Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-18

th., the act OF Assembly, contemplated 'he
10 the Legislature, OF the question,
whr,b,r the new or old Constitution was the
ieo:,ima,e Government. He would no, agree
10 submit that question to the Execuuve-to
aov BODY Of men, not having the authority 10
send for persons K papers, TO inquire INTO Iaen.
He thought il infinitely best, TO leave the Con
sriu,iou TO be carried into effect, as tn Le-
risla,ure had provided more especially, when
another mode would leave doubt OF the Lesi-
timscy 81 the new government.
MIR Cooke said The question was, whether
the people acting in their sovereign. original
capacity, could con,roul law passed by their
servants, the Legislature, a short time before
Mr.. G.. argued 10 show that this must be so,
and the superior expectancy and economy Of
the pro, isioRs Of the article he offered, 10
these Of the law.
Mr.. Powell expressed his doubt Of the right
Of the Convention TO adopt the article offered
by his cole ague-and to ob,ia,e all difficulty,
moved a resolution applying to the Legislature
now in session, 70 pass an act providing me
necessary facili,ies for carrying the CoDstitu'
ton into execution.
Mr.. Randoh h said he was forciby impress
ed BY the observations Of the gentleman from
Augusta (Mr. Johnsonl TO whom he always
listened wi, h the greatest respect In regard To
lie anne ndmvn offered by the gentleman from
Frederick mir, Powell) II was rather an srgu
me m, against the adoption Of the article offered
BY Mr.. Ceoke-than right in itseif-and might
be kept back, he thought until the Con'tiu'
iien was adopted by the Convention. But In
attending TO the gentleman from Augusta, lie
was s,ruk with this difficulty. BY whose au-
thori,y did the Legislature pass the act 10 or
organize Con, entien-ne did not mean 10
question their right 10 pass the act at his time
by whose.authorily did they pass NJ by
authority Of tnrir cunsii'oents. Who were
they! The f'eeholieis. BY whose authority
do We 81, here? By authority OF our cousiu.
EMS Who are thev? The frreholders Now
Sir, said Mr. r. the f,eeholders having sane
toned the act Of the Legislature, and depu,ed
US here 10 propo.e amendments whom H.
the nature Of lhnss did they suppose the ra'i'
e. alton would be submitted Unque>,ionabiy
TO themselves tina, foun,sin from waich all
our authority is derived Let me illustrate It.
A majority of freeholders--he Adid 10, believe
a word Of j., himself, bur take The Thing on its
facr-a majority of free holders had consented
TO convene convention to propose amend
m.nts to the old, or adopt asew Constitution.
Now Sir, The fieebolders have not yet decided
-wiIn a stupidity worse than that OF Esau, 10
give up their birlhrigh. This Constitution
proposes an tx ension Of suffrage ad inde nitun',
and who is TO decide? Those 10 whom suff age
is newly extended? Unquesiionebly no. They
had no more RICH, than Ohio or Pennsylvania
not the shadow of right But the convention
proposes 10 extend suffrage, aud who is TO de.
eide wheIh il shall be extended! -Shal they.
from whom the Convention derives all its au>
whom The legislature deures or
usurped rheirs-shall :hey decide il suffrage
shall b. ex ended, or they whom the boon Is
ext nded? Was not the nonstrnus injustice and
seen-,hst they from whom oil
,hority, incipient and hral is derived, shall not
decide, tut they 10 VIII IN The boon is 'x'ended!
He beseeched gen ;lemen to rea<c,; To lay hrsr
things to thei, hparts--i was manifest ina: II
Others than freeholdtrs were Admitted, one
mans right 20 vote upon ne rstitic ,,isn,was as
good as another's. So far we were ac'iag under
the sanction Of he qualified vo,ers-bu' We
have no power--,he legislature never had-io
betray and disavow their cGnstituents--lf the
extension was ratified by the frechnlders, there
was an end ofit-bul no other power under
heaven, had the right 10 decide : In reference
10 the amendment proposed by Mr.. Powell.
Mr.. Randolph said the Legislature could
not act but as uSurprrs. lie commented upon
the lnutQniIe cxNoRSlon ot suEicSe, anu tue
difficulty Of ascsrtsining who had tight to
vote under the new constitution. II Others
than freeholders we've admitted 10 vote upon
the ratification. the election day weuld be q
chaos under the new sys'em-lie was afraid
,ha, indlsposition had prevented him from do
ing justice TO the clear idea he had Of the sub
iecl when he came to The Convention. But he
repeated we were the Trustees ofthe tree
holders and had no right TO Setray them
We &C, by heir authority, and by their authori
" alone. IL Admitted 10 others, IL would be
like other resoln ions. Violence would pre-
vail. 1t would be the law Of force as unlusti
fable as any act Of Bonaparte. A,,iia OF Geng-
lilly Khan.
Mr.. Powell said if his amendment was pre-
mature so was that Of his colleague Mr..
Cooke.) II the constitution was not adopted,
the provision would fail with it. He referred
TO The law organizing a Convention TO show
tina, the privilege Of voting on the ratification
was extended expressly to the qualified voters
II was said that the act Of The Legislature was
Grant it 20 have been so-how
did the case stand now! These very freehold
FRS had sanctioned i, by majority of 5000. II