Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-09

alton of the bill, and the House the began to can
slider over again what had been considered in com
mittce. The first thing done. in the House. WINS 10
reverse what the Comptittee had agreed to do nv (,
large majority-namey, to appropriate the Bonu.
from the Bank of Virginia to literary purposes.
Three days have been consumed in committee of tho
whole; and we shall consider it fortunate ifless tn,
than three days is consumed upon the same subject
IN the House--and all this upon question which
ought never TO have been brought before this Leg
stature and which was brought there under circum
stances which reflect upon the Legislature itself
and upon the country-a question which there was.
not plausible reason for deciding at this time--and
which ought to have been left to the new Govern.
ment to determine, when it ovcrhaued the general
policy of tho State.
" Phe author ofthe following is plain but very
sensible man. We are sorry to find such opposed to
adopting the new Constitution, while not less from
inclination, than from duty, we are disuosed To o;ve
him and all others free ACCESS to our columns for The
maintenance oftheir principles and opinions The
writer has fallen into the same mistake with thu
Leesburg W ashngtorian and others--that the basis
Misrepresentation established by the Constitution is
adversary TO white population. This is certainly not
SO. As tor as that basis is discoveruble it is the
,ohite population Of 1920 This was ayowed nv the
author ofthe plan It is the same basis upon which
the Convention itself was organized. Let u. grant
That 1t Is not rfghthe question results is it not bet
ter than the old plan of giving every county two
members, to which we must return, if the new Con
sutulon be rejected This is the point of view in
which the question ought to BIO considered-not
whether the new Constitution is the very best that
could be made, but is it better than the old? If
tab'ished staoe representation, we would unite With
our Correspondent its rejection despite of any a
vaniages it might hold out--but it does no such
thing. So
We wsul9 ask to refer "a Western Citizen to
Mr.. Cnoses letters, which we are now republisbinpl
tor a clear statement of the question. AT the same
tine, we beg leave to express regret at the at,
tack moderate as it is, which that gentleman has
made upon the prans Allegheny Delegation in Con-
venon. Ii they deserved it, it can now answer no
good end to make -if they did not deserve it, or
indeed whether they did or no. it is calculated to
duce heart burnng and to infot prejudice upon the
question which he and ourselves wish afirmatiyely
decided. We shall lay the balance Of Mr. Cooke's
second letter, and Mr.. Henderson's address TO the
people of Loudouu and Fairfax. before the reader
"a
ton in the Convention and the consequent exnosure
to miseonstructlon and vehement enn,adve rsion.
makes it an act of sheer justice to disseminate their
defence as widely as possible. We fear, however,
that the publication of those indications is the
mencement OF an acrimonious warfare among the
members of the late Convention
To THE EpiToRs OF THE Wu:G
Gentlemen
have read, with considerable satisfaction your re-.
marks on he amended constitutions and your addresa
to usof this West. In turn hope YOU will give room
IN some corner OF your useful paper to seine remarks
which others have to make and would wish to spread
before our citizens. The amended constitution s
undoubtedly preferable In most particulars To tho
old one; but III one 1t is odous anu must ever be so 70
enlightened, and true republicans. i mean in the ha
sis OF representation. compound of white
freemen and slaves. The cartainp of the nurnhrr
to thee hftiis does not alter he principle nor dimn
sh the oniul. nat 1t was necessary, save slave
holders properly from unjust taxation, was and is
mere Pretence TO obtain Constitutional poyer
what is ustt and euqal amongst fellow freemen: and
Is directly violation of much of the Bill 81 RIGHTS
How could the slave-halders ever be in d,nger ~
such law would Cypress them when there never
has been and presume never will be, Legislature
IN this or in any OF her slave-holdine state without
majority OF the members slave-holders or striving to
be such? IF the who me- he the laws of a coun
try hold its soil, they will briug into the Leoisatnre
the general, and IN many particulars universal inter.
ests of the free white populations and therefore will
take care OF the interests Oh all Others taking care
10 secure their own because they are common inter
e5ts suppose no citizen ever will be egiblesto
he Assembly unless freehodof, and IN mott cases
lie viii be u man Of wealth, because these two com
bined with intelligence and reputation give power
and influence In short nothing can be induced from
past experience, TO shew any danger OF such Jay
as would be oppressive slave property The
Danger can never come until the Legislature will
be ali OF them, OF majority, Observation-Disclosures
which never is likely to be in Virginia. We viii be
disgraced by such constitution In the view of all
pure republicans.
would now offer remark on another section
In reading lthe article respecting religion, find
much to approve, um not prpessed member of
any christian denomination: yet wish web to all
asd equal privileges in The state which believe is
their universal desire, and more. Nothing would
be 80 unpopular proposition for such Religious
estaDishncnt, Us once existed here and does in
all the kingdoms OF Europe or any thing like them;