Lynchburg Virginian. [volume], November 26, 1829, Image 2

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Mf. H contended, turn wnii all the eictssar* •*»
l|t f'trnch fit vuiutMMi, it Iih<I finiUHi wi in
«ftfdi\r mg »ke peopleof that count* y from nia
i»y of ihew appr e»i'u«t«.
He ask* *4. whether we *hni»M copy after the
Hnr > i ( «* istiiuiion— Shull we imitate a people,
wh*», alt *ough dtnintf>,»*"* «l hv the gior i* *»l tlie*r
arm*. .ire applet* d ih.'ir k> g • l» ’ ill s»»‘l
Clergy — a peordc **• Ii at !«•#* *** iu»l.nm# ol
pauper^, auJ in him<i>1i ol tuber* who aie
tOll-spi* *• t, Mti I *4 I* *opf»‘ll l'»eif WiefCtt
oil children—in i uglaod, where the for
tune of Lord VV*I i gi«*o is *«j »*»« f*» a*l Him C'ivil
I.ret oi the Onled S 4i*-s A *d w.t it such a
Country as ihif, that w- w-ie fo imitate * — (Im
would rather look t» mif mu** Sit* »•*—oftkete,
only one i*q Hied the qualification of f<ech#d«J
—and that was H md«* ||l.md . a 'Hate winch
had no Con*n mi »*» ; and whose charier svai
derived from the uuh tyrant, ( har|«r *> f who
had exert i* I *mcI» •u«|. iitUin to this land Lt
North Ca dm • md ed, the iret hold is rui n
red lor ine Seuxle, nod there if it accompanied
by the correlative right of the tree neg»oe« to
vote. And how way it in the other State* T i
In leven of the Old State*, there whi no inch
qaalifiratiott required —and ia eoaie, even the
•mallett tai iiditpenmd with at n qunlitirstiuN
In 17 of out Repohlirt, therefore, W» I'hki the
•ame -taodard Used, a* the gentleman from Mo.
uoogalia [ %|c WiNoo] ha* propo«« d — And why
i# ii said that m ihr*e States Whi*kcv ia drank,
and excitement i* pro foced ? But there wn< n »
inch spectacle exhibited at onr freehold elec
lion* ; do not the freeholders alto dnnk whu
key and kick up their heels ' And do Hie peo
ple of Ohio, Hie fr ee S’ale av il it called tu the
^‘est. enjoy le## oi g to | law* ; it properly less
re .peeled than moor own * And it Hot the :
•pirit ol improvement there more active than t
it m Virginia / And how is il in Sooth C ir*»li"
*m nrrl M-t«« i«.lios**Ht no«t .»ii»**r St*‘ " •' 4 ■ *’ I
the talent* of iheir dMn*n* lei* distinguished j
than <tur own * Aer McDuffie, and Lowndes,
end We fitter, In. q »afrtied m survo Hi. ir couii
try than out* ©wrt •talesmen 1
Re refeircd tu the tight of quaSili ation in
the borough ul Norfolk, wtie.a pot boil-M have |
the right in vole —an I atked il her represent*
tire* have not hern always divtiogillxhe«l, and ]
if m ill i a body, her dtlegation t» no! equal io
ethers t —And are th* pot Imtleri, th** rabble, i
of the Borough ofNotfdk, moieahle to select
iheir repret. iimiives, than the min I s«cholder*
of f redrrick f
Mr. H pronounced on etdogiam on the vir
HtO* and habits ••( the men in humble cimitn
IMitraa— He contended, that they were aHucli
• d to the plate of their nativity. o« much ns
th# rich—that they were no lr*s willing to *he*f !
their blond for their country — that they had j
both intelligence and virtue.
Mr. II proceeded t j examine the argritltfAll
which h;»*l been urged in favor of the limitation
«»| the Kig» t of Suffrage. II** Contended that
there ought »u he a change hi the adniniixtration
•f the govn nm**nt of the State •—and he produ
ced certain exam* |e« of what h# thought lo fie
misrule in it* atfirs —among these wa* a law
pasted. a* well ax we under*too*! linn to *iy.
ru 1766) •■eniptiu* overseer# from cerlam du
ties, which ha contended had been cm ted by
the fraefuihler* for the b. nefit ul their own
estate*, while no inch exemption a n extended
fo ttie non-freeholder*. II** referred to ill-!
Cmin'y levie*, wuii-li were enforced on the pro
plr per capita, whc u. r rb'.h or p oor, nml hII pav
ing nlik*‘— i's ► to the C\e^ 1' ion the pay tnent
Ofriehtshy whichthegie.it landed proprietor
could retain hit land* an I revel in I inr* 1 th
prison h niml *, while the 1 «•#* c nv Mini Iiirmiui «*
of the poor non freeholder might tie ••>ised and
•old lie also pointed to the languishiii;/ state
• f our Infernal Improvements. and of mu Iblb
lie Solioolx, in order to show the necessity ot
changing the edminiv ration of our aflfiirt, into
oilier hand* titan thnts* ot flie freeholder*
He mad i some allu iati to what had been
thrown out in the course of ilie debate by n
gentleman fiuni UoliOioud, on the danger nl
dividing the Stale, though lie Ji <u d have bnp
pilol, from il»e 1 qiluiiiiiiity nod a1 nine*,* ol
that gt ntleiinm's itti e, tliit he had no mo ion*,
funis, and tliat there *.»• nine 1 b* rhe'onc in
hi* horrors ami awv* Mr II thought (lie
whole a flail Would be i» tiled >l Ho polls it (lie
Con«*ifuti >l) was bad, tin- people would r» jr-ei 0
• if not. they would refiiy O — m l then* Would
be an end <m the matter.
