Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-03-26

convinced that Gntil we come to thar. ,bere !.
no prospect Of stability in our fun6au,enta
law. teN
Ihe other defect to which have alluded
Is, that our constitution makes no provision
Tor partial amendments. This leads To !
combination of all those who are dissatislieJ
with any provision in the constitution, and
may bring about the overthrow of constfn.
tion, every feature Of which is approved bv a
majority Of the Community.
These three defects are working together
Tor the overthrow OF our present constitution
and am satisfied that it cannot be long before
their combined influence will bring about lis
destruction. Even now the West is nearly
unanimous Tor convention, and il has many
advocates in the East
The question, then, seemsRtoshe presenie..
10 every conservative, confIs]I
ing 10 oppose aconvennS III not
! about a,thorougK union Dian EIie elements ol
! discomfort which will not only inevitably over
come all opposition, but will destroy all hone of
preserving the really valuable features i'm our
constitutions; and whether il is pruden, to stand
asoof and leave TO unsafe hands the entire con !.
troll ola movement so deeply affecting the whole
community. For myself am convinced thai
the true conservative course is 10 NEE, the is
sue now, while the public mind is calm. and
when roma want Of union among the advocates
| OF change, there is prospect of saving some
thing valuable out OF the wreck of the pre-
sent constitution. ] have therefore copclud-
ed to vote FOR convention as the least of
evils, though must confess look forward to
II with fear aud trembling.
Here, MIR. Speaker, will take occasion 10
say that there have been reasons assigned.
both here and elsewhere, for the call of a con-
ventlon, which, so far from inducing me to
vote Tor convention, would have directly a
contrary tendency. II has been stated that il
is considered desirable by some that our conn
ty court system should he abolished, and that
all the minor officers of government should
be elected by the people; and some have
gone so far as to assail that most admirable
feature IN our system, the independent tenure
OF the Judicial office. ! cannot believe that
there is any reason seriously to apprehend
such innovations from convention, if called
now; 1t. however, could be convinced now
or at any other time that such are to be the
fruits of a convention, would instantly re-
trace my steps, and taking my stand upon the
present constitution, with all its defects, |
would resist the call of convention at every
step. .r
The two bills now under consideration
| raise the question TO the proper organiza-
tlon OF the Convention-that Of the majority
| providing for its organization upon the basis
of the present House of Delegates, and that of
the minority preparing the way for its organ
izatIon upon the basis of white population
and the friends of the different plans are ar
rayed in support of the one or the other pro-
position.
Some surprise has been expressed by my
Western friends in this House at the avowal
OF my preference for the bill of the majority.
and think some of my Eastern brethren have
Partaken somewhat of This surprise.
When general surprise is expressed at the
course taken by any one, it becomes him to
examine well as to the correctness OF his TO-
silon; and if the interests of others are in
VOWED in his action, i, is proper that he should
make known the reasons for his course. Be-
Ievng as do that am acting in accordance
with the true interests of my constituents.
ana have taken the course dictated by correct
| principle, see no inst ground of surprise in
any quarter; and shall endeavor TO remove
any that may be felt by showing the proprie-
ty Of the course ! have taken.
This surprise could not have oripinated in
any knowledge that had at any time enter
tanned different opinions-for such is not the
supposilion that it was believed that different
opinions prevailed in the region of country
from which come. If such opinions do pre-
vail in my county, it is impossible that ]
should know ii--for, with all the efforts ,ba,
have been made there by few Jealous friends
OF convention. they have never been able
to muster convention meeting-not even a
corporal's guard; and if look to the course
Of her delegates for the last three or four
| years, find that they have voted now for, and
now against convention, without complaint
or question.
! The trainers Of our Constitution, in an evil
hour. as humbly conceive, divided the State
into four districts, which are entirely uncon-
Dected, so far as their representation upon
this floor is concerned ] come from the dis
trict known as the Valley Of Virginia. Ac-
cording to the present constitution, in a house
OF one hundred and thirty-four delegates, The
Valley is entitled to twenty-five. According
to the basis OF white population, contended
for by the West, the Valley would, upon the
census Of 1910, lose one delegate; and, ac-
cordIng to the basis compounded Of white
population and taxation, which is that con.
tended for by the East, the Vally would lose
nearly two delegates. lf, however. we look
10 the changes which have taken place since
the census of 1880, we find that upon the
white basis the Valley would lis that time
have lost two delegates, while upon the com
pound or mixed basis, she would have nearly
gained one. So far, then, as mere represen-
tatlon in the Convention is concerned. the
Valley has no interest i'll the question of or.
gaDizaton which could for moment weigh
against correct principle, and she has no in
ierest in the establishment Of either basis in a
new constitution, which could even tempt her