Constitutional Whig. [volume], November 26, 1829, Image 1

About Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832

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Anno-rr ^ _^juchmomi,, Virginia, thjjrsday mobxwc, November 36, .!''"
e:onstUtm;an<Ti s&itjis.
[nFFQHTKIi FUR TIIK WHHl.j
VIRGINIA CONVENTIOy,
Dzhiitc of Thursday, JVbr. U*—Concluded.
^ir. CAMPBELL addressed the Committee as
fdUyws:—
Sir. Chairman; If I had been jvskcd what in
the reason and nature of things, would have first d •
niAnded and occupied the attention of this Conven
tion^ I would have answ-'ivd in accordance with
reason, as I think, that the first question to be dis
cussed is, who shall lit a citizen of this Gunman c-uHh.
The next question, embracing the very basis of gov
ernment, would have bo<Tu—uaiuf shall be Hie pririle
gfts and duties of a irilizen of this Cammoniee dUi. On
the-e two questions, as 1 think, sir, depends the
whole system of government. Those questions cor
tCtitly d *cidod, and the from • of our government
would have been reared. I would call tie* attention
of this Comm-ttee, sirrto the prop-icty of the term
qitizen—1 need not inform you. sir, tu>r any " cut 1«»
uvin present, that the term inh'tb taut, is not equiva
lent to the term citizen. Every citiz u is an inhabi
tant, but every inhabitant, is not a citizen of Virgin
ia.—They are not convertible tonus. In Great Bri
tain, every person is a subject of the King. Every
person from the Duke of York, down to tbe most, ob
scure native of the British Isles, is a subject of his
Majesty the King of Grea' Britain. It is sa in all
Monarchical governments. We have repudiated
float term in these U.nited States, and we have con
Pdcrated the term citiz *11 But, sir, though we admire
the terra, and in a sort of complimentary way, address
all men os citizens, we do not in fact, regogaize all
menus citizens.—Tu Virginia, we have comparative
ly few citizen*. What lot mo ask, sir, does the tern)
fairly import? A citizen is a freeman, who h is a voice
iq the government under which lie lives, who has the !
privilege of Jjeing heard in the councils of his conn- ;
fry, by his agent, or representative. No disfranehi
tw’d tnan is a citizen. He may be an inhabitant,alien,
o'r what you please, but without a vote he cannot be a
qjtizeu.
Ijul Btr, i nave Join* ttion ght. an J l am more fully
convinced from the debates which T have heard i:i
this House,that the science of politics, and tlm sci
ence of government, are yet in pron-refs. Wo have
iv>t yet attained to j*or!i'cl’'o. Very far tVom i.*,
K;r,— Man in soc ety, iseapaY of in-.uM greater en
joyment than any gov^rnm nr on earth has ns y.-t j
atlorded him I aikido,sir. to tliesoci.il naj lyments.
Which directly, or indirectly, Ha v i'r m gov Tiim-nt,
nnd wh;ch every good and wise government ought to
aim at producing. Tlie Con-*itution of Virginia, is |
the result of all the di&coveries ami uuprovements of I
n -arly six thousand years. Yes, sir, tl *; present
Constitution was the result crV-i tin* improvements in
tlie science of government, in the history of the world
—-perfccl, nr imperfect, lL was the host the world ever
saw, till the year I77o. But ho tv much more light have
we- attained in tlie science of politics sine-1 So
milch, at least, ns to authorize us to say, that that
instrument is by no means perfect.
But sir, the great error of mankind, nnd the com
mon error of nil ages, has been to suppose that ull
reformations are perfect, or so .early so, as to adm t -
of little or no ant mdment. It is equally true in reli
gion and politics. We have had both sorts of re
forms. After many ages of darkness, and supersti
tion, two men arose called Reformer*; nnd they
achieved what has been called a grea» reformation.
But while Liu her nnd Calvin etFectcd much, nnd
laid the foundation of a real reformation, iheir suc
cessors and admirer-* coa-iderod their work perfect,
*nd pushed thrir enquiries no farther. Since then,
sir. during an interval of thr jo hundred years, their
ndheren's have not advanced an inch. So in pditics.
Home fitly or sixty years ago, many distinguished
pntn, deservedly called reformists, arose in the politi
cal world. They carried their views of rolbrin to a
very considerable extent, nnd not only laid the foun
dation, hut actually apcomplisned a very great refor
mation in government. These illustrious fathers of
the American Revolution, and founders of these re
publics, are entitled to the admiration and gratitude
nf all the friends of the rights of man. But it was
not to be expected that these sages, great and wise,
and good, as thfcy were, could have perfectly cuter
ged out of the political darkness and errors,—conse
crated bvthe prescriptions of the monarchies of the
old world for thousands of years.
We are wont to admire antiquity, and to venerate
long established usages. We think our ancestors
were the wisest and best of men. Many of tlie an
cient sages attained reputation, merely because they
advanced a little beyond the ordinary stature of their
times. Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, cum inuliis
altia, were men of only ordinary stature, but they
lived amongst pigmies.—Yet these men, famous us
they were, and stil* are,were but pigmies compared j
With myriads in after times. But, sir.
Piil'nies lhou»lt perched on Alps, are pigmies still;
Ami pyramid#, are pyramids though placed 1.1 vales.
I do not say that amongst the ancients there were
uot great men, but I do say, that light and science
n*e progressing, and that many of those reputed
grcat,nre not worthy "f the admiration bestowed up
on them. They owe their fame to the age in which
they lived—The greatest of these sages, statesmen,
rind orators,have been far .-nrpasned bv the moderns.
It was well f>r the reparation of Demosthenes and
Cicero, that they lived so Joug before the days of
Sfhcridanand Burke.