Mr. II having resumed hi* seat. Mr l*lea*
*«nt« asked ni a favor of the t'oinontiee that
the retnliitom now umb r i onsideration iu ght
be laid undo long enough Hi mi l l him an t«p 1
porlunUy ol presenting 1 tin body u propooi
turn of hi* own winch In* ofl red as ‘lie basis o'
• Compromise
Mr l*i i want t lien offered the following a
mendm.ml to the tin rrsdu'i'i o I hit Ch.ii*
mitiee .
I an original rnolntion rra U.
lte*nlved ; I a* the no n »«r of memheri
iu th* Senate ot th * Slate nfipht to lie - rbei
increase I nor diminished, 11 • the clasHl'itututi
ol its member« eh 111/ I
I h* n.m o’meat i'i->| »*>♦*« 1, strike out all
• Oor tli** Words “ Iteso ved, I hat,’’ ami to insert
ns follows :
-- ——- ' representation in the Senate 1 liall
he bated on Hie wnole uiioilter nl li ee person«,
in 'a ling tlm-e h >u i< t • service lor a term
y**ars. and excluding Indians not taxed, and
• dding to the af iressid nuiuheis of Iree p*os »es
thl«e-tlfilis ol all oilier persons ; and thft
ben*tc s mil "hnvisl nl a nninher imt exceed
btg ami ii* term of service nml
cl«*a*if|esst on remain a* a\ present '*
I*i supporting the aim ndimint, Me. F rasanls
•poke in luhsl.iucc ns follows ,
t have risen to make III* iiintion just noiv
intimated to the Cn-niin'ice,—whit h motion, I
kind liopti1 some olhei member woiil I have made;
I hall hoped some gentleman ot si,Hiding tt, n,l4
body, sunns, gentleman ol standing in tii,, ( „m.
ntyiiitv and ot weight of character would have
iisen to make some such nintion,—lull I have
bas-n so l ii dit ippninted —| mil then present
Ih* proposition under the hope 'but it may tend
tabring about reconciliation and lead to those
con cessions, which are so desirable, and which
many gentlemen think absolutely litcissary to
the further progress of our proceedings
The pistiirt I represent, has received the no
tice of several gentlemen m the course of tins
stellate. It is what I fully eipreted, and sshnt
! am s-ery glad to see . i’lie respectable mist
intelligent people whom I irpresenl, ( I hope
I shall hr permitted In term them so, for it is
on more than die truth) have put themselves
in that point of view in which lliry are enlitled
10 stand before this body ; I have heard it
frequently insinuated hero that the people
are in Hie dark, and are then f ,re not compe
lent to decide on that blanch ot the subject
which has occupied our attention so Inn1' ; t)■«r
they want ino'*e light, more information, amt
fliat they ought to receive ll. Mir, ibis is all
bell: the people will receive with thankiulness
ad the information which may be given them.
But I have never been disappointed in the ex
pectation that they will always coine to correct
conclusions it left to t hem stive*, sV tint sui render
fheii judgment to ... who have more influence
• bams wholesome for ibis Commonwealth. In
laying Ibis, I hava no particular refeieuce to
the present juncture, nor do I point the remark
at any individuals. I have given the insist pro
found attention to the discussions which have
taken place. The various subjects which have
• ome before us have been most ably handled.
'Che best talents of the S ate, talents which I
have often wiines’ed fc lung adnm ud, have been
employed upon them. The reunlry has bee,,
illuminated, and I have myself besui greatly
p ofiled.—An intense interest has been • sein'd
every wliere, but my district lifts not changed
its position as far at I am informed. The tna
jority of the little county in which I live,
has. il is true, been against llie opinions of the
m jority of the district, but they have boomed
me with a sent here, it is an honour which
I duly appreciate, and a proof of their respect
and confidence which I r an never forget I
should be % villain, if 1 could wipe the rcinctu ■
b * • of *t f f •»' f v ^. i —f i w»U
h Mifff ivinn l* i. I *ui mo e smgtiiaily
• hinted eo’ mi y e* u *egards «he geograpi i
rat potittun <>f my dt**MCi but in some other re
spects, than many ni|«f gentlemen. I did not
go through inv dilfnC, nor did I know the sense
of the people, till the day of the election. I.hrard
that my name hail b to mentioned as a candt*
date, and 1 hastened to promulgate my s* n i
menis, tit the tuM-st and most explicit manner,
t• ve me have to *ay, tbat the sulijert was folly
canvassed. A gvutlrmafi who is particularly
Coversanl with me Anartci s of i he government,
no.I ivho is very thoroughly acqoain'rd wnh all
matters re atmg to p, la injured with his utmost
energy to produce an impression military i*s
that which the p op!, anteitamed, hilt without
» »c . Hr ex rt <1 ti s utmust ability hut his
ts did nut succeed.
tjen'leni *n have made their appeal to Alin*•
msilc District, an I to its position in relation
to lliu question I fell the full force of the
appeal, and had I thought tin y w ic wrong,
ami could I consent to violat** the known will
of a majority of my Dis riet, I would have
yielded to that appeal. H it my attachment
to uunibeis, a id to the pmiciplr that the ma
jority who are hound to fight and to pay, ought
to have the power to vole, was not lor one
second shak u. I concluded the appeal to In*
in paif direi ted to myself, fiom what an honor
aide niemher ft on Chefeifi Id said, in relation
to a certain letter which h-* bad seen. Mv dis
poailioii w.n, to do all I could for the security
of toe slave properly in consistency with my
View, on the great principles of Republican
Government. Die district I represent, is
deeply interested in whatever touches that
property, as it pi diabiy contains as many
slaves in proportion to its ext*nt as any other
P'tHtofi of fht •’3ta'e. And f should lie the
„ tii it,. >i, it I couoi *«».Uiil*lriiy jeop*
ardlxe such an interest, ft had been iny opin
ion , that some stand till for t.nation ought he
taken from the relative value of land . and that 1
tlia one pioper y should not be taxed save in a i
given rutin u» the other ; hut on this point. I
have found myself in a very am ill minority.
