Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-04
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.

The substitute to- the bill organizing Convention
proposing TO give each county member in that
ody, being under consideration in Committee of he
whole,
Mr.. WILLIAMS of Harrison. said he thought il
unnecessary to pursue the adopted by gen
tlernen who had preceded him upon this interesting
snbect-commencng their remarks by offering an
apology for the trouble they were about to nut the
committee to Ill hearing them. Certainly no.excuses
are required to authorize any to offer his views
upon question in which all alike are concerned. If
It fs thought lmportunt that each individual who dis
cusscs the various topics before the committee, land
that ii is We have the authority of aim every gen
tleman who has participated Iii this debae) should
reface his observations with the reasons of an apol-
ogitic kind, that induce him to say any thing, l. Nh
Chairman, have these to offer: Daring four years
which this subject has been agitated, though come
from people who have had a reformation much at
heart, who have for years past looked to Conven-
ton the only means of redecninr themselves from
the grievances incident TO unequal representation in
the Legislature have never but in single instance
ventured a remark upon any of the positions which
This question has occupied in its frequent appearances
this House represent, in part county that rave
for Convention housdpd rOtes. If great personal
feelng,-the wishes of my constItuents-and nv
former slence-are not sufficient Justification for
my appearance on the present occasion, | am sure
nothing am about TO present will give me q claim
20 your indulgence.
It is to be regretted, that this discussion has ASST
mel such aspect, that little fairly be expected
TO result from it but excitement Every one has de-
terninately fixed his opinion In this state of thinrs
argument but closely attaches us to those opin-
ions; and find ourselves firmly convinced ofthe
iilstness of sentiments-that we feel warm
almost irritation, when hear their proprietv brot
il question. The gentleman from northampton 1Nr
Parker] by his frequent Interruptions Of persons ad-
dressing the committee, has shewn great warmth
las shewn himself composed OF combnstibe materials
hope however, that gentleman will not permit his
niammabe qualities TO ignite, by contact with the
phosphorc character of any hing may say; g. that he
will permit me to proceed without interruption to the
conclusion, when shall be happy 10 hear him.
I'he repeated illusions TO the western part Of the
State, but particularly the northwest by the
ggntlenan from Northampton, and the one from Pow
hatan, MIR. Micr) Will compel me 10 wander from
the exact point before the committee in order to re-
ply to them. am sorry the gentleman from Powha-
I'm is not in his seat, his absence viii prevent me
from using that freedom with some This views which
had intended. He expressed some fears that pco-
pie might think him mad. II his apprehensous were not
entirely groundless IN his estimation, some relief
must nave been derived from inc to others that
he yet retained fondness for water. His dcranpc-
ment, however, seemed to be northwest for when the
wind was from that quarter, Il think he was unable
10 distinguish q hnJob from hrrd-sl,o" He said
much upon the doctrine that taxation and population
combined is the only proper basis of representation
in free government. AS that doctrine was likewise
avowed and defend by the other gentleman from
Powhatnn, (NIr. Od,) shall content myself with a.
vnG short consideration TO the argument advanced
iu support Of it b. that gentleman; indeed his
thought the only Ineligible views which | have
Heard upon this branch Of the subject He sets ont
by Affirming "tat government is a compact aud the
right Of majority 70 govern contained ia the terms
of the union, and can eat only by the consent Of tho
minority that the power TO govern must be confer
redbciOfc 1t can have any applicable existence" hn
70 ID not ilbcrcnt ~ any portion Of community"
These ideas the result Of confusion i'm terms
and their absurdty can be accounted for but bv
surprising the person who entcTtains them. 10 have
confounded our situation in state of nature with
OurcOndition IN civil society. Questions Of riuht and
wrong in the abstract, where there arc two I,artins
differing suppose the whole people divided, can ONLY
be settled by "physi.I )OiCc," and have the same
evidence 70 believe the majority right, axiom of
government, that we have 20 believe o. prepondera-
ting SCALE the heaviest. j. not physical force.
an Indispensable concoiu taHt Of an exercise Of
the right to govern Did any one ever hear that
governed party was or ought 10 be consulted upon
exercise Of governing power upon themselves and
that governed party, minortyl-Or did any one
ever hear Of stipulation IN governmental compact
that the minority should yield. Between individuals
power docs not make right. but in governments,
majority though wrong must be considered right A.
there superior tribunal 10 revise OK controul their
acts aud hence the truth Of the position Of tho gen
tleman from FREDERICK, shat the right % the majority
20 rule Is mainly derived from physical force"
The gentleman from Powhatan (Mr. Old says
"soa oomracfs created co. th" protection Of per