Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-02-18

ty Of The people but the minority to rule be-
cause OF that fact and the majority to give way as lc
representatives. of the minority of the people: he re-
ferred to the following facts TO prove his assertion that
minority of the Legislature might represent MAORI
ty Of the people:
The Constitution divides the State, arbitrarily, into
four great representative Dsiricts-
The district West of the Allegheny, representing a,
the time of tho adoption of the Constitution 1855
inhabitants, had allotted TO II, a. 81 DsiS'
The middle district, rcprescntinga white
population Of 1871
White population 32o, 229s, represented by -
E,ch dclrgote in the middle district
presenting 4,6I9'
pulution of l2l ,O96, has 20
The Tide. water or Eastern district con-
tanning white population Of I6l ,6S7, has sc
White population, 2s2,773, represented by 81
Now take delegates from the 73 and you leave 6S
delegates representing white population of 2969O9.
Add these to the oil, and you have &c delegates
presenting white population of 306,17S
minority of two of The Legislature representing a
majority of 273 of the white population Of the State.
Thus then he thought the argument that the present
Legislature did not truly reflect the will of the people,
was at end. They were elected by the people
in the Spring. and alone answerabe the consti-
tuencies by whom they were elected. He appealed to
the Senator from kanawha, representing as he did
did the right of instruction in its broadcast sense he
could refuse to go into the eecton-and concluded by
reminding the Senate and the Speaker of the opinions
advanced by that gentleman on taking his again.
That gentleman had used the following language at that
time:
Il "And while would not expect, ask of any gen.
teman to yield aught of his principles even party
attachment yet is due to the peace and tranquility
Of the country we'll to the charities and courteses
of private life that much, very much, Of that party in
tolerance anu bitterness Of feeling which distinguished
in so eminent degree late contest, should now
give place to kinder and better feelings Let the party
who has been Successful remember, that the political
ascendancy which they enjoy cannot long be mair
tanned unless Thur course shall be characterised both
by wisdom and moderation aud, the other hand, let
that party, which is destined TO become the oppo
s,on bear III mind that violent and ind:scrimnate
opposition be successful; and that 10 render
ciiectaal il must be founded justice and patriotism
and waged with fairness.
Mr.. PEYTON could not allow the question TO pass
= without saying few words to the Senate They were
all Vrsnans, and he presumed they all felt deep IN
,erest IN what could affect the honor and glory of Vir
rrnia and il he could hope to shew that the honor and
rlory Of Virginia was somewhat involved in the
they might pursue he should expect that that part 81
the Senate 10 which he was opposed, would JON HIM
and MS friends and 30 into the election lie begged o.
them not TO proclaim to the people Of Virginia, that tie
Senate when invited TO discharge constitutional duty
determined indefinitely TO postpone It, resolving tt
make no election during the present session They al
knew that the vacancy takes place the 18th March
that The new administration into power on Tho
,,htha, The Senate constituted part OF ne Executive
Council and they ali knew that the interests OF Frg
MIA demanded Representative in that Council, arc
vct they were met with motion to indefinitely post
none il, The Constitution required that they sn"ulo
proceed TO this election they bound BY oath Il
maintain the Constitution, and yet gentlemen were pre-
nared to postpone indefinitely the performance Of th
" DUTY II had been ably shewn to thcm that their Go
vcrnment would expire it were, by natural Death
If he
Senator'S and they prepared TO lend their assist
ance TO the bringing about such state of things as that
Il The present General Assembly represented the will .
) rho reopc as it was folly contend otherwise be
auss Of the result of the Presidential campaign. The
issues before the people, in the two cases. were total,
different and The constituencies totally different Blu
aentle men wanted to defer this election, until the people
might have been afforded the opportunity OF changing
} the potca compile xion of the other But gentlemen
would recollect that the rule would work both ways
If the Of action by the Senate was 10 be es
y tablished as precedent what would be the effect
e Surprising they waited until after the next Spring
. Elections and that at the next session, majority o
y Opposition men took their seats in the House of Dele
" gates while in the Senate majority OF the seats were
filled by those friendly TO the policy of Gen. Harrison
what would gentlemen the opposite side say TO tht
majority of the Senate they initiated the example nov
&c set and refused discharge their constitutions
= obligations /: He denounced the present policy o
gentlemen the opposite side, hat the end Just'tee
= the means" The end looked 10 by postponenent was
!, political aspect given the House of Delegates;
the means to accomplish this end were, violation of du
:, ty disregard of constitutional obligations and OF the
" most sacred obligations OF an oath. He could neye
, believe that the high minded and honorable people
: virginia would support their Representatives in such
Il course as that. He begged gentlemen not to look L
the state of parties, TO the state Of public sentiment
e when they called upon TO discharge constitution
al duty Virginia had never before refused 10 discharge
: her constitutional duty She had been foremost II
founding and supporting the present Government, an'
the dissolution Of the Union would be more dangerous
to Virginia than any other State for she would be lief
: with her Southern institutions the border State. H
begged Of his friends the opposite side to weigh TIM
matter well, and to act as became flgniahs IN Int
d matter.
q MIR. BOULDIN said, that until the remarks of TIT
Senator from Augusta, he had felt content that TIT
e vote should have been takenlwthou further discussion
That he did not with lawbooks turned down II
dopcars-that lie should not argue as legal ques
>, ton by reference 10 the arguments of counsel
II thoritv or of the decisions of the Federal Courts H
did not now intend and would at any time do 81
useless and Improbable act, to discuss suoec
,r to an audience every OF whom had made up al
70 opinion He had no expectation of convincing any
n gentleman on the opposite side of politics. nor did NJ
Is think, they could be really in earnest, when they ex
e pressed the hope Of convincing some on his side
It Whether we should agree day tor gong nt
the election of another Senator, was subject OF
10 which, he had doubt, every member OF the Senate
d had fully made up his mind He thought 1t proper
;. reply to the concluding remarks of the Senator from
Caroline, and 10 the speech of the Senator from Au
1t gusta.
n The Senator from Caroline has adopted as his own
language the soothing, and advice the most be
nignant Sir he urges u.s. by acts to restore those
social and kind feelings which have been long inter
ruptcd by party divisions; but, Sir how does he pro
If pose we shall do il: Why, by yielding TO his views
our Of propriey, and adopting his line of policy
The Senator from Caroline, by the language which be
IF has adopted, tells that if wish opposition to b'
-s effcctual, it be moderae.Sr does he wish 1t e
be efiectual? Surely he does not Why, then, give al
e vice Before advises he should be certain ne Is
capable that his advice sincere; that he wishes ht
n other to accomplish what he advises; and that his rea
e ton the person advised is such, that he will likely
n take it, The Senator from Caroline cannot expect M
j. advice to weigh much He tells US great deal apou
:. the blish,ing influence of pary-Sir when hear Sc
much r.a about The possesson Of virtue, expo