I del lielu vi; that'he thing might he made
practicable, and that there would lie no difficul
ty in stopping the violation of the Constitution
lit at tinier Rut, as the project Was disapprove I
in the Legislative Committee, I do not know
tti.it I shad offer it hare. In the propo-ition I
now advance, I am c onvinced, thru I go beyond
the opini m of my const 'Incuts, as it was at the
tuna of the election Hot what h to he dona /
I he Convention is almost equally divided.
GMitleineu ask us whether we wdl press mea
sures ‘with so small a majority > Hut, Mr
t ihainrian. what tiuisf w * do ?— Can they ex
pert us t*j dttiert our own prim:iple|, audio
tty in Ine face of a majority of our eons'int
ents * most we bo willing to yield to a imtiun* I
iy ? Sir, such an expectation cannot, mil
ought dot to prevail. l'lie Venerable g uile
ill.hi from L'Mido ill (Mr. M nine) gave ns
most parental and conciliatory counsel, and
exprev.ed bn own predilections ill favor of the
plan eiribodi d in my amendment, hut he did
not follow n up with any specific motion. I
have fell it my duty to bring the plan before
the Committee, I have dmu* so in the very
best spirit, and with a strong hope of effecting
the fbmipi iMiiin *. I have proposed the f ederal
riiiitthri', bmuui' il >s iii"*' simple, bent kiiowp
and tlie Hint! easily reduced in pint lice. But
if gentlemen prefer introducing in the Senate
tiie* principle of a mixed basis ol reprcxeina
ti«»n, I am perfectly ready to muddy it in that
w iv,
On motion of Mr. Nicholas seconded by
Mr. I * l fc. v *» a s r', tbf CoinimUee rclinq listed
tin: consideiatom of Mi. I'it'iiMnit1 amend
men', for Hie pretuoit, and leiurned to the di*
enssion of tbe resolution of Mi. Wilson as a'
m olded bv Mr. I lender-sou.
Mi. Nh ii »i.a* rose in opposition to the
mi - iditietit of the gentleman li on Monongalia
f Mi* \\ il?oii ) II admitt. d that mere was n •
ding i is.* about it — that it bad I he m#»» it of a bold
and explicit avowal -flint d m ir» lied no to the
ol j ci ol almost an itriiv«*rn<xt sulftage.— Mr. N
remarked that In* himself had not been an mdif
feient spin lalot of public affairs ; lull Ihujgh a
private in Hie canwe, In* had at wavs In hevi-d
(bat lie had been fiediting under (lie banners of
11»«* people ; a d now vs»- are to be fold, that wh
have been ini«»t.ik• n all the while—and Hie
weapons me now to be taken nut of ntn hands
and fumed against ourselves. The gentleman
from Lon loiin. [Mi Mend isonjh.id iHerrml
(o his own equ nimby on a late m radon. as a
pi oof ol ih want tribe sinrentv of Ins appro
Ii. iimoms—but he hoped yet to satisfy that .*on*
iIsmn«sil. 1 hat p'an iitv «if manner u a* pc.indy
compatible with fi mne s of pu po*»» (After
some exp anaii.Mi fi m \1 Henderson. Mr N
proceeded : J II'* entered into an extrusivr
view «l tin* principle* of repres**nin,ion : Me
showed, 'ha' in a small c mulry, the ponpu
may Hclfot themselves—but \V‘ ell they roach
fu a rer am popubi'ton, thev must appoint a
gi nis in lepM seiif them And the mdv i portion
th**n was \x ho slim'd have ihe pow er of elect in*
them. \nd he contend'd lor the netnvdy of
qoalif\ itig the power.
♦ referred to die Declm n'ion of the Bill I
Might#—ami insisted that «he very liesl ntnde of
illustrating the ineaniug of any io*fruru> oi was
colemporaaeuosexptisiti.iii—and a* the framers
°t iii V 'institution had conlinil'd (he? freehold
i,nflt»age. it showed what they meant by thei
i)ecl iraiimi ol Bight*. He contended that la id
was the only evidence <»| permanent contninu
iii'eiraf — I. toes a horse or any p* i sm»a l proper
I ty. furnish that evidence ? lines the ow uership
of Bink Slock, wtiir.li a man may s»dl out to
; day—gel into die stage, and cany • if the pro*
I ceeds in urniow ?
I In Minted flmi h prejudice had been attempt
ed to bp excited against this right of f.eeltnid,
as it it were an n< i-ine.i itti«*. I-attire : when in
(act many poor person* own the freehold, amt
in many partsofthe Slat.-, it was to be ob
tained lor a sinn't price
In reply to the argument that the nonfre**
hold IS bound to tight our battles—But are out
tieeheld. rs exempt from the same s rvice ?
And are they not moreover bound to pay the
expenses of the w ir ? II*- asked what gie.it
ItHrils.up was there in tha militia seivite * In
a state of peace, flies were only called out twice
a year—and in a pii.nl of war, tin y were paid
out of the public treasury, to which tha laud
holdeis contribute so much.
Mr. N said, that the freeholders mud prim i
pallv p *y the expense of the government — and
we must depend upon, the land and its lab ui
(nr ns support. And is it not right to place the
l>ower oI the government in the hands of
those who pay its expeitret ?
