Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21

time. Sound policy requires il. The friends of
good order and stability OF government should re-
commend, that every efficient man OF the COM
munity should speak through his representative,
in the all important work OF reforming the govern
ment. " Is not only important that the present
Constitution be amended. but when amended, il
shall receive the sanction OF the appreciation of
large portion OF the Community "a possible
Should in after time, complaint arise as to its pro-
VISIONS those who may be dissatisfied, might be
told you have had your share in the power offorn-
ing this Constitution: you are Republican, and
must yield TO the will OF the majority Reason
and Justice would stop his complaints. But could
he reply-in vain was Convention called to a.
mend the Constitution, when majority of the
community haze been excluded from any part.
cipation in eiecting members TO Conve nion, when
those IN power only, have had any agency i'm a.
mending the Constitution; might not such facts and
such arguments, in the hands of ambitious and
designing men often disturb the peace and harmo.
ny Of society!
Mr. Dade's amendments having prevailed u
gainst all that offered and the debate apps
ing to be at end, the question required upon
the adoption OF Mr.. Dsdc's amendment as a sub
s'itute to the original bill. He spoke to the fol-
lowing effect:
Mr.. Speaker: perceive from the direction
IRIS debate has taken, what will probably be the
result of the vote about to he giv-n, Ii has been
seen by the votes already taken that either of the
propositions submitted by me have separately re-
ceived the appreciation OF decided majority of
"C SchatF, yet tdkeu III COnutXlOn, are QDleC
tionaple to both sides OF The House, and what their
tate will be on the present occasion is no, difficult
TO foresee.-Betore, however, the vote is taken,
take the liberty OF warning my western friends
with whom l have heretofore acted md agreed
upon the subject OF convention, oi the consequence
OF the vote they about to give. Pause, gem
tlemen,before you commit yourselves on this impor
tsnt question. What principle, [ ask, is secured
by the dill which came from the House of Dele
gates! What becomes Of the grea, principles for
which we have advocated the revision OF the con-
sitution! The friends Of reform sought two gre at
oblect-to equalize representation, and 10 equal
ize the right of suffrage Are either Of these Sc
cured by it! Does it establish white population
as.the basis OF representation? 1t does moi. Doe,
It repudiate federal numbers proper y las the ba-
sis! Ii does not Does il proclaim any thing like
fixed principles, or does it point to any definite
result! The only principle it recognizes is that
oil county representation, the most odious of all
l admit that my amendment does not secure per
feet equality, but II recognizes in principle all that
the friends OF convention demanded. BY it the
west would not secure quite as much representa-
ton asby the original bill; they would lose in
convention about members; but coniure YOU
gentlemen, not to barter principle for the little
Fictitious accession of numbers, when too, those
numbers might be turned against us. Do not
hazard the great principles which the convention
lists sought to establish, by sticking for few
representatives more or TESS in convention.