Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-17


of government for their adoption or rejection But sir
deny that tho plan propose involves the supposed
departure from the commission given us By our con-
sttueuts ID incorrect to say that we propose to sub
init to them two constitutions There Will be but q
single constitution presented, with an alternate pps
sition rs to one aud only Of its features. The pro-
cess will be simple and easy. Each voter will first an
swor for against the constitution, and then for
the mixed basis presented, or for the suffrage basis
and whichever scheme receives the ma orty Of votes
becomes 1850 jato part of the constitution aud takes
effect Weak and faacious therefore, the argument
is-as hope may BIC pardoned for saying-lt Is not
founded in f.ct.
Again, my friend from Henry, (Sir. MAnrIs) as if
conscious how difficult it must be for any one who re-
cognizes the great fundamental principle OF popular
sovereignty oppose such proposition ~ this takes
refuge under the convenient doctrine of instruction.
lie says he is instructed by his constituents on th.
point and how: similar proposition was submitted
IN the house of delegacs-that body recently 80 dis.
tinguished as ogroers-a gentleman representing the
county of Henry voted against it, and yet was reelected
delegate from that county Ny friend, however does
inform whether the election any manner, or 10
any extent turned this vote Of the delegate from
Henry. Whether the personal popularity OF that dele,
gate great litte-in word whether tins WA at
all made question in the election referred TO- ms
surely is the weakest Of all arguments and unless my
friend find better than this for placing MN
self in opposition to the great republican prIneiPe !at
the people, and acry of the people, have rls's
to decide great questions of this kind Tor these'Fe7
must expect him to yield his resistance to this PLAIN
simple and enphatcay democratic mode OF settling TINS
psrpexng question.
But sir hive not done with this matter yet am
democrat in the modern aud party sense OF that word
Nor do profess any undue unfrlt devotion to the
rights Of the people Ny public acts are the best es
llence on that point. cannot forget, however that
the very foundation upon which our whole p'liti-
cal system rests ia the maxim that the people rs-
psciay us to all disputes arising among their agents
are the tribunal Of last and final resort from whose
decision there is appeal. How then, stands lie
case II is agreed on a sides that the work OF our
hauds-any constitution may agree upon-ls to he
suL.cted 10 the ordeal uf the popular vote; Yes sir,
the vote simply of numbers-ilot any ledSerdelan oi
mixed basis vote where the voice OF one man Is TO
count than another, but the real democratic pro-
cess of voting man to This is to be done As To
the whole instrument About one great principle how
ever of that instrument We are unfortunately diYid
in such manner to Threaten disaster to tho Gem.
monweallh Clouds and darkness are, ut least have
been, very recently all around horizon. A w;ld
and dangerous spirit OF fanaticsn in the north, and
scarcely less dangerous decnsibe rage in the south
for suion with all its dreul Consequences rendering
it infinitely important than at any other period OF
our State history, that Virginia should be unit one
and indvsbc, bound together not only IN the forms
of Il common government. but i'll prnc pie in feel
ing in sympathy. and in real brotherhood. Under
these circumstances the west comes forward AMI
tenders to tho caot appeal to orr common mas
crs the sovereign people Of the State, to determine
As srperac proposition, this dangerous and distract
ing question. Ad yet such proposal IS scornlaIiy
rcpo!le by or eastern friends and in rep they
tolnptuuusly ask: DO you think L. 10 green rs I"
agree To submit such question 10 the people when W.
know that ia. people are against ua We hs, rather
vote the su.frayr basis 1t once No Elf. We have III
our lan,i-. n, they the power OF the governmental
maoritr. ciore 1t. The great popular majority oi
the people mn bow.
| know nothing Mr. Chairman of the spirit of free |
DOM know nothing of irresistible force OF popu-
lur sovereignty and have studied human nature in lt5
broadcast aspects 10 little purpose if mistaken in be-
licviug that this assumption prevail IN this
land and that sporcr later the popular voice will |
sweep it and its authors into political humiliation Sir
it will Le no excuse to say acting by power of |
attorney and in the terms of the commission could
find no specific grant of the power 10 submit these alter
native propositions to the people An attorney in TACT
agent, requires such authority to recommend to
his principal whatever he may deem advantageous |
to the interests Of that prncpal-much less doe he
require Il specific authority for submitting point o
difficulty to his princpa-ln other words, to ask m
strnclions from him. In conclusion of this pa OF the
subject must be permitted to say, without meaning |
,srespect to any one, and least of all to my friends
from Loudoun and from Henry, that weak indeed must
be the cause and terrible the stress of necessity which
compes gentlemen of their intelligence, resources of
mind and sound judgment. to occupy such grounds
these.
Why, then, ia our appeal UNDECIDED Is it alone |
because you know that the result of that election
would bo to condemn your favorite schemc' Will you,
in opposition to the advice of George Mason, refuse tn
do what right in itself what is right upon every prc
pie of republicanis in its broadest sense, what is right
upon the sacred and immutabe prnc Piles of Justice and
fair dealing, because, peraJventure il may the |
sceptre to depart from the hands of Judah! You will
have to meet il here 1t will be presented to You and
trust that nv eastern friends viii not cya,c it-hat
they will not, by any parliamentary device, avoid the |
of coming up to the ark. They have
the nerve it would seem, to do anything and
hopo they VII come up 10 the scratch aud if they will
not allow test the strength of respective po
sons before the people at large let every member of
this body by fair and direct vote, boldly meet the
consequences Let see whether people in the lower
end ofthc valley will take the one or the other Let them
determine after respectfully considering the sage
sells of nv FREUD from the county of Essex (Mr NJ. t.
H. GArxrrr) whether indeed involves an act of iu
,licinl blindness to sympatlse with aud adhere to, the
fortunes of western brethren III this struggle between
ill-gottcn at least llretaincd power OH the one
aide and Justice, right, and republican equality on
the oheri Whether, indeed the position we
cupv, being that by which cannot gain, but may
lose POLITICAL power, does not imply
degree Of disntcrested chivary = element of |
character hcrcofoe supposed to belong exclusively to
our friends the Of the Cavaliers
Mr. Chairman, ] intended, on this occasion 10 have |
directed the attention Of the committee with some de-
gree of particularity and somewhat in detail the
principles laid down. and objects contemplated III the
report made hr tho committee which II was the pleas
ure of the committee to raise upon the specific subject
of limitations, kc.
am very unwilling to dctan the committee Just |
now as the beet will come up hereafter in differ.
ent form.
SEVERAL MEMBERS. Go on go on
Mr. HUNTER. will then enleavor to present |
brief and rapid outline simply of the ens aimed in
that report. need scarcely say anything to the |
first resolution reported for seems to DO admitted BY
every that the principle there announced is correct
in its broasest acceptnti"n-tha property and the right
to property not creature Of government Govern
ment protects but does not it. It's claim. are
derived from higher We then assert what |
follows under institutions W. announce
that slave property stands upon precisely the same
footing with every other species of property. We give
it direct and unqualified constitutional sanction and
this the whole ground to any legislative inter
ference with the right of property in slaves, except
far any other species OF property may be affected
bY legislation. And to the danger of such pro-
vision rs this should it be Incorporated into the coIsti
tuition, being ever hereafter abr"gaed interfrrred
with appeal to every eastern member on this floor if
he entertns the slightest apprehension ofsuch result
Whatever may have been the state of public sentiment
in the State twenty years ago in regard to the delicate
81. a..