Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-06
DEBATE ON THE CONTENTION.

Tic substitute TO the bill organizing Convention
rropusin ny to give each county member in that
body, hcing under consideration in Committee o. the
w hole,
tfr. WILLIAMS of Harrison, said he thought Il
rrreiaasary to pursue the course adopted By zen
tlercn who had preceded him upon this interesting
subjnct-commcncing their remarks by oifcrnr ar
apotuTv for the trouble they were about 10 put the
committee to in hearing them. Certainly nosexcuscs
required To authorise any one to offer his views
UPON cue s.Cn IN winch all alike are concerned If
il is thonrtt important that each individual who dis
c,issrs the various topics before the committee land
that it Is have the authority of almost every rem
tleman who has participated in this dcbnto should
preface his observations with the reasons, of apol
ngitc kind, that induce him to say any thing l, Mr.
C}rlirinaa, have these to offer: During four wears
which this subject has been agtaed, though come
from people who have had reformation much n
heart. who have for wears past looked to n Conveu-
ton the only of rciecmng themselves from
'i,e grievances incident TO unequal representation in
''re LEGISLATURE, lave never bat in sinrie ms 1,cn
.'utur:' n remark upon any of the positions which
ais question has occupied in is frequent aDpearance
hrs House. IrcPrcsen III par . county that rave
IN Convention ho"s7m ootes. !fgrcat personal
icGling,--the wishes of my co0stiluents-and M
former sIttnccac no sufficient Justification or
my appearance On TAG present occasion, am sure
nothing ain about 80 present Will give ME q clain
tb your indulgence.
it is 70 b, regretted, tina. THIS discussion has as;u
med such aspect, that little fairly be expected
- result from 1t bat excitement. Every has de-
fortunately fixed his opinion. In this State of th;nus
IONS and we find ours lives firmly Convinced Of the
business Of our snntiments,-that we feel yyarnl-
almost irritation, when We hear their propriey br,'t
i, question. The gentleman from Northampton Mr..
PArkerj by his frequent interruptions of persons ad
dressing the committee, has shewn great warmth
shewn himself composed Of combustiblc materials.
irfpe however, that gentleman will not permit his
niammabe qualities to ignite, by contact with the
:jspiioric Character of any thing muy say; & that c
viii permit me to proceed without interruption TO the
clncusiOn, when shall tie happy to hear him.
Il oIi.- 81
State, but more particularly the norh-vest bv the
gentleman from Northampton, and the one from Pow
tatgr, (M-. Miller,) will compel me 10 wander from
tle exact ,r)int before the committee III order IN rn
p'y 10 them. am sorry the gentleman from Powla-
ian y NOT III hs eat, Us his absence will prevent me
iTuin using t1aL freedom with ofhis views which
had intended. tic expressed some fear, that ueo-
pie might think HIN mad. HhS apprehensUns were not
entirely gTomdcss in his estimation some relief
must lave been derived from showing to others that
Ire yet retained fondncsS for water lis deraDt,-
ieut however, seemed 10 be northwest for when The
rDd was from that quarter, Il think lie was unable
20 distinguish hrot from h1Rd-gn,o lie said
much upon tic doctrine that taxation and population
combined Is the only proper basis OF representation
in free government. As that doctrine was likewise
ovowed and defended by the other gentleman from,
PowiIatan, lMr. OLD shall content myself with r
ling short consideration to the argument advanced
in support Of i: By that gentleman; indeed his
Thought the only Ineligible views which ] have
heard upon this branch OF the subject lie sets out
by affirning 'tiat government is compact and tie
Tght OF majority 20 govern IS contained liz Che terms
OF the union and exist Ua!y by the consent rs tho
minority, that the power to govern must be confer
Tadbc0rc can have any applicable existence that
]: IS not inherent in any portion Of conmuni-y."
These IDEAS are the result of confusion in terms,
ald ther GbsurGlty can be accounted for, bit by
surprising the person vino cntcTtans them. to haze
confounded oar situation IL state Of nature with
condition III civil society. Questions Of rjglh and
wrong in the abstract where ;.cre aye tgo parties
Offering suppose 'h3 vhY,c people divided can only
Le settled by 'PsgSir4i jul1 na We hayo the same
s1encc to believe the ljori'y right as an <:orn q:
...r'mcnt. that We have 10 believe the pr"pondcra-
~ srl!e, tie heaviest. + not physical force
Indispensable concomjta"t Ct an exercise OF