Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-01

ciples q. would elevate. eulghten. and haprily this
Community, greatly beyond any thing yet experienced
this continent. mean TO say sir, that from the
lights which concentrate their influences upon u.rom
the wisdom and talent assembled here, we have every
facility for carrying to much greater extent improve
ments into the social compact Were this assembly far
inferior to what Il is, such result reasonably be
expected Sanding do. upon tho shoulders OF
all former Conventions, and being furnished with all
the experiments which have been made in ancient aud
modern times, much il reasonably expected tom us
But tear these ylables mine and thine, about
to illustrate all attempts a, thorough aneloia ioa o.
our condition.
dill hope that would feel little in accord
with the progress OF Improvement and the spirit o!
the age, than put forth all our energies in contest
about mere local interests, which a few years will
change in defiance Of all our Efforts. Yes. sir.
few years will SETTLE all these questions about
n,iney and hiney But should the improvement OF TIA.
condition of society have been taken into consideration
-slsuld the adaptation OF our political institutions to
the actual condition aud circumsta of the great
Of the community have engrossed attention
tered into our hearts, doubt not but could have
endearcd our memory TO the latest po.tery. To
ton ouy instance; have been told that is quits
practice now 10 give birth to a system OF educa
which in t,centy years from this day would render il
impossible for a child 10 be born in this Common ith
and to live TO manhood, without receiving good edu
cation and that too sir without the lay ing any tax at
ter that day for the support OF such system. have
undertook, sir and from good authority too that in
parts Of Massachusetts,, particularly in the environs OF
Boston, any child. without the contribution of single
cent, may receive not only good English, but cas
school system has been carried in that enlightened
community.
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, we might bless Virginia
with social compact which would, in the gradual pro-
gress OF tine, develope and improve the intellectual
and moral powers OF every member OF the community,
aud contribute TO the Political good Of the whole Com
monweaiih. Is not such ohj.c worthy OF such
Convention. And would not the orginsion OF such
splendid scheme carry down. for thos sand generations
the grateful admiration Of services! But il we
haus, energies these little localities, time, the
nnOvatOr, break 8
Ferit is decreed that every system Of government
based upon the true philosophy of maRnot adapted to
public opinion, to the genius OF the age, shall tall into
ruins.
But. Sir, one gentleman, (AIr. Randolph referred
us 10 the great men, which the present system in Vir
ginia had produced. We doubt it not sir. have v.
ed in country in which there were many great ::
very learned and very powerful men. Bat how were
they created, sir For noble lord there were ten
thousand ignoble paupers, and for great scholar,
there were ten thou-and ignorAnuses. That is the
er.t, sir. never wish TO this mode of making
great men introduced into this Commonwealth trust,
sir, will rather strive TO make many mddng Inc II,
than few great noble men.-When o adopt the
English way OF making great men, will soon adopt
the English way of speaking TO them. l have heard
of but "a noble friend" in this Committee az ye
but, sir it is contagious Sprit There many
OF great IL il not necessary to create them in adj
vance OF the demands Of society. Peculiar crisis call
them into being. This sort Of great mon, has alw avs
been the creature of circumstances One Of them was
once found on Mount lIoreb, another the way to
Damascus-sne at Mount Vernon, and another was
n
his hand The Island OF Corsica produced one, when
he wanted There ia no csasion to devise any plan
for creating this sort OF great But, sir snder
proper system of government should be able to
multiply other sorts OF great hundred fol and
should not fail 10 derive benefits of every sort in
tellectua moral, and political nconparably surprising
any sacrifice should be obliged to make in com
mencing such system
One word more sir, and / will not further rcspass
upon the patience OF the Committee The scheme
which is contemplated in these resolutions, only
think, adapted to the general good of the whole State
but especially TO the Eastern part OF it, was much
pleased with the suggestion OF the gentleman from AL
bemarIo, Mr.. Gordonl it founded on A correct
knowledge of man. When we disfranchse one class Of
men, deprive them of their political and natural
rights, 10 any property privilege possess
we endanger that very property and those prive.
yes, by such dsranc hiseme nts, than protec
them. We give invdious character TO those inter.
ess and privileges, and we create anipathics against
ourselves. Ii is in The nature Of hate, and T.,
attempt 10 impair and destroy, that which is held al his
expense, and which degrades him in his own estima.
very interests would conceive this extension of the
Right of Suffrage Indispensable. II the exten.ion,
sought for in these resolutions, he obtained, am
not tena cious of the words OF the form in which
il is sought. chose thus 10 deveiope he principle
aimed al no more, than TO shew, that il is in accord
ance with the Bill OF Rights. did not expect TO hav.
addressed the Committee this time; but on the fall
OF the scheme submitted by the gentleman ON
Monongala, (Mr. W,.on) thought it expedic mt TO
make another experiment. Had it been my object 10
do than 10 expose the principle, should have, in
more syllogiStic form, fortified and Tended the
grounds which it il based But, 10 this have
been in great measure, anticipated by the gentlemen
who have preceded mr.
DEBATE to be eontinuei)