Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-13
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.

Mr.. DROMGOOLE said it had been his fixed
purpose not to have obtruded himself upon the notice
of the Senate during the discussion of the Convention
question; aud that it was only since the debate had
commenced this floor that he had felt inclined to
torego his first inclination Phe magnitude of the
subject which engrosses our deliberations said he
and the high responsibility attached this peculiar
OCCASION to the character of representative have
filled my mind With perpexing doubts to the course
most proper to be adopted. Conscious, deeply and
sincerely conscious of my total want of intellectual
strength to grasp this mighty topic, and unfold ell it's
various relations and delicate connexions, had re-
solved to content myself With voting in silence for the
particular measure which my Judgment might prefer.
not insensble to the influence of an apprchen-
son that the weakness of the advocate might impair
the Justice OF his causc ind that my feeble effort
night i'll SOME degree detract from the strong claim
ct my constituents to fair and equitable participation
III the revision OF the existing government fonnd
powerful additional reason support of NV vsh TO
remain SILENT IN the consideration that it vas prudent
aud therefore advisable, to avoid discussion and COLI
sion, calculated to cn1ender unpleasant excite
nleut here, which would in all probability in an az
Gravated form, infect the whole conmuErv
During the agitation Of this question in the two
Bfa"niG Of tho Legislature doctrines have been ad
vincGi frauIht With and full of mischief lead
Dg in my humble Judgment to al. abandonment oil Tir
gina principles, paving the gay to loss OF the rcla
tive weight of Virginia and the South, in the federal
government;-tendngt to destroy the safe defeuces
which guard the property of the Citizen from
GXactlons; producing gross inequality in tue appor
uonment of taxes and representatives and ultimately
rendering, fear, the tenure OF certain species of
property insecure, and useless to the proprietor.
have the honor, said Mr. D. to in this BODY
holding people; but they ure not degraded BY
the servitude which surrounds them and which they
impose on others. No sir, they patriotic and
Cvelrous, and iu the midst of servitude, they keep
alive the spirit of exalted frecdom 20 such consti-
t!cnts, who have vieved my errors With indulgence
!; Il sustained me beyond my merit can never prove
i!ag'rateul unfaithful. In nv zeal to vindicate
their rights my weakness is forgotten and am
Constrained from solemn sense of duty to protest
against the novel and pernicous doctrines which have
grown out of this struggle for fundamental reform.
Fhe advocates of reform, said he have referred to
Certain declarations in our bill OF rights, and with
air oftriumph, have adduccd them support Of the
POSITIONS which they have assumed. Repeated
y have ours ears been assailcd with the sound,
that "all men are by nature, equally free
and independent" This Is an abstract truth
which no man will question. Yet sir, the in
frrences attempted to be deduccd by gentlemen
ad the points desired to be established by the quota
ton OF the phrasc are, according to my poor co1pre
tension, parverson Of it's plain import. Each man
III state of nature ~ equally free and independent;
10 man can naturally CLAIM superiority bis fol
loW-nan. But when society energies from the cha
@ of nature, When government is instituted, when
tile actions of man subjected to the salutary
slralnts of municipal lazy, and when for the Common
good some invested With powers which others do
not possess the natural equality of man is then nece
S3rilY dastroyed.-phis dissolution of native equality
is effected by voluntary association and mutual con-
sent. fhe exercise of power under any government,
cbnno be rlghtfully traced to any natural claim
It's origin SANCTION In the express Implied
assent of those who have united IN the formation of
tue civil community. lin the distribution of anthor-
~ under the terms of the social compact, larger
share is allotted to ono nan than another this cen
stitutes violation of natural equality. Itbc com
n1nnty have established representative government
and if for the better security property or from
regard to local convenience, smaller number of in
abltants section Of country are permitted to
elect delegate, and larger number in another sec
ton ENJOY similar permission such IN arrangement
surely is nc Inconsistent With the natural equality
OF man. The assertion Of this great universal and
unmpeached truth stands glaringlY opposed and
Was intended to stand opposed TO those, Who would
impudently claim the authority 10 govern By natural
succession or by divine right. Fhc God Of nature
did create all men equally fee and Independent Of
c;ch other, and therefore OF his whole croa-
ton can depand superior political power from the cir
tEnstance Of bis birth, and from pretended con-
fSrmty with divine intention. Yhe KING of Great
britain had natural or divine right TO hold the
american Colonies in bondage.
The cffort, Mr. Speaker, (said Mr. D. to incorpo-
Fate and preserve the natural equality of man in the
social state, aud to make il the standard of conven-
tional rights and privileges, - evidently nisappca-
ton and abuse Of the declaration in bill of rights
Mistaken ideas of this natural equality aud nisgaidei
GEdeavors to enforce it, must lead to absurd regula
tons IN society, and may produce the most disastrous
Consequences 1t vas desire to conform it'll this
principle which gave rise to of the cuous laws
of Scion and Lycurgus with account Of which
The guntlcman from WononGaa (NIr. Norgan) on
yesterday entertained u.s. had entertained the be-
lief that most ofthe doctFiue of tluse aucant law
Flyers for the introduction and perpetuation ofenu
ity had been discarded from the creed of rpnderu
statesmen as wholly impracticable until heard that
gentleman refer to the governments Of Spasta and
athens with evident marks of pleasure and approba
ton. Whilst he was quoting and Recommending
FDch regulations were designed to continue evorJ
citizen upon an equality, confess that was utterly
surprised that he should have omitted TO renind us
Of Soons law abolishing debts; for Mr.. Speaker tie
abolition Of debt, and exact division Of PROPERTY
Is thc very contamination ofequaity.
twas under the dlsorganlzng influence % The iIca
that the natural equality Of Tire human race slonld
lie respected in the political community that the mar
ket women Of Paris collected together the 9TH day
Of October 1889. THEY could not perceive bow L O.
on principles Of equality they were cXclud1 from I'll
pArtlcpation il Tho coMlcils Of The Ranuh-. -