Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-11

fec. tE?t lave i3a eDnusi1 ~ 1915
protection and too ECch 81 IL. We desire to proE
s, dear bought experience BY change, rot b. III
continuance Of the SAME order Of things which wo,
be the effect, Ii Is the very Lesign OF the propose
amendment under consideration 4 mscalled repui!
can government with almost unlimited power in In
hands Of sectional minority upon a slave basis in palt
in disguise. degrading to frecrren whom It ersld
from the enjoyment II t!eir rights, and which ha
worked 20 hadg, j. MT What desire Scc ; over.
ment, IN our eSiiHi~cn Little better than no.arch
icai one o! limited powers il any better al ALL vii
not say Ette sctt,r t'i.t an arstocracy for then
should only compare it with itseli.
We know the power in this government, in wlosoovc
hands, east or west Is 10 he exercised bv and through
legislative agents. and repeat. we have learned iron
all history a. well - from tie past experience Of OIL
government, with power in the hands Of the east la
been abused and We fear WOULD IL again unless sutii
ciey guarded and restrained and We therefore woul,
restrict and withhold all power from the government
except 80 nush Is may he nece.sar; and proper for
wise and pruden. asa;a tration Of our affairs bcey
luz in the ..vctrn" o bill o rights that of all III,
modes and forms Of government tha; j, hest which i.
capable Il producing The greatest degree al hauniles-
anil safety aud il most eiicctuay secured against nal
administration, 81! dat when any government sia b,
found inadequate contrary 10 ihesc purposes :! nat
orty Of the people hath .Gdubtuie :iae.able and
ndeesiie right 20 reform. alter, ,Lo.ih it in such
shall he judged most conducive 10 the pub.
c veal aid or fixed, Interchangeable conviction Is thai
oi MI the mode ard Forms republican government j.
the only ole that comes Up to tie standard ;ui dat
none is truly republican that is not based upon people
.irmbc:s-at oae base! upon numbers and wealth
combined Is NJ republican. and rs j. places the poDe
in the hands ii wealthy minority and sectional oi,
to boot, Is an asistccllcy and we believe pres,u
government is such, and know certainly our
that il i. not et.ecig:y secured agais; Ia al
minstration. We understand ri! this now. We Int
know too well, ,ta If the power exists under the
Il
m abuse ri th. po~cr ard ot The confidence Of the
people, t,at Till The law will lc valid ana liIii- how
ever great tie cvi!. a"ocinc out OF it. In s;ch
rights. vest and the courts. afford rrl.f the
power eZis;e- although the Legislature abused it.
trust eyersv iwsci, lhs las been orr mi sort 10
great ez.c,. in tie past. ali know and .umtb;
But impose positive Limitations and restrictions upon
the power, and that cannot be abused which does not
exist, ard if that snail be done which is prohibited the
violation can u" o harm. Declare that tire Legislature
hall have ,aveg to DO the thing an, Il ii violation
Of their sacred rut, tie constitution AID their oali
they do it, the people will BE- sac for the net will
not then be valid and binding but void and 20 the
courts and judges under the constitution and their
caths would d. e. ad tie STATE aai i,sp pie
from the consequences Til, i, the distinction. ana The
Inference ia vital sni imporian, in tn !a,t degree,
iiencc thu Tioprety city and suifeiency of
pres limitations and restrictions Those suarantie,
will b. certain and lasting These vii. afford compte
and ;dcGuai" constitutional scs:r guard Your tr,a
sury save u ircn bankruptcy preserve the credit and
character of the State prevent bu.taensomo pro
tec the slave property and all other property froH
harm make sas and perfect; secure life, liberty ana
property, and every hing We hold dear. 30 power
carh can break through these guarantees. the. will BE-
parts, and the vital parts oE your constitution AL
must last while it lasts, and perish only when it shall
perish Our iudc;ar: shall be our shield. My inter
ca.s, feelings AMI .yr.pa-cs, and m: peoples witt
the east. IA lave before laid nm myself STATE.
rights man, and il voa please, III eastern States ri ght
man. and upon II! the Subjects of federal relations
stand. repeat, upon the resolutions of $500 Blu
M aeoplc aud nvsc,f for the white basis and tae
IN; ~,gjori, snd shall surrender this mothc:
principle which lies 1T the foundation Of self govern
i.cn:.
