Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-26

should ,,I%m far certain purpose therein nentl2neo.
NJ p said the substitute 10 the original Oh n comnany
Ii,rse nroposes merely create oint s'oH hn and
.,hnrt sneciay combining the same To MI a. and
others TO this he had no objection ps0sG'u 5 ;,ars
ment was adopted which would release III 'e his bill
before the river could be improved by The passage " h road
Numerous bills were read the first and ofdsreu " " "
s on motion of Mr. GIBSON: the House adjourned
Substance Of the Remarks Of r. JOHNSON Of 1ayior,
in HE House Of Delegates, on The lith "'faa'' o" "'
M% SpEAKER Never have attempted TO address s any any
hody of men under the state OF feeling lat nov
sos me did when the subject OF Convention "uS III
rduced by the resolution Of the gentleman from ;
Ir Finnev at the commencement oil the present & ;
Of this Assembly congratulate my western TEA boon started
o.amen had come from the Eastthat II hau peeh s.aie
hore nnexpectedly by the representative Oh e
Eastern county of this Commonwealth Ii was received =,
me in spirit of candor and OF Kindness nor uu d.
a b,rbor for moment those feelings OF suspicion anu
distrust which awakened in the bosons Oh o.e s
rmen: nor would now allude 10 the Introduction VI ,
artion had il been for the remarks oil my lriehu
Uis MIR Bennet) on Saturday "That ne at the me looh
Cd mon II as the the meal tub, and was supAeu
the welcome reception given TO It 1y le gene n !, in
TAYLOR" did not, Sir, them nor do now loon upon " "
that light 49,, ..osan,,,;ve from Acco
noe in obedience 10 the known will OF his constituents
aec, for them such changes in our organic law as ey m
sired and as afordng the people OF the STATE an
ni,v Of forming for themselves government ~ 30
hl ~ Them Than the one framed by the Convention VI
ID nsrm me here to express the belief that bill much
more acceptable TO the people have the honor 10 represent
received the sanction OF tnlS r1ou'e, ~ ~
intimaons Western gentlemen publicly eSp,esseu, ma
they could not get what they wanted they "ou,a ahe VIM
aver Eastern gentlemen disposed TO give mus
the East insist upon your own tefhs we WIN u'u ' "
carving them into execution ~ ;., 40,
The history of the Convention OF y mas been wi VIZ io
upon The unieeling pages OF book ou. hearts
of the people of the West The present toh7n'e'io Voc
forced upon US against consent The voice % our
nle was raised against it, And though mere cnia ~ ie
lime well remember the feeling of deep and burning mug
nation that arose like flame Of fire among our peope. onf
present Constitution, Sir had the voice o liie eS' pc
vailed would been rejected-reeced Indignantly ny e
almost unanimous decision of her people Time or nus
not aLated feelings this subject iDe via
of 1890 had settled into firm determination 10 palehly oeal
rho evs of the present Constitution until after the ccsus
of e50-sasfed that the excess oil whi'e Pc
nuation West of the mountains, would be 81 great sna
The East could longer, with any sho" OF Jus'cc iIt
10 MS our proper share in the Legislative department :" e
Government IN ,,s =, ,ha
House on this occasion, propose 10 enter mo any M
sca calculations show what number oil repreStses
this or that particular district of the State may DE- entitled
TO- either upon The white basis upon me OASIS u me
population and taxation combined. sha ea'e tial "
others more conyersan with the statistics OF me cous
and better acquainted with the proposed system OF
ton than myself have observed that Inc geniciiai lon
Halifax (Mr Sovall and the representative from norh
bridpc Mr. Dormant differ widely as TO Inc prihcpes on
which that combination should be formed; and wna s more
important still more widely as TO The NUMBER oi
IN wbirh each division of the State would be entitled
shall leave it 10 others solve this difficulty and TO settle
this difference OF opinion .. . ,,u
have listened, Mr. Speaker Win gedt Hileie1S ~
debate on this bill had waited with patience for the ad-
vancemen of some satisfactory argument against inc OIL d.
reDorted By the committee, and In favor OF inc substitute VI
ercd BY the gentleman from Halifax Ana "hesseu s
with feelings of regret the heatess spirit that seemed 10
acuae the majority Of this House in their rejection OF h
90 reasonable in its demands, and the adoption OF suoS
tute 80 odlous and unjust the people OF the west
What were the prominent features OF the BILL as reported
bv the committee! Simply to submit the whole question 70
the peope-to the sovereign people Of Virgnla-to per
them 10 say they wanted Convention OF no Con-
vrntion; and whether they wished that Convention based
upon white population upon white population ana TAXA
ton combined. . - :; -. ho 80
fused and YOU sir your have solemny declared that
the people, the free sovereign people OF Virginia are un"o
thy of confdence-that government shoIo no i",se' VI
uoon the consent OF the goyenedbut that the ma
ority OF numbers should yield 10 the minority oil wealth.