He contended, that there was no way so
effectual for attaching a man to his Country, as,
j ,l,p ownership ol the land, oil whit h he was hoi 11
, and in which the sepulchre of hts fathers is
•«u»»d. 11•* pronounced a handsome eulogrum
•»n the tinners—and lie n-ked whether then de
votion to the land, and all the permanent sttsrli*
went* wtiirh it produces, do not strongly dis
criminate them from those men, who may lake
up their all and move off t Hu asked, whether
there he any people in the world, who were more
.independent than the exigent of Virginia—
. the proprietors of the soil—In other Slates, the
people have been counted ofTatid distinguished
as ihe paritgans of particular persons—as the
friends of Living«t*m and of Clinton, (or exam
1*1* *•* V** no man would permit himsell tu
In* so consider* d. If asked whose man lie wm, he
would pr«unptly sav, lie was his own man.
He asked whether if you extend the right of
suffrage to such an excess, you would not en
able the rich man to exert an undue influence
j over tlie tnoie dependent Voter ; and{ instead of
enlarging the independence of the people, is
r,of change calculated to enlarge the power
of the wealthy 9
A'ter other remarks, Mr N closed l ie address
with an apology for the time he detained the
t 'nmmipen.
At the request of Mr Leigh, the Chair read
the am ud.nent befpra Lie Lomimilte. .vli. L
then lubnilicd Ihe |>rapi iety of tak iog U»c
lion, when the Commute wh| •<» lino—and ha
I;ierefore moved ih* Committee to n%«t— wMfH
«m earned. 'Ihe committer aeccor*bt»gly rose.
Mr. Le'gh moved to change the hour ol
adjournment again m H o'clock—in ttitne*«
queue# of the reason* he enforced. Jhia gave
rise to some discussion between Meson. Leigh,
Nicholas, hlNRirtl, lioddiidge Mild Meicer, tlie
three former in favour of Ihe later h* ur, and
Ihe two latter gentlemen ol an earl ier hour,
when the question whs taken on Mi Lvgh'r ,
proposition, and carried.
And then on Mr Doddr.dg :'s motion, the
Convention adjourned
J nnttshAY. Nov. lit
The Convention assembled hi I I o'clock, and
was opened with prayer by (lie,Kcv. Mr lay*
lor of the Kipii*< Church.
The l*r#*» lent »o »k the Chair—when on Mr.
Powell's motion, the Convention resolved ilscll
into the ( oinitiitiei ofihit Wlndc —Mr. Powell
in the Chair.
] be resolution fioin tin* Legislative Commit
tee on the tiigbt ol Suffrage—and Mi Wilton »
suhsfiiiife, enlarging that Kigfcl, wete ica I—and
the (|iiestiun w * about lo ha propounded,
w hen
Mr. Tracvant lose to addnts the Cr iwnuttre.
fie slated, that it had not been his intention to
a hires* the Committee on tins, or perhaps titty
otliei q'leslion, which might be presented for
liurnssioii. H*t found, however, that the q»ns
lion WHS about to be put, and though lit wan
unprepared lor tha debate, he felt himself im
pelled to address them. This was certainly one of
ilia most iiaporlant subjects, which could come
before th. It coutenipU ed h radical change
in our pohltCM* ••••liininii.. li .. -.j i.tino- 1
m l ion of people could be expected
suddenly lo accommodate theiiHclves to such
no im,»oitaut change. t his constitution had
been m opeiation for more than fifty ycHix ;
nid were the people to have this new order ol
things introduced upon them ? It is true that
then* had b en s-oue complaints m certa ti
q'urlersnf the State—Im'w'i . practical mis
chiefs had been all* ged 1 a* /or in-* own pait,
had the good fortune to bmong to a part of
the S'a*e whore the-e cemplamt had not pro
vailed, lie contended that the amendment be
fore the committee contemplated in elferl ti
niversnl sulfiHge ; the extol §» mi of the right lo
every man, wlm e.nrrii d arms him! paid taxes.
And whi this the change which we were called
upon to sanction f Mr. '1 . Hiked,what strong r
evideiicf of attachment could tie given in the
community, than the ownership ol the soil?
I fe controverted the positions which had been
laid down bv different gentlemen. It ha I been
said that the p egenl system ol suffrage would
promote emigrant* and depopulate the Stab
But lie denied tie* lari Would men • tlltg ate
ft on* the Slate, fioin 14 sense o| political jn-tse
cu i »n. when ihe Kight uf Suffrage c»ul t be
so easilv put chased by ou» citizens * And who
ever hear I of my •>( our citizens, who had gom*
t » other Staten, • onplaiug ol tlie po itical r»ei «*e
Colion which bud b »n<M»e I tlenii t: o ill Vii^'
nm p On Ibe ciimraty, they ai* ay * looked h t k
to (licit ill ivu Stale n (th tile drench HlfiJC'im
and gi alitu fe.
Mr. 1. iiUeiurilcii to stmw that ting amend
m at contemplated int entire chaug*"—an uni
versal suffrage, with the exception «.f paupers,
tec. and asked whether wo were prep ued to
encounter it.
He confessed that he had yesterday heaid
with surprise il»« d.riu.nation ol the gf tleman
from Loudoun [Mr II •inleia »n J li .1 mi- com
minee was nut to tie alVe :ted by any • r • %
elotpieuce. Hi showed how far this ame.Mj
nient would extend—how many th nis.iuds it
would introduce of persons who could not giv.
a HiilVieient evidence of their a ttcbmt■tit to the
Stale--N o that lie was opposed in some ex.
tension of the suffrage, but ho mi died Mill t.>
adhere to the soil.— it lias been said by the
fio’iiileinan from Loutluuo tnat it was 1 hardship
on the iniliitameu.who (might lot tin* State, 1 01
to have ,1 share m the administration ; but that
j gentleman was answered truly that the free
I holder wan also mbj-ct to militia duty, besides
1 paying heavy conli ihuttont to the tieasurv.
lit* contended, that .1ii universal suffrage
would always lermitiate in tlesputisin—other
gentlemen had drawn a deg. tiding coinjuti ismt
between our condition Hint that ol the other
Stales t hough lie had not come beie to pnii-u*
hi« own State, yel he asked where was this
interim ity * Was Virginia deficient in pat t
otisnt — in devotion to the interests of o n Conn
try? For hi* own pai I, he would not < xcha >
her ch.nacter fur that ofauy »»l her sister s ate-.
