Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-13


Sonsc attention ought, therefore, to 10 paid 70 prop
cr'y, In the choice OF those hands .,
II had been my most unIcigned WISH said Mr.. D.
to avoid the discussion ofqnestons here which more
properly beiong to the approaching convention. Il
Was most nr6cntly desired by me. that the Ordinary
legislature should not undertake to establish the ba
SIS OF representation FOR t',c governments ond by
hnsty and prejudciul decision attempt to impose n
rule OF action those who may be selected to frame
It, But SIR the partinacios AID untirnr effort which
has been used from the commencement of the Discus
sion CT tlis subject III the other branch of the legsa
tnrc up 10 the present time 10 enforce and maintain
the opinion, that white population is the only true ba
Sis OF representation, has reduced to selection
between the alternatiy of silent acQciceucc, or re-
Instance by argument. To avoid the former imputa-
ton, have venturcd freely to express INV dissent
Dsnclned to embark in this; debate have neycrthe-
less deemed it my duty, not to permit tue principles
OF my aiversarics To pass uncontrov crcd. Tho views
winch have presented ia opposition to others not
pretended 70 be inalihiv Ct nor is 1t desired
that they should be acknowledged and incorporated
IN the bill to organize convention IF the Senate ia
awakened to the vital Importance Of this subject and
convinced of the inpoicy of attempting to tramncl
the proceedings OF the convention by previous cJisla
tive DIVISIONS my object is fully attained
in accordance with this idea, shall give NY vote
TOT so nmch OF the amendment proposed by the gen
tcmnn from Orange, (air. Dade) provides for tn,
election OF an equal number Of n.nbers from each
l scnatorsi district us now established by law. This
plan do sincerely believe, will hiring together bo-
ny OF able ana impartial men, who will fairly and hot,
IhcSe C0atCS teal
ratio misrepresentation, and in their decision wifi DO
actuated by the r2tr,tc desire Of rendering elual
justice to every part Of tie coumun:ty. This pln,
receives my support ALSO because its adoption Gamma
0" construed into preference by the Legislature Of
ay ono proposed system OF representation. The hin
OF 1867 cGuaii::ng the scnatora! districts am
aware, has extraordinarily produced to prove tattho
principle ofwhite population has been by the
cncrni assembly jfs act could he ct,otcd fairly
30 prove any thing, It would prove directly he
Think YOU sir, that this bill con'd ever hHvc GROWN
i,ltu law md not in aiitioro TIC EQUALIZATION
ot the Senate, borne lis face the ccnciiiating fea-
ture OF equality a. taxation: II Cannot be rcoordcd
as settling concl,,siycy any abstract principle It
! was compromises boon grant cd TO Quc. for the
,slme, tie wish for convention The Inequality in
sla Hoilsc %! Delegates wish al The other subjects
o copi1it, abandoned, and left uncorrccc;, in
CONSIDER ten OF this arrangement eGualizny the rep
res2ntat!on II the Senate, and he land tax.
it is affirmed that the appointments of Representa-
tion according to white POPULATION has ever been
spring is uq;IcStionably decisive of its a,loas
LII all innovations establishe governncnts differ
ences of opinion will exist to the point to which
they shall be carried as to the objects to be accom-
pilshch, and Us to the to be employed whilst
there may be perfect concurrence in the propr,ty
ofcunn,nncing reform. The general question Of
Convention propoun!ed TO til, voters last spring uni
ted all, who entertained the least objection 10 the ey
lstlng coDstt uInD. Some we're solcitous for az, u
teration in the arrangement OF the Juliciary-some
were for the Hb li.ion OF the Cauncil of State many
desired reduction m the House of Delegates whilst
their plans tor ccctin IT were variant;--everv mar
who wished to alter or eXpyCro auv one article o.
who desired the introduction ot my new provision.
H'as induced &c join III the general call for Convention
Under these circumstances il Sc Justly alieret
that the majority lacc designated a3r Iic epncii:c
object OF rctur The aagran1ta vote =. last srrinr
presents corpe7,nd oi5urring and conairt;uG
opinions, and me- nod OF political ANALYSIS known
20 this Legislature can discover wiHci- cofanrizes
-t..E greater Iurfi2I oiNecT. The accomplishments
O sIuli 4 discovery as practicable as would I,avo
bee tho asccrtaitncns oie principal ingredients in
III eteas kettle by the application of chemical tests
All that can, ought to lie inferred by this General
Assembly Is that minority OF those who have voted
at all, Lave expressed the desire that Convention
shoaiI osnnmhlc for the purpose proposing amend
rnonts to The Constitution.
Reference las been made to the journal end pro-
ccediigs % the Stanton Convention in confirmation
ottb@ assertion that the equalization OF representa-
ton, -ccordiig The white population, is an object in
Wicb ali tho rsiormcrs concur. And is the General
assembly o. irsiniatO receive The tcsolge cfs.ci.
Convention as proof of public opinIon?--The Steuil-
ton Convention It IS admitted, COMPOSED Of men
of worth alt! taien;s from different portions of ti,c
Commonwealth; bat SIT, ii is no better index of Doou
lar feeling ;Iian %iIn Adams Convention which
formally assembled in the metropolis tlnr;Dp the last
winter. This assembly consisted OF citizens con,j-
ming great Responsibility and distinguished talents
they protested TO represent constituents III every sec
ton Of the State; they left their homes at az ncle-
mcni season 10 support the Of evil li5ert; a.
gast tic spirit Of military aggran,zeinc!!t; and VET
inter a This p"aunfy, the result ofthe last uresiden
iial election disclosed the fact, that the Anti Jackson
Convention embodied the wishes of a very sinai:
minority i'll this Ancient Dominion. Neither tho
compound vote OF last spring, tie Journal Of the
rcErmars heretofore convened i'll the own OF Staun-
ton is sufficient to establish the desired position As
little all IS 10 be acquired in lis support by referring
to the pT;ccedngs OF the General Assembly Some
tins III Januarc 800, resolution was submitted de-
cariug it eXycGicnt to cali Convention for the p,lr-
pose Of e;ualizing representation upon The basis OF
white population. This proposition was negativcd by
the distinguished House ofDcega:es which had
inurnrl of the day does not furnish the state Of
the vote; brt have been informed ] tlnk Sir that
tbe majority considerable. The sane fate has
uniformly attended the Introduction Of this PROPOSE
tor III one or other branch OF the Legislature. Tc
curing tie passage of bill specifying this or that