Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-09
THE BASIS QUESTION.

little controversy between the Richmond
Times, and one of the Augusta delegates 10
the Convention. The T5mfs having quoted
our remarks in reference to the basis debate,
with the hope that such appeals from a
Western paper will have some effect upon
the Convention, it is objected by the dele
gate from Augusta, (whom we take to be
Mr.. SuErFeY) that the only inference le-
ultimately deducible from the extract as pre-
Z sented in the Times is, that the people OF
Western Virginia have abandoned all hope
Of securing the suffrage basis, and are will
ling now to accept Constitution in which
the mixed basis is recognized.
So far as we are able to perceive our ar
ticle is correctly understood by both parties,
unless perhaps, the Times infers from our
suggestions in reference to the curtailment
of debate, that zoe are willing to accept
Constitution in which is engrafted the prop
erty basis representation. However viii
ling we may be to dock the costly discus
sion of question already prejudged, and
decided beyond the possibility Of reversa al,
we intimated no willingness ourselves to ac-
cept Constitution in which the suffrage
basis was not recognized much less did we
presume to hazard such an opinion as the
expression of Western sentiment. We are
willing to sec the question tested before the
Convention at once, because further discus
sion is useless and expensive. Our opinion
in reference to the ratification or rejection
of the Constitution is another and differ
eat thing.
With the exception Of this point in refer
ence to our individual position the Times
has fairly understood our sentiments, and
interpreted our remarks. If any injustice
has been done in the publication of a detach-
ed quotation, we concur with Mr.. SHEFFEY,
in the belief that it was altogether uninten-
tional.
What course the people of the West will
pursue if the new Constitution should en-
brace this principle so odious, and obnox-
ious to their just rights and most important
interests, it is not for us to say. In their
demands they are memorable, and the result
win at least be dangerous to the integrity
of the Commonwealth. We took occasion
in our former remarks on the subject to dep
recate division of the State, and brought
to the attention of Eastern members Of the
Convention the threatening aspect Of affairs
in the West. In the event Of a schism
which section is to be the loser? We re-
peat that public sentiment in the West tends
decidedly to this issue, in proof Of which
we may adduce the following resolutions a
dopted at late meeting in the County OF
Gceenbriar, composed, to our knowledge,
OF some of its most intelligent and re-
spectacle citizens. The fourth, fifth and
seventh resolutions read as follows
Resolpsd 4th. That whatever other beneficial
reEDrms may be Incorporated in the new Con
s,tuion, if il be Funded upon the "mxed or com
bned SaSis,n We, as citizens Of this county, VIII
enormously use eyey honest exerllon indignantly
tu reject il.
Resolred 5h That should the Eastern minority
succesd in eugrahng this obnoxious prnlpIe upon
the Constitution to be submitted 10 the people at Inc
polls every friend Of the white basis and equal
rights would DE Unsuitable 10 Withdrawing from the
Convention.
Dr. Wm. ii. Syme offered The following as I'm
Resolution, which was unanimously adopted
That we have calmly and dspassionaley presen-
ted for the consideration Of the Convention, PrInc
pie which we regard as sacred and inviolabe, and
while we deprecale any collision or the expression
ol such feelings as may tend to esrange The West
from the East, yet we would tender, TO our ore'h'
ran of the East, the alternative Of the White Basis
or friendly and constitutional separation
Resolutions of similar import have been
adopted in other counties of the West, indi-
eating determined and indignant public
sentiment. Let the East read and ponder.
1t may be true, as the Times remarks in
commenting upon these Greenbriar resolYu
tons, that sit can never be wrong to d.
right" but it is often good policy to relin-
quish disputed rights for the purpose OF "a
verting prospective calamity. To our mind
no sorer disaster could befal the East than
a division of the State and even should this
issue be happily avoided, train Of conse-
quences would follow the stubborn impracti-
csbility of that section destructive of her best
interests. A state of feeling would be en-
gsndered scarcely less embittered than that
which exists in contending sections of the
Federal Union, and course of policy in all
probability be adopted which would teach her
lesson in political economy. We repeat
that it is a serious question for the consid-
Grafton of Eastern members of this Conven-
tion--lpon which horn of the dilemma do
the true and permanent interests OF Eastern
Virginia hang 1t would be far better in
our estimation, to relinquish the mixed ba-
SIS and rely for protection upon the equali-
zation of property in the two sections ofthe
State, than hazard the consequences of mad
persistence in an unjust cause.
O. The family Of Mr.. H. BARE, OF this
place, including some eight or ten persons
were all taken very sick one night last
r.aeL, in = manner that occasioned great d.