Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-13

member of the committee that prepared the bill Of
rights.
| beg the indulgence OF the committee for moment
to bring o lis attention )inc of the views of that great
statesman. with reference 10 that instrument, and par
ticuary mixed bass friends who claim the right by
force OF the governmental power they accidently pos
TO stc the wishes of the majority of the people
and arbitrarily dcprTe henof the "indubitabe, unalien
able and ndefeasHe right to reform, alter or abolish
their form Of government in such manner as shall be
most conducive &c The public veal He was we know,
also member of inc Convention Of Virginia which rat
flied the constitution Of tho United States, and in a
speech III that Convention, he took occasion 10 refer to
the government Of Virginia founded upor the bill OF
rights and he opposed the adoption of the constitution
OF the United States upon the ground, that By is pro
VISIONS, The ma ory could rot change it. He compared
IL wih the government of the State of Virginia. He
says:
~ tring minority may reject the most salutary
amendments Is this an easy mode Of securing the pub
nc liberty: X is. sir, most fearful situation when
The most cGntenpible minority prevent the alter
alton OF the most oppressive government, Tor Ill many
respects II may prove to be such Is this the spirit OF
Errpubicanism
What, sir, is the genius ofdemocracy Let me read
that clase ot the bill! OF rights Of Virginia which relates
to this 81 clause. That government is and ought To he
instituted Tor the benefit protection and sccu
ry oi tie people nation, community of all the
ri2ti: modes and forms ofgovernmcnt, that is beet which
IS capable o producing the greatest degree Of happiness
and safety, anal IS circ ually secured against the
1;Ii5c! "i Observation-Disclosures. and that whenever :irE
government shall b. lunt inadequate contrary to those
purposes, majority Of the community hath an nduo
table, Gi"raic aui indcic;.sibe right reform alter
or "olIa!i i. III such shall be Judged most
coi'uc!:r 20 the public veal his. sir. Is the Ian
gG.so q" democracy, that ina oriir Of the community
have ri ht To si,cv government when found IL OPP
prc:siv..'
Here, Ar. Chairman, is The opinion of who aided
III the ."pt!on Of the Bill ri Rights. He tells the
governmental majority that in assuming the power u
r9htr he ma ortv the people they violate the plain
principles Of lie iii Of Rights. Yes sir i'll defiance o!
this sn Authority the: say 10 the majority of the com
mu.ty thus Tar .Eou shall go and no farther in REFORM
ns the provisions Of The constitution which is found to
be cicc..rc. 1t i, uaurm:iUn of the most oppressive
character. Tie leppc-yes. large ma olity 81 the
pc"P,e--haTe wiicd that the suffrage basis shall be
adopted. but III" governmental majority intcrposcs It's
u,rpej power 10 prevent it. and will heed the voice
o! Henry speaking from the tomb. Hear him again
continuing his remarks upon the provisions OF the
constitution ii tie United States. providing for IT.
amendment! lie saws will the great rights OF tho
people he Secuted Is" this government Suppose il
should prove oppressive, how it DO altered Our
Bill ol Rights declares that majority of the commit
nlty hath an adubab!c. un;cnable and nieieasih!e
right 10 reform alter abolish it, in such manner n
shall IT, Judged most conducive to the public veal.
have I.t proved that tenth less Of the people
II America most Jcspicable minority, may prevent
.iia rlIoici wish alter their government (nraninG
tAc go"cru:lcnl Of the United States q majority
al TEEN 90 1t: No: because they connected with
Uli!cr men, il. Their words. consolidated with other
status Wn,n the people of Virginia. at future day,
:: hal! w=: 10 alter their government United Snt"s
,ovcrnmcn) though they should he unanimous in this
desire; yet he may be prevented thcrerom by de>pi-
cable 'nnrrltr Ii the extremity Of the United States
The founders OF your constitution made your gov
eminent ch"nehc: but tie power Of changing 1t !:
cone from voa Whittier is il gone Ii is placed in
the hands that hold the ricts %! twelve other
.;;. AID those who hold these rights. have ri:,!.!
an ,'Hvc /" Keep them Il IS not the par':csidr g9}-
s,."r II ;r:;nit G Tie leading features Fl sha;
government j. tHa majority can alter il when neces-
AIRY Tor INC pubic good" Wn"t gentlemen yield after
L4atrs this louc great Henri tells you that the
I'LL 81 Rights SECURES - the nla orv Of the people
The iii! change their Virginia government. but the
will not say desp!cabc mlnority-dcIIies
this right and possessing the governmental power en-
ic!rcr- I" p.cveit change which all concede is desired
b. tnc MAJORITY Of the people. Is it moi dangerous
attitude for them 10 occupy.