Which ol her politicians has ever betrayed then
country ? And withoti1 speaking ol the galas\
1 of distinguished ur'ii whom she Inn product cl
he would say that in her political diameter she
stood pre-eminent over the others. And i .
what ( iicoins ance whs this characterowmg f —
Was it not certain that the cine acter ol a
people is moulded tnalettally by tliuir civil in
slilulions ?
lie denied that there was nnv analogy l»
tween our situation and th it of Franc *. oho
had been introduced by the gentlem to hum
Loudoun. Where was our king, our cle g>
on 1 peers, or our nnbo'n, as they bad how
10 France ? His kn »wl dge t>* t'ns side of the
momi aii con v. uc*ol him that tlmr*? were n
nabobs among os : and from tilllie had heard ol
• he chaiacter of ocr • Mow c tizens beyond t ••
mount on-, In wa- satisfied there w* re none
th re — Vet what puralei could hed-awn under
sticli 1 1 com*.ance» be ween «mr ihiaiions and
• b 0 of Fra ice at the time of her Revolution :
Mi* T concluded wi h apologising fot the de
ultorv chain trnfhtsi marks lie sai l, that
In- was pcrleetlv willing to extend the rigid of
'iifh age toacertain iegiee,having always 1 egard
to the soil ; and this extension, which he was
widmg to adopt, would pi din dv b mg 10 a
few I lm 1-,, 1 iSs of new voters, hot noi the (FH.MHt
winch the geolleniHIl from Loutlouil sp -ke of.
ilc Contended, that if too inauyhu-w v . era are
admitted, you wu». . haoge your p 11, manly
m *de of vo'in. viva voce, an I res m to the bal
lot boxes.
l’he ( hail ngaiu stat d the question.
Mr. Doddrihga Imped ttiat the Clerk wouhl
call the ayes and noes.
The Chair suggested, that it was not usual
to take the av c*s and noes m committee—it was
I'fio' ipally intended to produce a mere compa
rison ot ifh*as, by going into the committee.—
And such, lie said, was the pride ot opinion,
tiiai gentle nen might think themselves com
mitted by a register of their votes. He threw
out hik suggestion, however, (or the considera
tion of the committee.— And they would esti
J mate it for what it is worth,
i Mr. Bayly then rose lo address the corr.mil
1 ,f*p in favor of the amendment. Ilu said be
came from a purl of the State which haj been
. >o universally and zealously in favor of an ex
' tensi m o! the suffrage, that he tell it.his duty
1° ^peak on the subject—And he hoped he was
too well known to tie called a Leveller. He
said that his comity was so suuatrd, and was
so much filled up by population,that a freehold
could scarcely he obtained—the poorest me
chanic could not conveniently acquire a free
hold of 2r) acres —Many ot his tellow-citixeu9
do not ini the soil. fur they plough the ocean —
or Work in the mechanic's shop. They had
never considered the possession ot the soil as
evidence of attachment to the country.
He said it was the freeholder* themselves
who called for this change in the Right of Sul
trage—the very richest her holders ju Ac co mac
have demanded then tension ; and who have
called this Convention, but the freeholder
themselves, who are willing to extend the *uf
(ragv f The very freeholders^ in his County
complained ol the hardship of deny ing to their
other sons, bred up to be mechahics, perhaps,
because from their wish lo keep their farms
fog* iher,they had bestowed them upon their
eluest sons He paniind the scenes which he
had witnessed <m the K.tsiein Shore, where the
old revolutionary soldi* rs who had fought in
the aruiy ok Washington, were tu.ued from Hie
polls, while torn* old St olen Tory, because he
whs post* of a ( eeliold, wou'd thrust them
aside.—Mr. B denied that (here wan any con
fusion hi ihe p<*d«, such aa had been mentioned
on this floor. Me had never witnessed it any
where in the Stale of Virginia ; nor did lie ap
prehend any from such an extension of Suffrage.
Who had ever seen any riot in Virginia ? Any
contusion hi the polls ? But if there w»-re anv
such danger, was it not ca-y to remedy it, by
divitliog tite count e» into smaller election (lift
trie!*, and |i»»*vi m ug large assemblies ol pio
pie inn# ling at any one point ?
M»- alluded to the events winch bad irnnspir.
ed ••• ttie* Fiencb Kevolutlon—and denied th;i|
they pioved ihe uiprnprody of a moif extend,
ed i ilfrage. But why was it, that Mr Jeffer
son, who saw these revolutionary scenes in
Fiance, came bark the friend of a liberal tuf.
lisge 5 Why doe* the venerable member
from Loudoun, [Mr •MonroeJ who wiiomed
the same scenes, aiJvoiMle tin; change ?
Me referred to the opinions which prevailed
among Ihe Western people of our own Stale—
1 hey have «een the effects of an extended
miff h r hi the neighboring Males, of Onto,
Kentucky, Pennsylvania, iLc. and yet with
these examples Indore t'it n ev**s. liny were ih
favor ol Hie change. 'I bey were ii *l alarmed
by the tflecisol such institutions. They know
well, that this is not a new experiment—it bus
ali eaily hern tried in ttieso other Stales. — Me
allotted to ihe stale ol Interiml Improvement in
\ n gin ih—saying ho liad always advocated
himself such a spirit of improvement, because
he had seen wnoirgtet ttie declension of Va.
to the rank ol the Hurd or fourth-rat° State
And ho thought that such improvements weie
t sRt'ii'ially wanting to irdeem "Pr * .. “ •
• ic it-ierreu «. .on aitoiiiiibcM in our mstl
tutimis. — Me ask* d w hy it was that we did not
requite any qualifi. ation nffreehold from our
Governors, otu Judges, etc., ami yet why was
it that W'e denied the right ol voting to noy citi
zen who did not own;* h echo Id l Mr. B. *•• ler
ied to ceitam remarks made hy the gentleman
troin I»i»:hin .nd [ \1r. Nicholas ] 1 hut gen
tleman had retene.d to Ins services as Attorney !
