Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-15
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEG.fTES.
DEBATES ON THE CONVENTION.

HOUSE or DELEG.GIES.
DEBATES ON THE CONVENTION.
HOUSE OF DELEGATEs-JGJi. D, (FuSt OGy.j
The motion TO strike ont the first secton OF
che bill, with the view OF inserting districts, AZ
sabged according to free white population, being
under consideration,
Mr.NEwTo7' said--the gentleman from Brooke
fMr. Edgngton.t who had lust taken his seat
having avsiled himself Of that occasion 10 discuss
the merits Of the bill; and complained tlia. nc
member Of the Committee had appeared in its de-
fence, he felt bound by serse Of duty TO himself
aud in the fultimcnt OF the Just expectations OF
his constituents. 10 present his views upon the sub
iect. In doing so, he should not enter into the
dsta'Nsos the bill, but should confine his remarks
- the general principle, that seemed to be so Oh
Ioxjous to the gentleman from Brooke.
Mr.. Chairman--Al the arguments that have
been yet urged. proceed upon the gratutous as
sumption Of two facts neither OF which is admit
tea TO he true: lst IL IS ss@,.red that majority
OF M the frcehoiders in the State, in favor o!
gonvention-and 2'iy. That this majority is in
tAgSrof the organization Of Convention upon the
il'i- OF free white population. am disposed 10
t5eht the ex;stence of of these facts. and Ut
taf,y to deny Tho existence of the other.
to,-sdrocates of reform are ever more jealous
t.. active than sllc friends or existing institutions.
Hhis has been foycibly illustrated in the pending
contest. Look az the list OF voters and you will
perceive, that in all the large counties Of the
West, whenever reform the object Of pur-
suit, concert OF acton-unanimty Of purpose pre-
friends of a Convention presented unbroken
stafanx al the polls. How different was the case
IN is.o f,s,ern part of Virginia! The friends of
.fe existing government, having no stimulus TO
action, remained in quiet and repose, and seemed
TO want energy to resist the progress Of the bail of
revolution What was the consequence, Little
E,ore than one half Of the voters Of the East ap-
peared at the polls; and it is now assumed
TACT, tat large majority Of all the ireehoders in
the State, are in favor OF Convention. This
may or may not be fact 1 shall not deny that
at isbut it is at leas: matter Of doubt, and should
not he assumed as the basis OF any argument.
But. admitting, Sir, for the sake 0; argument,
that majority of all the freeholdcrs in the State,
are In favor Of a Convention, does Il follow chat
this majority is in favor Of the organization Of the
Convention, upon the basis OF free white popuia-
lion, or upon any other specified basis. What in
dfcation have they given OF such intention -
Whence DO gentlemen derive the evidence that
SUCH is The will of the majority! Not from any
Official ecord-not from the tabular statements de-
rived from the Auditor-not from the known prin-
ciPes Of human nature-but from their own ina
ginaioDs. The arguments that were used among
the people in favor Of the call Of Convention are
familiar TO US all. Some in the crouteh forms
q! this House, evil that should be remeded--
others in the Executive Department excres-
cepces that should be Topped oif-others in
the independent tenure of the Judicial Office, a
power capable of great abuse--whst others, who
clamed 10 be the jealous advocates Of free prnci-
pies, complained Of the undue limitation Of the
right OF suffrage, and Of the unequal repre-
id This House The Convention was looked TO-
not as the remedy for one evil only, but as a
political paDacea, curing all Diseases and restoring
suupdness TO the body polite.
Thus, the opponents OF The present Constitution
for all the reasons that I have cited, have com
bined in favor of The call Of a Convention, and
have given a majority of rather over 5000 votes
in favor of that measure. But how i5 this MAORI
" constituted, Examine the documents before
US, and you viii see that more than 5000 Of those
who voted in favor Of Convention, were resi-
dents on this side of the Blue Ridge, and in the
sleveholding portion Of Virginia. Are to pre-
s1me that these persons intended 10 abandon their
essential interests, That they wish The organza-
ton Of Convention. without reference to lheir
rights Of property, which they hold almost as
cred as liberty itself No, Sir, it cannot be-
THESE persons are not such dots. TO wish
Grange Of government, with an utter disregard OF
their interests. Deduct then, these 5000 votes
from the majority, and add them TO the minority,
end we have majority Of more than 5000 against
the basis CT free white population. With these
views before us, i do not hesitate 10 pronounce,
tifat il the question were now submitted 10 the
ffee3lolders Of the State, decided mooFly would
lie opposed 10 The basis OF free white population.
Pint then becomes OF the argument Of the gentle
man from Frederick, (Air. Niason,) derived from
the Bill Of Rights, No man more highly yene-
rates that sacred instrument than do-nu one
yiHis TO lis principles more implicit faith.
ayfee with the gentleman, and with the Bill Of
GignS, mdt "a HtIOlIty Oh Uls community main
M indubable, inalienable, and indefcasible right
% s;ter reform, or abolish the government" But,
TIM majority must prescribe the terms Upon which
the government shsll be altered, reformed, or
abolished Has ii done so, Has il told US that
Gro basis OF the Convention must Re free white
populaiion! Would gentlemen have US 10 sUbsti-
toe our own arbitrary discretion lor the known
will Of The Dsjoiity' Sir, we are not usurpers.--
we ere representing tie interests, and pursuing
dHd not defeating tie wishes Of The people The
argument Of the gentleman from Frederick. tleu
ftfipt Of lis foundations falls as "the baseess FAB
70 ola vision."
Gentlemen profess 20 proceed Upon elementary
,;iffciples. The gentleman from Fre3eritk SAID
nc would "protc these principles 20 her source"
let us follow him in MS process, ana sec 70 Witt
eonclri5fis zee sfsI h. iei The Declaration oi
.ai-nertar-t n. a.'f;i,sr sft-,'' ~. &c So