Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-24
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DEBATE ON BASIS OF REPRESENTATION
In COMMITTEE WHoIr OK tHE CoNsrIrvTI"S
Saturday, Nor. II.
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.NR. Rya.NDoLPH'S S


MIR. CHAIRMAN:
1t has been with great disappointment. and yet deep
er regret that have perceived an invincble repug
nance on the part OF gentlemen representing here a
large portion OF the Commonwealth, extending & ON
Cape Henry TO the Mountain. along the whol- length
OF the N Carolina line, that portion OF in which
own District is situated, to take share in this d. bate
rcpugnancc no; resul,Dg-I say from my persona
knowledge OF many of ihem--not resulting from any
want OF ability, from the want of just modest AMI
manly confidence in the abilities they possess. have
looked TO Norfolk; have looked to Southsmpton have
oek,d TO Dinw1'ic; have looked 10 Brunswick Tor
the display OF talent which knew TO exist: but sir
have looked i'm vain.
And it is this circumstance ony-I spcsk ii with a
sincerity have 100 much seli.respect to vouch for,
which has induced me Ia overcome the insup- rabie
ver'ion,-insurerahs until now,-that have ielt TO
attract towards myself the attention of the Committee
As long as have had any fixed opinions, have been
in the habit of considering the Constitution OF Virginia
under which have lived for more than halt century,
with all it, faults and fsngs, an with all the obj c,ions
which practical men-Eot theorists and visionary spec
uators-hsve urged or urge against il, the
ry best Constitnon,-Dot for Jsp"u;-not for China;-
not for New Engand;--or for Old Englan but for
this, our ancient Commonwealth Of Virginia.
But | am not such bigot as to be unwilling, under
any circumstance, however inparieus to change the
Con,titution undsr which war born, may say,
sinly under which was brought up, and under which,
had hoped 10 be carried my grave. My principles
on shat subject these the grievance must Grst bs
clearly specified and fully proved IL must he vital
rather, deadly its effect; its magnitude must I've
such will justify prudent and rra onabe in TAX
ing the always delicate, often dangerou, step, OF max
ing innovations in their fundamental law and the
dy proposed mus, DO a'onabe and adequate 10 the
end in view. When the grievance shall have been
thus made ont, hold him 10 be not loys subject, bu,
political bigo who would refuse apply the suitable
remedy.
But, | will not submit my case TO n political physi-
cian,-con,e his diploma from whcnc. il may,--who
would at prescribe all the medicines in the Phar-
macor@ia not only for the disease now have, bm for
all the diseases OF every possible kind might have
in future. These are my principles, and am willing
to carry them out; for will not hold any principles
which | may not fairly carry out in practice.
Judge, then, with what surprise and pain, found
that MOI one Department Of this Governments not
one-Le gislative, Executive Judicial L. nor one
branch OF eitber,-was left untouched by the spirit Of
innopaiion; (fcr cannot CALI reiorm) When even
the Senate, yes Sir, the Senatcwhich had lately
been swept by the bosom Of innov aion-cvon the Sen
ate, had not gone untouched o unscathed Many in
novatons are proposed TO be made, without any one
practical grievance having been suggested much
less shewn.
Take that branch Of the -Governioen, vlie, was so
thorcuehly reformed in 1876 and that s not
untouched. Sir, who ever heard a whi,per,-db m5e
condHd 10 this day, that the Senators Of Virgins
too yoWDR never heard such sentiment in my
life. And in the House of Delegates, what man
ever heard that the members-I speak OF them, of
course, in the aggregate-thst the member, too
young? Yet, even there 10 TO be declared, that all
men who might be elected 10 that body hstween tile
ages OF I'll and "a are 10 be dslranchise l-ad
CARDS the Se0ate all between the ages OF 81 and 80.
