Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-02-28
= CONTINUED PROM FIRST PAGE.
two facts, and to indicate propos!ton ~n,e9
I iotsad to submit if that proposition IS Voteo

:n,t,ed By the gentleman from Mononeala'
mr.. Heck think it would be very unior.
suna.e to have the country agitated Tor sucp a
period of time as will intervene between 'n .i
and the period fixed ior taking the vote VIII +
questions connected with the rstlncatlon OF
the Constitution. Tyoted for the l2:n Gay OF
Febru,ry: and gave that vote because oe-
iieved i; you'd be best to take the vote "nie
thu troops wore in winter quarters, ano az
comparative leisure period OF the year, When
d.. Mi tho soldiers would have an opportunity
&C voting, and when there Wouid Dc none OF
The excitement incident to the campaign which
we au anticipate next year, and which
troubles the nerves of gentlemen whs seen 10
be alarmed upon this subject.
would remark another thing
Mr.. SHEFFEY.-I desire to know whether Inc
remark just made Sy the gentleman Is intend
ed 10 apply to ne3
Nj. STUART.-No, sir. Inc remark ap-
piled TO the gentleman over the way, (Mr.
GRAr,> who said the nerves OF the people were
disturbed.
Mr. GsAY.-I do not recollecs making any
such remark.
Mr.. SrrARr.-I wanted to ssy-and that
was nv object in referring to this remark
that the people were perfectly calm and un-
moved, and that they were prepared to pass as
wise and dispassionate. judgment upon this
Constitution now as at any other time that
y conservative feeling peryaded the country !;
;hst political or constitutional revolution is e
mere sequence of the revolution which the
people themselves have ratified; that when we
severed our connection with the Federal Gov
errmens, that revolution would have been
imperative i; We regarded the Constitution
1rder which We have been living that the
very fact Of our resuming cur State sovereign.
y devolyed upon US the necessity OF making
changes in our organic law. These changes
were ioreSeeu at the time the Convention was
called together; and the very act Of assembly,
under which this Convention was convoked,
rec!tes that all changes in the organic law must
hs submitted to the people. Why was that
requirement made, if it was not in contem-
p.a,lon at the time tnat changes in the organ
lc law would be made The people expected
thess changes to be made and this OonTen.
ton but responded to the general sentiment
Of the State, when i. adopted resolution last
June to adjourn to meet here this time to
consider these amendments. The people have
rresdy ratified one of the amendments we
:,a&.. by al unparalleled majority; and think
:ner will, with IS much pleasure and perhaps
IN equs!y proportionste majority rasify these
chanses which we now propose
did not refer il any unfriendly aspect to
ina remark OF the gentleman from Rock
ingham, (Mr. GRAY.) merely wanted to meet
the objection thai the people were too excited
~ consider calmly these amendments, and
vote intelligentiy upon them As to the ar
gumeut which is also advanced that it will be
iaconTca;ent 10 call IN election at any period
during the war, do not think so, inasmuch
ss the vota can be taken, az have already
said at g time when our soldiers arc enjoying
comparative leisure. Why, sir, the very OBJ
ject OF this Convention is, to get nd OF this
large number Of elections which proved such
syurce OF inconvenience in the past
Iccns new 20 the amendment Of the geu.
tjeman from Snyth, (Mr. SHEFFET.) If You
adopt ,hs. amendment the vote will probably
be taken in the midst of the next year's cam
paisn. The arst of November will be the most
important period for military movements
in rho whole year. just about that time,
oil the plans of the year will be draw
!pg to head and about that time We may
expect a most decisive engagement upon the
battle field. During the next summer the
public mind #ill be asitsted; the public mind
will BE- excited and altogether Withdrawn from
the consideration of this question, and given
to the consideration OF those questions which
will result. from the condition of the country.
Then, sir, re shall have war aagrant all over
the land. Then we shall hear, day after day,
Of tho advance Of armies Of conflicts and OF
great and startling events occurring every
where around US. want to dispose of this
question before that campaign comes in
want to dispose Of it while the public mind is
chin and unexcited by tho great events which,
tits probable, will occur during the progress of
lsx. year, and particularly abou: the period
6xed IL this amendment
II the Convention will vote down the amerd.
ment, will move to ill the blank with the
second "Wednesday il March By that time,
The troops vii! not have commenced opera
tons for the summer campaign. 1t is time
when all the troops can vote, and when they
cen consider the Constitution without their
attention being withdrawn by the exctements
Of the approaching campaign.
Mr. PESDLEToN, of Oh,o.-I feel that an not
now in condition physically to address this
Convention even for the short time allowed
desire merely to refer to conclusion sug,
gested by the distinguished gentleman from
Augusta (Mr. STuAET).
The Only difference between that gentleman
aod myself consists in question Of conclusion.
All his facts are correct; but am not unhope-
iul az the gentleman, that we will be next
November involved az much in the war IS we
are now. But, sir, there is this question.
presume that every gentleman here wants the
whole people Of Virginia to vote upon that
Constitution whenever they csn have so
opportunity to vote. do not care whether
tho vote is taken to-day or tomorrow,
or haugman's day Or St Valentines day,
am willing to havo the vote; but /
but am unwilling, as one Of the representa-
sivcs from the most distant point of Virginia
that this Constitution shall DO voted upon in
any part Of Virginia, until oil parts are pre-
pared to pronounce upon it
cannot see-I have hesrd no reason why
when it is sought here to change, in almost
every important particular the whole organic
law Of tho people Of Virginia, an effort should
be msde to imptse that Constitution upon the
people by probably plurality vote of less than
e bare majority of the whole people. II is
that oejact to. l care not when gentlemen
may choose to submit this Constitution to the
popular vote. If gentlemen will only guarantee
to the people Of Virginia the right Of free suf
lrage upon this question, upon the. day they
name GTo us time, and sm ready to meet
this Constitution on any forum, or upon any
ground that gentlemen soc proper to stand.
Blu. what protest against is. that you shall
SEEK, by jour conduct here, and by the amend.
ment proposed here by gentlemen, to ensure
tie adoption Of this Constitution By respect.
sble majority Of plurality Of tho votes Of
the people Of Virginia.
Sir, l am not here to complain of what has
been done by either the State or Confederate
Government to the people Of the sec>
ton Of which am one of the hum
olest representatives am not here to
speak Of tho remarks Of the gentleman from
Northampton, (Mr. FlsHER,) ungenerous as
they were. But am here to raise my voice
and my protest as free suffragaat Of the
Il ILL.,