Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-03
THE BASIS DEBATE.

Mr. Summers, of Kanawha made yesterday a
very strong and impressive reply to the remarks
of Mr.. Scott of Fauquer. The themes which
he touched may be seen in our sketch of the pro-
ceedinps. He spoke like man of thorough con-
victions, and with directness and cogency of ar
gument we have rarely heard equalled. This
praise we freely award to gentleman whom it is
our pride to recognise as true Virgnan 10 feel
ing, and one of the most gifted of our public men.
We dissent from his opinions, but cannot deny
that he sustains them with eminent ability.
A large portion of his speech was addressed to
two issues which, it is much to be regretted,
were ever raised in the Convention One of these
was, which party had most INDUCED in offensive
taunts-a question very unnecessarily mooted
by Mr. Randolph of Albemare; and the other,
whether the proceedings of the celebrated panic
Legislature on the subject ofemancipation prove
the West to be less worthy of trust than the East
As to this latter point our own opinion is, that
there is no part Of our history upon which the peo
pie of Eastern Virginia should look with less
pride, than upon the memorable stampede amongst
politicians and constituents that followed the
Southampton affair. We agree perfectly with
Mr., Summers, in regard to that page of our an
nails, that it would be better for both East and
West to seal itup forever.
Mr.. Summers made an earnest and pressing
appeal to Eastern members, to relax their resolu
ton, and yield to what he assures to be the jus
claim of the West. 1t seems to be without his
comprehension that Eastern men can believe as
firmly in the justice of the mixed basis as he be-
lieves in the justice of the white. He does no
sue for a compromise, but for a full concession O
all that the West demands. And we must frank
ly say, that should greetiy prefer the suffrage
basis with such guarantees as Western gentlemen
say they will freely grant, to any arbitrary com
promise between the opposing schemes, by which
the vast evil of geographical divisions shall b.
perpetrated. We would take the suffrage basis
too, with guarantees, rather than any compromise
which would only be accepted by the West as
temporary expedent for attaining its object here
after through another Convention. But until the
detection of Eastern members of the Convention
is proved to be more serious than it now appears
we see no sufficient reason for abandoning the
mixed basis. 1t cannot require very long tint
u COnVluCe Oo isduuol P tat Ills CONSTITUENTS art
more familiar than himself with the Eastern propc
sition inthe Convention of 1929. Mr.. Bowden, VIII,
stands by the Federal basis, will surely not 81
directly violate the known wishes of his consttu
ents as to insist stubbornly upon that basis, if i
shall be defeated, and thus permit the adoption o
some other, far more Objectionable TO him than thu
mixed. Let the mixed basis of Mr.. Beale be tri
ed let the Federal basis be tried and if both
fail, our first desire will be to see some scheme
prevail, which prescribes principle of representa-
ton, which obterates the Blue Ridge and thu
Allegheny as political barriers, and which will &C
commodate itself to the changing circumstance.
of the people. Let not this Convention, like tina
of 1929, build house only to see it blown down
by the breath of public sentiment.
The debate seems to be getting back to its for
mer character of setness-if we may insert word
that serves our purpose. Mr.. Gally has the floor
in committee to-day.