Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-29
Mr.. Summers on SIaueru.

We continue to give extracts from Mr. Sum-
mers' speech in the Convention. 1t presents
faithful review of the memorable movement OF
1882, and must convince every mind, possessed
Of the least degree of dour and fairness, that
he, like hundreds of others in Virginia, is con-
WINGED that those whe in that day desired to adop
measures for the removal of slavery, were mis-"
led by a Temporary excitement which seized upon
the East no less than the West. In the course
of this speech, which. be it remembered, was spo-
ken for the purpose of defending not HIMSELF but
his section, Dir. Summers used the following
emphatic language-we separate it from the
context because it embodies a distinct decIara-
ton, that the opinions be entertained in 1882
have been entirely changed;
have gone into this examination, not with view
bring up counter CHI rges against any one least of
all against the gentleman to whom have had refer
ence, but for the smP,e purpose of showing what
The true history OF this movement. have shown that
1t founded on eastern memorials, presented by
eastern men, referred for examination and relief by
eastern votes, and sustained and maintained by the
eastern press.
Sir, this is bye gone transaction. 1t occurred
twenty years ago. II was then in accordance 10
great extent at least, with the public sentiment
OF Virginia developed by petitions and memorials,
10y psblc proceedings in many OF the counties and by
the public II there it,
the sin lies at the door of eastern and not western
Virginia Since that Time state Of things has taken
plqce ,ojc his indefnelY postponed all consideration
Of eUg9g Sltch tonic PITgJfld-0ccrenCe ih hare
cqHged the lcboe tone of public sentiment anil of nb-
tlc opinion throughout every portion Of this Common
lcelltt. 1t d movement IN accordance with the
public sentiment OF past period, not of the present,
and you might just properly have gone back TO the
days OF Jefferson and Wythe, and Patrick Henry aud
George Mason, and have shown what were their
opinions in reference to the question of slavery and
PROPOSED O
OF 1t.
No one proposes to remove or alter the clause of the
constitution which Gays that private property shall not
be taken for the public without Just Compensation
bat in addition 10 this you desire to insert in the
siinton positive and mandatory prohibition upon the
legislative authority TO emaneipate slaves we make no
objection to its being done INDEPENDENT OF SUCH A
cLAssE, NY PRESENT OPINION IS, THAT THE ORDINARY
LEGISLATURES HAS NOT THE POWER WITHOUT THE
THE COMMONWEALTH THE OPINIONS WHICH
WERE ENTERTAINED AT THAT DAY, ARE
NO ENIERTAlHED NOW, AND THAT IS
KNOWN TO BE THE FACT Why then refer
10 this! Why to use past portion of our egisla-
tive history argument against western success on
the great question now pending before US! Why
sort TO IL as ground Tor refusing an equal distribution
OF the legislative power!
Who can read these sentences, and honestly
doubt George w. Summers? Mr. Timothy Riyes
himself, who fairly ntimated in the Convention
that he sustained the mixed basis not from con.
Victlon, but because he was representing his con.
stituens ['dghtng for Sal, y told Mr, Summers,
IN one of his interpositioms though you admit
you hars changed il is none the less our duty to
guard against not only the hand of the tyrant, but
also againat hasty legislation in moments of ex-
eitehen'' by which private property might be
taken from the owner without adequate compen-
sation." The words italicized being part of the
res gesla Jas the lawyers sayl serve independent.
~ OF Mr. Summers own language, to dsproye
the assertion, that he has never svosed change
Of the opinions he held in 1882,