Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-27
THE ENQUIRER.
Thursday Morning, February &c. Is40.
RICHMOND. VA.

We begin to think that the thorough scrutiny
which The Convention question has undergone
this session, will prove highly beneficial 10 the
future peace and harmony Of Virginia. The re-
fusal Of the awhi,e basis" bill may, for lime,
upheave the popular sentiment OF The West, and
bring to the surface some frelfulness and excite
ment but we look to the "sober, second thought
OF the people 10 do justice in The premises and 70
smooth down the ruff1ed sea OF public opinion
The West WILL no doubt, be disappointed il The
failure 10 call a Convention-but they will see
that the East avowed every desire 10 make all
proper concessions Had the Western members
desired Convention upon the present organiza-
ton Of the House Of Delegates, the East would
willingly have voted for such an one. The most
important reforms nigh! have been Introduced
such as are called for b. each and every section
| Of Virginia. But The majority OF The Western
, members declined the modified form Of The bill
and The whole subject was passed over.
| As far as we have seen, the Western papers
do not seem 10 express very deep cxcilemen, al
the result. The two Wheeling journals are very
cool on the subject. We quote the following
from Valley paper, (lhe Rockingham Regis
ter,) not as casting reflections upon the votes Of
any member, Gall OF whom, we believe, voted IN
der the most conscientious obligations of duty,)
but to show how far that region of country were
willing 10 accept the bill offered by the East to the
| West:
"TnE CONVENTION BILL.-We had not time 10
offer any remarks in our last paper, upon the &C
lion Of the Legislature with reference 10 The Con-
/ venliun In our last, We stated that the bill provd-
ing Tor taking the sense oilhe people on the subject
! of a Convention was defeated. We feel as we doubt
not, large portion Of The people of Western Vit
GINA feel, disappointed and mortified at this re-
suit Disappointed on learning that The demand
| Tor Convention made By thrce-fourhs of the
people of Virginia. has been disregarded motif
/ fed that the wish of our people, particularly
/ Western Virginia, has been defeated by the
| Western members OF the Legislature. This de-
feat is The result OF Too Strenuous adherence to ie
,chits basis Of representation in The organization OF
The Convention. We know the people of West
ern Virginia are satisfied Of the .Justice OF this
principle; but lhes recollect at The same time that
Eastern Virsnians are eqaGl.g assured CT The cor
RICHNESS OF their position. Why then, did The
| Western members defeat the bill because il was
not suffered 10 pass in exactly the shape to suit
! lhem7 Why not adop, the principle which has
heretofore governed the action of Republicans,
that Of compromise, and accept The boon offered
BY the East, no matter how small7 Had Con-
yenlion been called, 10 be organized upon The
mixed basis of representation, could not many de-
fects and evils now in our Constitution have been
rcmedcd, and We at least, take some steps towards
reiorm1 With This view Of the question, we can
mol but think The Western members censurablc in
| aiding 10 defeat the Convention bill. We hope
their constituents will appreciate their conduct,
! and in future send men 10 the Legislature who
| will fairly represent lhem."