That in the selection Of delegates TO form constitution lot
the government uf free people, majority Of one huuleu
bosond Of the free white population of The West must not
only succumb the Fast, but they must yeid 10 mem
rga majority in that Convention and for WHAT 10 protect
az you saw the property of the East have passed MI
Sneaker through exciting in an humble sphee
had fell as supposed excitement as great as ever al
tend, the discussion Of politics; but never SIR never oiu
feel nv heart pause in its beatingsny blood receoe rom
It's accustomed channels Of circulation ana every ieene
within me- grow cold and bitter and stern until listened 10
the arguments advanced BY the gentleman from Notlo"as
MIR CampbeD and perceived with what evident satisfaction
they were received by the majority on this hoor mar your
property, your wealth must be represented IN orafr al ~
may be protected Protected sir from womf rom lhosc
very men who have pledged themselves over ana over anu
over again. 10 stand by you and TO defend that property nj
told aunngy and heartlessy told that we are moi u oe
trusted. ,, :,
PERM, me- sir 10 digress for moment and TO ask who Il
was hat first sounded the tocsn Of aathat gave the rs
warning voice in the councils of Virginia. Of the approach OF
Northern abolonsm II was, sir son OF western ~
gna and by turning to the debates Of Ihe Conyen.Gn
and prophetic language in the speech OF MI Morgan OIL MO-
nonGaila II. =, .uL. 81 h,,.a so,,a
influence on this question Iii one OF decacy and wii
saw bu, little upon the subject of this argument however
will say something. We find that all the slave-hoidne
States South u.s. deemed Of the utmost importance 10
make all the free white free and independent as TO-
yernnen could make them and why Sir 1t Is known hat
all the saveholding States are fast approaching crss
uly alarming: time when freemen will be needed-wnen
every man be al his post DO we not see e peculiar
condition of society Yes all see, all feel and all lament
tho approach the crisis before U.s. II must be IN the con
temptation of gentlemen, who presume 10 look upon Inc
of events that the time is not far distant when mol
only Virginia all the Southern States must be essential
~ military and will military Governments II VIII be
sol We are goug such state OF things as last az ue
can move The youth will not only be taught ID the arts
and Sciences but they will be trained to armshey mus
he found nj every in arms-they must be READY 70
serve their country in the hour Of peril and OF danger is
not wise now TO call together least every tree white h
man being and unite them in the common interest and
Government Surely is Let give no reason Tor any
10 stand back refuse their service IN the common cause
Of their country These considerations had their influence
ON tho Southern States when forming their CONSTITUTIONS
doubt no and ought 10 have great influence with us
Yes sir the oreshndowng OF the events OF the pre-
sent daythe first warning 10 you TO prepare Tor what
now anspng around youto prepare 10 meet the issues
that arc cndangering your peace your prosperity ana
might add your safety, your very existence as people,
came from that neglected portion OF Virginia the Northwest
Still they are worthy be trusted though they nave
stood by YOU in peace and in rushed 10 your rescue
when your country invaded; yet you refuse 10 trust
them You send us home with the unwelcome message upon
our ps To the kindred of those men whose bones are now
Wondering in the swamps OF Norfok-to the surviving
brothers in arms of the Of Sl5ha; their services IN
crossing the Aeghanies when road save salt path led
10 the East are totally dsregarded forgotten, unreeoe
ee Ii is true have some few sypathlsing TRENDS
in the East have heard since have been member on
this floor an internal improvement bill advocated, on the
ground that would open the way for the scoonasie 10
The West Our simplicity Of manners, honesty OF heart
our industrious and frugal habits have all been commended
your considerations and the me our ignorance most
sympahecally depored II was DONE sir by iriend.one
who had our interest heart the worthy gentleman from
Norfolk r Stubs land was his appeal and so
sincere his efforts in behalf that could not al inc ue
find in my heart the error into when he nag
fallen relative the comparative ignorance OF the East and
the West.
If you will turn to the of lai0 you will find that
there were white citizens the age OF Il years
that could not read and write East OF the Blue Ridge
than West of it, and that too in the iace OF the iacie
historical undenabe iacthat your country has been sell
tied upwards of centuries; that you nave mad In your
midst the Colleges of the State the seats OF learning and re-
nemen You have also been blessed with the presence OF
great men-such Henry Jefferson Madison, Monroe,
Marshall and host Of ohers-he influence OF whose giant
ntrects alone ought been sufficient 10 have excited