Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-11-23
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
Mr.. FITZHUGH'S SPEECH
On The Basis Of Representation, Friday, No0. g.

Tart in this discussion, but 10 give silent vote
on the question before you, and to rest my JUS
lih alton for doing so on the character o. this
body. Circums ances, however, have recently
occurred, which have changed my determine
ton. NV sentiments, at all times fully, fairly,
and freely expressed, and on no subject more
fairly or more fully expressed than on this,
have. i, seems, become a matter Of speculation
a;pongs, those whom have the honor To rep
resent BY what agency this has been effected,
have not yet been able to learn. Nor is II
material. know very well, however, the
means by which an honorable and high
minded people may be disabused, IN relation
TO faithful representative; and il, in seeking
10 employ them on The bresen, occasion, ]
should seem 10 be offering instruction 10 the
venerable men around rue, who are so much
better & ',ed by their age, their wisdom, and
their experience, to give than TO receive IN
struction, l rust 1 shall find sufficient apol
ogy with them at least, in the peculiarly Of my
situation.
lam an advocate, Sir, for the resolution OF
the Legislative Committee. i am so, because
l believe its design 10 be, wha, | am sure its
effect must be, so 10 organise the government
Of the State, tina, its future laws shall emanate
from a majority Of its recognized voters. In
declaring my preference for this principle,
hope TO relieve myself from the lmpu'ations
SO pIofusely cast upon US advocates, by els
claiming all authority for it. as d, rived from
the laws Of nature, aud all support for i, found
ed on meIaphy sca distractions. | view II,
on the contrary, as one OF those plain and
practical principles, which the common sense
and experience Of mankind have almost con-
sriiu'sd Into political axiom.
lie, me not be unders' God as wishing to i'm
pair, in the smallest degree, the character Of
the Bill IF Rights. No, Sir. recognise al,
most all its principles, when practically con.
s,rued, as sacred. All men, for instance, are
by nature equally free ano indpendSn,." But
God forbid tina, should So Car disregard the
lights Of reason and Of common sense, as 10
infer from hence. political ,qu Als that mus
accompany IMAM through all the various modes
aud changes Of political society. Poli,,t al
righ', Sir, or more properly political power, j.
- the creature Of Convention, and me very same
instrument that ascribes 10 all men perfect
equality in the formation Of this Convention,
recognises in The community of is creation,
. perfect RICH, not only TO establish that gov
eminent, which il deems capable Of produc-
ing the greatest degree Of happiness and SAFE
iy," but 10 change i, whenever found made
qua'e or contrary to The purposes for which il
was intended"
When, then, we speak Of the natural eQuali-
~ Of man. we mean only tina, no one, in he
original org ,nization Of government, can claim
a natural superiority TO another; that all may
enter, or refuse to enter, into the compact pro-
posed, as To them may seem,s best and that
they NAV, in the language of the Bill Of Rights,
select tha, government, which they deem "ca
pablr Of producing the greatest degree Of hap
pines, and safeiy.'' The relative power OF
each, is Of course to be determined by the
compact itself and ar ,ha, Can bs asked on
this subject, is, that II should be regulated BY
reason and justice.
With the gentleman from Orange, Mr.. Bar
bour,l agree in regarding IS the wisesI poll.
tic al maxim ever uttered, ne declaration Of So.
Ion " that he had given 10 the A'henians, not
the best government he could have framed, but
the best they were capable Of receiving" This,
10 truth, 10 the foundation Of all good govern
ment. In opposition to the gentleman from
Northampton, MIR. Upshur,) il admins The ex
is'ence Of principles in politics. II recogniz
o. standard in government, as well as IL
morals and IN taste; and il recognizes also,
the propriety Of varying from that standard, as
circumstances may require.
With these admissions on my part. Sir, l. on
ly claim from gentlemen opposed TO me, the &C
knoEk dgmen,, that Of all forms Of government,
thr Republican form is best (; that in the exer-
else Of its power, all other things being EQUAL,
the supreme authority should be vested in the
majority, rather than in thr minority; and tina,
% al departures from this principle are evils,
they should 60 no father 'hsn NAV be requirrd
by The actual necessity Of the case; and this
enables me to proceed at once to the practical
consideration Of the question before us.
The resolution Of the gentleman from Cul.
pepper. MIR. Green) proposes so TO amend the
Report Of the legislative Commuters to base
representation On population and taxa,ion COM
bined. Fo2 The present il is true. il en-
braces bu, one branch Of the Legislature; but ]
feel myself justified in inferring from the ar
sument urged m its support, both here & else
where, that the real Design is 10 organize The
whole Legisla i've department on this princi-
pie; and of course to transfer TO minority Of
the recog"isrd voters Ct ,he s ute he exclusive
power Of enActine all the In rs Of the State