Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-02

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taken up, and the proposed amendments made
to the Constitution, | assure you it will be
seized upon By the traitors Of tho Northwest as
valuable means Of influencing the people OF
that section against you. 1t will weaken those
bonds of loyalty which now exist divide the
public sentiment, and do more injury than 1t
would be possible for this Convention to DO
in any other way When the liberties Of the
people are threatened, and the only right
poor man has in Virginia is to be taken from
| him, | shall everywhere and on all occasions
raise my voice against it; ard. il view OF all
tue circumstances, hopo it will bc tho plea
sure Of the Convention not to disturb the
present Constitution in any respect
Mr. MooRE.-l hope the resolution will be
adop!cd for think it is the most propitious
time, there being no party feeling, and no pc
litcsl demagoGuism, TO make al amendment
to the State Constitution 1t has been found
utterly Defective The people desire the
change, ana believe the public interests will
be as much surs,rved by making this rc!1rlh
now, as at any other time. As regards this
proposition concerning soldiers, know no;
how it is in other sections Of the State, but |
will guarantee that four.f(ths of the men from
my own county are in favor Of the change
Thase who arc able to pay taxes and refuse 20
10 so, are not the men who have gone to fight
! The battles Of the country. But they are
young men, whose prospects generally promise
them more or less Of property, and know
| from the spirit they have manifested, on al!
occasions, that they are willing to pay their
taxes. We are told, there will be difficulty
in getting tic vote Of Wheeling, and some
other PLACES mcn:iJned. Sir, | do not want
the vote o. traitors but the vote Of patriots
of men who stand by the country in the cmcr-
gency, and not Of those vino are separating
rom The Commonwealth, and forming from its
territory government OF their own.
| trust we shall not 80 from this place until
We tave adopted the amendments necessary,
ard in reference to which am pleased to find
a general concurrence Of sentiment among the
members OF This Convention, and as think,
among The people everywhere. When the
work is once done, | will guarantee is ratili-
cation by an immense majority.
Mr. RAYMOND Like the gentleman who
has taken his seat, ! have long been CT the
opinion that the present Constitution requires
substantial change, and that it should be made
more conservative than it IS at present.
desire, however, 10 adopt the resolution Of the
gcntleman from the county Of GIayth for one
reason if no other. 1t is this; We arc in the
midst OF war; time when it l., Improper
that there should he discussion or division
among Our pcorlc upon the great principle OF
right We can argue very here well, provided
we haze time 10 it; but find that 1t is with
great difficulty that We can even obtain I
quorum. The committees are unable to as.
scmble fall compliment Of members, and little
OF that genuine interest in !egisiations CT this
character is bestowed upon the proceedings
Of this ConYcntion. Why is this? Because
our tnen are in the iicid, because our wives,
! families and neighbors are in danger, and be.
cause i. is impossible, when the mind is thus
! occupied, 70 devote attention to subjects Of this
nature. Nobody is prepared for reflection Or
examination. Nov, sir my objection to the
! question Of amending the Constitution in any
| o;hcr particulars than to conform 10 the pre-
sent Constitution Of the Confederate States is
simply this while believe the amendments
ought 10 be adopted at q proper time, there
are portion Of them to which cannot give
my consideration so hastily, and which, if
adopted without great deliberation, will, be.
licrc, produce 4 division in this Convention
and tic people Of the country, for which VIC
arc no! prepared. When We a:e ready to make
these changes, desire to See the pay system
amended and various other things done. ]
AN willing 10 reconstruct the right Of suffrage;
| l believe every man in the Government ought
to pay something for the protection nc enjoys.
But the present is not the time nor is this the
| place, to discuss these questions. | trust now
that we may adjourn, and if it is my fortune,
as trust it may never be, 10 be member Of
il Legislative body, shall vote for the NEST
! liberal Constitution necessary for the full PFC
lection Of its citizens and their property. II!
you submit these great questions, involving
principles Of magnitude and Importance now,
/ think you will have difficulty. Let us sim
ply drag ont CT it all that pertains to the Gov-
ernmcnt Of the United States, anu conform it
| 10 tho Confederate Constitution. When the
war is over VIC car discuss these questions
calmly and considerably, and make the amend
ments in detail which NAY then be necessary.
In regard tG tic aspcrsions that have been cast
upon the patriotism Of the whole Northwest |
admit that there are traitors there; but thank
God that there are hundreds who are as loyal
to the State Of Virginia as any patriot in it,
| Like me- there are many who Will meet the
COMMON foe. They are already in the field;
and if fVirGinia is 10 be tho conducrcr, they will
share the glory if she is to he vanQuished,
! then they will Gc vanquished but not until
the whole Commonwealth has been over.rul
and suhducd will they submit.
| Mr. BaANcH.-It seems TO me that there l.
no need Of discussion or argument on this re-
solution. The principal question is do we be
! lieve it necessary to amend the Constitution
| Upon that we can come to vote Immediately.
Ny oTn opinion is, that we ought to reform!
the Constitution, and have met numerous
gentlemen, in and out Of this body; who concur
with NC. bcleTc It is tho opnion oi tic Cen
yInton That We ought to do it therefore,
shall voic against the resolution.
Another question is when shall we make
this reform? As far as ain personally con
cerzcd, it is rs inconvcnient TO be here :lo% as
at any Subsequen! period have suffered
much pecuniarily By being in this body; but
suffering is not a matter to stop. and consider
now. ara perfectly willing 10 defer the
amending the Constitution TO n subsequent
day; but think there Is no reason why We
should defer making the most important
changes required wish to haze Justice ,lcne to
the Old Comn on wealth, and to have even the
poor Northwest properly represented. In re-
| gard to this question Of taxation, | am op
posed to any man voting in this Commonwealth
who does not pay taxes. / believe that the
privilege Of being Il freeman is worth paying
! for, in the shape 0! support &c the Government
b. which We are protected. Again. why
| .hnnld rvpsene allow d ,ll':u tn vote away
my property who himself docs not own cnc
cent. In ordinary timcs every man who has
/ tie mnSce on his arm ard can keep sober, can
easily acquire enough to pay Che small anona.
necessary 10 insure him vote; and there 4:
no earthly reason why We should make All ex.
etnption in iacor OF those who arc too iaz: 10
work for their living and their privilege as cit.
iaenS.
! Mr.. BolssgAu.--i rise 20 ask the gentleman
| If he intends to move the previous question.
Mr.. BRANcH-Not at all. have mere conI
! tcSy than to make speech and then move the
previous question. (Laughter) believe that
my people fully support rlc in the views ad'
vance, and hope We may proceed TO make
such general amendments as arc most pressing.