Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-11-20

Suppose the gentlemen to the West
were to form any grand scheme Of Inter-
nal Improvement-some Appan way, or
Roman aqueduct-to minglc the waters
perhaps ofthe Ohio with those Of the Pc-
tomac probably to tunnel the Allegheny,
who would principally contribute the !.
funds for the purpose !-Gentlemen on /,
the other side OF the Ridge pay only l-ith
and those on the south side of the Ridge
3-4ta.-This might not be called Legis-
lative rapine-but gentlemen ON the other
side ofthe Ridge wculI have the power
to raise the money-and they might think
it all right to make this improvement,
which we might think too magnificent to
be executed.
MIR. NJ. said he had no idea of a more
frightful despotism that for a set of men to
take our property without our consent
and he drew strong parallel between the
principles involved in the American Re-
volution and these now agitated before the
Committee.
After remarking on the marked diver
sity between the taxable subjects to the
East aud West ofthe Ridge, 1.-THE slaves
on this side, ami the cattle on the other
he concluded, by affirming that his plan
violated no republican principle-a that
it had been acted OH both in our Federal
and State Constitutions, by the fathers of
the Republic.
After Mr.. Morris had concluded, on
motion Of Mr.. Campbell of Brooke, the
Commute rose-and then on Mr.. Leigh's
motion, the Convention adjourned
NOVEMBER ,.
On Saturday, the Convention assem-
bled at III O'Clock, and was opened with
prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Skidmore of the
Methodist Church.
On motion of Mr.. John S. Barbour, the
House resolved itself into Committee of
the whole Stanard in the chair.
Mr. Campbell of Brooke. rose to adj
dress the Committee. He declared he
never had been a friend to apologies
But, really OH the present occasion, he was
compelled to make an apology. When he
looked round him and saw the venerable
patriarchs and politicians of the country.
aud recoliected his own inexperience in
political subjects, he could not but feel a
very unsual degree OF embarrassment. He
should, however, attempt TO throw in his
mite, small as it was.
lie SAID Inc was man, and felt coz
ccrned in whatever related to the Affairs
of men. He could not, therefore, refuse
to take an interest in the present discus
sion. He disclaimed all local feelings -
he was Virginian, and if it had been his
destiny 10 be citizen of Northampton
instead OF Brooke connty-he was satisfied
that he should entertain the same pIinci-
pies, as he now enter:ans. lie was aux-
ious to put to sea without a ruddcr, chart
or pilot, but the Convention has no. vet
been furnished with either. On the con
trary. we had been toll. by gentleman of
this House, that we must write the book
and then the preface. That is to say first
learn the Latin, and then the Grammar
first learn the 47th proposition of Euc!id
and then go the axloms-frst mend the
constitution OF the patient, and then feel
the pulse.
Whether it might be called orthodoxy
or heterodoXy, III politics, he wonld Insist.
upon it, that there were fixed principles
In government. Some maXims had been
thrown out by gentlemen, which he
thought had not been sufficiently reiuted.
For his own part, he would submit the
propositions which he should attempt to
establish: LIST. That the principles, ON
which this amendment is offered, is I'M
philosophical. ID. That it proceeds upon
basis common to the inonarchcal and
aristocratical form of government. 3D..
That the freeholdcrs of Virginia never
will assent to it and 4tl That the plan
of the Legislative Committee is the one
which suits the genius Of the people.
lie would very relucianIy enter into
any analysis OF the arguments of any gen
tleman on this floor, SO great was the res
pect he entertained for those with whom
he was associated here. He would not
characterize their speeches with the title
which they might logically bear. He had
been very much struck by the eloquence
Of the gentleman up last evening, (Mr.
Morris)Nhe seemed to possess powers
which might be sufficient to establish and
carry into effect any course which was
supported by truth. But he was far from
being satisfied with the positions which
that gentleman had laid down. MIR. C..
then proceeded to examine MIR. Morris's
points. Mr.. G. said that it was easy for
man of eloquence, after having laid
down to himself certsin propositions TO
prove, TO march up TO The object boldly.
and support it with great force. Such
were the remarks which the gentleman
from Hanover, has submitted with great
declamatory power For his own part he
considered, that however old error was.
truth was day oder-howeyer lasting
the former was, that truth was eternal
Mr. {. then proceeded to examine the
arguments Of different gentlemen upon
this subject. He began with a position
OF MIR. barbour That natural rights were
different from political tights. For his