The science of politics and government is ns well
understood in thir.age ns in any former nge of the
world. 1 wo fd say bet »T uilerCoid. Yes -ur,
imd I would say in ire. better understood iti these U
Ktates,than in nnv other country upon the face of the ,
eart h. Bat though our present Constitution wus the
best, production of nearly 600.') y nrs, experience
nndthe progress of political light have discovered
b’ome defect - in it.*
I didexpec;, and did promise myself, that Virgin- j
ia would at this thro present to t.ho world a model; |
the best mod .d of go-ernmon ho word ever saw.— i
When I heard of the tuleiit which was to he assem
bled here, and which 1 now ice convened around me,
1 thought myself warranted in exporting tied such
would be tile result of our deliberation.--. All eyes !
have been turned to Virginia, nil 'hose U. St a vs are
looking'- «.h intense interest to Virginia. .-die owes i
it to herself, to the whole United State.. to the
world, not to disappoint the general '■xpertnlion.
Will the Ancient Dominion respect hers elf. and reul
ixe the hopes of her friends.'' I am ;-;r. beginning to
despair, and to fear that wo are again to move that,
reirogrr.sni'm rather than prosresxian is ti.e common
fharacteris'ic. of men.
S line call ev ry attempt at reformation, and every
new suggestion, anno ih'ory With them the refor
mist is a theorist. «.V h s amendments arc mere theories
I am no friend to mere theories, but all reform una
lions nnd all improvements are first theories. I can
not call every effort to ameliorate the political con
dition of man a mere theory, n visionary theory.
And yet sir, 1 ain no friend to new theories; but re
membring ns 1 do that, we owe ail our improvements
jn the useful and fine arts, all the great improvements
which have laised the present above all past age#, to
mere theories, as some gentlemen please to call them,
I cannot disparage theories in the gross.--Yes fir.
printing itself, this art which lias revolutionized, nnd
i,i revolutionizing the world, as well as a'l the Amor
. -an systems of g iVerir.njnt, were oneeb.it mcra tkc
a x
1 have no new theory now to offer; I only wish t«
s"e the principles already d.fmed, undmviuod, anJ
canonized, came i out to their proper extent. t itiiiik
Wo are prepared lor nothing uiorc,\.o cun r-isonablv
ask lor no more «u present. Rut 1 am very litr IV, n,
thinking that the social compact has vet been per
lectod. or that soca ty is yet prepared for the best
, possible political institutions. Tnat government is
j host for any people tart ts best adapted to their views,
wants, wishes, and even prejudices. Not that which'
I is best administered, but that which best suits it-elf,
to the great mass of society. This seems not to
Invc been overlooked by the framers of the Rill of!
Rights, and the founders of this government. They j
declured-t ite principles, the just and righteous prim !
c:pl a<>f tin; social compact; and progressed so far in
ttie apphiiat.ioti as they supposed fh# then evistimr i
s-a»t* of society required ami penukted. Rut f„ «H !
seeing t hut changes would take place, and tint the
human mind was progressing ami would progress they
advised, and most prudent iy advised, a frequent re
currence to fmnlauicntal principles. Not to* chamm
those princip:os as one gonrlema.ii f Mr. <liles).a.sk-sj. !
but to purge and reform our institutions bv hrin<rin-r
them np nearer to the imchang-ubio principles: bv a :
continual approximation to the cardinal principles i
which they propounded. Amongst all the great po- !
■■tical truths wnichthese s.?ig,*s declared not one is
more just or evident than this—‘-That no free gov-,
eminent, or the blessing of liberty, can bo preserved
to any pso-ple, hut by a firm adherence to justice,
moderation, temperance.frugality and virtue,"and bv
frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.”
Mr. Chif rya.au, 1 have based the resolutions which !
I have had the honor to submit, upng tlie doctrines i
contained in the 6th article of heRiil ofRigiits. And i
sir permit me to say that I am more attach 'd t<r the !
Rillot Rights, than I was heloro tlie discussion I
commenced. I have seen that this instrument has
be -n our palladium, and Mm only Iv.iivi ark against the i
d unolitiou of our republican citadel, and” the dcs- j
truction of the ropttoheau ciiaracter of our govern_i
in nit. Nothing lias now saved u- lroui tin* establish- i
incut, the canonization of tlte in>>st prominent fbu- (
lures of an aristocracy, but this same lit.1 of Rights. I
li ,v > n<•( the efleris of all the gentlemen anu-ro.br- ;
mists b *'ii directed in some way or other aw'inst Lite |
h-.tt of this ins rumen!.- fSomc have oppugned i! I
mm way,and some another. Hm tili who'have plead |
the mixed basis and tlte freehold qo.uiri aiion. "have j
ll.tmd it in their Wiiy. a.ul have nut le it m whole J .
or in parl. a do id loiter Whether ill -.y j. ifer.de i it or 1
ion , an- n u.us nee.-i m.j eueci :iu their criticisms j
noon it. And, sir. give in • leave m ad i. it'those ir.-u
t.Iotnen had siicoceiicd in their ciiorla, air! at this. !
time carried the tamtam basis up>u Ui--ir construc
tions o! the Bill m' High's, would ii net lx; possible!
some fitly yearo Leave "putt a mote construe- i
lion, and wi ll luo proCP-drinl oi these proceedings !'<>-<
tore another ♦ '"nvoiitioij, t<» originate a le.ga'i/.ed ar
istocracy in tne fullest h-i'nh or t'»»i term."* Yes sir, i
in tiie short period ot'jij'tyJour voars, so great a de
parture from iiir* prince!?-: •ievidoud er ! nroscribec •
by’ the framers of tlio existing Couslhuiton, siioul.it
liavc been completed as the basing of this govo n-!
incut on wealth. on wealh sir l repeat, disguise ii i
as gmitlomn may, fitly tmiryea.rs more, «ntl a not her '
Convention following such examples, and such inter- !
pretalions, and we would Lave an oligarchy in pro-'
prift /broia, a bylaw established nohiluyl .Seeing
the warfare which has boon waged against this now ;
nnre than ever chair to m «instrument, nud seeing the
barrier whiah it has thrown in the wav of alf en
croachments upon our free institutions, 1 shall vote
for its being perpetually a part of the fundamental
law of our country.
