Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-14

nothing in thu fact that am one of the advocates OF w.
poruiar or outrage basis that should alarm nj ie'
from eastern Virginia rhatAer the I've a!lo:s -.
highlands OF Piedmont along the shoals 81 'lns
FIVE arc pursuing policy III conflict with any ~ ~.
interests of the Commonwe it signorantv anu
Gently done. have not then come here, rs the
gentleman from Westmoreand (Mr. BEMK) Seeeu , ~
fear Of in his brilliant reply 10 the able anu ..h ~
member from Greenbrcr, (Gen SMITH, VIZ, w wv. '
hand, to fire the temple in which our iA' ~.
shipped nor with the uhoy desire to colslsh ,neif
hallowed memories to the waters oi ob''n "i'i nc
below the allurng rainbow winch cnch'i'S ny i",'
Of il Obstructive innovation nor to desl" NV: "o,n
But have como but to aerand anlc' - anu II
erected upon the true foundation al al S"oG govern
mont And thus by assocatins Their lfiAciptes with
the more liberia. and enlightened sentiments OF The day
in which we live there will he erected 10 their good
names a moral monument III the hearts vi inc people
which will perpetuae tie story oil the'F virtues through
every ycs-i,ude OF time down 10 the reotrst genera
lion of grateful postcrity Our lofeiathers had TOO
much foresight, too much wisdonl-aye, ana 1t would
have been reflection upon mat prophctc WISDOM
if they had not contemplated nj the time that the pc
cuar circumstances in which they were situated lMight
change ana render necessary fundamental alteration
of the organic law which then governed the land. But
,,r ,ba wisdom they never would have incorporated in
the bill oil rights the doubt that government rs or
ought to be Instituted for the common benefit" And
that, when any government in the estimation OF its ci'
zcis answer the purpose for which was Gre
ated "a majority of the community hath the indubl-
table uaeuabc and incfeasible right to reform alter
or abolish it in such shall lie judged most
conducive to the public veal"
apprelend if respect for tlc memory Of Marshall,
Madison and others L. to DC manifested only 10y blind
adherence that which once, and under circumstances
vastly different from tho present. received their sane
ton they have but little promise reap for the future
all OF that elevated fame to which they yet 30 Justly
entitled Why, where would such doctrine as this
lead usi What the result What the conclusion but
an incapacty OF the peoples An incalacy in one gen
Grafton however differently situated. to conduct the
government except according to the forms precrlbcd by
another in this case, By it, original founders Why,
the great body Of the people Of this Commonwealth,
aud con lecture OF that part OF the State which the
honorable gentleman from Westnore.and in part repre-
sens favored The calling of this Convention, not FOR the
purpose Of declaring TINT the work OF fathers was
worthy Of all connendation but for the purpose OF
making pracic reforms almos; unfortunate in num-
bcrl in those branches OF tho constitution which they
deemed best for the people aud the only medium
through which TO trust the guardianship Of their inter.
erts Is the gentleman willing tocrrr ont his idea and
support the present unnecessary. complex, and say
with due respect, silly restriction upon la right .:
suffrage. Is he willing 10 advance the doctrine al's
maintain it here tina; the present county c"rr' system
does not need radical changes l. he willing to saN THAT
the people cannot be trusted with th. election 81 Their
chief executive Mr. Slare.il and Mr.. Mad3oii III
the exercise of wisdom ands sound discretion in adapting
the government to their times once opposedto!t
There is Il conservatism which my short life has not
mada me fully acquainted with, but in which | thlnR
there is great philosophy and that is the consersaismo
progress. BY progress do not mean mere change or
actual motion forwards seems to possess the minds {"
many OF the present day, and especially of other
States but do mean that kind Of progress which IL
ever adapting tho government TO the people n.i mo
people TO the government SO that the rights OF the one
and the efficiency Of the other be constantly pre-
served Nor would be understood 10 say hat we can al
ant VIII "a IN
in al the physical sciences Bat this
il true. that improvement being ms H. III IN" vide woid
in all other respects AS /; regards the grand an carried
mschnerv Of IT. Operations - slir" Garante" TIA, Se
may without presumption undertake make little
advancement in tn seic'e aud practice OF government.
