Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-10-31
THH corr VHNTTON.
THunspAY, Der. 90.

SrAsAnp in the chair,
Mr.. =. p. BARBOUR then took the floor, and
addressed the Chair; As the gentleman from Chcs-
i-'rfiold Mr.. LrIca) entitled, according Pur-
Itmentary usage, to tho floor, lac thought it pro-
per for him to state that he about to occupy the
attention of the Committee a short time, with the
consent of that Gentleman. He feared that he
should offer but poor equivalent for the rich rcpast
with which that gentleman would hayc delighted
the Committee. But the Committee would feel
c,nsala ION in the conviction, tiot this treat would
not be lost, but merely delayed. The arrangement
had given 10 him Mr. B. opp rtunity of dischar-
glng duty which he owed TO himself and to his
constituents, and to exhibit the respect which he en-
tsrtained for the opinions of the people Of this Com
nonwealth, in relation TO his views, aud to vind-
cate the course which he felt it to be his duty 20
pursue. In so doing, he would promise to occupy
as short time rs he could consistently with ma
Kong himself understood. Phat indeed he should at
al times, do; hut now, especially as the gen.
teman from Northampton, who had preceded him,
hod IN has most able and elaborate discussion of the
subject assumed the greater part of tho labor which
might otherwise have fallen upon him.
lie should be gratifcd fin thinr he was a ,ut
10 offer, he coud, in any FORM aid or illustrate anv
81 the points which had been so strongly occupied
by the gentleman from Sorthanlpt on. Never had
he felt deep of responsibility as he did a
this moment. qlls he said, not in the language of
afcclatio, but from the, sincerity Of his heart On
ordinary OCCASIONS and he had some little experience
III Legislation, when called to aid in discussions
under existing Constitutions, he and those with
whom it had been HE fortune 10 act if they fell into
error, felt that such error would find its correction
by the ordinary process of legislation But now
he occupied different ground, he WAS NOV called
to contribute his little share in the formin1 of
government, the erection of q constitution where
IT error should occur, although not irrcmedlble. it
must exist for long time. since il could not be Gu
rcd In the progress of Legislation, but only by tho
of the people, acting in Their primary Character
IN tbs same mode which is designated for amondinT
the constitution.
The task which was assigned to this BODY, bo al,
TO be of the most solemn chsrac CT, and the oblic
tons 10 peforn 1t faithfully most inpcritiyc No
are the representatives of great community assen
bled TO mingle couEscls for the common yoeaI |
and to lay the foundations Of new government in
such manner as TO contribute to the as,ino nroe
perity of our common Commonwealth Il was tho
fortune of monarches, and of most other nations
Of the old world, to have their government framed
without any participation Of the gukiSs will 1t is
but as one of constellation OF states TO meet and
deliberate, free as air, and unawcd by apy oar,bJI,
power, save the power of the people, who oHve ne
political existence, and before whom as ulter;or ~
bters, orr work must pass for approval He conId
not but feel the Importance and solemny of tho 90
Cnsion and the proceedings and it was equally i'm.
possible for him not to ieel more than usa deIerenc
for body, selected throughout The State for tho
confidence which the people reposcd in thnr visdnno
and virtue; and some of whom had assist cd half n
century ago, 10 establish that Constitution, which
we are called together to examine; and some of
whom, in the highest departments of the Execu,ive
and Judicial Offices of the Federal Union Ind ora
sided over the welfare of our common country
Under these circumstances, if he should End him
self yith less command of the few views which no
had proposed 10 offer, than he otherwise sbooIJ
these circumstances would sufficiently plead his apoI
ogy.
Fine most important question which can arse in
orr proceedings is the organization Of the epislaii
department. In that, as the concentration nf tbo
public WILL and from that, in the form of laws is,,o
those general rules Of action which give conduct n
aud protect the lives and property of the people. 1t
was ono Of the most important functions of the o,o
vermont II was the substratum Oh which the whole
system rests which lies at the foundations: and r. Coo
would build well, we must be careful and discreet in
the manner in which wc lay that foundation
The Report Of the Legislative Committee rcron,-
Diends the basis OF white population. The motion
Of the gentleman from Culpcper (Judgc GREEN is n
modify that Report SO as to compound Ne white popu
latlon and taxation. The precise question before the
committee Is which Of the two modes we shall eIect
Ills part would be in brief and candid view If Tho
subject, 10 shcw that the proposition of the gentle
man from CGlPeppcr ought to be adopted.
Hc would now enter into a review of the sum of
the argument which had been brought forward in
support Of the Report Of the Committee; and here
he was met at the Threshold, with the principle laid
down in the Bill Of Rights that all mon a 70 no,aII,
FREQ and independent. lie could not E,rbeay n 20
Ipark, although he did not mean To enter into tho
Controversy on this point, that II struck him ne aoro
What singular that the gentleman from Brooke (Ur
Ooddndge) IN his remarks upon the Coustitution
seemed TO question the IN which il yyns adon
fed, not considering That the Bill Of Rights. in tbc
Language OF which he placed 80 much reliance rested
precisely on tho same foundation.
lilo would not occupy the time of tho eono,o;,,o a.
by going into nm enquiry whether this s an abst 81
question or nor One remark he must be allowed n
make. The principle hero, in the Bill of Rights
must be regarded as every where modified ono
paving reference To the tune, circumstances and sun
iects which it is intended 10 operate. Otherwise
if you give the most important construction 10 the Ian
guoge that all mn arc equally free and independent
what would II be, u subject To restriction or modi
fcation but declaration of universal emancipa ton
OF portion of our population, equal almost 10
moiety Of the whole population Of this common
wealth. WHO arc now in very different situation?
Were we to give practical effect to this language
without this limitation restriction, We might OK
poet TO So" IA our country equally ragca with
those which wore produced in the Island OF St. Do
in'ngo, m conseqt euce ~ declaration so,newhat
siniat vhcb emanated ffor, The NationaI Convcn-
ton of France.
lie had no idea ulot gentlemen WHO resor,ed 10
tnis argument intended TO 90 this length TIE had
only referred % this point 10 show that whom exar,
Inlng principles with n Wow Ia tbnir proncr ce,.,-