Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-12-21
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
DEBATE ON THE BASIS OF REPRESEN
TATiUN.
WEDNESDAY, Nov. ii
euRSTANCE OF M. CHAPMAN JOHN

SUBSTANCE or Mr.. CHAPMAN JOHN
SOUS SPEECH
Mr.. Chairman question under censd.-
ration has occupied much time, IN The disc1,.
sion. and no doubt much more, in the deer de
i;herat,ons of The committee. lis great i'm.
variance and excee ing delIcacy. enti'ls il
verify. to all the aid, which temper, forbear-
ence Cancellation, free, frank aud full inter
change of opinion, iaborious investigation and
candid arg umeni, can afford. Ii has on the one
hand EN- C outraged the most animated hopes,
AMI ON The other, alarmed the most anxious
fears. The wh lie country looks 10 it, with in.
tensr in,errst,-convince that On It's issue de
pends much OF veal OF woe.
We are engaged MIR c. in contest for
power disguise it as you wilf,--call II dis
cussion Of the rights of man, natural or social
cali it an enquiry into political expedency,
Imagine yourself, if you please, preside 6
over school Of philosophy, dis coarsing on the
doctrines OF political law, for the instruction of
mankind, and the improvement OF all humar
institutions bring the question 10 the test of
principle, or of practical uiilly,-sIill sir, all
our metaphysical reasoning and our practical
rules, III our scholastic learning aud political
wisdom are but the arms emp Dyed ia Col
test which Involves the great and agitating
from Judah, OF la@giver from between his
feet
In this contest. feel peculiar Interest,"
baca'S- stand towards the parties in relation
OF som decacy -Wdh the one are my pre-
sen residence, the land OF my nativity, almost
all the friends OF my youth, and most of those
pwhom my alfp c,ions are bound, by the ties of
affinity and blood with tue other are ny
my col stI
endeared TO me, by aIes,1ence among them Of
more than 90 years, by many roof oil reco'
'eeiPd kindness and friendship, by gratitude fof
early patronage, and for political confidence
bestowed before il had been earned, ana Gu
tnu"d after every claim could have pretended
10 1t, bad been lUs' by my removal from thea.
In This stat, OF divided allegiance ! ougJt pr.
haps To have taken counsel from prIdence. and
have chosen the part of neutrality. Blu | had
been long in the habit OF considering bot par
tlfs 10 this controversy as children ut the samr
family, constituent and inseparable parts OF
me same commduity,-somewh diversified, il
Is true, in their possessions, their pursuits, their
manners aud their character, having minor in
terests perhaps no, atoge her IN accordance, -
nevertheless Identified in the leading character.
s'ics Of plain agricultural, republican people
Having the same great interest, aud one com
mon object, the integrity, freedom, happiness.
and glory Of co nmon country II had long
loo, cherished the fond. perhaps the delusive
nope,-that It was poss bile 10 reconcile all diff.
'efenees, 10 appease all angry feelings, to re.
move all causes OF aiousy, and TO unite all
paris ol the community in harmonious action,
~ Common labor Tor the common veal and
10 rea'iz- this hope, had often exerted to the
unermos my humble power.--i could not,
tiore, at this most interesting crisis in public
aa,"S' whrn heated If not angry controversy
was expected by ALL when serious, il not fatal
W was feared, by many, when all might
oe lost by inai,ention or imprudence, or all
~ oe saved by care and aails,-i could not
uec''he the honorable call 10 duty. from nv
o'o hs'i.uenis.-l could not re fuse the trust
%"e"' wei Knowing my opinion, they con6ded
S"c" srea, Interests here in part to me, and
ne a' lnii liberty, without pledge and with.
uc"ns, TO profit by the experience aud
di,,.' VI 'hose around me, and following the
c"aa es OF my own judgment, TO shape my
sr' WIN single view 10 the public good
b.a ~ listening alientiveis to every thing that
'een sa'd,-and much has been ably and
I'm aq''r"''y sad. am satisfied, that by advoca
~. - ''e resolution of the select committee and
a:"5 TUE proposed amendment shall best
Country A''N ny
b, VI oha'rman, lam no friend to change,-I
- oerh no advocate 10 the call Of this Con.
sti,',;"' iene, have thought the old Con-
and 49,. :" some respects, imperfect IN theory
mr." uf'tc',' IN practice. have thought its
ren,s,i"" u,irc,' that very inequality in repre-
"uoh, which the resolution Of the select
I ,h p. opposes in par, to re NEEDY.
tba, !, u II, u also defect in the nsliution,
hn" "''eh' OF taxes, or JUST distribution Of the
~ OF the Government among the people
- e Soh'monweal h. had peen tor some
,ar nm a mrmoer of that branch of the Legisla
Wa I'M ~ winch the inequality of represeuia,ioa
Vs' S aring' represented IN the Senate,