General oitht Commonwealth for twenty years,)
) and is that any reason why the people should
be disfaiicbisod f Me had r< ted for that gen
tleman a* Attorney General when lie himself
w.i» tint 22 years of ago, nut because lie knew
bun. b it bee*urn be w as the nut of H »bei t (Jar
ter Nicholas, that good old wliig—Hot gentle I
man limn Kiclltnond no longer serves the!
S *ta ; and whom does he now serve f That i
gentleman had alto said, that he did not value 1
bank stock, as much as he did the soil itself
And Mr. B. thought the same thing. [ Mr.
B made saverul other remarks on Banks,
comp'kiing the paper money they issued, with
I f haul money, m doling, guineas, hits and
ball lids, which used to b'* paid nut of the old
I i asm v, while It. C. Nicholas held the keys,
Ac Git-.]
Mi li said that the unn-freehtdders in his
county did no mm, aiuofthn haidship.s of the
m 'I h»wg, as had been done t>y oilier g. utle
m**n, for they I' tpn ed only half » day's labor
to keep them i: order, and they were ihe best
o d in Hi U Sim«cs. But »h» y complained,
n general mciples, l lie d -feels of the
piesciii t in ntn i«iit. Me corr oded with hop
ing Hint tin* piupig'iion i’U tin* I.title woui.i
prevail ; ami that oth.u «,* nilemeu n . this tl or
vvho wt'ie not in the habil of speaking, would
hear i g nnmi v t i 'ho e is »e» ol the peop c* eu
t his milip r.t.
Mr. M C y sail that undei »li#» present
Mtnle of thing* he Won d not vote tor this n
menduieut. H <■ would not *ay he would nm
i if for it under another xta'e of things. It
"O lid d pend upon uti.'it basis of representa
non would he adopted. Il the whi'e p"pul.t
'ion -honld be inkeo. he would be willing to
• strict tll« Right of Suffrage : But il the Imsi*
<-f property In* taken, then he would he willing
ioafxtend the right of voti ig to more pernm-,
tor the pmpo«e of l>;il Hiring that influence of
wealth which might be infused into our -vstem.
lie mnde ibis ri maik.to ol vide any cliaige of
u.ousisleiicy which might he hereafter bruuglr
a: ainst him.
M\. -« oti reposted aii explanation from Mr.
U ilson of the me tiiug of a part of his amend,
men!. Mr W. replied.
Mi. Mo'gan begged leave to ofT r a few re
marks in cm.Himati in of those ol his colleague
l M Wilson, ] I he question related to the
'ovcmpi i ights of t be people ; the right of vo
ting brio* on*/ «d the most essential privileges
m a i ep iblu iin government. He contended
»ne i f the g»e.»* obje is ot government was not
• o limit, »u! to enlaigt* the natural rights of
m • n. Man was made for society — he was only
known ii society
ihe gentleman from Richmond [Mr Nicho.
• as ] seemed to think, that none but a freehold
er could love the State »t Virginia. Ii may he
true, that a non-freeholder, who owns bmk
•t'" k, may go to an office, “ell it, and move off’
in VI mv in ml B it m^lo not um lice holder
do the mine — l»y going to .iiiolher office—the
clerk * office ?
Mr M. said, that he him-elf bad had the
honor of submitting a imposition *unilar to
that of h s coileagim—with the difference, ina •
ins nil eague required a longer residence than
he did, &c.
Mr. M. estimated t!io number of fteebnld r*.
in Virginia at do,000: and take the number of
white persons by the census of IH.M, with the
probable increase since that time, \ on ha e
ilO.OOOof free while men—leaving Oo.OOO not
entitled to vote—I > -ducting 15,000 for paupeis,
Uc. and von have 80,000 persons tJisfranciiisr d
— And may not a govei miient, which did’ in
chises at leal two (lords of its people, be called
a* istocmtic ! Is it w isc to deprive so large a
proportion of'he people of the dearest p di i. nl
lig ' / This feature was confined,be believed,
o Virginia, and perhaps to Norm Carolina
Koi the purpose ol shewing th s, he enteied in
• to hi) a ialy sis of I he provisions in the various
cuistitijiions, relative to the right of suffrage.
[I!e proceeded to make this analysis, going
through th various Cons itutions.] He eou
i eluded from this recapitulation, th t twelve of
the States r» quucd no other qualification than
' »4»p»ou lesuleitce — six only come little lux, in
{ addition to thine two qua Utica lions, hoc. 11 11] ,<p
we have confidence in ihepeople ol these U.
1 Slates, and so tar as precedent has any wei*hl
i with the members of this body .(it had certainly
weight will) the people.) it we may aigne Iroiii
lliese fads, the conclusion is that a general
snlliage, founded on age, residence, and per
[ imps a small tin. were the only qualifications
necessary. The gentleman I mm Southampton
(Mr. 1 urn mil) had said Ihut no government
had ever been tonnded on universal suffrage,
which had nut verged into despotism ; and yet
here were twelve Itrpublics, which remained Ik
Unriddled with such a condition. Me shoutd
like to know ol I tie gentleman where this gene
ral siill'i age had produ ed such effects. (.Mr
I n r.vuiit rose to explain that he did not speak
ol events now going on. bill had relene.t to Hie
pages of established history ; to the republics
ol Greece and Kotue, at those limes when suf
frage had been su much esiended.) Mr. Mor
gan replied that he did not see lire analogy in
the case ; that he did not argue from Greece,
as applicable to our own situation, but from the
l.ou.diiutionf ol our own sister States, which
he thought strongly calculated to support his
positions.
