Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-06
VIRGINIA
REFORM CON VENTI0N
4U-

REFORM CON VENTlON
NO. 40
FURNISHED to ROBERT b. GALLAHER Publisher to III
Conpt,.tioa, 6y WM. G. Bsnor, Official REPORTER
WEDNESDAY, May I, 1851
r..s IF mr.. CHILTON-I Continued from Supple
'''' anent No. SO.
pn..r,,;,;pc these views which l have very i'm
fl. .y,ressed and the expression Of which has
1,;nrd tho Convention, know, very FIR beyond what
=; a..ohe to them. l announce, therefore, that an
Is ,rnn,;s, man shall vote for this proposition
~ my chance of getting respectable portion
N .se 70 90 with me. shall vote to have repre-
VI W. !, The two houses upon the mixed basis with
.sa".,f.r. bsss in the year 1852 or 1868, some
where ab9u, that period year or two can make worry
,;r. jtgrance II is settled that ten years in the
ic &c . Store is q rerv small matter. have no COIL
csslmen,s upon this subject at all l know that we
have 70 confer together east and west and If We
ever Get compromise spirit up and get this confer
.uce. we could eventually come together upon some.
th;nc | do not mean to say now that | would stand
nnaIferabIy bv that but shall go for that proposition
Of compromise which the west will take. even if it be
reluctantly upon their part II they will take 1t as
comp.omise will go for that compromise which will
carry the largest eastern votethe largest eastern COM
nronise vote For myself, would, if could act in
dvilually go very far in compromising, but cannot
act alone must have the concurrence of my eastern
friends.
announce to western gentlemen that they must
up, as remarked BY the gentleman who preceded
me- in spirit of compromise. They must not play
the game OF concealment but they must come out frank
" and saw that thew willing to compromise for
per.;t me to saw that since have taken the position
have now endeavored to maintain here to-day. have
had information from various quarters that there
not less than thirty forty gentlemen from the east
upon this floor who would acceed to some cOmpro.
mise know not who they all are. but some have
come and told that they thought this question ought
10 be compromised. They concurred with in opin
ion know. believe, also, there many gentlemen
in the west who also concur in the opinion that the
wises settlement of this question ar the present time
would be compromise. believe there are many gen
temer here who agree with me- that it would be un-
wise either side. balanced as are under tho cir
cumstanses of the case, exercise the power
possess to force arrangement of this question upon
either one side or the other against their consent.
cannot do it will not do it until opportunity is
exhausted Feeble l am. shall embrace every OPP
portunity 10 settle aud adjust this disturbing influence
one which, however erroneous my opinions may be,
do not look upc. OF any practical utility or impor
tance-a question which regard question of
prejudice. 1say will not go for either extreme pro-
position or the extreme proposition upon my side of the
question until every opportunity for adjustment shall
there be such upon this oor-that when the power
shall pass it is concededt must inevitably pass to the
west at no distant day the peculiar institution which
We hold at the east will be attacked and sacrificed
can be expected from gentlemen entertaining such views
believed they did would fight it out here to the
last inch before would yield.
Entertaining the sentiments that do-lookiny upon
this State Is | demonstrating the interests of the
whole country and tie Union, | should be false to
every obligation of duty to this State. should be
false to every tie of fraternal affection towards the peo
pie of this whole State my brethren, if | did not
Use every means in my power, however feeble they
may be- to accomplish the peaceful and satisfactory set
tiement OF this vexed question I shall therefore, st
some convenient time offer proposition of compro-
Mise desire however, first to consult with some of
my friends to ascertain nr possible the
wishes OF the majority of those who in favor Of
compromise ut all. When | shall have ascertaned
such views, shall present my proposition.
Mr. u. r Fl. GARNETT Will my friend from
FauGuicr CIR CuILToN) allow to ask him question
I would like to ask him if he knows OF anv western
member OF this body, if it ascertained that the
suffrage basis could be carried by the bare majority Of
one who would refrain form carrying that basis in
difference TO the known opposition of the eastern half of
the State:
Mr. Chiffon. cannot answer the question I have
inquired, whether they would or not. II they
did they would do exceedingly wrong and violate
their duty what in estimation would be their ,iu
r. must do what conceive to be nv duty in regard
10 this matter. What they might be willing to do,
upon TINS point Of honor, how far they would carry it
now unreasonable they might be, do not know for i;
~ matter of inquiry which have never gone into
In view Of the interest which take in the future des
TIMES of nv chldren-in view OF the interest ne ~
The future dcstnies Of the State must DO what think
is best for all-for the people whom | represent but
more especially the whole State If large portion o
the gentlemen here in this committee act unreasonaby
in nv Judgment it is reason why should act III
manner that would be productive OF the very state OF
things am seeking to avoidthis hostility OF section
this ratcrna dscord this state OF things when MAJ!
that eoes from side of the Blue Ridge to the Other
is regarded as stranger alien, never will con-
sent to Oh state of things as that II have any
power 10 prevent it, will persist in the endeavor tt
compromise it long the slightest chance Oh
tmeess However painful it may be to seperate from
nv eastern brethren however painful it may be that all
Of them do not agree with in this sentiment yet as
have already announced if sufficient number OF them
wi. come the position occupy, mean the position
OF compromise in the general and they shall be met D!
sufficient number from the opposite section OF tn,
State to carry the compromise, we have secured all III
M judgment We have right to ask, and will stanc
BIZ it. regardless of all consequences Where the iau
will lie If such scheme can be carried out, cannot
sar but in my deliberate judgment If it cannot be effect
cd the fault will be upon side or the other a
will be determined by the fact to which side refuse
70 compromise Whichever side refuses to compromise.
there will be the responsibility for all the evils that
nav result or any state things that may be hestle t
the interests of the State and impair her future destiny
with regard to improvement and development OF hei
resources.
Mr. CARTER Of Loudoun. understand the proPo'
slon suggested by the gentleman who has just taken
his scat and offered compromise 49, that the majority
OF the legislature shall be given to the east for some
IN wears, and then there shall be a reaPPorti"n'
meat upon the suffrage basis. Understanding this
proposition Of compromise to be such, understand tn.
rcac;nca from Essex on. R. H GARSErr) as asking Il
;A@r" is any white basis suffrage basis man IL
II, hall who if he could carry the suffrage basis by one
:ote woud propose acquiesce in such a compromise
How am speaking here for any body else, but ioi
my,si undertake to say, that to the principle o.
'0s irage basis as proper and legitimate principle
oisOsernment will yield to no one on this floor In IT.
hearty belief and support, but SO far as am concerned
THAT proposition could be carried upon this floor by
only one or three votes would ifnobody else did IT.
osr compromise very similar to the one just proposed
by tie gentleman from Fauqier (sr. CIuLroS) and
would offer it rs would vote for it. for the very rea.
.oas Of tie many which he has so well given that
hi. constitution should be framed IN such manner i's
saiyv" peace and satisfaction to every portion OF this
Commonwealth! and unite US all as band of brethren SO
that "a" may march on to the prosperity and strength
'"wh:ch she is so Justly entitled.
',r. WISE. Will my friend allow me to say that
N t!e sentiment he has expressed would back him
every inch OF ground would not have the east dis
''ist"d my more than the west. would not support
So lar &. Concerned MS q representative from Ac-