Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-26
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VIRGINIA. CONVENTION.
SATURDAY, Nov. 81

Mr.. DopDRIDGE apprizcd the Committee that if
the proposition OF the gentleman from Chesterfield
should be rejected, he would move an dment to
the third resolution to strike from the word
"Consiltntion, In the third linc to the word "pro-
vidcd, i'll the twenty third line, and insert the fol-
lowing words
'And shall be extended to every free white male
chlzen, aged 2l years upwards, who shall have
resided at least one whole year in the county, city
borough or district, in which he shall offer to vote
immediately preceding the time of voting; aud vino
during that period, shall have actually paid
tax legally assessed-And to every free white male
citizen, aged twenty one years upwards who snail
have actually resided at least whole year i'll the
county, city, borough district where he offers to
votes and who, for the period of six months at least
shall have been house-heeper therein ~
He stated that he had intended, when he rose YES
terday to make the motion that the Committee rise.
to address the Committee, but any right which he had
to do this, he now willingly yielded to the gentleman
from Amherst, (AIr. Thompson.)
Mr.. TnoMPsos then rose, and addressed the Com
mittec i'll reply to the speech of MIR. Leigh, whom
he promised to meet the grounds of reason, tbs,
!5ni OF Rights expectancy and experience He pro-
tessed himself to be in favor of general though not
OF universal suffrage. Ills Speech will be given
hereatter.1
10 what had fallen troa hts colleagues. 1t was ur-
necessary to say much, his cUst itucns had alrca
dy been well defended He desired 10 do nothing
more than to bring the question before the Commit
tee. The decision the proposition OF the gentle
man from Monongaa, (NIr. Wilson, had much ma r
rowed the ground for discussion. After that, the
Brooke (kr Campbcn,) followed as u matter of
and also that OF his other colleague from Mo-
nongalia, (Mlr. Morgan,) which looked to further
object, system of general education. The propos-
ton OF each OF those gentlemen was to extend the
right Of suffrage to I'll free white NAILS of the arc of
II years, requiring certain residence That of the
gentleman from Monongulih, although it extended
the right to such as were not assessed for any tax
required that if assessment of tax was made the tax
should be paid. The decision of the Committee on
these propositions had settled this point that no one
mi ha
ed IN some way, and the decision went no farther -
The amendment which ne proposed to offer did not
goto the extent ofthose of his colleagues, which had
neen rejected He stated that he had been great
deal OF his time away from home during the last five
years, and consequently not so well acqua ntcd
with the opinions of the people of his dis ret as his
colleagues were, but taking them for his guides he
had framed his amendment S to extend the right
of suffrage to all free white males of the age of ~
years, who had resided two years in the State and
one year in the county where he desired vote and
who during that year residence, should have paid a
revenue or county tax, legally assessed Ifanv ren-
teman should object to the extension to those who
merely pay county tax, he may move TO strike out
the words, so to make the qualification the paw
ment ola revenue tax. This proposition, therefore,
Is not extensive those which have been rejected
1t is to give the power to those who called Oh to
support the expenditures of the government
The amendment offered by the gentleman from
Chesterfield contains he admitted, a beneficial OK
tension of the right OF suffrage. 1t extends the riGbt
although 1t still confines it TO the soil and thus cx-
cludes great number of individuals, who complain of
y hold
ing under leases renewable payment OF ife arc
IN effect treeholders, and 50 considered by the
gentleman from Chesterfield. But if that class and
no others to be admitted it was scarcely worth
while to call the Convention. This was not that ex
tension OF the right which was asked and expected
and they who had struggled for the Convention would
not DC satsied 1t Is not that extension of the right
"hch was thought of IN 1910 and 1917: it was what
no of these thought of when the voice of the
pie in 1917 demanded the Conventions
a few remarks on this head would show that the
contaminated y ne pen tIpTnau
terfeld, did not go far as was wished: and would
further show that the reehoders had not been cheat
ed out OF the votes which they gave for the Con-
Eention While on this point he wished to ret rid
OF difficulty which seems to have always risen in
tins debate, and to explain what he meant by the
terms GT7Stocrdcy and OigGrcity in that sense in
which he understood the terms, and in which the
term aristocrat had been applied to himself He ne
yer intended, III using the words to apply them in
such manner as could give personal offence. But 10
at the subject and place it in its proper rht
The proposition Of the gentleman from Chesterfield
did not go to the extent which the people wish and
for which they have steadily called There are points
however, which all agree and it matters little nv
what road we reach them. 1t is of little import whc-
Their we go back to the days of Adam or to those of
the shepherds, there points where national rights
have beginning; and if we strip the subject of alb
stractloDs we shall agree the main points We
are all agreed as TO the proprcy of excluding females
yet all know that they exercise an influence over
those who have the power We also agree IN the
exclusion of those who are under the age oPtwentv-
one, not that they may not be qualified vote but
that the human nina 0ocS not reach Its maturity be-
fore that period. Thus exclude many who are
well qualified and who would be safe repositories of
p0EtlcaI power Bat there is no rule can fix which
IS not liable to exception in determining that none
shallbe admitted to vote until the age oftweny-one
we act on the established principle Of lcpal adindico
ton lie admitted that this rule had its inc0nven.
eDces. Want of mind excludes the lido. and the
lunatic and such Us have committed infamous crimes
oil Will agree, ought to be excluded Thus vour
scheme and arc exactly the same; and ton hive
arrived at your conclusions BY the same course of
TeadIng and the same knowledge of society We
have then, BY common consent, excluded females MI
nors, IDIOTS and lunutics and those who have been
guilty Of Infamous Offences. Who then are lefto
Men who are free citizens, who arc above the age Of
twenty-one, who have committed no crimes and who
according to law, are entitled to the ordinary rights