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

Ii seems, then, It had two objects IN view ono
was the question Of change Of our relations
with the Federal Government; the other q
change in our organic law. 1t regarded the
Convention which was about to be elected rs q
committee, which was 10 take into consdcra.
ton these subjects, ard refer them 10 the pco.
Pile for their final action. That is the view /
take Of the law.
We have acted upon the first branch CT the
subject We adopted an ordinance disconnect-
ing Virginia from the Federal Union. That qucs-
ton was submitted to the people, and the action
Of the Convention has been fully ratified. That
part Of the work has been done, | suppose
We acted on the other branch Of the subject
by changing the subject Of taxation so as to
make it uniform throughout the State upon all
property. There was no question Of power
raised then
1t seems to he rather strange new 10 urge
that Convention making these important
changes has not the power to propose ether
changes in the State Constitution. live have
the power ought we not exercise it? regard
the Convention merely in the character of I
committee which is directed to prepare inca
sures for the people to take action upon. Ii
we modify the State Constitution, it is 10 have
no validity unit! i: is saEc.i"aed by tie people.
And can they say wc arc usurping power wien
we say to thnm, "Tll you live urd=: the new
Constitution or live under tic cid :"
Now, sir, in reference to the cxpa1cncy oi
the measure regard it as highly expeI:ent.
and it matters not whether the Convention is 4
full one or not, for the amended Constitution,
before it is valid, must receive vote ola I'M
jority Of the people.
Is it no. material that our organic laws
should be changed? venture to say that
these numerous elections which have been
committed 10 the people, hare contributed moro
largely 10 the corruption Of the public miEd,
than all othc. causes combined. care not SO
much about the right Of suffrage; bat care
about the elections for these thousan,! and one
little offices which arc corrnp:ing popular sni.
frage
1t is Indispensable 10 our salvation that the
Constitution of the State should be Changed
Now, gentlemen say that the amendments pro.
posed BY the Committee arc sa!u!ary amend.
meuts. Why, then, should we no: adept them
No gentleman says taas the Constitution
will DC impaired hy the adoption Of these
amendments. On the contrary, all, 50 far as |
know, agree that il wll be very much Improved
by that adoption Then let us make this
improvement, end sub;n;. It % the pcope for
their ratification. 1t is I mistake 10 say tlla.
it will be an unpopular step for US to restrict
the right Of suffrage. venture TO say that it
will receive support everywhere throughout
the State.
| will close ty saying this: tina! care not
whether these notifications are made at this
session or at another; but will never consent
that We will adjourn finally until me make
the Constitution more conservative.
Mr.. HALL, Of Peasants and Ritch;c. The
gentleman says that any action this Conven,
ton may take must nc submitted to the pao-
pie, and that it therefore makes 10 difference
whether a portion Of the people are rcprcser-
ted or not. There are about SO members in at-
tendance ct this Convention. Almost the
wi.olc Of the Northwest is without representa-.
ton upon this floor. Some forty counties are
in state OF rebellion 70 day against the goT-
ernmcnt OF Virginia and would ask the
gentleman when he submits these amendments
to the Constitution to the people, how will nc
get vote in the Northwest at this time.
You have proposed to abridge the righ: OF
suffrage | would ask the gentleman again
whether these people who voted for delegates
upon this floor would have 4 right TO vote upon
that Constitution? | apprchend not. You
can have no election in the Northwest unless
YOU send an army there to protect those loyal
citizens in the exercise Of their right TO vote.
The traitors are at this moment in Il. majority
of 10000 in the Northwest, and in that state
OF things what chance would there be for a
fair vote upon this question Most Of these
people arc in arms against the State; and |
- lo,r
preston Of opinion in that section Armed
forces Of the Federal Government are stationed
every where How, for instance, could you
get a vote in Wheeling, or in the county OF
Harrison, Or in Taylor county? Moro than
that, would forever oppose abridging the
right of suffrage Of these men who are nov
lighting the battles of Virginia. If you call
them out by the proclamation Of the Govclncr
to take up arms in defence Of the State, ! can
not see how you can deprive them Of the right
to vote. True, many Of them pay no taxes :,
but they are nevertheless as loyal to Virginia
as the gentleman from GrcenbrieT, (Mr. Price.
If these amendments arc adopted, those men
who arc now in the field wonld be cut off from
casting even vote upon the Constitution.
This poor boon is all these men have; bat
| am told it is even proposed 10 cut them off
from this. They can have the privilege, now
that the honor Of the Commonwealth is en-.
dangercd, Of going out and fighting her bat
tIes but while you call upon them 10 do mill
tlry duty, 10 put the muskct upon their shoul-
ders and encounter the haIdshIps Of the fields
you take from them the privilege Of voting At
the polls. am told that there are five thou.
sand men rendering military service 10 this
State from the city Of Richmond alone, many
Of whom will have failed 10 pay their taxes
and, though defending the interests Of the
State, will be disqualified by this proposed
amendment from exercising the rig hts of .
freeman. j similar state Of affalra exists in
the Northwest, where most Of our loyal c:ti
zcns have been driven u Inc mountains fer
safety, leaving every dollars worth Of property
that they owned in The hands of the enemy,
because the Northwest was not defended IN
time. Will you prescribe src: men as these !?
hope this Convention will never consent, in
anv respect, 10 abridge the right of suffrage
Sucn amendments to tho Constitution as are
now proposed would do more to strengthen
the Cause Of such men as Garlic, jackson and
other traitors 70 Virginia, ti.an any thing this
Convention could possibly do They wi! tell
the people tia: tic liberty they 80 highly
prize is ubou, 70 be snatched from, them by
this Convcntioa. ask gentlemen 10 stop and
consider befcra tlcy further go.
For one, will never give ny consent to the
proposed amendment -leain, sir, i, is pro-
posed that al! the judges in l'ie Commonwealth
IN be appointed hy the G"vr'i'or CT the
State; to hold their offices during good be!ia,
yior. You, theu submit this amendment to
the people for ratification or rejection, al -
time whun the people OF nearly on".iourth q!
the State wi not have the liberty OF casting
their votes for Or against this amendment. The
whole Northwest is to-day in the hands pr The
enemy.
Iwould ask gentlemen who are in favor Of tho
proposed amendments to the Constitution Of
the State, what are the evils that have resulted
from the election Of . Judge of the Circuit
Court, or Judge Of the Court Of Appeals by
tho people. Point out the Judge, il you car,
who mas rot as faithfully discharged his duty
as any officer appointed by the State LcgiSla::
tura under the old Constitution. Indicate, j