I was glad on yesterday morning to bcir the <o;n
ticmitn from Uer.rico (Mr.’ Nicholas,) begin hisspeech
With the doctroie of ilfi?section of that instrument; |
not .Sir, with the application which he made of that!
doctrine. According to his interpretation no man
has any attachment to the community or country hut ;
a freeholder. You will observe. Sir, that I have, in i
the resolutions b >f!>ro you, only developed the mean- !
ing of the sixth section of the Bill of High's—the!
plain I.nglish interpretation of the words. Jf a sin-i
gle idea, not founded on the fairest and most just in
terpretation of these words, is found in nnv one of
those resolutions, 1 hope it tnuv not be retained._
Sonic gentlemen allege that in tiie year 1776, the
words common interest with, and attachment to the
community, meant neither le-s nor more than a free
holder. According to what dictionary or mode of in-;
terpretation this meaning is made out 1 have not ns
yet learned. Words may be used in an appropriated ;
sense I own, lmt some proof of this appropriated sense '
must be produced—as yet I have not heard any au
thority other than assertion. Please observe that j
the words ^common interest" do not mean equal inter •
rst. That they do not, the single fact of the inequal
ity of the freeholds from 25 to 1,0(10 acres in extent,!
and from 25 to 100.000 dolls, in value, unquestionably
indicates. Common interest admits of the ’neatest i
variety in the extent and value of that interest. < >ne
gentleman liad spokcn of the interest which one man
might have in a ship which had a valuable caro-o
auoani, ann another wuo nnu only in* person. J i*My !
both had a common interest it was true, but he might i
have given to the figure a greater extent, and sup
posed ’hot many individuals might have had di(f«Tcht
stakes embarked on tliesnm ■ bottom- Besides their i
own persons they m - ht hove n great diversity of in
terests, and 1 hougn lii-'proportiuiied in value, equally
ilt’CrCo'ing them nil in the s-ie»y of the ship. No two
interests are piect-n !v equal, yet all have a imriunon
i>i!<red. JVi it i* said that this common interest must
also be n jrrni'meat in crest. This further erfines
the nature el this common interest. This restrictive
term donn4f s that it is n >t to he a tram-ion* interest.
But. still this Ward permanent is only comparative anil
necessarily limned. The various mstrcmoals which
wu found cm •arlvd in »he same ship, ar** as perma
nent as the voyage from port to port. It nny ben
long voyage 01 n short voyage. So it may be, and
no nl’en is ih" journey of human life. Our interests
in the. S'ntc are n? t ransien*. and as uncertain ns our
lives. V.'e all h.-.vo a <>mnim interest in the State,
but li 'vv permanent or imvv tronsi nt that intcie-1
may be cannot he d-fniod. lie-idea, it may in nnv
given instance be m > c transient than our lives. III.,
who has n freehold of any given extent may either
sell or sound it in a very short tune, and if wo make
ins tenure of tint estate the ten of his permanent in
tercut in th" State we have fixed upon tis great an
unr. -rlainty as can be well conceived. It is n very
precai iou . p rmuuene.y, asunecriain .as the tenure of
life, and not. urccssartly of longer duration than nnv
o’h r m in's inter'sc in society. The landlord anil
the tenant ' y have ns far as law or reason can de
termine tiio same permanency ofintere.-t
But . >ere is a not her consideration men'iened in
this article, to vyhicli I prestim.'this permanent com
1 mon inf erect is subordinate, and to 'vhu h it stands
! rn’lp-r tn the i laiinti ol means to * ud. This * com
i prch,,iided in the word attachment. This is the dcsi
| deratum. Attachment to the com infinity is the best
gunrnn’ce, and indeed the only gtif.rantee. A per
son may possess the property of a freehold without
the attachment, nod th ' n'fncliinent without the pro
perty. No man can intentionally by his vote injure
that community to which lie is attached And ns
property in the earth was supposed, and justly sup
posed. in most iustanc* s toaftncli persons to thccom
mun'ty, it has been selected ns one proof, (and tt is
bui one,) and not the strongest proof of such attach
ment. Nativity is a stronger, a much stronger, and
n more invariable evidence of ottachm nt to a coin
fi:un ty tlnn weal'h or Uty o*Ji r conddcradon It
*a -us incontrovertible fuel, winch I presume no
\i*rSc“ 'v,ii llulK,x"' that 1 bus.- iny kccornl resolution.
| .'Jy first embraces ail the pr.*squ! voters in Virginia.
[ AmJ, taking for grunted that the JIUi of Rights innkfis
'■tttarluiif.nl'to the coir, muuity uhe great consideration
winch qualifies an elector, I contend tout it is the Jet
‘ 8I**r'1 ‘d’tliis a l'tieie to extern] ;,te right of suf
ir ge to every free while male of th • a*r,. of tweitlv
two years b->rn within i his Commonwealth. The
reason why 1 fix upon the ago of iiwo Vears rn
t ier than tioaihj-one, is to lie et a liistmi *,us objection
v\tiich 1 had antimpalm! os possible to ue presented
jipon a verv JileraJ interpretation of the text. !• might
lie said, and with some plausibility, too. that u vouim
‘"~n V u*(: “‘‘twenty one, lias by no a. t of his Itlb
• * - * * 1 '*"> evidence ot permanent common interest
with, or attael.m.-nr to ttm co, mumitv. who has j,.,:
;V l"' o* tvv •ut v-oao. inasmuch its he
nas*, till that moment, be n under the guardian and
cot up.i sot v authority ot his parent or "uardian. I Ijs
living one year afer he has biw.-ine u tie.* a<*wt de
stroya ihut objection, and. it^ud.ii ion to his nativity,
attorns all iiecessurv evidence of his a‘i .chinent to
tie- community. This is the mUouate of the second
resolnt ion
1 o fc.rt.ty or il iistrufe this po-ition, nr. in other
wonts, to prove ti nt nativity is Ihe i>e-t guarantee
tor attachmeiiito any community, I deem at this time
11 'vur,c °* «»pernrag.!tion—l tbel no disposition t<> re
peat arguments aheuly olf-reu o;i tins and .»tl:-r to
pics connected will, .t. After the verv able anm- i
ot the gentleman from Loudon, which like a'
tornado left nothing behind it. 1 tmiili such an oiTbrt
an my part ultog. t her superfluous. Tun*, ,Sir. one i
gentleman from Southampton, (Air. Tre, van;.) call d i
it "empty :leclai/tnli»ti," hut 1 would like to see him
3r any other gentleman attempt bv a finr analysis to !
