear the stamp Of polt.
cal villiuage
MR.. NICHoLAs'S SPEECH.
THURSDAY, Nov. 10.
Mr.. NICHOLAS observed, that as ho Of
hose who voted for ardng his highly esteemed friend
he thought proper to state that he was influenced in
giving that vote by spirit of courtesy, and by wish to
crafty that gentleman But his proposition goes ahead
Of the discussion, and ref a re souon which will
come on hereafter it would be improper take it up at
this time There were considerations connected with
the proposition, which he wished to weigh in his own
mind; he therefore, moved that the resolution offered by
the gentleman from Goochand be for the present passed
over.
Mr.. PLEAsANTs seconded the motion and stated that
as his resolution closely connected with the sub
ect of the basis of representation before the Convcn
ton, he deemed ii proper to submit it, whilst that sub
iect undisposed of He hoped, therefore, that his
resolution might lie on the table, and be printed. The
Chairman took the question, Shall the resolution be
passed over for the present? which was carried
Mr.. PLEAsANTs hen moved that the subject, tho
consideration of which had been suspended should be
resumed, which carried.
Mr.. NICHOLAS, after requesting the Chairman TO re
port the amendment, spoke in substance, follows:
My sentiments, MIR. Chairman, are different from
tho sc just expressed by the gent from Loudoun Mr. Hem
der on) upon this interesting subject my District so
much opposed TO the measure under consideration,
that feel it an imperiOus duty to submit the Conven
merit of advancing boldly 20 the question, and proposes
what conceive, amounts essentially TO universal suf-
rage. There cannot be fit occasion TO enquire,
what ought to he the basis of suffrage, than when il is
proposed to extend that right to almost every in the
country. | find myself, Mr.. Chairman, placed in a new
attitude. If we 10 take the sentiments of myself aHd
hose with whom act, from the representations Of the
gentleman from Loudoun, should be induced to sup
pose that not only in'mca TO the whole class of
the poor in this country, but to Republican institutions
in general do not mean TO make professions of nv
principles But may be permitted to say, that though
in the different political scenes and vcissudes which
have taken place in this country my situation may have
been humble and obscure; though have not filled high
stations have not stood by with apathy passing
events have always taken deep interest in them, and
have not been inactive IL is true that have served az
a private, but have felt much zeal, others who
were elevated. had supposed that from my boy
hood, engaged defending free principles by fight
under the banners Of the most distinguished patriots
OF the land but now the gentlemen ue other side
endeavour TO take weapons out of hands de-
feat with them This policy of attempting to alien
ate the people from their friends is old the days
Of Hsop. We told i'm of his fables that certain
shepherds had their ocks by their watch dogs
who proved faithful cenncls and resisted every effort
Of the wolves to break into the fold Baled in their at
temps, the wolves persuaded the shepherds that it
useless expense and trouble maintain these faithful
centines, and made solemn promises that If they would
dismiss them they should sustain injury. Deudcd
by these assurances, the shepherds complied with the
but the consequence that the wolves broke
into the fold and destroyed all the flock But such poll
cy will not he efectual in this country; the people
Intelligent they know who their friends, and they
will never abandon them.
The gentleman fom Louie ha, been pleased 10
cay, that when former occasion depicted the =
Wis which would result f,om attempt 10 force Con
sttuion upon large ion Of the people, which they