Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-20
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE Of DELEGlTES.
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION


ne motion 10 strike out the first section of The
bill providing fer representation in the Convention
ty Congressional Districts. being under cons;de :
ration.
Mr.. WALLACE addressed the Chair as follows.
Mr. Chairman: am in favor of striking out the.
Grst section OF the bill now under consideration.
but before 1 make known my objections TO the
principle asserted in tina; section I will explain
whyit was that on che motion to form the committee
thatrepor,cd the bill, voted for one member fror,
each congressional district. thosght at the time
that 1t would be agreeable to my constituents
that the members Of the convention should be e.
iectcd somewhat in reference 10 population as
il is represente! in Congress. But since gave
chat vote have had on opportunity Of conYer.-
ing with some Of them, and belieye they are dis
Fused TO let me pursue that course on this very
interesting occasion, which my Judgment anc the
principles OF Republican Government NAV dictate
Allow me also TO say, than on every occasion
whether in private conversation, in this Hall or
as member n tllc select committee, on which It
has been necessary for me 10 express my own con-
victions, have openly avowed that the princip,s
involved In the representation Of slaves in coaveu-
ton was wholly inaimissible, and that the only
correct basis OF representation in convention was
the white popu ation-
I deny, Mr.. Chairman. THAI The General Assem-
bly, have the power TO incorporate into law pro
siding for the organization Of convention any o.
'her principle, of confer on particular persons any
other rights than such as appertan 10 every citizen
o. the State. IL s Of the highest consequence that
the committee should thoroughly investigate the
grounds on which uiey ere invited 10 act befo;e
TREY take step in this weighty matter. Their
decision may, and II il probable, will be EEL; in
the new government about TO be founded Should
their conduct The presen, occasion be felt and
must believe il will be, may be said, to be
celebrating for poseFity. Let then be eau
ious fist we do aot overlap the limits Of our al
thoriy.
The period al which the nature freedom and e
quality Of man could be denied has passed away,
with the THOUSAND dogmas which the cunning
had devised to misiead the weak and the igro-
rant IL is not 10 be denied, that, in "a prirna-
ry convention Of the people, assembled to form
constitution, every member of that community
has the same rights aud equal weight. The voice
OF an individual. in such convention. howsoever
numerous his herds or his offspring, would not be
counted in proportion 10 his wealth nor Ofener than
that Of every other man.-each person would be
counted Is an unit IL is not essential 10 ms pre-
sent purpose that sh'..ld impugn the iegitifn &C =
of the establishment Of this government; vii
suppose that it was founded as IL ought 10 have
been founded. by rhe people in their eIf mentary
atate--that state in which they arc eoaal; assum.
ing this fact in the progress Of time. after many OF
them have acquired swaFms Of slaves. the people
resolve to 90 again into convention; can there be
doubt, tina, again every man ~ on fGo.ing oil e.
quality! that slaves no moro than the saus. the
daughters, tie focl.s, or tue Itoplues Of = thol
sand chances woud net destroy tina. equality
which primarily existed, and which nature hss
so yyiseIy orddined2 II The perSon rights of fev,
ysto had accumulated wealth should b uiuiiyl
ed in convention in proportion TO their stores
ste poor, are who are always m1re nnIacfOGs ih n
the rich, would seize upon the fruits of their "a
b6Gr, that those rights which property create,
might be vested in themselves. Naiure he's Pc
yied agsinse such occurrences for such pGf
roses, by making every man no mors ihan eGIa
ioh his fellow man. II IL not 70 be 1ouhtea ina
t,ye people 10 Gelibers,nE the form OF govern.
Jnent they ought 70 establish. pnssessihose r!ghu
only which God hss conferred upon thsm;-zanf
chat the same rights would belong 60 tas sayn,
= =
shat goyesnmeD'. every person ihai hasa right :.
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