~ remarked in the outset | will Rot pretend 10
conduct thi- discussion upon the presentation vi mere
n37elties shall BE- excused therefore il in thu order
Of this debate do not 60 very iar Il hope shall not
90 far IRON the course pursued bv other gentlemen
on the same side
IN considering government. the greatest relation
known to mankind and in endeayorng To determine the
just relations of the parts elements Of which is
posed there two three things tirs. IL b. asccr
tanea. We must inquire first whence CONES the pow
the capacity and the right govern These three
requisites given the problem is solved The committee
will pardon me tor going back t. that bin OF rights which
has :" often been alluded To embodyin& the irna
mental principles Of political faith and 10 which
arlinon>hed by the sacred instrument ,s.--a
frequent cannot nc made-aud reading there
from few clauses, beginning with the first entitled
bill al rights made by the representatives Of tie
good people of Virginia assembled in full and free
convention which rights do pertain to them and their
pos,erity, rs the basis and foundation Of government
That all men born equally free and independent and
have certain inherent lights of which. when they enter
INTO state OF society, they cannot by compact de
prive or divest their posterity namely the enjoyment Of
life and liberty with the of acquiring aud pos
sesns property, and the means Of obtaining happiness
and safety
presume it ia generally admitted tia, this has refer
e'i'' I" Their equality precedent their entering into
s'Hle "i society. l"n III contemplation of that power
and capacity necessary to ore,ninc the government and
u rcct us Operations II goes saw That III pow
or - vested m and consequently derived from tn. p.c.
pie that magistrates their trustees and servants
and al all times anlc;tbe to Them Now who are tho.
people lin the political view Ihardlv suppose that this
question Is considered unanswcrabe, the term people
incapable of definition imagine hnt il is generally
considered by all intelligent minds that the people are
| really. some actual known and responsible agen"y.
And, according to the definition which propose to give
think ii will b. found not only in accora..c. with thi.
foundation Of our rights and that form Of government,
Conceded on all sides to be correct but also in strict
corcacc with the plan OF representation recommended
III IN" report oil the committee denoinl.c;l B-;he
pa" which awows that majority of the voters in the
commonwealth shall have majority Of the representa-
yves Ia the Legislature or government. The people
are not aliens they dcnzens nor nre they slave,
L
presn!nptre discretion are thew pnapers These
arc not the people for wh. they arc eua! in rights oi
which they could not dvost themselves 10 all others,
still the necessity OF government cnmpel them in their
physical and mental incapscy, to Yield the discretion,
and throw the difficulties and burdens Of its admn,tra
ton upon those equal to the task. While humanity aifec.
ton aud interest requires the acceptance of this trust
the wants and the fears Of NIL enforce n submission 10
s execution on the part of all for the benefit of ALL 1t
Is this more fortunate portion of mankind who become
under nature and providence trustees for the weaker
portion aud themselves; ir in popular government a
man can aud does become trustee Of himself Tor himself
Tho people those who morally and physically
qualified to as>;lne that position which entities one IT,
bc understood IS particpat Il member ol III. nc.
tve Responsible aud organized community They m,
those whose will a: cirs,l>; ince are such a. IL claim
the recognition on the part Of the community a. ben,
called upon III ono view and entitled i'll the other To have
direct, immediate and ultimate voice in the propo,ed
government They are those described in the bin Of
rights as having sfcien: evidence of permanent com
aou interest with and attachment 10 the rommunity md
therefore, having tho right al suffrage they are those
VIII" are described in the report Of the committee, in
part ID OBJ and upon whom wish to bas.. t,rr NJ.
cossay representation in the government, which il i
their duty and their right IL Exercise fer he bene, Of
themselves and all who may be within il, Jurisdiction
| They the qualified voters.
1t will i, .niea that these are equals aud i
exercise less political weight than another h. i hi