Me referred to the road laws, the ca; nation
tax, the county levies, the poor laws, and the
suppottot schools,to show that the freeholders,
the masters ol Hie government, hud throw n'
greater tmrlheus on lire non freeholders, than
they hart taken on themselves.
Me contended, that the fears expressed of
the abuse of power by the poor, were visiona
ry and unsupported by the examples of our
sister Slates—that although they presented a
much greater di-parity of property, than there
was 111 Hus Slam -yel the poor who enjov Hie
right ot voting, have never abuser) it to oppress
the rich—they have never practised any rava
gas there upon the fertuues uf the rich—and
trlij ou’d men (ear it LcTfc 4 Me a >o con
trrdethat it was impsoper to requite U»«
payrAt of any tax, or the potfeiMAii °l *n.'
prony r-s qualifications of suffrage attempt
n.g ttfhew die abut*** of which it a.is -usurp,
tihle. He referred to the peculiar ait oat ion of
the Lthern Slates, and of Virginia—>*nd a."U
pd i|he lime might not come, when the aid
j o* c ry white man might he wanting to meet
I the Agency that may arise—and ** “wl
' poliflthen to give a share in the government
I i<» cv'v such niHn, and attach hicn to the in- |
! teiesluf otheis f
I iti (included from the facts he had laid be
fore ic committee, that there was no •ubstau
I tin! rrson for (eating that any iapine vcould
lit ex^cised upon the property of the rich
flat thee w as no clang* r of demagogues in fluen*
c'ng lit poor to create riots and turmoils ; and
tlaf tie right of suffrage ought to be untended.
Mr. ViUon submitted an amendment to hi*
nrujMianon, wi.i.i. \%a* accepted by the f om
tjfTiee w'iifiout any objection.
The Chair pul the question 0*1 the pioposetl
asiei.diH lit ot Mr. Wilson :
Ayes . . 37
JN«>e* . b7
[A1. t»r*. Madison and Monroe voted among
tbe not* J
Mr. Campbell then proposed a substi ut«* lor
the resolution, [which *ubstifulM he had oileied
ii substance on the 20th Oct.] He r* ml the
tesoJutious—Mr. C. said he had thrown them
iitu distinct propositions for ttie sake of greater
ctearners and duimcfiiess.
I In- t.hair declared Iheinili order.
I Kirolc,,/ li.-. •' i.. ,,,IW u* •">»
po««es<a:(| ol th* llivhl ul Suffrage, have sntli
cirni evluuiiuc of common intercut with, ami at
tachment to Hip coumiiniiAtfy, and have Hie
li gilt of Suffrage.
2. Resolved, i hat all free white males of 22
years ol age, burn within this Commonwealth,
ami resident therein, have sufficient evidence of
permau»nt common interest with, and aHach
menl to thv oomiiiuiuiy, and have Hie Right of
suffrage. #
B. Resolved, That every free while male of
21 years of age, a citizen ol the United State*,,
not included in the two preceding resolutions
who is now a resident, or who may hereafter
become a resident uittun tins Commonwealth,
"ho ift desirous of h iving the righ s ol a citizen,
in this Commonwealth, shall, in open court, iu
Hie county in which lie resides, as may be pre
scrib'd by law, make a declaration of bin inten
tions to become a permanent resilient in this
State ; aud it such pm sou shall, 12 months at
ter nu'king such de» laraiion, solemnly piomise
to submit to, and support ton Government oi
this Cuiiiiiiofiwealt1 —such pei-on sli.11 be con
hidervd as tiaviug pei iiiauem common in crest
with, and hitaclum iit to Hie eonnuuiiitv, aud
shall have Hie Right of SulTtagp,
d Resit!veil. 1 hat ail persons, except such as
shall have rendered important services to their
country ; all persons of unsound mind, and all
peisons convicted ot anv high ciinie or ini,de
meanor iigannd this Commonwealth, possessing
whatever (|ii.»hhcaiiun they may, shall mil |>e
permitted to exccise the Right « 1 bulliage in
tins «/oiniuonwcalih
Alter these resolution* were road, Mr. Cntnp
hell lose iu support ol Hiem — he -t iled that eve
ry man hi («. Hi i mn w.u called a subject, he
his station wlmi it may—and hi this country,
wc have changed the phraseology and employ
ed th.- term citizen. Who then shall be a citi
zen ? is the only ipie*t>on necessary to be d» ti
tied, before we esiabhsb the. Constitution. Un
til this piuvi«iun was settled, he eoules-cd Ina'
he felt at k. u on every oilo i subj--cl. lie thought
polities w hh yd in its o fancy.—Refonn w.«<
very slow both in religion amt politics. Calvin
and Lather appeal' d a wot BOO \ ears ago, and
introduced Ihe lefonna tun « t tee ch rrli ; In
from that lime to this, the pio^res-, of reloim
had been veiy inucli te'arded. And lie beloved
if had been the sum- case with those political
retoims which hi-gan with tlmse enlightened
politicians, nli , iiad appeared at ihe lime of (In
A n» i ir u* K • vu u'iuu. He referred to the da\s
ol ]’ ilu Him L'i eru - In-said, he expected from
t ici ilen's in tins Convention, Hint the best
form of government, a new model, he wa« u
bmd to vrv » perfect model, was to be adopted
hy the Old Dominion. He contended that the
Bill of Rights was Hie veiy best declination of
puli ical rigtilg which had been made for tiotfi'
years—but he now began to despair of improve
ment, and was afraid that retrocession, not
progression, was characteristic of man. And
what L now said?—I bat every thing new is a
v isionary theory ; while we ought to recollect
that Ihe art of punting, and rvi-ry new art and
improvement were, at the time oi their inven
lion, new theories.
