Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-01-21

aty shall elec. that officer. maintain the great
Sprinciple that under our institutions and form
s5of Government tho only true and just repre.
sfsec:ation Of the peools Is that which will rep,
xresent the mslority Of tie people, and if un
NderStand the proposition Gf amendment sub
*mittcd by the gentleman on my loft (Mr. Nor
HrgTr) it is not that the votes Of majority OF
Sthe whole people shall be necessary to elect the
%Governor, but that majority OF the whole
Surmber Of votes cast shall be necessary to con.
Esti,ute an election by the paople.
q We have in the Constitution CT the Confed.
fserate States provision whish sustains the
EDriucipte contemplated by tdat resolution. A
apresident OF the Confederate States cannot be
aaelected bat by majority of the whole numbe,
Esof ?otes cast We have sanctioned that prin
Sciple by the adoption of the Confederate Con
astitution. l would ask this Convention to
Hconsider what il is that has brought upon US
Hthis evil, aye, sir, the ruin which is now in,-
spordng over this once froe and happy oous-
ssTy. Il is = fact that there is now presiding a,
sssW Washington despo! who assumes to be the
Representative Of the whole people, and yet
s5who was elected rot by majority Of the whole
Hpoople, but by minority. And now it Is propo
&sed that minority OF the people Of Vi7giu;a
3Shall have power to elect q Governor Of this
1Coumonwealth. maintain, sir that tho peo
&ple seuld not be truly or justly represented
i IN such an election, and that the only true and
54far mode is that Z majority Of the people shall
Abe represented In the election of their Cover
esnor say thatif you establish the principle
q that plurality shall govern; if you establish
= .be principle that the man who gets plurality
= II votes over others of his compeers shall be
you establish The principle that q
Esnctous minority may rule in the State Of Vr.
&ginia
8 am unwilling, sir, 10 ssE such system as
Sthat inSugurated here, OF carried out in the
leyistirg state ct things have heard with
aosin msnaces and threats iron q csrtalc quar-
3;er Of this State, that ii the views OF gentle
sssuen protesting 10 represen. the sentiments Of
a he people Of That po!!ion of the State are no,
Scsrried cut. that !hev will go bone and array
S.hcir people sgairs: tho Constitution, whatever
#it may Be, which the Convention may adopt
sat regret 10 hear srcl sentiments coming from
that quarter. Iregret to hear il ssd that Tir
sgnia hss not stood by the North west 10 this
!critical period CT Rar condition.
81 Mr.. MAsrERs.-I arr not from the North
&weSt
q Mr.. Snersgy-I regret to hear these threats
$coming from any quarter ce the State. have
@heard il said that ,ne N.-:h. wes: ~as not sus~
4taine6 in this conflict
!; Sir, moro life has besa sacrificed in Tie ef-
4 fort 70 sustain that portion Of the State than
Z cas- beeu ssci i;hced in any other quarter of
sthe State; aud ior orc. s.y now here, to those
Sgho represent that part CT tho State, that
never will agr1s that peaca shall 10 nade
awhile ono foot ci Virg;nis's soil, even 10 the
Avery extreme verge Of the Pan Hands, is IN
1.-The possession of tho en2my. / am Wiling
3.hat the whole resources Of the State, l an
Awill;ng that the rnen ana the money CT the
Estate shall Go poured out 80 tie last dollar and
Ito tho last drop Of blood in the dstonce OF
1.-THE integrity, against Pierpant and Lincoln. of
aevery inch Of the old Commonwealth OF Vir.
sinia / deprecate any sentiment which may
> be uttered here or elsewhere, ihst unless the
epeculiar sentiments Of particular gentleman
: can be carried out :hst Virginia shall be Dis
&membered.
! Sir, that shall never DO if ny voice can be
Sheard, or my will can prevail to any extent
suntl srhjugaton shall reduce every foot Of
kSou.hern Soil 10 the possession Of the hostile
Hoe. The integrity OF the Commonwealth Of
Virginia is nv f:st wish and by the help Of
sGod, it shall be my last determination.
