Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-08-28
CONCLUSION OF
MIR. STAPLES, ADDRESS.
70 THE VOTERS OF THE COUNTY OF PAT

I'VE H. > n + LIS AID AZ a,SSs
70 THE VOTERS OF THE COUNTY OF PAT
RICK.
This is a government deriving its Just
powers from the consent and will of the
people alone; and, before | would vote for
a principle which gives more power, more
weight, more influence upon the floor OF
the General Assembly. to property than to
men, | would suffer my right arm to be
palsied by my side and my tongue to cleavc
to the roof of my mouth. Why, under
such principle John Jacob Astor with
his fourteen millions of dollars, paying
$4,000 of tax, every 1000 of which being
entitled to one representative, would bal
ance twenty-four thousand with citizens
of this Commonwealth. While the ques-
ton of basis was under discussion in the
Convention, a scene was enacted in that
farce which struck all, who had any res
pect for the will of the majority, with I'M
bounded astonishment. 1t convinced the
country those gentlemen IN the Conven
lion, who were advocates Of the mixed
basis and who were prodigal in their pro-
fessions of attachment for 1.-THE dear peo-
pie" and of respect for their will, held "the
dear people" and their rights in the most
utter contempt when called upon to show
their hand Mr.. Summers of kauawha
for the purpose Of settling the question of
basis so far as the Convcntionw concern
ed, of arrestng a tedious and already tire
some debate and Of saving thousands of
dollars ofpublic money already too lavish
ly squandered, moved that the question of
basis should be submated to the people a.
long with the new constitution the Con-
vention should adopt. To this proposition
so fair in itscli-so just-so conciliaiing--
above all, so republican, it was supposed
there would be no opposition. 1t was
urged, that the people being the fountain Of
all power in this Government, should have,
and were entitled to, the right to settle that
as well as all other questions for them
selves; and that lnasmuch as there was but
little prospect, the Convention would a
dopt any basis; and inasmuch as the public
patience was exhausted, and the people
disgusted with so protracted session, it
was most feasible tha h tallimportantque
ton should be decided at the ballot box
The right Of the people to be heard upon
that question: right long denied-Qor be
it remembered that our masters have new
er given us an Opportunity of speaking in
tones Of thunder upon that queslion)-and
all other considerations of justice and fair
ness were pleaded in vain. The resolu-
ton was voted down; every mixed basis
man In that Conv eniion voting against it
Now, after the enactment of this solemn
farce, the people may well ask themselves
the question, is this a Republican Govern
ment, or is it downright aristocracy in
which the privileged few are always to
rule the many-in which the people are,
that too by their own representatives, to
be denied the privilege of settling ques-
tions, destined to affect thcirrights and their
liberties, for themse yes! Its to be hoped
that the people of Virginia are not so lost
to a sense of their own rights and proper
appreciation of what is due them, as tamclv
to submit to such an outrage; but that they
will long remember, and visit their Just
displeasure upon those who could thus
wantouly abuse their trust. Butthls ques-
non of basis has been at last settled by the
Convention, not | know TO the entire salts.
faction of the majority, but in such a man.
ner as to insure Its acceptance as choice
of evils. The House of Delegates upon
the white basis. and the Senate upon an ar
hitrary basis which gives eastern Virginia
a majority of ten; but with white basis
majority on joint ballot, with the provision
that, if after the year 1865 the General As
sembly should disagree as to the basis, that
question should then be submitted to the
people.
1t is to the influence. fellow citizens, oi
such alarming doctrines as have been
commenting on, and TO the mis-government
of that sectional minority, that Virginia
owes her present want of prosperity and
commercial importance, and her position OF
inferiority among the States of this Union
But the decree has gone forth-the hand
writing has already been seen upon the
wall-the sceptre is about to depart from
the house Of Judah and the law-giver from
beneath her feet. The present Conven.
ton is now about to close its protracted
labours, ard then the people of Virginia
will have an opportunity of assuming the
reins of Government so long and uhjustly
withheld from them. To quote the Ian
guage which l used in my circular to the
people during the canvass for the Conven-
ton, (for since then | have not changed
one jot or ti;tle.) The people claim to be
the sources of all power, and | believe
they intend Ito take ,hatpowcr in their owr
hands. say let it be done and done eff
fectualy. and Virginia will shake off the
incubus by which she has been so heavily
weighed down, and by which her improve
ment and prosperity have been SO greatly
marred. She will, under the impetus thu:
given her, take her stand side by side
with her more prosperous sister states, ano
commence her onward march to prosperi
ty and renown."
In no other way will Virginia more eff
fcctually become a prosperous state, ant
assume that position in the Union to which
she is entitled than by thoroughly popular
governments: an extensive though ludiciou.
system Of Internal Improvement; and .
well digested plan of popular education
! Upon the subject ola popular Government