Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-15

thev RI orrayeu here better authority for US tan
much larger number Of younger constitutions to the con
in favor Of the white basis merely because they
old ana long.red Constitutions of later date tolc
ara M authority here. They no better than school
hov authority we are told This position may be gooc
in eastern Virginia in favor OF the mixed basis, but II
in the west the correctness Of the white basis
I've mapine that these old authorities Of the east ought
long MOO to have been amended according to the i'm
movement of this day. And that they will be shortly
Thav are the offspring Of the governmental arstocracy
thai prevailed in this Union in origin. This aris
has been and will shortly be secuted from this
land Of liberty and with it the effect thereof hope
| Gsnt1.men tell us that South Carolina, Massrchu.
sst,s Rhode Island North Carolina, and Florida,
authorities in favor Of their mixed basis scheme and
the United States constitution too Well, Mr.. Chair.
man let all this be admitted for the sake OF argument
and wb 4 does it amount to Sir, compare these with
the constitution; OF all the other states OF ths Cnoh
Sir taie view tie constitutions of the States of the
entire Ni.sssipui valley, extensive as 1t Isl see what
he have said look into that boundess land of human
liberty and democratic prnc pies, the great basin OF
North America, and the happy homes OF millions OF
;reemen. governed By themselves aud where is the
weight Of authority I'D SUCH Gull P'fi7ohf Lei
men themselves tell US.
i Mr. Chairman this mixed basis scheme as | under
aud is nothing more less than the constitution oil
.outh Carolina made little arstocatic than South
Carolina herself could bear. Well, sir, my people
de won't touch South Carolina policy in any form or
III
that reason if no other Western firginans are no.
r having Sou Carolina to dissolve this Union and
ne course of the Firg inia Legislature towards South
carolina for time past has produced perfect dis
rust ia the west We have special minister sent there
occasionally To be.eech South Carolina not to dissolve
i. h. Union This sentiment rs to South Carolina is
Universal in the west us think Nor the west for
suffering Massachusetts TO dissolve the Union, just rs
little for that as the other But really some of the
States are getting quite ahead upon this subject Still
sir VI, don't think it will amount to much there
lis az we think and always will be- good sense enough
there NAV be occasionally little storm let oft both
South and North oius. Sir We are federal Union and
We are ate Union people we dVnt want to quit old
Virginia yet but il she says we must go and we shall
70 what better can We do But let stay in Virginia
+ let US get out Of it, for really our position in all
time past has been neither in nor out of the State
t Mr. Chairman have detained this committee too
long, and fear very unprofitably, for which hope
| will I've pardoned when | remind them that | have
heretofore occupied very little time upon this floor and
When promise TO occupy less in future, and never
pun any OCCASION without. as | consider, absolute
eces1ty for it,
Therefore, thrust will beindulged in few remarks
Upon one or two other subjects. stated that
,titucnts were rciormers; and such tn Y for
ringing all elections and appointments worthy Of their
notice before the people: and for having all offices
and trusts limited reasonable time and also under
Ill such restrictions aud responsibilities neces-
.ary to secure ability and integrity i'll public servants.
md efrctually to guard Al the same time if pos
lille against the abuse Of power In carrying oat these
views let me remark sir that the legislature should DC
Vested alone with the lawmaking power their time
then would be employed in that task without the tarlg
md vexatio,s influence that often operate upon them
in making elections, to the great delay OF their egti-
nate business and permit me to say, sometimes to the
destruction of all moral principle i'll secret and selfish
systelas of nreaguc for party purposes. The elections
I.hn he he
md honesty of purpose, than any other tribunal
whatever. They have the time TO investigate. They
! have motive 10 err and therefore let them d.
their business. II they misled, they will de-
ect the imposition and correct H. Their public SER
wants should have capacity and intesrty--therefore
regulate terms Of Office. as, having regard TO the
.mouments thereof, to capable applicants and
regulate terms of office which should always be limited
10 some certain number OF years so rs 10 give the
ountry the benefit of the experience of the officer III
The office, and also, place the officer, while IN
rice, not only out Of the reach of temptation to err
or selfish purposes, but also above suspicion Let the
,icer. in the execution OF his Office have motive
.ven n know the general character or influence o.
he parties before him. and when all motive for COR
upton n Office is removed from the incumbent, ali
otive for ustable suspicion Of corruption in TIN
Incumbent will be removed from the people. This i
nv opinion consideration Of some Importance III
hi. 10 Sc; aud especially 80, when remember that
III officers in the State, great and small legislative
e directly and not by their agents
0 desire. have expectation. sir. that in Virginia
ur Old system Of exercising the rghiul duties vi the
,ropIe by others than themselves, will any longer pre-
ail under the old threadbare plea that others do
az better.
The people have heretofore been regarded in Vir
i yuia Us capable only of some very plain and common
r lues in the administration Of government but
IS TO avery duty Of higher and nomentnus char.
cte none but the 'eta parts among us are regarded as
:apaHe. But there is an old home!y doctrine in
ONE parts of this world called democracy that has
never heretofore suited peculiar condition, exccp,
in the name that will aud prevail in future
In Virginia. In my opinion, gentlemen may prepar,
themselves for it, III all its original nature 1t will pre-
lyal Wholesale and re.: both in the State at larry,
md in districts great aud small The people, the "dea,
people, will be the Of political ivors in future
md either the legislature the Judiciary or the ex-
.cutiTe. The people will have To be addressed in u
ure upon the subject Of public favors. with all the
etiquette and submission that has heretofore been 81
pruisselY larshed in high places upon our hereditary
rcttnd.rs. The aud donors of public favor.
are about be changed from the peculiar few to th
nauy
And this idea OF majority Of numbers-what .
rghtfu ghost 1t Is 1t has in the estimation of som'
gentlemen upon this floor, done MI Of trcasons
murders, felunics and other msdemcanors. We are
.old it will get the government on wheels and
the mischief with It, But have fears Ii will work
veil here, have no doubt elsewhere: and ut an,
";.te bound TO tr, it shortly. And, Mr Chair
man. is not rather hard to imagine that the many would
un themselves to Instruction. Well, how can gentle
nan fear maoritics, unless the peoples madness shall
extend to themselves Onr grand peculiarit,
# Virgnians, Accord to some here is that the M
jority o the people can't be just, and the minority
cent qe unjust. There is always danger in trusting
majorities OF the people, but always safety in trusting
rninorities Of them.
Mr. Chairman, We have had the name of democracy.
for the thing ITSELF long enough-the shadow instead
Of tho substance. The people are capable of self
government in Virginia, or they never will be. Sir
II am moi who. for one moment believes the peo-
ole will not err in their action: On the contrary |
believe they always have erred and will err again free
quenuy, but still would rather trust them generally
IN all appointments and elections than any other agency
am willing 10 trust the majority for virtue and fo
ability-fOr justice aud for equality Yes sir Mans free
agency ought to be set up in this life no where and
Ergnans ought to be free and intelligent as the peo
pie OF any other State country Let US therefore
make the experiment BY committing the governm, mt Of
Virginia TO ths free people Of the State, instead
committing it, both directly and indirectly, to the
property Of the State Let Man govern property, amt
not property govern Man. IA has heretofore been til
rule and whenever by fair actual experiment. it shall
appear that Man is not the better governmental agent
then let our mixed basis friends take the power.