Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-02-28


,non those people Constitution by which
thev are to- DO governed, without afording
them an opportunity for full and jar vote
upon il, whenever it is to be submitted.
Mr.. GRAY.-The zllrsion that has been mace
to me personally, makes it necessary that
shall explain. -,
know not how the idea OF the nerves OF the
people being unsettled could have gotten into
the mind of my friend from Augusta (Mr STU-
ARr> because Of any,bing that said. was
merely showing as reason Why the vote
should not be taken upon this Constitution at
an carly dsy, tina. the minds Of the people
wcro no. in a condition to enable them to 60
dispassioustely to the polls as they did in times
mast meant 10 say that during the roar OF
cannon, and the thunders of revolution, the
people would DO thinking Of their dying sons,
wounded brother or friend, and would have no
time to think OF Constitutions or laws; that
in this hour Of their troubles, they would pro-
baby DO called to the aeld to wait upon dy-
ing son, or brother, or cousin, and that as 4
matter OF course, no question Of this character,
however important it might be IN their estl-
nation at another time, would not aud could
not receive that consideration which would
vote upon it. These were the views which
endeavorcd to present, md they were suggest
ed by no nervous feeling on my part, or any
idea of its existence amongst the people.
understood from q gentleman that McClel.
Ian is to makea move against our forces, ana
that Gen. Tcombs was about advancing IN the
direction of Winchester to meet Kelly, who
w.s said to be contemplating movement upon
that point. Ali this was present in my mine
when made these remarks, and the idea arose
in that connection rs to the iupotcy OF SUBJ
hitting Constitution to people surrounded
by the exciting scenes OF war. Yes, sir, had
the idea in my mind perpetually that we were
10 war, and that this was no time to ask the
people to come 10 tho polls and calmly say
whether it was better for the Legislature to
elect Governor or for the people to e!oct {
Governor, CT whether it was proper that only
| those should vote who vera assessed with sud
paid taxes, &c. l meant to present that view,
apI to say, in addition to that, that while that
was going on, while this wsr was raging, and
| our soldiers fighting, it may bs that the future
would develop but too plainly that victory
brings scrrnws in its train, and that battle
fields bring bleeding hearts.
uSnnt W So1 Sbosy Ava O" Atio ASAeoSA. -
least, we could continue to live under the
Constitution under which We have been living
| for the last ten years I remember when that
subject was up yesterday the gentleman from
Augusta went back to the palmy days Of the
past. As heard him laud the Constitution
Of those days, could but remember that Vir
gnia was going on in all her glory-develop
| ing the wealth OF her mountains as sne did
! never before since she ives State. could
| not help thinking that this was because We
were living prosperously under good Oonsti
tuition, and which, imagined, We could &C
on and continue to live under, at least until 9
full opportunity would DO afforded for. submit
ting to full vote Of the people this reformed
Constitution, which is to govern US for ell
time to come, it may be.
I have gone az far as sny gentleman to make
| q Constitution which | WAS willing to submit
to the people OF Virginia. / cancot vote for 6
| Constitution like this until the time is fixed
for its submission to the people. l do mol
say that gentlemen hare seized upon thiE
hour, when We are in the midst CT revolt
ton. when there is but small vote availa
| bic, to make tnis conservative Constitution
which is bound to 90 the law OF the State
ev.n without receiving the vote Of the whole
| people, as mus: be the case if 1t is sub
mitted at the time proposed.
Whatever may be the motive, the result
will bs, as apprehsnd, the forcing CT this
Constitution upon the people. l cannot 9th
erwse regard this. than as anitjustioe to thoss
who will not have an opportunity to vote upon
it Its q dangerous experiment It's ef8sc
may be so TO agita;e the people as to cause
them to rise in their might, and make a new
Constitution for themselves and you. fee
that If the basis Of liberty is the capacity o
man for self government that it is the nesres
mockery CT popular rights to submit this new
Constitution to the people under present cir
cumstaDces-