Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-24
THE TINES TERMS.
A HASTY ADJOURNMENT.

We hope the public press, in all parts OF the State,
will unite with the public voice in calling for speedy
adjournment of the Convention. The subjects still re-
naming to be acted upon, we admit, are important
but they do not require much debate, because mems
minds are made up upon them. The Convention has
been in session long already 1t is due to the
ple of the commonwealth that there should be ermi-
nation ofthe Convention We believe that it the peo-
pie are unanimous any subject is in regard to this
matter He who in that body, acts as to procure an
adjournment best does his duty to himself and TO his
constituents.-AteT. Gag.
We entirely demur to this reasoning of the Ga
zette If the Convention "has been in session too
long already'-and we shall be the last to deny
1.-THE basis debate that terrible infection, upon
the patience of an innocent public, is the cause,
aud it constitutes no good reason why the body
should despatch its other business in an indecent
hurry. Let those why cry out for speedy ad-
journment regardless of what is put into the new
Constitution, learn lesson from the late vote in
MARYLAND. There the State Convention, con-
scious like ours of having cupably pro;racted its
session, fixed day of adjournment, and actually
did adjourn without voting upon the Constitution
as one compact whole, or attending to the SYM
metry of its parts. A more dscredtable proceed
ing has never occurred in the Constitutional legis-
lation of this country. Yet the people were so
DESTROYS to obtain certain changes that they dis
regarded all objections, and, by majority of more
than ten thousand, ratified the new instrument
There is still stronger reason to believe that the
same result will be seen in Virginia. The West
has triumphed on the basis question, and that
question has been made to excite the deepest in
terest The Western vote may therefore be ex-
pected to be cast almost ell masse for the Consti-
tuition, without regard to the provisions it may
contain concerning the grave matters of Execu-
tive power, Legislative restrictions, judicial eg-
bility, and the like. As large portion of the
Western people would have voted for the Cons-
tuition, had it established the mixed basis, so
large portion of the Eastern people will vote for
it though it sacrifices the mixed basis. Even if
the East should vote unanimously for rejection,
the Constitution is certain to be adopted
Would it not then be most lamentable error
for members of the Convention to press for an
adjournment, merely to get away, after staying
too long? They hold in their hands trust of
higher responsibility than commonly falls to pub
lie men. The destinies of this great State are
under their control. And shall they, for the mis-
cradle reason that they have idled awaytoo much
time already, make the remainder of their official
existence curse to the Coz monwealth, by shut
fling off, instead of faithful discharging their
duties?
The body now sitting in tt Capitol is not the
Convention of Virginia; but O. y remnant of ii.
The decisions of this remnant are not the action
of majority; but they will not. therefore, have
less force and effect if the votes of q bare uuo-
rum in Committee of the Whole are to be hur-
redly confirmed in order that the Convention may
bring its session to close. We believe an ad-
journment of the body sine die, without reporting
any Constitution at all, would be the most accepta-
bic measures it could adopt, and next to that an adj
journment to the Fall, by which time some COM
munion of members with their constituents would
doubtless convince them that the duty of atten-
dance cannot be safely neglected.