Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-07-26
TO. Messrs. F G. Peters, Miles T. Shipman, r. Fl.
| Eubank, Joseph H. Roberts, Alex. Brown, and
: George w. Smiley
; E. F. Wills

Gentlemen have duly received your favor of the
9th ns and IN return, beg you TO accept my grateful
Acknowledgements Tor such an evidence OF your con-
fdence and respect. Owing to the circumstances of
my present situation, was first disposed at to
decline your proposal, but after reflection on the
subject and some conference with one or two friends
| have concluded to make you this statement, and
leave the issue to your better Judgment and dlscre
ton.
You state it as your belief, that majority of the
voters OF Nelson, Amherst and Albearle the
composing this District desire to represent them in
the State Convention, to be held in Richmond in Oc-
ober next amend the present Constitution, and you
Ject
| can assure you, gentlemen, that look upon seat
in the Convention, one OF the highest trusts in the
gift of the people, and for this purpose they have right
to demand the services of any citizen. So high is my
conception OF the magnitude of the interests stated upon
the result OF the deliberations of the Convention about
to be held, that | am strongly inclined to regard
membership OF this body. asa position which is neither
to be sought nor declined
To your application, reply, that should the people
OF the District fit to call to this station, should
regard it as duty TO accept the appointment and to
this will add thain return for such proof OF their
confidence, at this important uncture, my humble
services, such they are, should be rendered with
pleasure
But is proper that should inform you, that in my
present situation, it would be out OF my power to en-
gage in through the district, even far
to meet the people at their respective Court Houses,
and to enter with other candidates into public, and OF
course exciting discussions. During my absence
nearly two months, have had frequent attacks of
indsposton, of character not only to disquahfy me
for public discussions and active duties of the charac
ter in question, but to render abstinence from them du
ring the hot OF the year, indispensable to the
| recovery and confirmation of my health. The avowal
OF such views my part, results assure you from
disrespect to the pc ope, towards whom am ncapa-
Bile of ndugng any but feelings of the most grateful
respect for the many and long continued proofs of
tdence with which have been honored at their hands
After so much time spent during forty years of my life
in of If
the time as their representative in the Senate OF the
State the people Of the District must have had ample
means OF Judging OF my qualifications tor seat in the
Convention and this may add, furnishes probably
better test OF ones fitness for such election than any
platform OF principles which could prepare and de-
| tend before you.
Nevertheless, gentlemen if you should entertain
the opinion, as you probably may, that failure on
| my part to Join IN the canvass, although resulting
from censurabe cause, might materially leopardize
to OF your efforts trust you will withhold my
name, and seek to effect your objects through the in
srumentality OF some younger more efficient and more
| able citizen.
| In the event. however, of your entertaining an OPP
posite opinion it would be desirable to yourselves and
other voters OF the District possess knowledge
of the general principles by whchs should be gov
erned in performing the duties conded my charge.
Having retired hive years ago from the public service,
without any prospect or intention OF reengagng in it.,
and having recently returned to the District, after
long absence, learnt only since my return that there
serious intention in the different counties to place
| my name upon the list OF candidates. l have given
to the questions of change which likely to arise in
the Convention, much less reflection than should have
bestowed had expected toparticipate in the delbera
tons OF that body Nevertheless, although regreting
the necessity thus to commit myself without longer
| time for elaboration, and in advance OF the able dis
cussions to be heard doubtless in the Convention, my
opinions, rather my present impressions, however
imperfect they may be- shall be frankly and honestly
given to you, and through YOU should you deemt
pedient to the other OF the District You will
find them substantially embodied in the following sum-
mary statement.
l. The right of suffrage to be extended TO all free
white male citizens, who may have resided a reasona-
Bile length OF time in the respective county or
corporation, 10 be determined by the Convention, and
have paid their public assessments for the previous
year; who may be OF sound mind, and have been guilty
| OF no criminal offence
Our revolutionary toreathers, in sweeping away the
monarchy and arstocracy from government, lett
the freehold suffrage the foundation OF our system
Some OF the ablest among them renamed to occupy
seats in the Convention OF lS2930 and these, together
with the very able men with whom they were associated,
deemed it safe and prudent to extend the right beyond
its ancient limits | sufficient objection to ex-
tending it still tarther-subect however, TO the llmta-
tons expressed above. The progressive development
of the manufacturing and commercial classes OF society
renders permanent adherence to the ancient freehold
system inadmssible however wise that system may
any evils which might be apprehended from widening
the circle OF voting, would be sufficiently neutrazed by
the more general diffusion of popular education, and
by the influence OF the press.
of suffrage would be as equally dfused as practicable
among all classes OF the community, and 1t would
stand in nearly equal proportion to the white population
in all parts of the State
Q. The ratio of representation, to be placed not
the white but the mixed basis of representation
The effect OF the adoption of the mixed basis instead
of the white may be definitely illustrated by brief
statement derived from the debates OF the late House of
Delegates by both Western and Eastern MEMBERS there
being no difference between them TO this matter OF
fact
n q house of 135 noamhars oroan,ed non tho miyed
basis the counties East OF the Blue Ridge would have
majority the counties West OF the Ridge OF IL
votes whereas in house OF the same aggregate num-
her, organized the white basis the counties est OF
the Ridge would have majority those East OF the
Ridge Of 10 votes; the result OF the rejection OF the
mixed basis and OF the adoption OF the white would be
equivalent TO total difference OF 80 votes the rea-
tive power Of the East compared with that of the West
This preponderance Of relative power, arising from
the adoption of the mixed basis would be felt only
~ the enactment OF laws ana other appropriate action IN
office in the Executive and Judiciary departments
made by the Legislature.
1t pillows as necessary consequence from ths state
ment that all changes in the Constitution, which would
60 to transfer from the Legislature directly to the qua
lifted voters, in other words, to the people appoint
mens to office, in the Executive and Judiciary de-
partments would operate to contract the range OF
influence Of the mixed basis and to extend that Of
the white.
am decidedly of opinion that property, as well as
numbers should constitute element 10 the regulation
of the ratio of representation and the dictates OF rea-
and experience upon this subject happily harmonic
with those OF fairness and consistency IN our conduct in
regard the federal basis in the Constitution of the
United States.
| deem any argument in support OF the mixed basis
in this section OF the State altogether unnecessary
but cannot refrain from expressing my qualification at
the unanimty upon this subject, which now prevails
not only here, but in the country generally to the East OF
the Ridge for, upwards OF twenty years ago, and
terror to the last Convention, maintained this doctrine
in address to the Senate, which reached the public
through the medium OF thepress, and met with appro,
baton less general and cordial than such principles find
al the present day.
3. The tenure OF the Judicial office, in my opinion
should continue during good behaviour; not extend
however, beyond certain age 10 be fixed by the
Convention, guard, far as practicable, against
the evils resulting from the presence of superannuated
Judges the bench, without, at the time, depri
wing the State of the great advantages of ripe exper
fence and extraordinary merit and to be liable TO ter
mnaton at any time anterior to such age, by judi
ciously regulated power OF removal, the part Of
the Legislature, so TO provide remedy for cases
OF ndoent, incompetent and inefficient incumbents
The placticabity OF the first of these amendments
can scarcely be doubted admit the difficulty of ar
ranging the second. SO as to accomplish the object of
removal without infringing the independence OF the