Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-21

Of things. what did all these faithful East.
ern members dol--aye. whati
It Is tar from me to arraign any man or
set OF men belonging to this body; but do
desire, and | have a right to desire, to a.
val myself Of the bene6t of history, if that
history should accidentally exert most
beneficial influence in annihiIatine a great
injustice done to me.
say what did the Eastern members dol
Why SIR. they met in caucus-in solid col.
umn--in solid phalanx-solid as ever Ma
cedonian phalanxwas-and made three ser
erdt distinct propositions to the West offer
ing to take one mired basis House; and to
give TO tie West Meotler House upon ,ehite
population, or lie qualified rioters, as the
case might be-and was
Schedule "a" have already said was
alive, and in all its strength and proportions,
inviting the incorporating mixed basis
men-mired basis in both Houses-for that
IS Tie idea-to rally around it; and subject
too, let me repeat. to all and any modifca-
tons its friends might desired But the eau
Gus met on that memorable Saturday night;
and the East in solid column; as l have al
ready said, made formal and solemn propo-
sitions to the West-three several and
distinct propositions at least-in each of
which twas proposed to surrender to the
West one whole House, taking for the East
some sort Of mixed basis House! Some
times the caucus | believe, hit upon popu-
laiion and taxation combined for the Eas-
tern House-somelimes upontaxation alone
and sometimes they even favored, perhaps,
my own favorite Federal numbers!''
Well now, Mr.. President, ! want to
bring little more light upon this matter;
and that little light is good deal of light.
What has the gentleman from Fauquier
just told US? / mean nothing unkind, nor
disrespectful to any man, or set of men,
when | say that believe the gentleman
from Fauquier has been regarded by some
peopic at a distance, as Gencralissimo and
commanderin-chicf of all the Eastern al
lied mixed basis forces. At all events no
mans opinions can be entitled to higher
credit and more weight, and what ask,
has he just told US!
He says that when he left the Eastern
caucus-(the Saturday night before the
compromised he left there with a firm be
lief that the mixed basis would be carried
and what was there to prerent other East
crn incorporating mired basis men from
entertaining the same views with the gen.
tleman from Fauquier!
And yet these three several propositions
OF compromise were made in "a more bind
ing manner than ifmade in the Convention
itself, the one being solemn covenant, if
adopted, the other vote only that men,
Der on change ofjudgement would change,
also, at his will and pleasure! Made by
whom! Made by the East in a body
And had | not as much right to propose
compromise at my own proper time as
an Eastern caucus-s=S@ especially if but
carried out views, calculated, as honestly
thought, more than all other schemes which
had been discussed in the Convention, to
advance the best interests of those whom |
had the honor to represent-and believe
so STILL
If | am in predicament, for daring to of
fer what l regarded the best proposition l
could bring forward, for the best interests
ofthose represented. in how much great
err predicament is the East ina badly, forma-
king Tie compromise propositions, so freely
condemned by them at subsequent period
of time, and yet so positively and absolute
y made, while schedule "a" as | have
said before, was then on your table, sir,
in all its vitality, and as subject to amend
mcnt as a naked question without details!-
Under these circumstances | would en-
quire, sir, if it is exactly fair for the gentle
man from Fauquier, or other Eastern gen.
tlcmen who acted with him in that memo
rable caucus, to speak of others coming
here pledgedto the mixed basis and voting
against it? | suppose that the committee
appointed by the caucus, and the members
composing the caucus, who sanctioned their
action in making the various propositions of
compromise to the West, should be held
altogether as responsible, as for any votes
they might give in this Convention. And
the proposition made to arrange and adjust
this whole matter-siS as made by the
Eastern caucus. I'll did involve surrend-
err fthe whole question ofthc mixed basis
They, in effect, and de .tacto, said. we will
take one House,and you may take the 9TH
err.
| voted against this compromise, when
it was adopted in this body, and shall vote
against it now. But the human being
cannot be found in my District, or else
where, who ever heard me pledge myself
to 60 for an, or the unqualified mixed ba-
sis, as contendcd for by the rigid mixed
basis advocates, in both branches of the
Legislature.
The plan proposed was matter of fire.
quent conversations in intercourse with
many of my constituents, and others, both
before and throughout the long session of
the Convention-and there is not a man in
my District, this day, who will bear wit
ness that he ever expressed TO me his dis
appreciation of it, previous to the day |
brought forward the scheme.
These remarks have deemed it neces-
sary and Just to make, both concerning the
vote | shall give upon this question, and in
vindication ofmy general course towards
those whom, confding in me, l have earn
estly endeavored, faithfully to serve and
advance their best interests. amresponsi-
slblc in these things to no other earthly tri-
bunal-and Task but justice at their hands
Internal I'm Improvement.
We call the attention of the friends Of
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, and
those who are interested in the prosperity
of the State, to meeting to be held in
Washington County, on the 2sth ult. to
ask the people along the line to unite with