rym-t i: d "••l.ainatory, and not argumentative. ' I do i
■link that no gem ictnnii can refute the arguments ot
.he flfon.Jernun trout Loudoijn. rl*lii»y carried I
J‘° conviction to my mind. And 1 think it unue
•o.-sary to repeat or defend them until they have at j
east b'on formally assailed. The memo rials laid upon '
'bn' table, sufficiently argue this question
IViv :i. rd resolution, Alt. Chairman. has resnecf to j
mother class oi inhabitants in this Commonwealth i
And the only difficulty, ns indeed, * he only questi m '
much consideration, which occurs in settling who j
snail be citizens ol »his Co:tmm:n\ e.iltli, i-. wimf shall 1
■»e r quired of those not natives of Virginia, nor nm- 1
jrare i ti the Tiro.-.-m.’ jaws confer ieg Too rigiit of stil- I
11:T/ i-oii i pr* for residence ami n inum/•
nri/Jiiviliun, to a pecuniary or proper! V qualification, j
1,.ic p.i\ uieru wf any given tax imposed on the pur- !
..- . • r‘ *• ii'M vroseni in n,y mi- ,
derstamhng, according to mv views of human n 't-j.*. •
sucli evidence ui cuiiunuii interest, who. Mud nfuc-li-I
Ill-Jilt to. .1,0 community, us tlmt submit 1 e,l. nmi it
«.'rt..iu y (i mu not pro .ml ■ ni-.tji'ions to cor-up- |
lion, or tt> t lmt having nt voi-*s ot’ which some gen- >
tlumen spunk, as the ii.viu.r oj cerdi ri amount of!
tax an the qualifying - nnsjiio; uiun. YV::v.,e tlmre is ;
no price proposed, l.li«r ••• is t o to ».»?>• al.i«>n oif re l, nr.d
thort fore corruption is rr r.’ored ;c n'rtpof-iblo r.3
free!. •!•! can bo supposed to make it. Jr' we rbvore to 1
•cce tuen act a digr/S-d ton. .. .. tre-i u.,..n •
cording to the dignity of human nature, f; you nut'
the tax nl one dollar, you make t:>e prim of a il.’iu-!
.nndv*itcsoi.lv a thousand dollars. Rut necordir-.
to Mi * principle of this resolution, every improper ui~ ■
ceutivo is p nx>vcd nut of the wav. A p rson who
becomes an inhabitant, of this State, and who .
to become a citi.on, a pc-munml resident, not upon !
»l;e excitement of an election immodia-clv approneb
ing, calmly and dispassionately goes to thc-omrt in
tlie county in which lie resides, and declares his in
tention of becoming a permanent resident. Twelve1
months afterwards, be returns to the seine court, n.nl
promises to submit to, and support the uevernm/nt
oftins Commonweal'h. %n-,. J ask, is nut this the
strongest evidence which the native of any nftx-r
State can give of his attachment to, and of his’f. r-bn-T
u eomineirin:crest with, the community? I think j]
mn-u appear so to all, except t > them who think tlmt
virtue, intelligence and patriotism spring up out of
tlie soil, and gf«>w like rnushr.ionrs upon its surluce,
after a perso-i has paid u stipulated price for it. Rut
ui the e I nited State.- the priueiji'e embraced in t^s
resolution is regarded as a higher proof of attachment
to the community than the purchase of any amount
ot real estate. \\ ken a foreigner from any other
country exualri,it.es himself, mid desires to become a
ei'izcii of fin ite United States, the purchasing of no
amount of real or personal estate will prove his at
tachment to t lie country, lie must if lie will become
a citizen, go into court and make a solemn renun
ciation of every foreign prince and pcmjnfaio, of all
id egi nice to any foreign government, and promise to
submit to, and support the Constitution of ilresc Uni
ted S'ates. This, in the estimation of the good and
wi~o trainers of our ^laicand Tedcral Governments,
is t be highest proof of attachment to, and of feeling
a common interest \yith the community which can be
afforded. J^w, although T would not’require nil the
same formalities, t Contend ilia', the principle of the
third resoluM .n warrants Us to entertain more coufi
dereo on the person wiio tt-ns becomes a citizen, than
the nwre possession of any fieciiold. Kor unless
gentlemen will argue that moral qualities are in the
soil, and spring up in a man’s mind from the owner
ship of it. they cannot, I presume, prefer it to the plan
proposed upon any principle implied in, or derivable
lroui Mu Bill oi Righ’s. The second and third reso
lu'ions, 1 conclude ftom these and other considera
tions, are equitably ba^eJ upon the Oih section of
the 13:11 of Rights.
• >no \sore ypt'ii trie lolirilj rosulufion, and I oi-miss i
this part of the subject. 1 cannot consent to disfran
chise all paupers. Ingratitud- is 030 (if the greatest
crimes against Heaven and man. If then, sir. any
pauper shall have rendered any important service 10
liis country, The shrill have fought her batti. 3 nnd
his vir Ues have made him a pauper, it vould be as
cruel, as ungrateful, as it would be impolitic to dis
franchise him. It would be a bad precedent; »t would
evince a destitution < fth • noblest principle which can
dignify a ronn or exalt a nn ion
This, .Mr. (.’hairman, i-t the whole mlhnJn of the
home proposed. I was not so 'odious of the terms
as of a clear doveloprno.it of the principle. Hut I
v. i 1 be told by Dr. Expedient, that however reason
able, or however just, nnd however accordant with
the spirit of the ago, and the meaning of our funds-,
mental princ’p e. of the social c-inpact, it in not ex
pedient. I le ver i i;cd tin doc rinc of expediency.
Its grandfather was a Jesuit. It was the popular doc
trine in fl»e (J.ithohr Dominions of the Reman Hie
rarchy. h kindle 1 all the fires, heated the furnace,
nn l prepared tie* to I h-t pmcrisof the holy inqn 3 -
tion. His JH /' Jy the King of Great Britain nnd Ids
Court, on lli-’ doctrine of expediency, established
12piecenncy in Tv.gland, l’p’shytevionisin in Scoib'iid.
