Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-12-16
VIRGINIA CONYENTION

IL VIII De seen by the Report OF the pro-
ceedings of the Committee Of the Whole
on Saturday last, that the proposition of
Mr.. DpsOF, that the basis Of representation
In the Hose Of Delegates and the Senate
should Be beth 6xed on tho combined ratio
0f the white population, population and
taxation combined, and federal numbers,
has been carried in Committee against the
united vote of the Western delegation.
We deeply lament this result, as it is at
war, as we think, with every sound princi-
pie of Republican government; and further
because we have no doubt that a Constitu-
ton founded up,n such a basis will be 70.
jected by the People of Virginia. We do
not deem it necessary to say more at pre-
sent, as our opinions require no labored
expose TO make them known and under.
stood. The question has yet to be recon.
sidered in the Convention, and may take
such shape as % obviate the objections
we now have. We have been willing, for
the sake of harmony, TO surrender, in some
measure, and to certain extent, princi-
pies which we have always considered as
the only foundation Of legitimate govern
ment, to wit, the will of the community; but
if we know ourselves, we will, with all the
ability God has gwen us, resist the rule OF
minority of the People.--Rich. Wing.
Among the sentiments in a late speech
of Mr.. Monroe, in the Virginia COnven-
ton, as reported in the Richmond En-
quirer, we remark the following
"SelEGoyernment depends for its sue
cess on keeping the people in a state OF
calmness. The less you give them to do
IN exercising their elective privilege, the
safer they will be-"
This strikes US as anti-rebulican doc.
trine. We have always supposed the true
theory to be--that the frequent exercise oil
the elective franchise was salutary, by re.
freshing the interest of the people in their
political Institutions, by engaging them in
direct enquiries concerning the characters
of the candidates for the administration Of
their affairs, by making them feel and un-
derstand their just sovereignty, the very
basis of republican government.
There are certain fundamental and
characteristic principles, from which no
State ofOur Union, in framing Constitu-
ton, has a moral competency to depart,
whatever may be its mere power We
wish that some able political philosopher
would examine, critically and argumenta-
lively, all the twenty-four State constItu-
tons. with the end Of marking the pro-
visions which are not strictly republican,
and producing uniformity according to alb
stract right and reason. There are anOma-
lies. incongruities, and even absolute
wrongs, of which, indeed the operation Is
not much felt, but which it would be the
more easv, on that account, 20 expunge,
and thus completely rectify the national
mind and character. We do not allude ia
any arrangements connected with negro
/ sldverv, which must, from an overbearine
necessity, be treated as extraneous to the
national system and profession of Politca
faith; though on that topic, as far as any
amelioration or change is practicable. at
tention should be paid to the consideration
of consistency and creed.-.Nat. Gaz.