Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-14
THE CONVENTION QUESTION.

we nave watched, Win great Interest; uiO III
dications of public sentiment, on the subject OF |
calling Convention to revise the State constl- |
tuition, afforded by the comments OF the press
upon the proposition introduced by Mr. Fnney, OF
Accomack, in the House of Delegates. We be-
eve may be truly sad that no paper in the State
has declared its opposition to revision of the
constitution, whilst large majority openly ad-
vocate the measure.
1t is we'll known to our readers, that, four years
ago, we expended no little time and abour, in re-
sistng the call of convention, founding that re-
sistance on the conviction that the doctrine of the
"white basis contended for by the West, was con-
ttary to the principles of federal constitution,
and inconsistent with the relations of the South
ern to the Northern States, and likewise involved
serious injustice to the people of Eastern Virginia
Our opinions on this aspect of the subject have
undergone no change. On the contrary, the pen
dency of gravely alarming contest between the
Northern and Southern divisions of the Contede-
racy, induces us to deprecate, still more strongly
than we did in 1S45 the admission, by Virginia, OF
the theory that it is wrong, in republican go
yernment, to permit any portion OF the slave po-
uulaton to enter into the basis of representation,
We need not remind our readers that this theory
lies at the root of all the arguments of Northern
statesmen They object to the admission OF more
slave States into the Federal Union, not halt SO
much because slavery is repugnant to their feel
ing, as because they are opposed to the extension
of the principle of mixed representation. Mr.
Webster, speaking for the whole North on this
subject, a few years ago, in the Senate OF the
United States, declared this to be the prominent
motive of the North in insisting upon the restric-
ton OF slavery in the public Territories.
But we have no disposition to renew discus
sion of this point. The friends of Convention
have commended it to public favour on Other
grounds, as to which, are persuaded, that there
is scarcely any difference of opinion. Governor
Floyd in his late message, in advising the Legis-
iature to submit the question of calling Conven-
ton to the people, supported that advice by refer
ring to s.the evident distrust of popular authority
ana control, written upon every page OF the pre-
sent constitution to the defects OF the county
court system, and the Judiciary in general and to
the Objectionable character CT the present law Of
iN"iAA'oN~OAAS
scrihed for the voter, and the absurd privilege O
voting in more counties than one OF the force o
all these reasons for remodelling the constitution
we have before taken occasion 10 declare our full
acknowledgment And we think it is manifes
that they command the concurrence OF an over
whelming majority of the people. 1.-THE policy O
calling Convention were limitedto the considers
- ,,l bn M
doubt of its adoption at the earliest practicable
Yeriod What effect the question of basis may
nave in postpesng the decision Of the Legislature
remains to be seen Some prominent WestegT
members have, and, as it seems to us, very UNI
wisely, avowed their determination to oppose
Convention altogether, unless they can secure one
constituted on the sswhite basis However de-
sirable it might be to the advocates of the white
basis to see it enforced in the very organization of
the Convention, il is impossible not to foresee that
Convention on any basis must result in giving the
West greater political power than it now enjoys
With the view of acquainting our readers with
some Of the manifestations ofpublic opinion which
have attracted our own attention, we quote the fol-
lowing article from the Lynchburg Virgnian
out business at once The proposition for Committee
to report upon the proprety of taking the sense of the
people, to the call Of Convention, coming from the
source did, excited surprise and distrust among the
Western members. We think they manifested an UNI
necessary susceptibility We regard the call of Con-
yentop longer debateable matter, and firmly
offering no opposition. The approaching census will
unquestionaby be the guide for the superintendent OF
presentation whether the white or the mixed basis be
adopted Common sense and justice demand that it
should be- and we cannot suppose that Mr.. Fnney
tertaned the hope of inducing action which should have
reference the census OF lS40 W have no objection
10 see the question submitted next Spring the present
qualified voters of the Commonwealth We believe
ewo-thrds perhaps three-!ourths OF them would be
found in favor OF Convention. i must comet may
not be next year-nor the neXt-bu come it will in a
very brief period. The spirit OF the age and existing
grievances require that reform should be effected An
incompetent and inefficient Judiciary of the
main causes OF the call of the Convention in 1925
Who deny that similar state OF things is, at this
moment, causing thousands to favor Convention who
might be else induced tolerate other defects aim
ed of in the present Constitutions The right OF suffrage
must be extended We believed twenty years ago--and
still believe-hat there sno intermediate qualification
that the alternative OF freehold vote Is universal suit
rage That a system than our present franchise
couiu be devised, we do not believe possible. More
power must be given to the people Virginia has long
boasted vocierously, OF her Democracy, when there
was the least possible infusion OF 1t In her Institutions
when 10 fact, dstrust OF the people written on
every page of her Constitution. This inconsistency
between theory and practice cannot longer be olera
ted. The direct action OF the people will be insisted
upon. twas considered the height of wisdom in the
Convention of 1929 30 to resist innovation Men ac
quired renown in that memorable body for the ability
and success with which they bafied the popular will
Instead of lending their fine talents to the work of
denzng the Constitution, and sisng it to the wants
and lights of the day. that further change could
sonably be demanded for many years, spirit ofmsa
ken conservatism, they patched up, ridiculous and
unseemly manner the old edifce without reference
convenience taste, and the consequence is that, at
the end oil twenty years. dissatisfaction with the work of
S ne-hO
and moss grown fabric which they attempted to repair
1t was predicted when the present Constitution went
into operation that it would not last quarter of a cen
tury-that prophecy will be fulfilled. We do not now
speak OF the basis of representation. It's Importance is
every day diminishing before the progress of Internal
Improvement Had Virginia been true to herself in this
great cause for twenty years past we should now hear
But little Of the supposed diversity of interest which pre-
i, tic liAarant rnnintns of the Stain nun