Rope.y in Can -da and Paganism in ttic* East Indies.
Y es, sir. it. v. ns • xuodient to lay a capitation tax upon
the worshippers of Juggernaut, just as the Turks le
vied a capitation tax ujmui 'he pilgrims who went to
visit the holy sepulchre. This, sir. I believe, furni h
cd the first model, and 13 the true origin of the Vir
grnia •“w'v// taxhis duct tine of expediency is an
offset against nil reason, argum -nt. and principle to >. |
It was not expedient for England to let France go
vern itself. If was not expedient to permit any oth
| er sort of government to lie er-cted so near the Uri- i
: tish throne than that which accorded with the genius
of the Rngh-b monarchy. Thus the flame of war
spreads over Europe, and England from her regard
1 to the doctrine of expediency, made Buonaparte the
frontier oft ho Had she permftted Krajicc to
manage bur own aff.irs. the ambition of Napnlcm
would not in all littman probability have trutisecndoi
too imri- nt limits of Franco But'olic made him no
«{o Hired with his nwj) military prowess, ar il forcei
Sd nnn I,W f5,'°r'*rc in 1,10 .v,,',r 1«I3, ovw
0 pppp.^oo ,,t human beings. But. sir, it would be
'■niiicss to detail the enormities winch have booy per
, pet rated, the blood that Inis been shed, the Imvoc
*7 0‘p|'-ui life Which has be» n unde, in obedience to
, t. o Migg1 stJiuis of this popular doctrine <>f <*xp •di*.,n
. *-J • it h isiiiv'Ued anil destroyed everv right o1 man.
i 1 nrdon me sir, for mentioning the rights »f in„n.
Lv1,r il'Von ' " etn that man 1ms no rights but what
: Uic different governments in the world pi- \sc to he
J-tow upon him. His rights in Russia, Turkey,
I r ra .re and Kiighml arc jiist what the governments
, Jicasn to bestuvi-upon bun. Believe this who nmv.
cannot. lie has in iny judgment certain inherent
; and malicmh-e lights, ..f which he cannot he divest
: ed with iinptiuity. Amongst those is the ri^ht of a
vmre in the g wernrnen*, to which iie is to submit,
j J»it I am told that uuive sai suffrage, fI am no ad
vocate tor universal suffrage.) or more correctly.
s"tr,"£e- ‘be invention oft he age of trie
i hoal 1 rorector Cromwell—that it rpmim- up tor the
!ir-t time, during the Coinmonwotilth Jf Emnaiid.
1 t is called n»»el doctrine. \V'« re it so, that would
not. prove it t.iJse. Steamboats are ti novel invention,
M)d nnny ortiijr usefuj arts are com{>n;«tivo novel
ti‘-s. Unis new race of men which modern science
• i;is created and made, is a new invention 1 mean
the wooden, brazen and 'iron mini, which neither cat,
drm.k, sleep, nor get tired; which «re adults without
o .inginfants, fiill grown m-n as soon ns horn. Thc.se
iy*w men, tJc»sc novelties, arc likely to he a verv use
ful race; tor whey inspired by.sterin, they areas ra
tional as our bhi -k population. Ki/dmd has two hun
dred millions of them, ni.*' these I. Med Stii»rS l ave
nmre than t.m m. l;.-ns of them. They are nil revo
lu iou>s;- and will as c-r ai dv revolti'iojvzc the world
as ever d-d t]„. nrl of printing, or - nv cotiquerin.r in
vader Unev are tdl novel loo. ^.1 prophetic “vc,
nor phropheuc pen, can describe their pro-re®- ‘or
iiirctcl their dc-ti:iy. Allnovoiti * nr- not* Union*.
But sir. notwithstanding the gov.or 1 historic arcu
rney ofgenUcm n on the o her s do, thev h vc ir.j-la
kcn the date of the origin of general suffrage. It
is more ancient than the British, me R.,mtm, the
(iri-cian. or ^lG Persian tiov. rnincuts. It is now
M.’3 years old. I have heard gen: Icrne.-i quote tlic
Mosaic his ory on this floor. It will ho no sip. I
.. > • . ">ie r:i<- .syni'- \,,u.
if gentlemen will look into the Exodus of Israel.'th v
v. il, find that t.Ji--* \ iri iniu Constitution was not. tho
tirsL i^riUnt Col lection, nor the gm.-rd suffrage
im? i!iVf“r.*'nr. of Oliver C’romw 11—<" \>mw-n'|, V
' *■ - is g mil B, hu till . n
'xVfiea I-•rani b -•came a C*mmjoiv.vo:::r]i, niiu ,ir. fTmv
''1 ‘‘ “ Cnmmonw-'iiiili, mu! wore so lionomii'nt.'d
2?j°° V«»rs «f?‘» '••• a very Idgh ml1-,, v. ; ,.ri.
J. ra •] h«r:m:e a • tu'niftJi. t;». v tc •
Coiisiitfrnni him who led them ii; j, ,;it.
■ . \s .. iltlei— amount.
i*00 QOA lighting men. The <led of Israel firs! ......
pos.m s sp-. -t v.uim t' t. It wu« milled jn jp )r, u
}~ter;lii, in (i «ek Jj'-dht? e. in I sf.n (Jiuvnirs-m j;;
^co»eh ( ki.mi the manner r.f rim
lj**njf»;e n»»d Covenani’—Ir is ... wisely equivalent
to our ivyh word Com , This irrit,cn
’V,d ” ,s ,},M oh;-, t writ ten •• Uimu.f rp.-M .-nrrlr*
Aft : ; v; ' ''/■ »« }V» * . , ,na«
npontlm wt'cr-r.7?/„f UraC. *J ir vote «u.-. re i
ip lin'd n«d 'hey vovd (hr its adoption ... li.eir nut mn-|
al compart. So o’d S.r, and so venerable i-; the :
origin of gei.c-.l su.Vrn go.
