Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-10-27


had been made to the committee. The gentleman
from Norfolk had made suggestion that effect but
he had understood him. after conversation with
another gentleman, to have withdrawn it.
MIR. DoDDRIDGE said he had not been aware that
any motion was before the committee. He was under
the impression that it had been withdrawn, or
lie should not have made the motion which he did
make He hoped that, If such the fact that
The House would agree TO reconsider its recent
decision.
Ma. G. JOHNSON said he presumed that it would be
IN order to move to lay the resolutions the table
lie would wish that to be adopted 5 some
misunderstanding seemed to prevail the subject
when the subject of the Bill of Rights was before
the Committee, 1t was the opinion of several gentle
men, that the proper would have been to read
that Bill and not TO dispose Of the Report of the Sc
ject Committee, as had bcen done, by u silent vote
lie wished the proposition to be withdrawn, in order
that the gentleman from Norfolk might offer his Res
outions, ard that the Bill of Rights might be read.
lie then moved to lay the Report OF the Legislative
Committee the table.
The Chair said that the question would be pro-
pounded tor the consideration III the Committee,
although II was not precisely such question
strictly III order In L Commit &C of the Whole
The question was then put, and the motion to lay
the Legislative Report the table, was carried il,
Ma. c. Johnson then moved, that the Committee
RECONSIDER the vote, 10y which it had decided agree
To the r port the COMMITTEE the Bill OF Rights.
This motion decided i'll The affirmative
GA motion OF MIR. &. JoIINs,:;, the Bill of RIGHTS
then read by the secretary, MAS subscauent-
ly read from the CHAIR, section by section for
same.
Mr.. CAMPBELL. of Brooke then ,novedtlle reading
of the resolutions of the genllenun from Norfolk
MIR. baylor then begged l.uve to make change in
hs resolutions by striking; the third resolution viz
-'Fhat equal numbers of qualified voters are enti
tied to equal representation, throughout the S,ate;
and substituting the following as the third resolutions
). "Hesotred, That representation should be uni
form Throughout the State"
The resolutions then read as follows:
J. ReSo!ced, That the elective franchise should form:
sinil;- right of suffrage
2 Resoiced, That those entitled by the Constitution
exercise the elective franchise thee should m eguy
should avail much that OF anohes qualified voter
whatever may be the disparity Of their respective fortunes
IfcsoLced That should he uniform thco, H.
esoiped isdiuidaai suffrage should he equai
without respect 10 The disparity of individual fortune,
e9uat number of qualified entitled equal cpreser
ation, without regard to the Disparity Of their aggregate
g. I.solved, That in all pecuiay contributions purc
service, egatd should bo had the ability 10
contributes aud this ability pay, from disparity une
nnequni would he unust and oppressive require EACH
ci,iatn pay eYuat amount OF n,lc
Mr. TAYLOR tii:n To address, tile Clair III
support of his resolutions. The resolutions Wyi.
Ind been read, having been offered by him. purlia-
nentary usage required 81 him TO explain and defend
them. Under the most suspicious circumstances he
would have entered on the performance of that duty
with great difficulty and embarrassment. The
incidents which had occurred this occasion,
and in the presence of the House, We're not
calculated to remove those feelings lie would
not affect that he had not bestowed upon the subject
Importance, to the intelligence OF the respectable bo
Uy to whom he address led himself. to tile deep III
tuence it calculated to exercise upon the des-
Gncs of our country, and to that sentiment Of self
respect which ought to rcstra IN him from the express
sion OF. cFa ideas, the presence of this assembly
~ithou. due elaboration, and proper digestion Of
his thoughts But lie had been taken by surpri2e as
in the time when bis resolutions would be called up
fjr discussion, and lc had not marslaled his views
into form which would enable him succinctly and
flrcibiy to give his ideas, but he would not sirin,
iruln Il duty which cnlnncd upon .l by every
sentiment OF manhood and patriotism. He would
perform the best Of bis poor ability, with the
conviction of the energy which 1t ought to inspire,
and Of the zcrl which ought to be inspired by the
principlcs themselves; but, at TIE Same time, with
that difference of heart which be ought TO feel AID
lucknow lodge in such an assembly
lie would own frankly that he had scarcely any
thing of reason OF argument by which to sustain
the propt stons which he had offered He trusted,
however that this consideration would be productive
OF dscredt to hin; Tor that was the very c1rcun
STANCE which recommended the subject most power
fully to his attention. There WERE he said princi
Plies of that clearncsS and Importance, that they
quire> ny TO carry them to the convictions of
an's minds beyond the demonstration winch accom-
vanirs their mere expression. The power of truth is
III the ratio of the argument by which Is en-
forced. The nearer neutrality-suspicious. Xoma
tic or self evident truth the does ii limit the
power of argument If his resolutions possessedany
merit il consisted i'll this-tlut the principles they
endcavor inculcate so self evident, that they
do not admit require argument or reason to su5-
What he should have to say OIL the subject Of his
resolutions, would be- rather Ill the style OF eXpana
ton than of argument. Explanation will be found
10 constitute their best, and their sufficient defence.
lie prayed the Committee TO recall TO its rCcolcc-
ton these resolutions. they five in number, and
refer to two obicctsthc elective ifanciiize, and
the principle oftaXation. His resolutions proposcto Is;
and give constitutional conservation to these prInc
pies Tlc principle Of aXaionthe franchise
at all times important 81 ofparticular Importance in
free institutions, Mcguire peculiar influence at this
inorlent from their direct bearing on tie great cues
lion which agitates every mind and ecitcs the pusa
ton of every heart in this great Conveptiou-hc
meant the basis Of represent alton. lie had presen
led his resolutions with view ibis very object.
Vhen he arrived hereto take his seat he would say,
ist If there was sincerity TO DC found in man, he