Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-27


then voted for Mr. Bryces amendment to the preamble
lie begged and impored to withdraw it, but would
not do it. 1t is contended here that the preamble ned
tated action Mr.. Preston asked the gentleman, do
you intend the preamble meditatng to take action!
What was he told by the man who offered lti When
gentlemen tell me that the preamble means this and
means that, give them Mr. Bryce's own words:
Mr.. Preston rose to ask explanation II the pre-
ambe was intended declaration that the House
would net ut some future time, he should vote for it,
and also for the report should the preamble be adopted
Mr. Bryce did not intend by this preamble to pledge flu
ture Legislatures to any plan Of action but to submit the
question the people in such matner as to draw their
attention to the subject"
There it is There is the language of Mr.. Bryce of
Goochand who offered it. upon the record put myself
upon the record. But told that we must not al
lude toi; that while the whole history of the coun
try open to every schoolboy, that when he becomes
old in the practical operations of government he is
not to be allowed to refer to it, Let us see how the
vote of western Virginia upon the adoption of the
amended preamble of Mr.. Bryce stood There were
81 members from trans Allegheny present She had
81 members OF those present o5 voted for the re-
port amended Mark you after Mr. Bryces substi.
Iute had beenincoporated in the report of the committee
then those who had voted against that report who would
not touch it, who preferred Mr. Prestons substitute,
having lost the main battle up and supported Mr.
Bryce's substitute. Twenty-Five members from trans
Allegheny voted for the report as amended two against
IL. and four were absent The absentees were Messrs.
biilngly of Monongalia, Stevenson of Nicholas, Nor
rls of Wood and Lawson Of Logan. The two who vot-
ed against it were Messrs Gillespie of Tazewel and
HELMS of Floyd. From the Valley, there "a
members present. Of whom % voted for that substitute
as amended against it, aud one member absent.
he two against it Smith of Frederick, and Carson
of Shenandoah, both OF whom had voted against MIR.
Prestons substitute before. The absent member
from Morgan county. Recapitulated, the vote stood
thus From west of the Ridge there were 81 members
present, II of whom voted for the report rs amended
and against it, the remaining being absent Sixty.
hive members voted for the report q: amended-4 being
from the west and IS from the east This upon the
final vote the adoption of the report of the commit
tee amended by Mr.. Bryces substitute. And yet it
said that eastern Virginia desired legislative action
the committee reported against It, and
her delegation attempted to vote down the amended
preamble by which power was attempted to be exercised
by the Legislature.
And vet, to be told in the face Of this record
that the delegates from western Virginia. who repre-
sented constituency firm "a true as steadfast on
the sub of slavery as that lam to put guards
the constitution against hasty, undue and excited
Legislation. 1never will, 50 help me God, leave this
house and go tn my constituents, and tell them that
will not be warned by the past.
Mr.. SUMMERS. The gentleman says that under all
these monstrous circumstances they to be asked to
pass constitution without any restrictions. Did the
gentleman hear rue when stated that we were willing
let them devise any and every provision on the sub
ject that they desired and to understand him now
claiming the mixed basis of representation wholly
and exclusively the ground that it is necessary to
prevent their slaves being emaucipatedi
Mr.. RlSES. Ne, sir, | want such provision.
want none of your stipuations in writing nothing of
that sort because there is the very provision in
the present constitution of the State OF Virginia
which put in the federal constitution. Every body
who reads it will see that private property shall not
be taken for public purposes without Just compensation.
Now if that is in the constitution already what can
you put there strongcrl This very effort by single
OF the Legislature to sweep from every Shareholder
his property was made in the face of this provision in
the constitution lay down the ground that interest
and power should be so combined in the legislative de-
partlncnt of the government that when man has pow
to egslac upon the property interests OF the country
he shall feel himself what he puts on his neghbors
have felt my duty TO make these remarks to cor
rect the historical into which my friend has fall
len know that he had not examined this record
attentirev When he commenced and made such high
to know all about 1t, and 10 show that cas-
tern Virginia was entirely in the wrong, knew that
should be able TO show that on the very sub ject OH
which he attacked eastern Virginia, the west was in
truth TO blame. Sir, do not intend to say that the
people in western Virginia are not sound upon this sub
ject God forbid that should ever be capable OF re-
hecsing mjuriously or improperly on eastern western
or northern Virginia, upon the hmblcst citizen IN
the State God forbid that should ever fear from any
cause whatever to bring up the history of our State
legislation, and to profit by its example, whether good
or bad. My friend from kanawha has alluded in very
eloquent terms to my "way BILL and beg leave TO
say one word upon That subject.
;eg leave say that it has been my pleasure and
may boast that it has been my pride TO hear the clo
ouence which have heard from western brethren.
When heard the gentleman from kanawha, (Nlp. SrM-
MERs,) and the gentleman from Berkeley, (a1r. FArLH
NER,) and the gentleman from Accomac, MIR. WIsE,)
did not feel myself at liberty to speak disparagingly
of the advocates of the suffrage basis from tho west
the east When heard the manly cloquence, when
saw such intellectual giants battling for their cause
could no, fail to give their arguments due weight.
But my opinions upon this subject were not formed
hastily and without reflection reflected deeply upon
the subject and after the most thorough Investigation,
came to the conclusion which expressed in my way
DILL Now il | may be permitted, will say to my
lend close by me, (Mr WIsE,) that have not been
insensbc to his eloquence stand ever ready to re-
ceive instruction from any stand every ready;
hoping and wishing that the blessing of God may strike
the scales from my eyes, and may be brought Saul
like safe to Jerusalem, with the truths OF religion i'm
planted in my soul. My eyes are open and ever shall
pc open receive light That is the situation in which
stand before my God, and before mankind.
Now, about the way bill and l call your attention
TO it for the sake of showing the position in which
shall be placed at home. have constituents at home
who sent me here and to whom | made solemn pledges
as to what my should be in relation to this basis
questions and if go home with the evidence that
have proved traitor to them, should consider my
deg adation deep, that the meanest dog in my dis
trict would be dishonored to bark at me. But, il go
home after having fought the battle bravey and alh
fully whatever little errors | may have committed in
the of the little brief authority with which have
been clothed, know my constituents will say "well
done good and faithful servant" wish to God had
the eloguence of my friend from Accomac, MIR WIsE.j
wish to God could send him to the European world
to strike terror into the crowned heads there Laugh
ter. Tyrants would trcmble and fall before him ty
rainy and oppression can have foothold wheie
his clarion note is heard. Never, sir, never! All
afraid offs, that it will wake people unnecessa
rily, and too soon. Great laughter. 1t is fortunate
for the crowned heads Of Europe that he is not there.
wish he had gone to the Worlds Fair Instead OF
kissing the queens lips till they blistcred he would
have reused up her people strike fer their rights. He
would have told the people Of down trodden and suffer-
ing Ireland to strke-strke the Americans did, and
the lion will be dethroned, and the eagle of liberty will
take his place.
Mr. SUMMERS, lin his scat) There is little
work to be done here before you send him to Europe
Mr. RlVES. Well sir, he will do his duty, and
shall attempt to do mine. shall stand BY my way bill
And call upon my friends to remember their way bills,
and to stand firm by them If you do that you cannot
do any wrong your people NV friend minated that
it was probable that had changed MY opinions and
that NV constituents might also have changed theirs
and by voting with him and his western friends if such
was the case would not misrepresent them
beg leave to say TO gentlemen that they need not
a.. I.,,,,eo r hora tbe candor nd ;nJon,n