It is no nr v.'l doctrine'in this cor nfrv. My colieu . tie
and friend from Monongalia, (Mr’ Morgan,) this
m-rmnif presented us with t!,e hislo.v Hf ...moral
miftrape in the e United States. He hr* anticipated
rnv remarks on tins topic. Ti * cnomr], for „.e t„
observe, that no less that Jtalf file States in t*iis f
nmn. have t-taily discarded li.-e property qualification
at electors. And half of i ;e.-e. Sir, are slave
•; a ".s- -?n,‘ ,l i'**s appeared too, Sir, that so far
bom impairing the safely of property or the pnmr
>f iniprux emmit, or the peace and happiness of tbcM-'•
States, it has contributed to the prosperity of all o
hern. i
The gdntlcman fronj Southampton [Mr. Trczvant' ‘
i.formed ns that all history shewed, that in all rmverr- 1
mems where general sellV.ige prevail, d. a military
lespevlam endued, and nUm.atelv the liberties of the
?o..p!o were dost roved. I know not S.r, whence i his
gentleman In s derived his historic information, lu.t
)n6 thing] u u! venture to allirm, lliat heron shew ‘
no one ins a.:ice of tlio practice of general sufFranp '
issuing m a despotism civil or military. wh-re the i
Lp.vetnnier.t was repretr-uHlior. Such an instance1
will lie necessary, if not to sustain his .,0v.jtjon a:
ts ast to pvt* it any application to the question now
Lmmrc the committee.
uui air, whm was ute orerii!]*»«r oF f'erv govern-)
ment that lias hitherto fallen into ruins? And many
governments liavc been subverted; many great empire0
have gone to perdition. When the real' the true cause
is ascertained, the Cause wliich a'l history developer
it will appear that a disregard of U,c rights of man
was the sole cause of their subversion. Yes Sir one
party, and always the governing party of the commu
m. y invaded the r.ghls of th • otW. An infraction
of these inherent r.ghls, these natural rights of man.
lias proved the overthrow, the min of every govern
n. ent now ext.ncl in the world-Search the wYnals of
all time, &. not an instance can be found contrary to
this fact. No government which has paid a due r< gard
to toe nglrls of rtnn has ever been subverted. Where
are all the ancient empires of the world? The Kgvn. i
t.an, Assyrian, Persian, Ci-ec.an, ltoman? All, all S>r, 1
dilapidated, ad gone to ruin. And what was t'.e
cause? Wither they were not founded on a }nsl regard
ot social rights, or censed jusdy to regard man accor
ding to Ins nature. Their perdition is, and ought to
be, a beacon, a caveat to us. 1 s«i.| „pr,n aTmthrr
occasion that every depai tore from the prir.mpl.r, of
the tine philosophy of man was dangerous. The
illuvtration which I used Iris been perverted by (he
g- ntleman from Spottsylvania. 1 d.d not sav that the
Jaws and rules of mathematical science u < n' to he ;,r.
plied to Cml (.nverim.ent, but dial tt.erc was as much
certainty, as much truth in morals, in politics too, as in
mathematics. It is not always so perceptible, but it is '.
nevertheless just as certain, and asimchangeabl-. And
S r however slow, however gradual, the departure !
fr.’.n correct find fundaments] principles, if i "rsn'e I in con
tinued, ;t must result .n ve.y g.'eat and fmal enormuie,.
I w-a? sorry to |,.-ar, ,|,c other dnv, t e cl irnient -mtleman
f.o n Charin.c. ?.Mr Kandolpfi,) ;,Xt hP. maj™
lxm* A"’"'*’--', and declared Ins r fr, J, h,s
government, nod to migrate f,mn dm,m i.,ns. I ,\
hrf4, Air. Clnir.nnn, is th, Vpibnate . ’
ire. Osn .lack on, the f’te idem ,1 t'.<-4 Vm -
m ly the representative, the r, mtaf.n , * |,
" 1 ■* And. whither, Sir. can tint ernth-man fl- pom , r
v. rni,>e,,t ot this. King? In the North, in the S .it:-,, in th- 1 ,,,
and in the Vict.he can fin I F.x<-cm he
rro«s the ocean, lie ran put him-. ]; f « *, ,
whenever he may please to expatra-e hi,..sell hi- v.ili fr, '. |...
yeiH the do,n,..runs of Kin? Numbers there .* no other M-e
ar.'hs save King Cypher, King f.l-wl. King Sword, or Km
1 urse. *\n I, Sir, per.mt me add. lucre is „one of move
august a.our King I love K,n4 Numbers, I «,sl. |nr a..,l
p ilots! lo die under the government of tins majestic per-ama"'
He i»Vir. a wise, benevolent, pan iodic and powerful i>rtitre-the
mast d.embed personage unuer the canopy of heaven
I heard ilia, same tentieman. Mr. I hair..,art. w pi, pleasure
V,f:: '** immortal Paeon Twice l/allu Ir I
! ' '■ ' t,c M’oke of die g.eat t>-nnr„u,r. time. I did wi*h
? i.enr turn quote the whole sentence. and apply it I,»rd
baron raid, (I think I given in his own words—..Maximus
innovator tempos: Quidni irirnr tempus imilenurC” Why then
savs hr. ran we not imua.r t,„,c. the *rea.C:f of all innovators?
,Yu d.i b tbiS ‘ heir months.*
taught it to ieir r'.lHre.,-,‘lemp,ra mntantur, et no,
mur in it. *.■ VMt/ turn, >,r, can -r.-r. ^ V
U.nr:
I am glad, Sir, to find mv . If ns«ncio,cd with man, . ,,»ia
nu n oil this llt> n. who are inspired with the spirit nf ({;•, ^
who have not miiy j'mvii ... it,iuir this B;;e, 1ml ; town up « 7.'*
‘t- J livv ant w illing to h-arn what time the great teachc' t
the greatest revolutionist to: ••!>. lit And Si she is an elml-i
preceptor, ... geni’. i.ieu, Sir, w tip tee) ii,.. current nf time
wlm are in heart, m mitson. with this age. have no iden of rrar
king Chines" so ,e> tor American leer: or oj cotMnnMing a
In dst. ad after toe manner ol I’u nistes fax nscn ul Ann'ra
can sta'nre. >
bir, there i.- one most mcpist f iht na) to which we
•’.i taw. i irm; will nr;iko ils nil (to liorntr'c *‘Wore it. 1 i'i- i
nerd not inform von, ,s ,he triimna! of putj,i- option. 1 j,i 'l,
*' preme tribunal in all tills extensive emu,try .\'o
incut !S came, : Ml in this country, w hich this tu'iunal ret ro
....ci All our acts must be judged bv it, and I rejoice to live
n a country m whicJi tliu is the Supreme law- nml in wi'ch
no nolitieal inaxini can prevail wl^cli don m.t (rater ,
angiC* Witn liie Htfln ,,i ,.n. tlvhllliaj. - ’ - ..