A"w, ask the serious attention of gentlemen TO tho
views Of that great a, when considering that prGvi
sion Of tie constitution the United States. which pre-
sc-"cs the mode BY which amendments shall be made.
When comparing it with our Bill Of Rights he de-
Go,.uced that provision Of the constitution OF the
United Staica, because the minority could proven. the
ma urity from altering and changing tao form of gov
crnmcnt. He tells you that b. the Bill of Rights.
upon which the government of this State founded:
This RIGHT Of the majority does exist: Tie right is vested
n Inc jority to alter an: change the existing form
Of government whenever that form Of government is
.ulld 10 he GsuItc to the purposes for which il was
created But sir. look to tho vicws OF other great
ni that day. Look 10 the opinions entertained hy the
great irtcrson-thc head OF the republican church in
lhi country. He prepared constitution basing
representation upon suffrage; but gentlemen say he
gave 10 the governor the veto power. Wha! f!c did:
How representation affected by il: Does it in
the slightest degree affect representation: The
great question Is. how is the community TO be repre-
s"ntc: !o"' is Tie voice Of the people TO be heard
in tr Legislative halls: low that voice may be
rocL, aud ".l. restrictions may be placed upon 1t,
does not Ill The slightest degree affect the principle:
No sir, our fathers of the r"roIaon intended
that principle anti-rcpujIican the mixed basis
s~,!:d ever prevail in this commonwealth. Tho past
history Of government shows that the mixed basis
was never intended 10 he fixed upon the people
principle Of representation in the legislature,
There ha, been some tlc controversy in reference
To tic senatorial districts that were formed iii the
ycar 1916. II was announcr think with much pro-
rcty. h; the friends Of the suffrage basis that these
districts wore formed according 10 the white popnla
ton Of 1910. her leave TO introduce m item Of t"s
;iiuoiy 70 thai effect It is known to this Committee
that tie legislature Which met in Tic Fall Of iSaS, or
f.aizcd The Convention of lS 80 composed ninety
six nc::.bcrs. four from each senatorial district. II
has hccn stated upon this lcnr that The senatorial dis
tcis were not laid o. according to the white opula
1:r,ii2c the Conventions the editor Of The Enquirer in
III: raicr Of he 18th February. ls:9, makes this
ac,arn, :der the head of .'Convcnton bill passed"
tile west claimed the basis of the census Of lS2A.
'I. east that Of 1910 The west said they yicl!c1
enough. Of their rights in not going for the free white
nc,,l!aiion Vi $50 The east said that they yielded
som, ol ticr opinions and interests regarded the
ao;i,ies Or stare population by conserving 10 the cci-
sus oi 1870
Tia; lT: published in tie saie paper, and re-
irrcsr va. made 10 it again !oitcws: Says Mr..
n ciin, -! adopts Inc arrangement: OF the rcoscntsen-
a:acia law The districts laid oil according TO The
free Hhitc population Of the cens's Of 800 Tho
Gcnticnen on the other side bring forward the state
merit ct Mr. Tazcwcl made in the last Convention for
the purpose Of showing that the senatorial districts
were not 50 formed In addition TO the evidence here
io!cre brought to the notice Of tits committee, ! pre-
sent this itcil from the pen Of the editor Of the En-
Gurer. one who is well known 10 thi, committee.
take i, that this statement made By the Enquirer at
that time settles the question beyond doubt, beyond
controversy But look at the action of the Legislature
in l~lJ brought TO the notice Of the Committee by
the WORTHY delegate from this city. (Mr DAvs.) and
see what members OF the House of Delegates At that
inc understood to be the trGc basis OF representation
in bodies representing the people of the commonwealth
That bill adopted the congressional districts allowing
a member !ur every 1000 free white persons; and
would invite The attention of gentlemen represent
ing, on his floor, Albemarle and other counties OF
this commonwealth, the yea, and nays spread upon
the journal upon the passage Of that bill. have en-