have said tie west claims political cquality, and de-
mand it a. !! right. AT the time we tender Ike
ample guarantees for lie protection II the peculiar
rights and Interests Il the east This tender is vo!un
tarily made: ana 90 further anu agree tla
another Convention @lal rot BE- called for an indefinite
time. But gentlemen Of The east .putn the c.ier With
contemporaries al y tender of paper guarantees, rs
they pleased to characterize constitutional rcstric
Tons. The: say the power is in their hands, and will
&c retained because its retention they INSIST Is ncccs
sary. A;l t.oy til H. that a!y attcnlrt ut any Ine
to right oGrscvei ana this political oquality
would b. treason against tie exiting constitution and
aws. But warn gentlemen that it nay be- better 20
settle this vezc question and anticipate the time
that may cone w.cl they rar not be able 10 ho! on
10 the power and r.. safe guarantees. Justice simple
iusticc-we ASK more, and We ask this = ma orty
o the people i. spirit If concession '.!out threat
taunt. Haze gentlemen considered If now j. not
the time, wLen the time Is settle I'll" qges
ton 50 Is 10 c5d il forever. If say tic mast come
10 close H. when i beat that it should conc, VIII
It De when il.c Great West IN. become strong aGd
powerful aith ioemag "ealth and overwhelming num-
hers and comes 10 take the power' viii that br bet
ter tine for the cas-; TO secure these guarantees aud
safeguards have looked 10 that time whca tie west
!nay cease 10 bear and rise IN her mairaty aEd power
10 assert kcr rights which God gaze I'D b.. God could
give or take away--nud nave looaed around - see
w!.ers We al til" mouth othe vale. would be. Y go 80
stand 10 principles This mc 10 pleasure.
When should tic lin. conc 10 settle this colroy,tsy
:oreycr end or securing ample constitutional pro-
vsicns 10 project Us all alike law loving and raw
abiding people ia IT, enjoyment OF all We Rave. Think
YOU a more prop:tious tinIe VIII ever cone than the
present Is there any gentleman vino le'leyc' there
wi!i Why tie east ,:ist.is.' IT., west upon
TIE shiec. of sarery IL is this yer, dist:ust that Ecs
at the bottom {! this desire to protcci themselves W
Inserting hi. mixed basis vi representation IL the con
siiiuton Blu tl,nt dstrdst likely TO cease vixen the
west should have grown more strong ~: powerful
Can H.. On s power 10 lrlaia the power or
her sae;y il tn s.asc ,neiest II mny be that roH
can in tine OF peace aad qa;etgac II home. But iow
shall ynn calia., an lila wic this ISSUE THIS
gto.;s worse IoG mag now fee: casT wien the ilad ri
tacks c fana,;cis from without are forcing Is to ''o
IL NAV dol0w Ia fec! conient, Bui ~" 1t mol So 81
Itself 10 gentlemen TIA; hoy should have something
better than ,!a union OF power all interest in .!sir
own hands, I'D The present strong sympathy q iee
ing il the wet, AID which they arc every mone:t
ali mating liz Injustice. 10 rc!y il ths Gloom, ~
,tre. | say gloonr, for tic tLir,;ing spirit Of mad
fapatcism i III, yet qieaclcd. Have gentlemen 81
rorsv considered Eis end row necessary restrictions
might become when theY could not be had hut how
hcy may be- secured. Why not thea. co;.ciliate ard
make sure Of t'.s rosvcccrtain ard better p:ctcc
to.. speak where know nearly ".i lawyers
ard better lawyers than myself: but a?nea' 10 I'll! con-
Gdcntv il il not true that positive constitutional pro-
visions are tue hest and safes. guarantees: Are no;
these nj last The only safeguards TO protect ALL
hold ms life, l.bcrv. aud property ~ all 10, uEder
our prcscn. constitution imperfect it is-and |
tod il las 70. been violated b. the eas,--aad yet
when appeal to lis example vo'c!aI b. themselves
and TO the thirty Other free States Of this UEicn and
cite them in proof Of the virtue and validity ED afc
Of written constitutions paper guarantee, THAT tn
answer WIZ. the west is not to bc trusted. Away
with your paper GUARANTEES. We will have none al
them Yo !ust;ag FOR power 10 ri,aler oar Poct
cts What if you put you: hand and seal 20 he CON
pac. ard make every pledge fathers did ii the
Revolution stand together and meet tn, worst You
knew your lands can bear higher taxes: a@t yon
internal Improvements. and you will break through
constitution, oahs, and everything sacred 70 tax on
negroes and Ter property 10 make these improve
ments ara ret, we live and move aud have our aein.
under paper constitution with scarcely any guards
and oil la. been a. safe rs we desire according 10 the