Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-22
THE BASIS QUESTION.
OPINIONS OF THE VIRGINIA PRESS.
From the Lynckbure Vireininn. Nam 10


THE CONVENTION.
since our last affairs have taken new turn.in the
Convention. That body is daily illustrating the truth
mat we cannot tell what day may bring forth -
Members who we're deeply and unequv oea y pledged
10 tner constituents, to support The Mixed Basis, with
facility equalled only by their forgetfulness Of those
pledges have been amusing themselves and SELLING"
their constituents by performing somersaults which the
yeriest Supple Jack in the bazaar of toydom would
plush to initiate. How or why this is done is who'll
~ lneAPiicable. We venture to say there is not
member from Eastern Virginia, except the few who
were elected as White Basis men, who is not uncon.
a1f1onaHy committed to the Mixed Basis They
nave no discretion in the MATTER they have no au-
thorty to parley on the SUBJECT but if they to
reject me will OF their constituents who instructed
they elected them, they have nothing to do but to
vote straight out through all its phases, for the Mixed
Basis. Until recently we have in common with the
masses OF the East regarded the decision of the Basis
queSuon as foregone conclusion" for it had been
settled by the people and how strangely unaccounta-
bic then the conduct of those Eastern representa-
nves VINO Indicate willingness surrender hose very
rights winch their constituents We're most scrupuous to
protect, and which they oudy thought they had most
successfully secured. Recently discovered symp-
toms OF detection, and we took occasion TO warn the
public against the apprehended ndeity Of their agents.
but the warning lear has come too late even if
more timely one would have been needed The Ex-
amner, which has notnnt recently taken its position
in favor OF the Mixed Basis principle very strongly
ntimates that there are TRAITORS enough in the East
TO carry by union with lhesered hosts of the West
whatever proposition that section may PROPOSE That
paper is evidently disposed to give up the struggle,
since believes there is no reliance on its friends But
let us return to the action OF the Convention.
On Monday Mr. Martin of Henry, from ,chon ,ue
hare 1ust receiDed copy Of his Mired Basis Speech
moved that committee of four from the East and
lour from West be elected by ballot, to whom should
be referred the duty OF devsng some plan of compro
mise
This report we regard total surrender of the
whole question to the West and most graceess sur.
render it is, too: Now repeat again, ithe prihci
rnIY hoci ha
freely, and not thus grudgngly and nsi ously. They
are noble set OF fellows in the West, and we would
infinitely rather confide in them than to attempt to
cheat them. We do not blame them for insisting on
the white basis, and the East is right in insisting the
MIXED Basis, and in our opinion would be wholly in
excusable IN surrenderng t--a power by the way,
with which we will never believe her delegates have
been charged and if done the East will have been
etectually betrayed
After some further discussion, the Committee rose
and the Convention adjourned to consider of Mr.
Wises proposition, which we do not hesitate to de-
nounce as worse than the White Basis. The latter has
the merit OF principle. Mr.. Wise's proposition is a
mere arbitrary arrangement for few years, when the
apportlonmen to be regulated the principle OF the
The Convention having voted down the report of the
Committee of g. Proposition A, lor the Mixed Basis
report) and Mr.. Bolts "ame halt and blind" hobby.
ma themselves once more at sea, and almost without
chart or compass. We think they would do well to
come home aow--let them quit in digni6ed disgust
and acknowledge their ncompelency for the great
work committed to their charge. We agree with the
Examiner that detection has already left the East pow-
erless and hopeless
Mr.. Scott of Fauquier we see, has avowed his pur-
pose to bring forward compromise, the nature Of
which be has not disclosed. We think it has been
made evident that, Notwithstanding the East had pro-
essed majority OF nine, neither party carry its
point; and as compromse seems to be absolutely ne
cessary to enable the Convention to form Constitu-
non, we see no other alternative (unless the mera
bers break up row. than to give one House 10 the
East and the other to the West Ia this way both prn
cipes would be preserved to extent but the lear
is the now triumphant West will not accept such pro.
position !
The Lynchburg Republican, which has zeaously
defended the course of DR.. Saunders, and approved
his Compromise, speaks as follows ofthe Compromise
OF the committee of 8:
We think the report of the committee Objectionable,
it in no other respect, in that does settle the ques
lion permanently but leaves the bleeding wound to be
opened atresh few years hence. We much prefer the
compromise OF Dr. Saunders.
In another article the Republican tells the Bedford
O., Il a., i