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

eould dftpdyi take of hesefveS But never Hean
the idea that government was not for the pen
eft of the whole on the contrary believe it to be for
the benefit of the whole
Mr.. NELSON. The difference between the gentleman
and myself ia this tina. he ia particularly anxious te
protect the rights of the minority whereas am anxious
to protect the rights of all discriminating IN no respec
between the majority and minority II is Tor that pur
pose that government is instituted But the gentle
man from Fauquer maintains that it impossible 10 es
tabsh and sustain free government without strong
infusion into that government of the principles OF mon
archy. aristocracy, and democracy combined thani
God that such doctrine is not likely TO take root e.
ther here or in the hearts of the people Of Virginia
They have been repudiated long ago. And according
to my recollection Locke and Hampden, who the gen
tleman SAID two hundred years ago understood the
principles OF free government did maintanmore whole
some prlnciples-nore in harmony with genuine tree
dom These are the principles Of those great men II
Is possible, however that the gentleman did not intenc
to commend the great principles of Locke but intends tt
refer to the memorable example furnished lis in suggeS
ting government for the Carolinas He possibly
have alluded to that form Of government containing
the genuine principles of Locke in which the Legislative
AMI executive powers of the State blended anc
lodged in the same hands-a miserable, unnatural and
in.uppcrable oligarchy. Such doctrines will not re
spectas true doctrines whether they from Locke
or any other eminent man. Locke certainly mar
of prceminen. wisdom and in the philosophy of the hu
mind perhaps has never had any superior The gen
|
iersiand his position upon this floor i'd greatly su
pc1or in wisdom to his constituents that he will moi
regard their sentiments when he Is called upon to ACT
officially in this Convention Such understand to be
his poaitinn.,
inte rrupt the gentleman now.
! Mr. NELSON. beg pardon for misrepresentug the
! gentleman and prefer t1at he would interrupt
Mr.. Chiffon. prefer not to interrupt you ut this
| time.
Mr.. WISE. lie said that he would not inquire into
the sentiments Of his constituents
Mr. NELSON Thcg gentleman from Aecomac correct.
me- by saying that the remark of the gentleman from
Fanqulcr was that when he came TO consider subjects
before this Convention, he would not inquire into the
sentiments of his constituents. certainly understood him
stronger than that Iinay have misunderstood him. how.
eysr Here il position i'll which lido not misunderstood
him. And that declaration that democracy was al
abstract idea, an uttery mpracticabe idea and he re-
Iers to the examples furnished US by Greece and
Rome. They pretended to have representative
democracy. The principle of representation is of mod
origin and never had prevailed either in Greece
in Rome And moreover, the pure the simple democ
ray which they endeayored to exercise there was re-
trrtcd IL very small number of Individuals who
did cq;;l tenth the people. There was no de-
mocracy there at all. But i'll this country We have
adopted the prncp pie of representative democracy and
thai is the only practical principle of democracy and
tie only just principle of government. The gentleman
~
ted work published by the elder Adams about the time
oI the formation Of the Federal Constitutions and &c.
cordng 10 tie gentlemans opinion although there may
b. III it, he considers il the abcst and best
demonstration ol political science that he has ever met
with. have seen the work and certainly, in some
pace in that book the elder Adams does declare that
a republican government depends upon the consent and
! The exponent the will oil the people. But his great
object i'll writing that work, was, to advocate or to
sahcton the doctrine the gentleman advances that
arcy and arslocracy essential To good govern
mont but to the idea presented by that ia mou.
Frc,chman Turgo very distinguished man in his day
| II made attack the American constitutions The
Frsnchnau complained that instead Of single delibra.
tive body the Americans had given the legislative pow
"a iotwo bodies. He maintained that pure democracy
an! proper government required the representation of
Tia, people III single body, which should possess and
exercise all the powers vi government II was to correct
thai motiu colnr:i thai idea TINT elder Adams wrote
ar,I published that celebrated work fis Il Defence OF
the American Constitutions. II wa- not to maintain
A. understood thu gentleman to say that every just
and proper government necessarily contain an infusion
OF monarchy aud aIistocracy.
have occupied much time in addressing
thu committee than intended And the apprehension
that | have tre-passed upon the indulgence Of thi.
house beyond my deserts. ndmon-hes that must
Conclude. might enlarge on the various proposition.
lin",lced here and somewhat improve the proposition
I have advanced But | feel that | have occupied a,
much ii the time of the committee ain entitled To-
wish gentlemen il it any shall deem worthy To con
slider my position, to remember that j; is, that to justify
any restrictions upon the power of the people, the
7;rcions ,nu.t I within the conditions which hay,
enumerated that IL that the restrictions will ccrtanl,
pubic mischief second that the restriction
viii certainly accomplish public benefit. Not fall
ng within OF these two conditions | rcpudiate M,
restriction whatever on the powers of the people.
! SIR McCOMAS. ] move that the committee rise
! The motion was not agreed TO-
N,J'lM!S Nv Y-n.nu fnt ,noviuo thar IA SON,
n'licr shouid ~, that had reached the usra
tine Of aolourmman', having been session upwards
t!rr hours. had not proposed to address the commit
to- until omorrow. and confess that now should prc
lcr la address them tomorrow rather than to-day.
Nh HILL ~, ready 10 fill up the time before II.
Adjournment
The CHAIR. The Chair would suggest that Their
can b. understanding between gentlemen ~ IL wh
| .l.ail occupy the floor hereafter
Mr. McCONAS. Certainly not, sir Al Tie sugye-
tier uf lrie.ds viii however wait until tomorrow b
! fore address the committee
Mr. HILL, did not contemplate engaging in ;hi
,,ssion until the views Of my colleague from Powha
tan Mr. IorEIsj made il necessary in nv opinion
that our view should go out before the country togcth
81 Tor IN the attitude in which stand one or Nh.
other al us must. matter oi course msr.presen
our Constituents. In this view Of the case therefore
have thought il proper that the opinions entertain il
oppvstp;. him. should 80 Out 10 the public so that
our constituents felt interest in this question the,
might have Ill opportunity o! giving their counsel
lcr rom ms colleague in relation, to the duties anc
powers that possess in relation to various questions
nl rctorm that have been submitted to us here. and
wish TIL, occasion to define the position that occup,
n,on t:cse questions. 1t ~ this that wherever the pao
pie at The polls the lnve cali I'd on us inf r.
rn, vii iieilier right CT wrong, give them that re
ios.n but when, without any demand os the part q
tie people AM! without any attempt show that II par
,cuIar clause of the Constitution has worked ILL il j.
proposed that u take the Constitution up upor
any system ci prorl reasoning. independents of th,
wish ot the people and without some strong reason
showing that such provision is improper one tina,
is occupying ground OF reform which will not under
take in this Convention far as my duties are con
cerned Vow, what is this restrictioni Gentlemen
haze admitted that this question not argued befjr,
the people and ask 10 go into this subject oud be
,e.rne.i !y orr theoretical speculations the
s,r o: Ia, OCCASION aud Insist 20 for reform il
every case, where any individual may deem that re
arni cugls 10 be made. What is the condition in which
wc stand !.erc in r-felence TO this subject. In 1890
ih;. oo, restriction as it is termed was placed te
he people of the Commonwealth upon themselves tis
incl! yihv Of the Governor after ape:terrn say was
sanctioned BIZ the people themselves in 1890, ~.
| ask my colleague if he llls heard from any part OIL
Iii district dissent the part of the people to that
restriction! Ifhc has not, then stand impregnahls
ground in defending what the people did in 1929 and
hyc no. complained CT up TO this hour TIE gertiemen
we have taken the position t.at The provision should