Mr. President, do feel that there is danger
Tito tho people OF Virginia, il. With such seDt-
Enents as hare been uttered here, Tou are to
permit minority Of the 7oles of the people of
1!his State 10 iosg npo1 Der Ill unacceptable
aGovsrnor; because you can create factions
s5any who're, AZ a1y tiIno, on any propcsitlon.--
Git is all important 20 hare full and perfect
guarantee, such as this proposition would at
alord, thn: majority df the people OF Vi!g
I juis shall have ii the Executive Chair man
81ho will be true 10 the 10 tcgrity Of the Com
moa wealth, who will bs faithful in holding to-
sgetter all its parts, and who sha!! De the re-
representative rot Of suy isc.ioGs minority, bat
Eoi the great majority .: the people ot the
5S:a:e
With these views, sic, whilst, It belieVed
dH.h others, that the object of this proposition
4 aTas to dsfranchiss the people Of any popular
srighs, Ishould vnt. ag.iost it. believing that
Sit is the only mods Of securing 20 The people
: the exercise OF the popular right in the repre-
ssea:ation of tho popnIaE majority. saaE
: sschesrfu!ly vote for it; sha!! go for an cleo.
a,iou by the Legislature of Virginia ont oi tho
ssbree highest candidates, when the people fell
s 20 elect Then the Legislature which repre-
sent the people will have to give majority Of
I Zine votes to the party vino Is elected
j Mr.. GowAN.--I determined, sir, on taking
: nv sect here to avoid il posslb!e. occupying
slhe time of this House By any remarks; aud
5I would not do SO nov but Coz tho fact tina! 4
9 scTsat deal has ccen said OF hc:!, sid+s n rsfcT
Fence TO my section of the Stlte.
d haze only to say ia regard 10 tho SuFja
90: defence alluded. &c. that au one of thnse
I nho has always had :he most implicit co'.ii
Sdence no: only in ID. disposition OF Inc Gov
seraor Of the State bat Of tia Confederate
Estates authorities TO dri.a :;aeS thu invader:
i:hat IS now upon nI- soii, End reclaim ou:
eeho,nes &C. u,o... | have e.ways mad perfect
5conhdence, a-d elill have, that thst Toafd be:
s.done. I.s gross uistske Of which ;he au
a,fnrites taye been guilty ia respect TO that:
acountry, is that which has been refeSre6 to og;
;jmY friend from toe county OF Barbour (Mr.
aWcops) namely, that the country vas moi:
31pderstood bv ttose who have been Sent
s.here That tina Cooperation mag ua;iT undof
ss;and Why our coun!ry WAS go Sudienly over.
srup I will state tbs, the 6rst ,oayeulent In the
ssay of tbs transmission Ct troops for the dc
3teace OF the North weat YVES the seeding oil one;
5indiyi5usl 70 mat section witb colonels com
:spissicn' in his pocket, without me', arms or
Ammunition, and With instructions to do what
q oe could with the SCENTS and officers OF the
x baltimore ana Ohio Railroad in inducing them
4 10 intercept tho passage Of tronps belonging to
s''.he eneuy. viii ra;nsrk here in regard 70
Sthat Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Company,
ss:hat thcy have done more to pollute our people
Ethan every other iuauence combined. In tais
Estate Of things, with this SOFT of preparato,p,
ait was but natural that our country should De
Sresdily overrua Gs 1t WAS.
8 az, opposed to tho amendment under con-
:!sidsratioo, because regard 1t as aiming in
Isiirec,ly as whs; the supporters of this propo-
sition have abroad yvainly suught to accomplish
:aaTbe argument advanced by gentlemen IN sup,
Sport Of this amendment Is, that IT, would
;sp.eyoas the election Of q Governor by mi