I L™ aSSL,oJ:‘Nlr; ^ liairman, that it i# in the power of lift?
ea t, ,n", re lh,,,i ,a“'1 °,,e ,,r‘>* *»* 'app-JMi.rt ni.'be
eb-v ;7 ",ntor''r ,,,9'nu,i‘>"' M.eii principles as warn!.'
Vnv‘ ii, ; , ,,,V ‘,f,pp,fy ,h:“ grraly l,v„„r
sir* ,' f !e T"‘,"T'1 ,,!“his I mean u.'si y
us-fonlii u ^ " "Ch Conre,"'a,e ,h, ir infliienres up ,
vis,,.’ , ^ "t»|>rove,m*tits in government—Itoin iite
.. ' ■ ’"‘ll ta,"'a assembled here, we have every fan I nr i d
carrying to o great-t men, in,prove™,,?* ^
com,,act. Were this assembly far inferior to wh.-t it ,s suTh a
resnl ought re...ably he expected. Stand,ng. e.s w e do uporv
Witlludidm?, a ‘ ,Hr",er, and being fnrnisCetl
mb',,'. ' 1 n"f"“ 'vhlch '* •* mad- in ancient a, i
modern limes, much ts reasonably expected from ,1/;”
■5i “s mTnntl HrB *«!«.«,it^
", ?n.e,.nl,t9 “ a thorough amelioration nf m,r cm In . „
*»ope that we would feel a little more in acrmdnm -
"ll he progress ol improvement anil the spirit o, the ace i a,
T *Outm«el£il C
Zrm’ v ’ a fmv, y"ars 'viiI in defiance of aU pm
lirurtb Wg, sir, a few years will settle all these quesliprt
ftbm , minty and /Amcy. Un, Jim,!,. i.,e improvement of ?» e
mi l "in ut society have been taken into ni-sideration—shnf '
hr ad.iptanon ot o„r pohtical nistiinticus to :he .Sal c. nuh
l 1,0,stances of the great mass of the emtm tv
h.jJ'w"'-el nm ane,,,',on ‘V",er,'‘l hearts, l do,
J V ■ mi! I nave endeared our ineinnrv to the latest
‘ eouni, only one instance, we have hem, toM t
y V'’rrral ”',w ,0 rljir,h»«a », eu„« .;;
|IM. '"-y.'/ years llo.n this day Would render it i„.pnsM! ft
a ..l a. to lie horn m thisC mum"-rwealth and to live to num
v;,l"",,t receiving a good education; and thru mo vjr
w itl"..., the laying anv tax after that day for tin M ..,JOrI „r ,i
dbit m sonic ;: ,C;;;\rr"W);1’ >,r- «»d fro'» V** a,aho,„v m„,
II ai lu si.int par,.- n, Massachusetts, nariivailnrl ,• in the ....v.r.w l
" " "'"'V a,,.v ‘'"'hf, without the cnntnbutiriu ill a single c, ,-i
may receive no, only a good Knghsh, but a good *|n 'Sn,
•ation. .Sncli is the extent to which li.e common m h ,,I s, Vt' ,
has Irccn earned in tl-iu enlightened comm,.nil,. 1
I ' ‘ •"‘,re»n. we might now Mess Vi.-inia wnh a v
' "/l,act winch would >*> ’he gradual progrc^of time 'ml !.*
! ' l,,;f,n,v,: ,hB ""eilectual and moral powers,.! evenn.nj
• ,’.w . ,,‘Tm.. l-’ ?I,d VM*Tr*‘ *° «>“* political em,U J
X. .- « h. l,. ( ommo-.v exHh. Is not „ an ..birct vvo.t ,v
s ‘I *' a '’m-entit.,.? And Would not the mi-ininio,, of Xrt
■ ' • »*>e «n»e philosophy^ f
ill ini bit ’ »
Hm, si.-, one g utletnan 'Mr r t,,i,\ ,.,
. ... • • • ■ i icrrr.d ns to rf a
v ", ’ ll'° r»'-p'“ system ,n I'liainin |iSl.j , roi., :
W e «., -I t it not, sir I have lived „ Cl,ir,try in «v'hX
wcreiiAny great min-xx-iy learn.-! a,.d very pr.weo,, n“ ,
’,u‘- 1 leated, sit. l or one noblt- lord the, • v . ,
ww • ! «u*sw I rum 1 hat is the Xrrei Lli ,
' ' .?..'... ■ - w
mar.. in;-, ini-men, than a ;.li ,, . ,
V,‘ " "-c a ;U tf.e li, -li-l, whv of hm . "V* ~
-’V P* “,B f.nglisli wax of speaking to . •!;
ol I.-.t one incnd” m this <:omiHit‘, o .-vet- f, • Vi”
fi a • ootagioiis spirit. Th/.e are mr-nv ofe.eat'nu-,, “ ^
no nixes-ary to create ilu-,n in I • , r ,, ‘"'K *‘
lJ IV. ul ar crisis call them into . ■ A ‘ • .
gMiMt men have t.iwnys been the ere*:.:,,,.
