Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-09
lie " 10 z. AN II Z II,
RICHMOND, May 20, 1851.



Mr.. WNeEIELD. The gentleman from
Southampton has alluded to my position
and to my relations towards my constitu-
ents The gentleman from Prince George
(Ir. Rives,) the other day with still more
oarnestncss Of manner, vIsage and gesture
made the same illusions and intimated to
us that we should have a dreadful day OF
reckoning when we went home to our con-
stitucnts. | wish to say, with the leave Of
the Convention, a few words in response
to these suggestions, and few words III
reference to this compromise itself. L am
not unmindful Of the responsibility that |
owe to my constituents, in the position that
| have taken. | have taken that position
after due reflection upon what is my duty
here and towards my constituents. | shall
meet those constituents, and that day OF
reckoning and its consequences, and, what
ever be my fate, | hope to meet as a man
should meet it. | have taken my position;
to use a homely phrase, | have put my foot
down and having taken it, | mean to stand
by it and abide the consequences, whatever
they may be.
Now, | have no doubt that | represent
upon this floor n constituency who were III
favor of the mixed basis. have not the
smallest doubt about it, but l have still as
little doubt that if those constituents were
here, if they saw all the difficulties of this
question, if they saw all the consequences
likely to ensue from settlement OF this
question upon the mixed basis or no settle
-, mi O. it at all, that nine-tenths OF those
constr ,ents would say TO me, "compro-
mise tl,is on, stion upon the best terms that
YOU can Get" lat is what believe my
Constituents would say to INC, and beilev-
ing, that the integrity, safety and peace q
the State depended upon,it shall actupon
it as long as have a seat in this body.
Now, as to my pledges to my constiiu-
ents before my election. | do notconsider
that | was pledged to go for mixed basis
at all hazards, or for the particular basis
commended for by gentlemen here. | put
this question before my constituents on the
ground Of propriety and justice. I con-
tended before my people, and stated IN my
published address, that no restraint should
be laid on the viii Of che people further
than was necessary for the protection Of
each citizen in his rights of property, and
person; that so far every ustpeope would
be willing to go, and that further than that,
| did not believe that they would 60, or
ought to 20. contended for the mixed
basis on the ground that it wasa necessary
restraint to be laid on the majority ia the
legislative department Of the government,
for the protection Of our slave property, in
the east, and claimed it in order to protect
ourselves against undue legislation on the
part of those who had a majority and not
an identity of interest with us upon no 9th
er ground can it be justified. When ever
| get that protection for my people in the
legislature, have fully attained the prin-
ciple that l undertook before them to con-
tend for / did not go for the mixed basis
as an end, but as means to accomplish
an end, aud that end was protection IN the
Legislative department of the government,
and when that is attained, the purpose Is
accomplished and my pledge redeemed
Well in this compromise, or, If gentlemen
do not choose to call it compromise. in
this proposition Of adjustment and settle
ment which was reported the other day
from the Committee of the Whole that is,
IN my judgement, as efectually secured as
it ever can be secured by any basis that
could be established. Now what protec-
ton would you have under the mixed basis
as it has been commended for in PROPOSE
ton A, that you DO not get by this propo-
sition? | contended before my constitu-
ents that all that we had right to require,
was protection. 1t has been said upon this
floor, by every eastern gentleman that that
is all they desire. They have said that
they did not ask for power for powers
sake but that they asked protection. Now