Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-06

In answer To which, can only say, that the Lebs>
aturc arc not asked ~ make any change whatsoever
about the matter There does not and never did
exist any mode of choosing Representatives to
Convention by Counties. And the mode of choosing
members to the Legislature has nothing TO do with
the proposition 10 send members To the Convention.
. There is another very important question arising
ont of the subject before us which Il was my trrl-
ton to have discussed az some crgt,E but hayi. ~
ready consumed more time than intended, viii be
rs brief rs possible in remarkinc upon t. I allude
sr to the question Of who shall be- permitted to vote
for members TO Convention. and I give il as nv
decided opinion that every free. white male citizen
OF this Commonwealth, over the age Of twcnty-one
years has natural aud unCucstionable rirht To votc
upon this subject, Which cannot rightfuly be taken
or withheld from hini-a right acknowledged and
asserted by the very first clause of bill of rights
Know, SIR that an attempt las been made avoid
me force oil what Is declared III the bill os rights b.
asking, why the princ dc Is not extended TO women
and persons under the age of .wcnty-onc years. I
answer, that viii be time enough enquire into the
proprlcty OF extending it. TO them, when they come
forward to claim it. Neither tho ftmales, or the
males who arc under the age of twenty vc-1rs
have asked 10 be represented in tho Convention
whist the nonireehoiders over that age, clamor-
Gus for share III the government. Tho right of man
10 govern himself Is admitted oil hands; nj whnt
age he attains sufficient discretion exercise that
right, IS no, so easily settled The best we can do
49, arbitrarily 10 liX upon period when sufficient
discretion shall be presumed, and the age of twenty
Que, sconis 20 have boon fixed upon BY general con
sent; for We not informed, that any person under
that age, CLAIMS tc right OF being heard in the Con.
venton. There is the same difficulty in deteruin-
ing at what aye person becomes accountable for his
acts 10 the laws of his country and of his God Yet
II Is admitted that there is period OF infancy when
owing to the mbccility of his intellect he is not sc
countabe IN any way Tor his acts. There is another
period OF ms existence when man doubts he be-
comes accountable 10 both.
The difficulty OF. determining when n man becomes
capable of seli-governmcnt, more dsprovcs tn,
existence OF the night than the difficulty of
tnining when he becomes accountable for his acts
precndcs the possibility of his being So
In conclusion. SIR, permit to remark, that do
not expect the dreadful consequences to cnsue from
the refusal of the House 70 pass such n hill as we
wish, as some of my friends seem anticipate. II
cannot get such bill as MI plcase my constituents
do not want any. If the Legislature will not Grant
the facilities which the people want for going into
Convention, they can, and viii 20 into Convention
without the aid of the Legislature. The advocates
OLA Convention willing in the first place to trv
all gentle means 70 obtain redress of their rrev
anccs before they resort to power hut if nothing else
VIII do, hcy"r! have then rights whatever it may
cost them.