Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-24

ants. Gordon, Thompson, Massie, Bstes Nesle Coal
ter, 'oynes Hayly, Upshur, Perrin-8l.
30 the resolution was not adopted
AIR. a. CAMPBELL then moved the following reso-
lution
Resolved, That no incorporation for any eocies-
nstica or religious purpose shall be granted
have validity in this Commonwealth"
Mr.. "A. CAMPBELL spoke III favor of the resolution.
He thought these corporations in other States had
produced something like miniature establishments of
religion. and hud done much evil
Mr.. NAYLon thought there WIS no necessity for
the resolution He did not think religion the only
danger we had to encuuater. He thought it might be
safely left to the Legislature.
MIR. MARSHALL said the gentleman from Brooke,
lNlr u was not more opposed to religious privileges
than himself He feared the resolution might no
further than the gentleman intended. The language
OF the resolution might exclude the rights of protect
ing property necessary for religious worship 1t
deprive religious societies of legal remedies and pro-
hibit che Legislature from passing any law which
might protect the property of any church whatever.
state ofthinss may arise which may make it
s1ry to grant protection to property, &c.
Mr. NICHOLAS said, although he went considerable
way with the gentleman from Brooke, he thought the
| resolution went too far. The only way to manage
religion was to let it alone. Every sect ought be
protected 10 their places of religious worship But
they ought to be prohibited from acquiring property
other than was necessary for the erection Of church
The resolution would prohibit even this exception--
He thought That the experience of the country show
ed that there was danger of this power being ubu
Mr.. BRopNAx moved to amend by way of substi-
tutc the following to be appended to the niutl,
luton:
afhe Legislature shall have the power of incorpo-
ratng by law, the trustees directors of any 1heo-
log cal Seminary, other religious society," or body
of men united for charitable purposes or the advance
ment of piety and learning, their property and mmu-
nities in such cases, and under such regulations as
the Legislature may deem cxpcdcnt and proper
But the Legislature of this State during all future
time shall possess the power TO alter, remodel, or
entirely repea such charters, of incorporation
whenever hey shull deem it expctient."
Mr.. BRopNAx addressed the Convention in favor Of
his amendment. He said he unable to perceive
any reason, aud he had heard nonc WHY this propo-
stion should not be adopted Under liis amendment
there could be danger of the churches ofYirpnia
acquiring extensive property. The Legislature would
ave power to alter or abolish all charters granted for
these purposes.
Mr.. CAMPBELL replied, that it wus from rerarj
to the purity of religion that he offered his resoIu
ton. True religion needed no protection. r. would
protect itself. False religion, only required aid
from Government. The existing laws were sufficient
to protect houses necessary for religious Worship
He stated fact, that something like twenty mil
lions Of property, held by religious societies IN
New England, which was exempt from taxation, and
beyond Legislative control.
Mr.. SrANARD thought the proposition Of Mr.
Brodnax would be superfuoGs, that of Mr.. Campbell
would be super1uous, rnischicvous. the broad
terms 81 that proposition aght produce terioas evils
1t would even prevent Incorporating library Of rel-
Sious books, If ttut library belonged to religious
society,". AN tnat was Necessary was to prohibit O
hnltey to postpone MIR. Cs resolution, and Mr. B's
substitute
MIR. BRooHAx said he would not have offered ms
proposition, had it not been that Mr.. Campbell had
introduced his resolution. He nov only WISHED to
record his vote.
On this Question: the eyes and noes we're called
for.
AsEs--Messrs. Jones, B. w. I,eigb 8. T,vro-
DrOnrOOIe. hlcSandpT.
Anderson, CofimaD, Harrison, Baldwin. johnson.
Moore, Beirne, Smth, Miller, Mason, Trczvnnt
Claiborne, Urquhart, Randolph, w Leigh, I,ognn,
Venable, P. p. Barbour, Siunard, Hooday, MeTsar
FHtzhugh, Henderson,, Osborne, Powell, Grigns. Ma,
son, Naylor, Donaldson, George, M'Aiillan, f.. Camn
bell, Byars, Roane, w. Z. Taylor Morris, Carnett
Cloyd. Chapman, Mathews. oglesby, Duncan, Lad-
well, Loyal, Prentis, Grigsby w Campbell CLAW.
tor, Saunders, Branch, TONNES, Cabell, Martin
Stuart, Peasants, Thompson Massie, Rose, Bates
Neele, Coater, Joynes, Bayly, Pcrrrn-T7
NoEs-Elessrs BrodnaX' Goode, Tyler, Clopton
Williamson, n Coy, Baxter, Madison, Cooke, Boyd
Pendleton, See. Doddridge, Morgan, a. Campbell
! Wilson, Macrae, Gordon, Upshur--le.
80 the proposition and amendment, were indefinite
| ~ postponed.
| The report of the Executive Committee was tho,
| takcnup.
The amendment of the Committee ofthe Whole
TO the first resolution. was then considered.
ar. MERCER moved to amend, by striking out tn,
the qualified voters for the members of the mos
numerous branch of the Legislature"
Mr.. STEWART moved to lay the amendment of iht
Committee, aud amendment of Dir. Mercer ON The
table, till the question of the basis of rep.esentat;or
be settled, which was not carried
Mr.. MERCER called for the ayes and noes, and The
call was sustained. - "
arEs-Messfs. Clopton, Anderson, Cotffnan. IIar
sison, Williamson, Baldwin, MCoy, Moore Beirne
Smith, Miller, Baxter, Madison, r rcer, Fitzhurh
henderson, Osborne Cooke, Powell, Griags, Mason
Nagior, Donaldson, Boyd, Pendleton, George, NJ
ssissns f. Campbell, Byars Cloyd, Chapman, Math
bridge, Morgan, a. Campbell, Wilson, Caytor
Saunders, Cahell, Martin. Stuart, Gordon, Thomp.
son, Bayiy, upsmr-5O.
NoE5--Alessrs. T. P. Barbour, Jones b. w. Leigh
.. Taylor, Giles, Brodnax Drompoole, AlexanJesp
Goode, Marshall Tyler, Nicholas, Johnson, Mason,
fTczyont. Claiborne, Urquhart, Randolph, w. Leigh
Logan venabc, Stanard: Holiday, Roane, w. p.
Taylor, Morris, Garnet. ]. s. Barbour, Scott Ma
orne, Green. Tnzctsnll Invan prnntr Go, ~