Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-17

Mr. Joussox was also excused from voting having
paired off with Mr.. SrRAuGHAs.
Mr. BYRD paired on with Mr.. TREDwAr
Mr. ~ GARRETT paired off with MIR. rESpLEToN.
The Convention then adjourned until Monday 10
o'clock a. NJ.
Remark, Of Mr. HUNTER, an Committee of the Whole
on tho Basis OF Representation
Mr.. HUNTER The gentleman fr.m Mecklenbure
(Mr. GoopE commenced his able remarks on yesterday
by stating that he desired leave upon the records
tho country aome lasting memorial of his opposition to
tho principle conended for by those with whom have
the honor to act upon the important question under
consideration.
Actuated by simar motvcs, l too desire to place
upon the records Of the country some lasting memorial
Of my deep determined and nviucibo opposition to the
principle sought to be incorporated into the organic law
of Virginia by which property, measured by taxation
is to be made active element, in the distribution
legislative power This wish, however il subordinate
to other and higher aims, which have in view in now
asking the indulgence of the committee.
In consequence of remark which fell from nv Young
friend from Essex, (Mr NJ R. Il GARNET it becomes ne
csssary that shoudadd something to what has already
been said by my colleague (Mr. LucAs concerning the
people whom have the honor, Ill part, to represent
this floor 1t was the pleasure of that gentleman, in
the of argument designed set forth the sup
posed progress which the great principle of the mixed
basis had made in latter years. sit in judgment upon
my constituents and pronounce them guilty of judicial
blindness in sending white basis delegates to this body
1t occurred to at the time this extraordinary
mark made, that modesty not its leading fea-
ture. Now it may appear somewhat outrc to the pol
sei debaters around high toned lowand frieds
the descendants Cavaliers they have been term
ed BY the gentleman from Mecklenburg, (hr. GooDE,)
to introduce any thing in the Of an anccdote, into
what properly belongs to the exordium of my remarks
resort to it, however the shortest mode of dspo-
sing Of matter certainly not very important.
remember to have heard many years since of an
- 1z..z A.
Of Charlotte 10 which the late distinguished John RAN
oph the chief actor The story runs, that when he
cauvassing his district for seat in Congress
Of those occasions perhaps the only one in which he was
opposed young gentleman from the county of MOTTO
took it into hiH head to represent the hustns
the opposing candidate and that too in Mr. Rsndophs
county He fresh from college At that period
OF fe which all we'll understand, but which delicacy
forbds should particularly describe III this con-
necto than to refer to it the transition state whc
the tall thoughts of successful academic
about to settle down to the reserved dememOr OF
experienced manhood He had feshcd his maiden sword
in the business Of pampheteerng political subjects
He accordingly boldly came toward and addressed the
people, Mr.. r. sitting by his side. QUEEN Deus smlipe
drs, 1rius dcmeat, whispered of the bystanders
versedi the classics which being very literally inter
preted may mean, that young man has more courage
than good conduct" The speech was made; when the
Knight of Roanoke deliberately and gently laying
his long bony hands upon the head of his youthful OPP
ponent exclaimed: Brethren, we have sin-ned Yea,
brethren we have sn.ned most previously and here has
scapegoat rom the black jacks of Nottoway 10
expatc all our guilt" [Great Laughter. The sequel
Of the story is that that young has never been
heard of since Renewed Iaughter.] Far be it from
me to apply this incident as parallel case in all its
particulars to my friend from the county of Essex Far
bel from to the part of John Randolph Of
Roanoke. 1t wholly fails too rs to the idea that my
young friend may again be heard Of On the
trary not only wish, but know that if his life be spar
ed he will be heard of often and with high distinction
when he shall have rcpented Of his youthful folly and
injustice in charging judicial blindness upon such
sttusncy that which am proud to represent this
floor.
The parallel fails too in another important partic-
uar that my young friend has not had the tcncrity
to come into the counties of Jefferson, Berkeley and
Clark to expiate our guilt, but has only appeared
here as preacher of Righteousness to warn us
Of the wrath to come. Laughter have only to
add that l trust that the reporter will not publish
his portions of the gentlemans speech in the Supple
nent lest it should become known to my constituents,
aud thus overwhelm them with gloomy appreheilsions
and dire distress Renewed laughter.
Having now, trust, Mr.. Chairman, fairly settled
the between my constituents and friend from
Eex the item of judicial blindness, at once pro-
iced to the consideration Of the important question be-
fore Us.
On this subject the district which have the honor, in
part. represent is somewhat peculiarly situated and
perhaps may not uupro6tably oxpend moment or two
III explaining its position.
l stated upon former occasion fact which
doubtless surprzed every who heard it, to wit
hat III two of the counties of that district, though
situated west of the Blue Ridge mountain the slave
population is actually denser than in any other
two counties in the commonwealth. Your statistics
show that there scarcely to be found any where in the
slate heavier tax-paying community; and as to the
important and disturbing question Of internal improve
nehs no portion of the State is fortunately stua-
s not even the tide water region, for there is pos
oty that our terrapin friends, laughter as they
nave been termed by and by, when they get the GOALS
nre on their backs and have thrust out their nccks
s h or Two beyond the periphery of their own shells
ai tliat certain lines ofimprovements will greatly
tod my, even them, while we fully accomn,oda-
tL M works, made chiefly by capital not drawn from
i treasury, that there is scarcely room for
IN We pursue the inquiry further. will find
.rr Sr;, every consideration advanced by our east
trmneJ 49,; he groundwork for urging with such de-
tho ngsa,;vs their claim to larger portion of
stronger claims or mat no district in the State has
eectua protection s. necessity for legitimate and
taxation, or reckless aud inrI;c;n e'1et unjust
purposes OF internal Improvement expenditures lor
Why then, it may be asked, hns 49,,
Aele Wmte oass instead OF mixed basi, ~.
~ W. ostsns upon TINS floor for the creat nr;nc;n
etation prescntedby western friend enc OIL repre-
s so fur ha1led the genius of my friend f W question
egiu find for it, no other solution but tho mat
"pQtation of judicial blindness to peons lnndea
compare certainly not uniavorably in point "f VIII
eand capacity for sound thinking with tboso
W s Tue honor to represe It, or with any other port
81 9 the Commonwealth Had TINT gentleman ca u"'
amongst U.s. Instead OF reproducing us ut distance. Il.
81 Void readily have learned why are here md M,
", intelligent and popular mixed basis opponents
E rae gentleman from Mecklenburg mr. Goopr
'"s III part ut least, furnished the answer II was hi