Yes, Sr-not only the spring and seedtime. but the
summer and harvest Of life-ihat delightful season
est sndthe best portion oil our lvesduIing this period
ct nine cara, the very prime Of human hfe-men
TO he di'ranchised. And for what? For political me-
grim, freak-no evil is suggested. The case is
tnnly very rare that man under thirty is elected
member Of the Senate. 1t will then be said. there is
no privaion, and, Therefore, injury. But Sir. there
Is wide difference between mans being not elected,
and iundamen tal law stamping stigma upon him by
which he is excluded from the noblest privilege to
which merit exerlion on hi. part restore him.
But all This suppose, is in obedience 10 the all pre-
valing principle that popuH del; aye, sir-the
all prevailing principle that Numbers and Numbers a
lone, are TO regulate all things in political society," in tie
very teeth of tho'e abstract natural rights OF man,
which constitute The only shadow OF claim TO exercise
ihis monstrous Tyranny
With these general remarks, permit me to attempt
q am afraid II will prove abOItive atiempO 10
something the observations of other gentlemen;
which have given the most profound attention am
capable OF. Sir have other preparation for hi. talk
than most patient attention 10 what has been said here
and in the Committee, of which was member, and
Deep ntense almost annhilsling thong ht on hs sub.
lecis before This is all The preparation that have
made. cannot follow the example which has been SCI
me. ! cannot 90 in'o the history OF INV past fe or
defend my political consistency here esc,.here will
not do this Tor this reason; have always held il uni.s
TO plead till am agnedand arrsignsd before ti-
bHnaI having competent and ample Jurisdiction. My
political con'isicncy requires such defence. My
claim repubicAn'sm rests on no patontta out yes
ersy, to be taken 10 morrow. NV lie itself is
my only voucher, life spent Tor thirty years in the
vice OF ,c grateful OF constituents.
The gentleman from Augusta, who occupies
large space, both IN the Time and IN the OF the House.
has told that he for ght CALAMITY by the side of his
noble friend from Chesterfield, so long victory
possible and thatit not until he conquered that
nc grounded his arms. The gentlemen faTther told us
nat, finding his native country and his early fir ends
his side the mountain, whose behalf he had wagcd
hat gallant war,-he found he hesta,cd what part TO
AXE noic until his constituents, aye, strand more than
that, his property, the other sideaDd he has taken
his accordingly. Well, strand will he not al.
low, part, that consideration is due TO our
although they happen to be our neighbours
Dr. To prOpeTiy although re'idc upon it, Are eth
err or both less dear on that account!
But, sir, put il 10 the Committee, whether the gem
eman is not mistaken in point of facR whether the VIC
ory /, indeed Every one TO be sure, is the best
Judge whether he is beaten not But put il TO the
gentleman himself, whether, if he were now fighting
along side Of his noble friend from Chesterfield, tho
Gale might not possibly turn the other way? No man.
howevcrs compelled TO fight after he feels himself van
1uishcd.
he place where it is uttered, the person TO whom IL re-
crs and least Of all, il respects him by whom the
mark is madewhcn say, that in this prudent resolu
ion "f the gcnlen from Augusta, he could not have
seen exceeded in caution and forecast by certain
Downcd Captain Dugato DalgRtty himself Sir, the
being ended h takes service the other side-
he sceptre having passed from Judah. the gentleman
stretches out his from Richmond, TO Rockfsh Gap,
10 intercept and clutch II in lie passage.
Among various other o. servatons with which nc ia
youred the Committee he protested with great Earnest
against opinions relating 20 the Federal Government
Dr. its administration being introduced here Sir, the
gentleman is too great lawyer not TO know, that ho
Federal Government is our Govcrnment:-h is the Co
vcrnmen of Virginia--and if a man disposed e.
shut his eyes to the Constitution and The administration
Of the Federal Government, he could not do il they
would he forced open sir, by tie interests and feeng
ave- and by the passions too, which have existed, do
ist, and will continue TO exist long Virginia herself
shall have existence.
,s Tho Icaaf NJ If Tho