Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-08
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
REFORM CONVENTION.

mence voting. From what we near: 'heie ee0't' " " "
universal belief that the subect mas been oeoa'ea long
enough and general wish that inc convention arrive
some practical result upon point which seems to be the
nvo, NJ their whole proceedings Thus far are pleased
20 obserye very little heated feeling has been aroused during
ths nrotracted discussonthough, the time for actor
approaches regret hear predictions Of stormy scenes
which may lead withdrawal of portion OF the bod!
and the of preparations for severance
this Old Commonwealth We have been panied 10 hear TINS
scheme deliberately and suggested us the possible
issue of the Conventions abors Such result we shouio
regard melancholy catastrophe II would ieaa
more extensive and mighty ruptures. If Vginn canno
regulate her internal aars-f the interests and feelings
her citizens are 80 diverse and conflicting that the noble ole
State must be severed in twanwhat reasonable hope car
we entertain that the link OF States stretching from
one ocean to anoherand chequered BY so many interests
and resist the diveent forces and survive
dssoution2 Virginia divided-he Union dissolyed-the
structure Washington and the home of freedom and civ
cation fallen into ruins-what awful record would be
spread out for the page Of History!
We sincerely that theee gloomy reflections may De ial-
sed by the experience Of the next few months aud mat
whilst all may not DO satisfied with the action Of the Con-
rcnon when did this occur in any great conflict ct
interests and feelings ye. tina, all will acquiesce in what
The majority carving the wishes Of their constituents
stall solenny We have for long time entertained
fond hope-which ore still, far from having abandoned
that through the operation Of the great works OF internal
improvement stretching their giant limbs 10 the West
lie sections Of Virginia daily becoming more homo
,cneons and that any SYSTEM that may DO adopted, will
bear equally upon each But however this may be- we can
but strongly deprecate the agitation of any scheme IKE
that Of rendDg asunder tho Stale of Virginia. which has
every element for forming g.ond and powerful State
The Convention called for such pnrpose-he people
sent its members here such purpose They sent them
10 mako now Constitution for the whole State Of Virginia.
not to divide the State and form constitutions We
trust that the members will forget that they are all
yirginians merely Eastern men or Western men-tha
under Republican system, the action OF majority
which conforms to the constitution and laws should be
guessed in. The law summoning the Convention
cep,ed by large majority Of the people Of Virglnadee
gates have assembled under its provisions and should they
carry the wishes of their respective constituents we
should hope portion Of the State rebel against
their action.
That the vote upon the basis question will be close one
has long been made manifest The interest," excited this
point is indicated by public signs In the first place.
the Charlottesville papers publish call for public meeting
OF citizens of Abemare opposed any compromise the
Basis question In the Eext place. there has been recently
some excitement in the Norfolk District in regard al
legged change in the views Of Tazewe Taylor, Esq., Of
the delegates Convention. The FIRST brued
in the Portsmouth Whig us follows
meeting was held at Deep Creek on Saturday last by
The gentlemen composing the Board Of School Commission
ers take into consideration which current in
The County, that of our Representatives in tho Con-
yenon had changed their views the Basis question: and
likely favor what considered the interests Of the
West committee consisting "f Col. Isaiah Cherry, Col
l. Gayle and GEO. T. Wallace Esq appointed TO wait
1azewe Taylor Esq., and ascertain from him his present
views the The COMMITTEES Yesterday performed that
duty and learned from Mr. Taylor that his opinions had been
comproiss by which the sepresenalion in the LegisIs-
ture should be equally apportioned between the East,
and the West for certain number OF Yeas AMI after that
according to the population aonethus discnrong The Mixed
Basis which he pledged, and under which pledge lie
received the of the District. He begged them
pend further action until he had defined his position by
speech in convention, which he was about deliver
Such understand was the substance Of what passed
between Mr. Taylor and the Committee We do not hest.
before the election he would not he entitled to seat
in the Convention The people Of this district know their
interests TOO well TO have been guilty OF the folly Of sending
work the serious injuries TO their welfare We contend
that Mr. Taylor was elected under pledges published be-
fore his election over his sign manuel that he has
right to change essentially modify them without the as
sent of bis constituents.
We hope that steps will be taken to lot him know
what Is expected BY the District III his hands: 10 this end
have heard suggested that meeting should be held at
curly day embody the views of this town tho sub
ec No doubt the remaining part OF the district will pur
sue the same course.
Since the above type we have received reply
the communication that appeared in yesterdays paper ad
dressed Tazewel Taylor Esq, the signature Of
Mixed Basis" from Mr. Taylor, but too late for odays
paper. 1t win appear Tomorrow.
Mr.. Tayor's card we have mslaid He simply asks
suspension of opinion until he has opportunity of
planning his position in speech which he will shortly make
in the Convention In concluding he avows his desire TO
advocate such adjustment will the prosperity
and peace Of the whole State. We quote from memory.
The next movement is the call OF public meeting in
Portsmouth, TO instruct Mr.. Taylor.
All difficulty has, however, been removed, by the pubica
ton of second card from Mr. Taylor in the Norfolk papers
as follows:
To The Editor ofthe argus
have beer greatly surprised learn that rumor pre-.
valent in the DstIic that have changed my opinions
laton to the question Of the Basis of Representation
under discussion in the Convention. card which
published in the "hig has been the subject of very unjust
and iberal criticism and seems demand Of explicit
avowa OF my opinions which, when wrote that card did
not deem necessary.
decidedly 10 favor OF the Mixed Basis any other
from this Disct and that the opinions ex
for their sugss unchanged although have hes
itaed the opinion that the details Of the plan
ported by the committee which gives 10 the East fourteen
in the House OF Delegates were rot satisfactory 10
ne and might DO changed TO reduce the majority with,
prejudice interests and that it anxious de-
sire compromise the difficulty between the East and West
upon terms mutually satisfactory to both:
Norfolk, April Sd, 1851. TAZEWELl. TAYLOR.
The Portsmouth Wing ate due reflection considers that
Mr. Taylos explanation "should be deemed satisfactory TO
his constituents and therefore tho meeting that called
tonight may be dispensed WITH without abandoning one
io,a OF principle involved"
The paper also contains the following comments:
MR. TAYLORS CARD.-1n another column we have
published this gentemans card defining his position the
question of the Basis of representation 10 be adjusted
BY the State Convention
In this Mr. Taylor has done what conceive he should
have done the result Of the conference with the Commit
Zee who waited on him days since, 10 know if there
color in the that fast gaining ground that he
had changed bis views upon this subject We think that
Mr. Taylor had viewed the application of that committee in
proper light he would have hcsitated in justice to
himself make the immediate disavowa which the card
publish to-day contains Mr. Taylor is frank confess
that he is dissatisfied with the details of the scheme for SET
ting The question: giving the East IA muortybecause
imagine, he deems akin impossible to induce the
West 10 look with compacency upon thsand accordingly
IL anxious to adjust the details please the East BY
retaining decided majority, and TO meet with the least
amount OF opposition from the West. From the card OF mr.
Iuyor US Published now look upon him eal and
s,aunc to his duty md his previously avcwed principles
and SO long as nc mantains those principles intact place
unlimited confidence in his ability und submit the details by
which those principles may be retained iavoatc implicitly
his Intelligence.
Lastly We refer to the resolutions the meeting in Hen
rico adopted yesterday, and which publish to-day This