Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-20

Sound policy rsiares it. Tie friends Of goosl order
ana stability ofgovernment should omlncnd, that
every efficient man Of the community should speak
through his Representatives in the all important work
OF reforming the government Il is not only lrupor-
tant that the present Constitution be ndod bu.
when amended, it shall receive the sapction OF the
appreciation Of as large portion Of the Conmnu-
nifty possible. Should in after Il me. COMPLAINT
arise to its provisions those who may be dissatis-
fed might be told YOU have had your share in the
power of forming this Constitution: YOU arc Re
Publican, aud must yield To- the will OF the majority.
Reason and Justice would stop his complaints. But
could he ropiy--n vain was Convention called TO
amend the Constitution, when majority o. the com
munty have been excluded from any partcipation in
clecting mombers to Convention, when those III
power only, have had any agency In amending tue
Constitution; might not such facts and such argu-
Inents in the hands of ambitious and designing nlcn
often disturb the peace and HARMONY Of society
Mr.. Dade's amendments having prevailed AGAINST
n that offered, and tue debate appea ring To- be
at an end the question required upon the adoption Of
Mr. Dade's amendment II substitute TO the ORIGINAL
bill. He spoke to the following effect:
Mr.. Speaker: perceive from the direction this
debate has taken, what will probably be the re-
suit of the vote about be given 1t has been seen
by the votes already taken that either of the propos
Tons submitted by me have separately received the
appreciation of decided majority of tho Senate vet
taken in eonnexiol, Objectionable to both
sides Of the House, and what their fate will be ON
tho present occasion Is not difficult to foresee-
oil warning my western friends, with whom have
heretofore acted and agreed upon the subject of
convention of the consequence of the vote thew are
about to give Pause, gentlemen, before you com
init yourselves this important question: What
principle, | ask is secured by the bill which came
from the House of Delegates What becomes of the
great principles for which we have advocated the
revision OF tho constitution The friends of reform
sought two great objccts-to equolize representa-
tlon, and to equalize the right of suffrage Are
either of these secured by il: Does it establish
white population as the basis of representation? 1t
does not Does it repudiate federal numbers. or
property, as the basis 1t does not Does it pro
claim any thing like fixed principles or does it pont
TO any definite result: The only principle it rccor
lizcs, is that of county representation the most
odious Of ALL ] admit that my amendment does
not secure perfect equality, but it recognizes in
principle all that the friends OF convention demand
Ky it the west would not quits as much re-
presentation as by the original bill they would
lose in convention abou. members; but conjurc
you gentlemen, not to barter principle for the little
Fictitious accession of numbers when too those
numbers might be turned against us. Do not haz.
ard the great principles which the conventionists
sought to establish, by sticking for few represent
tativGs more or less in convention.