Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-04
TCoatinned from Fo:sth Page.]

the rule of condus, for the whole and that of the mi
norty'' wherever in conflict they must be Welded
8. Resolved. That the majority" whose will must
thus prevail in the government Of free people, is the
majority OF numbers in the community. and not the
"majority OF property interests" the majority Of
numbers and that Of interest combined" and that its
operation and effect not to be controlled or modified
ty he particular form distribution of Inc property in
ieres. IN the State by any such extraneous influence
whatever.
j. Resolved. That in every free government property
Is the legitimate subject Of protection by all due and
needfG legislation and entitled TO all proper safeguards
and deences but that cannot vote. be voted for
nor il possess, or without departure from plain p-
cipes OF equality and justice, be made to confer pot-
power upon its possesSors either in bodily presence
by representation.
D. Resolved. That the distinctive feature Of democrat
ic republican institutions, is the government Of a
free people by laws of their own making, either in
person or by representation and that where such poo
pie shall delegate TO representatives the power OF en-
acting laws for their government instead OF exercising
II themselves directly. such representation should be
lar and equal with reference only 10 the number Ut
members composing the community who shall have the
equal voice in the representative assembly
that they would be entitled 10 claim if personally present
in general Convention
&. Resolved, That the only just true and rightfnl
principle upon which the representation the people Of
Virginia in the legislative councils of the State should
he established. is that prescribed b. the white popula
ton thereof numerically considered and not modified
by property other disturbing influence whatever
and that snch it should be recognized by the Con
yeon in session Tor the purpose of rencddin2 the
organic law Of the State.
J. Resolved, That our delegates in said Convention
te and they hereby instructed TO The extern. of the
voice Of this meeting. which, however, we arc well as
sured, expresses the sentiment of their entire consu
cncy 10 demand and insist that white population and
e
legislative assembly provided for in the Constitution
proposed 10 he framed and that pon this subject they
make no concession. consent TO any compromise.
accept any substitute which shall i to secure 10
The Western people their fall share and equal weight
the legislative councils o the State now and nj all
times hereafter.
Jno. S. Duncan. ESD. then moved tina, the follow
Eg resolutions be added 10 the committees repor
which motion was agreed after spirited debate ~
which NIessrs. Duncan. Harrison Hikeson. JAG .sor
Raymond and kinchloe participated. and inef o.,
attempt to amend the 18th resolution by JAS lark
srn. Esq
should he biennial.
3. Resolved, That the right Of SUI f,,oo s,.,d 10
extended to every free white male c;,;se. w;t,' res
tfictous only to age residences a ,acal
10. That all onices-legisa, "u re'i ais''I-
dcial-shonld be conferred the direct sufrages Of
The people.
II. mat 'he ooun'y Courts as judicial tribunals,
- NC aD'''eu' and in some othe! form re-orr4n
"a crom;, O. resent establishment of the General
ra,r, of a, ,ur!s ought to be retained, and that the
~, me-. lpcals should be 50 constituted as I" insure
ne Ut speedy and satisfactory adjudication OF The bl
'es of said Court
s. Thu. Offices are created 1or the bCnef! ui the
NIhoe people, and 1a, all Offices should be abolished
which he interests Of the whole do no. absolutely
CURE should be retained
IA That the principle Of representation based upon
white population alone is one that cannot in any wise
Be Welded or Compromised. and that if said principle is
NJ. incorporated in TIE Constitution which may be
framed by the Conyenton in that event represen-
;at,es are requested 10 ther endeayols 20 :ndrcc
an The members favorable To said basis to withdraw from
The Convention
l5 Rcsolved. tina: copy OF these proceedings be
forwarded bv the Chairman 10 representatives in tic
Convention and that they hs requested 10 lay them tc-
fore that body and respectfully ask that they he consd
ered5y it. Ordered also, tina. these proceedings be pub
shed in the newspapers Of this town, and that other
papers DE requested to copy the same
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
BENZ. DOLDEARE. Chairman.
J. McP Yosr, Secretary.
she paper was then laid on the table.
THE B.sls OF REPRESENTATION 81.
The Convention on motion Of Mr. EEALE. resumed
the considerations in Committee oi the Whole CIR aIL
Ter in the charl of the report oil the committee Oh the
basis and app,rtonmcn, OF representation
The CHAIR stated the question n be on the PROPOSE
ton Of the gentleman from Faaqnier, tAir. Sco1T)
mr. SusrrEY then addressed the committee but his
speech has not been rece;ved-PrD
Mr.. BEALE cannot offer to the committee, "a IN
,no,oov for the embarrassment under which labor the
ts.t that now for the first tine ain IL the exercise .!
h;g! pablic trust vet though il be true ca..ot
olena that ma;!enly modes;y which We have II
,oun,er members SO gracefully ben,ins under the :s
DISPLAY of their official robes; Ii - true that neTer III
M. life have attempted to address any public bod
u+,ont feeling of nervous excl cm,:is-coastucna
,erhaps--whch to extent reta:t:s the free opera
ION OF nv mind Nor should now depart from the
Characteristic silence which has marked nv lfe during
The brief period of my public service, or venture to
WELD lance in this foray of debate in presence Of the
able syo-lsmcn by whom am surrounded, were 1t not
that fu,? seems TO demand the expression OF some OF
,uose reasons which influence III opinions OF the con-
stuc,c here III pat represent and which !'s ecu
raj my course II ,o:i this great question.
feet deeply Impressed with the responsibility which
rests upon every incinbc Of ts body in approaching
rh;ect OF such high such momcntoeS. Importance Its
very magnitude is calculated TO awe me- whist IL" pre-
nee Of this body-thc uneHvablc contrast which mast
/ c,r follow ing % do the gentleman from Augusta
Mir SaErrEy who has exhibited such ahy such clear
ness such eoquence and the fact OF thas want OF pre-
nara,;on md reec necessary 20 enable me to present
ny, own views properly to this commitee-atl concur
-, Increase the embarrassment which Under circun-
.,oneos tbe most favorable, should ssnsiby feel
il this oar great family council hold that it is pre'a
ne,,ly proper that should have tie fullest reeSt
.hop,,a If OPINION anl while come TO the discus
Ills question Of the 1 T s1esy s msnS s S ~ns
r. ar md rust with feelings OF enlarged liberal
T towards every section Of this Commonwealth yet
w:s. to speak plainly aa,i boldly nor shall l. with al,
fse.d n,e,v fall il. the remarks which an about to
bm;. 10 designate things b. their true names rs they
may present themselves TO my mind Iesie. .h sh
,.;,,a3 far the consideration o. this committee by
Of the :d f Assts ' s avo sss s
cnnto;nel in statement &. Neither eabody my
eva views. But candor requires me to say tina: if
canro s,atain with becoming Devotion Sltn Ae'i
high knows no bound the proposition Ait Is because
he conviction Tint does MOI sccare 10 suiaei''
extent the great principle for which am here to con
an ,na Of those unfortunately may be. rot wholly
By this W sssa ,s. v s1sni s ts
49,, ~ rsnnhcan government as in its infancy. and
ara prepsred to admit progress great and benefcisl