Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-18

history of the federal government the action OF Con
Sresslonal caucusaes for the nomination of President
satisiied the people that system that would not
do, aud cannot think there is any danger thu they will
resot to IT again. have understood that Tor Il long
number {" Year, the people have indicated distinctly
,ha they would not suffer Tie public officers TO be
Mated b. legislative canc,lsses Tina; is the only way in
which Il argued that the Governor can exercise an I'M
due influence the people by the abuse of his power
tor Reelection the physical mpossilty has been dem
onstrated ~ ti:e gentleman from Marion Again there
are always n"re en out, wanting Office than ever you
can stick into ofite and if the people cannot s.e the
abuses that are practsed upon them the politicians WILL
and the eyes of theopposte party will always he gloat
ing over every single he may make or over every
vaccination in which he may engage against the rights
Of the people If the people will not do it. those who
wish 10 suppan the incumbent in office will do t-even
those OF his own party With ali these means to inform
them, appeal to every man, if there is any probability
that the people will or Of their being deceived
the character of their candidates who have filled the Of
fce already refer gentlemen to what has occurred in
our presidential canvass if the people erredn their
selection OF them If they have it has always been with
new men, sprung upon them with n committee on con
SCIENCE ar ludclous tariff trckery or other Of
deceit or conceament and the people in that way have
been Tor the moment hunlbugged and tleludsd. But
whenever IMAM shall come out boldly ON the ground of
principle, upon his official acts aud they nre such
as the people do not concur my word for it. the
erelsns will cut him down. The reason IS is aeme
by our wg friends that Mr.. Clay could be elect
cd, was. because he was too we'll known There is no
doubt about IT. Were there many who, before his nom
inatlon knew Mr. Polk And does not every nan know
that Mr. Clay was the most popular man in the Union
that ht mao more warm personal friends than any
ever did have who lives III it that he was the idol OF his
party; and that he had kissed the ladies by miles
Laughter But he had been bold and frank and fear
less man. He had been placed in positions in which he
had been compelled to show his foot and it proved tn
be cloven one in the eyes Of the people, and they
ected him. This Is of course according IT, nv demo
cratic opinion Now, venture to assert that he who ha-
not only avowed bis opinions hut compelled to abide
by MS acts VIII ever work To disadvantage against
cunning adversary who will take unknown and unc.r
tain groun1 And that is the main difficulty in the re-
election Of Governor. Nothing but the most triun
plant demonstration will him against the cunning If
the hungry asprants and Of all those of his own party
who NAV desire that he shall be set aside and moi he re-
nominated My experience as politician is very limited
| have not been among the people much But have
rode the creeks and hoows the mountains and cross
roads some, and tell you and intend to act upon that
sentiment M long rs am member of this Convention
That the proper and true way to secure the confidence D
mankind is to be absolutely and honestly determined 10
deserve ii. rrckery and cunning NAV triumph for
while but if You out openly aud above board my
word for it, the people will only appreciate it. bn
the shafts of calumny will fall harmless al your feet
1t is in vain to talk about it, Mankind arr more can,
ole and more honest than they given credit for
But are told that these doctrines of ours are NIB
s.racons. Says my friend from Buckingham (Nr FroUa
this doctrine that all power resides in the people an
abstraction We were told also by another gentleman n
colleague of his that these principles ofours are vague
unknown and underlined something Now | do not ur.
erstand it maintain TINT, when We say the .oye
regnty resides IN the people, aud that they are the
sources Of all power egmaely belonging to the Gov
ernment do not understand that be an abstraction
VIVA; do gentlemen mean bv abstractionl have hoard
this cry often Lave heard often from the federal
papers Of the country. Yes sir have heard the Clio.
rous doctrnes Of 9S and 80 denounced because they
were distractions. And old father Richie. who ha.
stood and bated all his life for these principles has al
most been thrown, together with states rights into r.
oule by this single cry OF abstraction You have only
call thing abstraction and you kill it At once for il
means nothing and It means everything. What ia I'M
abstraction Is it lie truth! Is it an abstract
truth abstract falsehood If it Is al abstract
truth if is principle upon what is it fouudedl Upon
what is al! principle founded Is it not the stew.d
down essence of facts Laughter Is ii n true prin-
cip!cl II it is it must work right work ut I'll.
