Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-10-08

bill for the call of the convention upon the uhite
basis, no one would be more reioiced than nv.
self, but that the Legislature " i'll pass such a
bib confess that have not the slightest hope.
have attentively watched the proceedings OF the
Legislature ppon this subject for years, and their
determination upon that point may now be re-
9arded as 70 fixed fact" had full opportu-
nifty during the winter of 1847-'4S, of hearing
the opinions OF the members of the Legislature
upon this subject; and know that many of thu
warmest and most decided friends of reform in
that Legislature, who were frhite basis men after
full and confidential interchange of opinions.
came to that conclusion, and were determined to
support bill upon the arrangement of the pre-
sent House OF Delegates, rather than postpone
lnGeAnitely redress OF the many grievances un7
der which the people of Virginia are now suffer.
ing, from the practical operation of our present
VICIOUS system. The retormers from the Valley,
and the Southwest were very generally in favor
OF this compromise, but our friends from the
northwest were violently opposed to i-preferring
to wait for the census of 1850 which will show a
very large majority of the white population to
the west, and with these stu bborn facts and fig
ures they Will demand convention upon the
artate 6asts from the Legislature. Now the cen.
sus cannot demonstrate any thing to lis upon
this point that We do not all know, except it may
reduce the facts to round numbers. All know,
and all admit the fact, that there is large pre-
ponderance OF the white population to the west
our eastern brethren DO not deny the truth.
yet they have considerable majority in the
Legislature OF the State, and they do not choose
to surrender to Us. | think they are wrong, and
are denying to us Just request, but because
cannot argue them, or force them to my conclu.
sons, am | to stand still and refuse much good.
because | cannot at once get all that demand or
think ought to have2 | rather think not I
see too much evil IN our present institutions to
deslre their continuance any longer than we can
get clear Of them. Besides know that many
OF our friends, and some among the very ablest
and most learned among them, (and who in the
convention itself will contend to the last extremi-
ty Tor the principles OF the white hasis) hold 10
. the opinion that the Legislature have ITO power
to PASS bill for the call of convention Upon
the white; the mixed. or the Federal basis, but
that any bill which might be passed, must "cx
'scessltote rel" rest upon the arrangement of ,hs
present House of Deleoates-tfat the same pow
er that made the constitution had created them
and prescribed their powers, and that for them
to prescribe any other now, would be assuming
10 themselves the sovereign power to revolutions.
lie governmental power which all know and
agree can be exercised clone bv convention Of
the people. am not acquainted with single
eastern constitutional lawyer who does not main.
tam this position, we'll as many of our friends
on this side of the Ridge. What then should we
do, looking calmly and considerably at the
question: IN all OF its aspects and surrounded az
tits by difficulties beyond our power Il fear) to
| retno2et My humble judgment tells me to take
convention at once, il the Legislature will offer
It to us upon the arrangement of the present
4 House Of Deleaates--to the friends of the whts
basis it is by far the least Objectionable of all the
bills that could be offered to them, seeing that
1 we cannot get or own wishes
7 d., l.&4...
! dressed to you, that all who have done me the
honor to read them, will fully understand nv
views to be the mAate basis, and the arguments
which haye AL along used in its defence were
made as though the Convention were in existence
ana dellbelatlng upon the question. But now
am arguing another and distinct proposition.
and am endeavorng 80 counsel with my friends
as to the best plan OF operations in the difficulties
Surroundingus. The existing arrangement of rep
resenation in our present Constitution as havs
before argued 70 yoa is an arbitrary arrangement,
proposed as a compromise, to the last Conven.
ton, by General Gordon OF Albemarle, and a.
dopted by them. 1t is not founded on arg par
taculdr tasls and OF course it leaves the subject
open for a contest before the qualified voters of
the State at the polls in the choice of those who
are to represent them in the Convention take
It Tor granted that the entire delegation from the
West OF the Blue Ridge would be in favor of the
White basis, and am sure we may count with
reasonable certainty upon Richmond City. Nor
folk, Alexandria, I.oudoun, Fairfax, Franklin and
several other counties, which might designate
IN the East, who would be with us in the estab-
} lshment and recognition of the great Republican
principle for which we contend. should not
fear the result of an election to Convention af.
ter free and full discussion of the question be.
fore the people OF Virginia. Just so sure as
Convention Bill be passed by the Legislature
submitting the question to the people, just 50
sure Will they rally around this important ele-
ment OF free government. III be right in nv
conclusions, IN relation to the action Of the Leg
lslatnre, " here is the necessity of any delay
Why wait tor the Censas--it is not needed-we
can proceed as well next Spring to the choice OF
OF Convention, as we can several years hence :
with the Census in our hands That we will
have to meet in the spirit OF compromise have
not the least doubt and if the Convention when
formed will calmly address themselves to ths
great work, and take the whole State in their eve
and at once determine not to make too large and
unwieldy General Assembly, but recognise the
principle OF the white basis, and then in the gen.
eral apportionment, in spirit of compromise.
so distribute representation as to do full Justice
to all sections The State, carefully guarding
with all proper and necessary guarantees any
and all Interests which by any possibility can be
! oppressed and my word for il Constitution can
W iiit,oo "iisH VIII satlsly tlle WAole common
wealth, protect ali OF its great inerests-expant nd
its power-extend its influencc-endure for ages
and unite in one great and indissoluble brother.
hood a law loving and a law abiding Republican
people. Could any friend of the white, the mig.
ed or the Federal basis object toso lust Con-
ventional arrangement Much mischief I am
persuaded has been done, by constantly arrayins
the two great divisions Of the State against each
oher--s ii not the fact that theirinterests are 60
widely apart-it is true one portion of the State
has larger slave population than the other, and
perhaps from the force of circumstances larger
the powerful e of the march Of uv
ment, the increased development Of the vast re-
) sources of Virginia's wealth and prosperity are
fading away as the morning dew disappears be-
fore the rising sun. In fact we are a.moEe uni
ted people, we now see and feel our mutual de-
nendence on each other. The Eastern ;Yirnin;.n