"Tye of tnein was once found on Ho,Ch, •(., r '
t.t> to Dani-d-ntis—on.? it Mount Vc.,:n„t a:u, .other v .y
.*?. m,1 -‘f-.'»•«>' ilanoxer, with a fi'.’uiig rod ul h.s h - i '
u-Island of Corsica produced one, when he xva* vai-tf
1 Here is no occasion to devbv any plan fo creatine this “AV
ioid. and xye should not fatl in derive Umofits of c -e”v -X
m.ei.ci-.ti- d, moral and political, iuco.n, arul.ly surpa-Mne'-,
-eshoMJ he ,.Mi£.M ten^c iu ,
rord more, sir, ar.d I xviU not fan!.,, i . !. *’
■ rd the fo.pniiltee 1 i.e t l.cme u hich i- . oniwnp"at!X
... these icsoluitons is not n ily, I think, adapted to the eem rji.
: tl.e whole, state Lut rspeciaily to the eastern p4 ' C >'
l >' .is nit,ch inee.se. 1 w ith vh« bXisnystiM, ol ,I „ ,l'
led-,- of i"a„ Mien xye disfr.mchs- :.„e class of lncil X
*• I : e them of their pohttcal-and natural right*, to seeurd a •
pn.perty or privilege we possess, we cHanwr that v ■'v i'r
pmiy and those very privileges more by st.cli r'i; iiisefncni
tlian xt s protect them. We give an in-. f:,,:. 'hnr-ii n r'm X, 1
i.-jtTc.ts and privileges, and xye create anlipatl.ics .mains. Xr
a., es- It |j lit the nature of man to iiate, and t.» art-,,,', . ',1
tmpa.r ami destroy that xxTtici, 5, l.el i at h.cMpemoS whk h
J. Ul. - Iminn cm,, usiui.aiimi. I'or the safety then a--.
preservation ol those very i:.ter:-.... | would ro,.,.., '
i .vieiijion of ihc right of suffrage jf t . •
s.nn so"-;.t for in' these re-r.Sutions ran he obtained, fam t‘r
tenae ions onhc words ore f; i.e fonn in which it hU "f
, ; th‘ f to develop the rrmcpl-. 1 aimed at no more hat.
t > s.iew that it ts in accorda.. e with the hill of i.i..ills j ii
not expect to have addressed tt.ef i.o.n.iuee at thi.-Tii.,-; hut on
'hr failure of the scheme soi.mittcd hv t ,,
-lOiioil-alia, (Mr Neljon-) I ti ought it « xp7-d . |il to orA.'.
another experiment. Mad i. hee„ mvnl.jrci to do more thS®
.o expose the principle, .1 tpouhi have in a more -vilo-isti
form fortified and defended the grounds r.,i which it i. f,'a*e i
but ex-f n in this, I have been in a great n^asttre ant'. ■ t" < > ,
the ge.iilen.L,, who have preceded nv.
r"lrMST-’’ ,t,.^R T’,Vo’ ,h:V ’ ,i,r «>» fvn
Goochland should c i.-r Ins wnCmWut ,i„ li e s,()r
Senate has,., he should move t.. amend it, hr so.:,! V -
after the word “that,’’ and inserting the followin'.'. h ' .
Ifrinlccd, 'I hat in the • pportiomnenl of repre-: ntadm in tfi»
non e of Delegates, cgio te-mild be. I.ad to the w hite noouia.
non exclusively, and in - :e. to lax.ition exdusivelv— -
that tin- Honi e of Delegate- cons >t rflCO members and
ihc Senate of48—that the. Senate shall have the same Irehl
live j,n-.vnr, |„ all respects, as the House of Ihdegnies and ;il:
nppointn.trdj ro oiTicc which, hy the 1 'nnstitiitinn! shall be rr
f rre I to the two Houses of the \ >• i >..e, shall ,
Con current vn'o.
The Committee tiien ro'e and report i pro^re-s.
On motion of Mr Do non mm: the uvr> amendments'on
*til’;'-ct of the Senate basis were then nr-le-ed to hr nr:n(,-’i '
'Hit- C 'invention then adjourned till 11 o’clock to nmmlv.*. '
|| ANDULFiT'N R RPOKTS. Vo,.. GthofCWa
J,*, argued and detonn.ned it. *],- (.’our?. of Appeals
o‘Virginia just publish**.!.
Complete sets of Virginia R.
Journal? of lh •(* .nveu'i »n« <Y 177.7-0 anj . /V,
Journal* of (he Senate and I Iouge ofDoln— ,,
Virginia from 177'. lo r;f»0, inclusive
tleningsbt. tuieg at a;u;
’i’lm Now Map? of V:. ir.ia,
A 1 appropriated te increase the , | i„:,-v
l to *-«l;tfo, may l»<- had of the ’ibscriber, ,1,0 (• j,
' ’*» »* ?**r' r>*V of Jlielwn r. ) up ! the i ., r.T*
WM. JI. JUCI! \Jin.«o.\\ < i coY:'”?'
•’’t"! I/ibrarnn.
--——— - •
Jo the JMcinbrr* (>t i!fjCgit/at
r|luri v /rsteful forth ' : r. Jly and libc; a lout rnn
which I hat i • .. revived from :J.
mf tn'.-i-rs of the J.epd 1 bog hate, ,, , t
■ 'pecffiiily, to remind >n »l.rit i -h-.l; be, a,',,. >tt
'•ropured and ir d lm .py 1 . a •eoinniodatr from ih fo
•I of tlvri with board. Are. ;he cnpiijng Station. r./ 1
t .mlgo tmso'flo rpn-. :i , rxorlion render their
rico.,rr;riort xttons :■ < mm fort able as possilde.
I am in-bjood »<• piv this notice thus early, from a
.suspicion that many *•! my old cnstemcrfi. u, flip*
court ry, are under I In iinpre: s'on, that I shall pot lie
al-ie to nrcormnodn'c thom.owing tolbe tmusttfil por
:!i'*n of br.-itms- f hnve imen favoured v.itlj
since the tneeVng of ? i Convention. I therefore
rerpi-st of th en nomh'-r;.. disposed to pair-nlse me,
":-v r """r\ ■""v«^*vy.»«can nt the
,/ , ""{ h*' ,ro ’b- y m. kc any atrnngcmeote
»<>r hoard bevl ,
r~ -0’ *’>' MALi l'U I’lUilJlOSfD.