And il is false principle it is not abstraction
simply lie. Why will gentlemen bring up this time
worm federal cry against IL am tired Of this cry of
abstraction and heard ii that did not tren-
bic for the consequences to the rights of You can.
not egislae for the people, or preserve the rights Of
mankind without often recurrence. ~ jefferson say =
10 fundamental principles 1t in vain to talk about ii
Ny friend from Buckingham speaks Of til. vandalism
IF tearing away the sacred relic, of the past will not
80 into what has already been we'll done and show the
gentleman that divided vote was had this very sub
Icct in the last Convention. | will not go over the
the ground which In. been occupied by other gentlemen
aud show him that i'll no Instance heretofore. under the
Constitution of Virginia has this primer pie come up
Heretofore it a restriction the Legislature, he
cause the people did not appoint their agent but aullo
rice, their Legislative agents to appoint him, and only
restricted the works of their agents will not talk
about this thing but will talk about this idea of
,alisn Gentlemen talk about brcakiig down the Con
-tttou because propose give the people the right
to reelect after le ha- served them well Strange
and startling proposition, admit Every man in this
Convention and ont of it will admit that sometimes
officer ought to be- re elected. None deny that They nd
init that the people have all capacity, that they have
confidence in those whom they call The dear people
and vet they ARE unwilling IL say, when this does hap
men that the people shall have that privilege 1t
ling innovation, they say. which We in III" very
act Of making Constitution. 1t is vandalism, AMI
we are LAYING The hand of Gothic upon the capitol
: Rome But il did that did moi wish like my old
democratic friend lay my hand the Constitution
Virginia and Zip from it ;he entire bill al rightsthc
whole embodiment ri mans rights.
Mr. FUQUA do not remember my language. BIT
think said that this discussion hal we'll nigh made mc
doubt the proprety Of attaching bill Of rights the
Cot,titutioi-uot that ! was for expungin. it,
Mr. HcCOMAS. We'll, ! sorry that my friend
.Ioh,. There il but ono step between doubt AMI de-
-pair One step and III IS over to the enemy Laughter
". are told great deal about ha idea of authority and
r-.e,dsnt do not know how other gentlemen fe.
ab,n, this idea nl authortyit nlay he n great thing
hut will tell you how ii srikcs Inc, very decidedly
Gentlemen who here thus to make alterations i'll
the instrument have regard for authority when they
wish to carry ont their peculiar principle bt when
another principle up in which they i" not
at once th"y lcsa cry "ut "P'ttedsm' II looks to
me rot only unfair, hut like who very hard
pushed. and had nothing else to say. 1t looks to
as if a man ives hard pushed principle. or lie
would moi rc,ur: to authority. Why soul call up
on authority at all! Have not all the facts which all
author;y haa heretofore been based, to form opinn
or are We going follow the opinion of any because
it il hi. opinion. Now no man OH this floor will say
that Will yo consent 10 yield your Judgment to the
Judgment OF any body else If you will not, why appeal
to authortvl Why not take the reesoGs wbc these
men have their opinions founded aud give them to Ia
convince our reasl Why appeal to these authority
and precedeutsi Do gentlemen consider how far this
will take them luck, il they carry ont their idea
Wa call on the Convention Of 90 for authority, and
what did they dol Go back and read what they
did and you will find that they call the former
Convention AZ authority for them. And what did they
doi They appealed to the bill of rights of 1883 Aud
what did thevo in 1888 They hated about the rights
of Englslen under the magua charta and appealed to
the dave of King John Do not gentlemen the opera
ton oft that lead them hack bnrimrsm seems
to me that they cannot fail to that hsi- not aia way
Al +hot nor an argument mt Gll. We