lie fully agreed in the sentiment, that every
form of govei unieiil. to be good must be accoin.
modated to the wan s anil int«*r. sts of the peo
ple ; aud the uuthnrs of our Bill of Rights had
w;se y proclaimed that a (u<p.ein recuir« nee to*
Him anient 'tl principles Was neces^at v to suppm»
the fomi of governtiieur. And what is our «'u v ?
ought ’a cirry cut the great pr nciph s ol
t n’ aiilhots of wur 1 one «i ion ; im'PFul o|
" aliening them He \i as always attached tu
th* Bill ol iligt; but be was more s i than
, since he s ivv the at tricks w ,ich had been
ina on ! i« .i- ; l.e wa w d«!» d to tins msfiii
me id i . f ,*l,j»i,,y In an he hod ever exp-cP
tot>‘v H>* had therefore taken the t jt of th
Bill o Itights and form led his wii itsoluuon
upon the s sill clause
H ■ denned what he H emit By 1 ‘ cnmmun’
»ii«l " peiiiiainm ' i , r e Bill of Bights ,|, j
stHi 'tl, t ■( *ji|> hH ill,- v.iii.-iieti ot io|. r,
mn mg several |i. ,so;n, they lo gin |> ,ve 11 com
moo, though II.>1 ihe same interest ; As .11 j*,,
s ms embarked on board ihe same ship, hav* a i
c.mmoii mleresl in the preset vnt.on ol ,|,.. V(,,.
sel, though they inav have different cargo s on
homd, and some of iliem I. mug (heir persons
oulv, mul no properly. As lo • permaneni" n
wb* » relative term : the decree ol peimuuenrr
required in ills* Bill ot Bights being only ihai
sort ol attachment which wdl induce nnv person
to promote the important mimesis of ihe CO|„.
... .After this enphioaiion he proceeded to
show that othei tests he-ides n freehold, could
furnish Ihe evidr nee required ? Upon this sub
ject, lie was so perfectly satisfied with (tie argu.
menu yesleiday offered hy the g- ntleman from 1
Loudoun, (Vlr Henderson) which, like n torna I
do had swept every o’ject before it that he
thought n unnecessary to go fully into Ihe que« l
tion. ’
Mi. C said he had adopted the age of 22
years in his resolution, in order to obviate any
objection which might he made, that a person
just 21 years old, had not shaken off the influ
cncc ot Ids parents.—He entered into an expla
nation and defence of Ins resolution at some
length : contending that neither soil IK,r pro
perty rs evidence uf the virtu* and intelligence
ol the Citizen, ami ol his consequent attachment
lo the community.
He asked why should we no( apply the nrin
Clide* ol the Bill ot Bights i he might perhaps he
told, 'hat tt was espeipeut to depart fiom it.
He sard, he did nut like this doctrine of expe
diency. its grandfather was a Jesuit. It had
become the duett me of Europe ; and he watt
sorry to find it was becoming so fashionable in
Ameitca. it was expediency which established
the Episcopal Church in England ; and the
1 res lyterian Church to Scotland, and the influ-'
•nceoftho Jugernaui in the East. It was ex
pedtency, which had estahlished the.capitation
tax in tins Stale ; mill he believed the original
Ol the capitation tax was to he found in the tax
!Z,ell:VVlry ch1ri*'““ fur ",e s,lUe "f living |
1 t v 11 |3' l< was expediency, which ni
ilneed .Napoleon Bonaparte to attempt the
subjugation Of Europe—He entered into an „£
lortca1 account ot the Laos of Israel-,Lowing
ml the Code of Moses, dictated by Uod, was
he ft. st written Cousliuiion ever submitted l<>
"audouoMo'i11 ''a1 recei'"'d ,he 8upp°"
uflrOO (too people. Alter a variety ot , her
remark, made by Mr Campbell, the question
was pul on the proposition and lost , a ,0ut 11
members ruing w favor of them.
Mr. ficolt rose to say, tliat vvi.et* the r«,.
lion „f the gentleman from Cui.eh »mi . J'
Hha.ant*] is called tp, he meant tu „(j ;
following, hy way of substitute ;
Resolved, 1 hai in (he appoitionmint nf
presentation in the Hogs* of Delegate,
should he had to the whole popula in,,' ,
sively, and ill the Senate to taxation n,c|C
vely. That the House of Delegates sh«’t c“*'
sist of one hundred members ; and the-,.,', '
of tarty eight.—Thai the Senate shall |,'t‘
same Legislative powers uiall tespecu a, !.*
House ol Delegates ; nod all appoint#,e[„,
office, which hy the Constitution than be
fei t ed.to the two,Houses ofthe Legislator
be made by a concurrent vote.
The Committee then rose.
On Mr . Doddridge's motion, the resolutir,
'of Mr. Hi. annuls and Mr. Scut! Were noW,!
to Im pi idled lot the use of the < I,nv, „ , 1 “
..ltd then on Mr. Mason's motion, the Cun,
i lion adjourn d till it occck.
Fkipav, Hoy. 20.
Convention assenit.led hi It o'clock B .
was openiil w it it ptayet by the Rei.Mr'
lot* ol the Bap'ist Church.
Mr. Thompson submitted the followtnv ,,
, solution :
“ Resulted, That, during the remainder rfi
the session of this cotiv enl ion, the oa(| (|
thereof shall he observed in the Cumin it tee V'
the Whole.—And that it shall he the tlutv .
I the Cleik lureiitter, to keep a joui„al 0| , „
proceedings or laid Committee, him! to j,,.,,
in such join nal, if they con »sc<-rliijni>(|
the procecol..*. luri lorore Imd Urrein
>,r. Thompson assigned the reasons tlir ,hi
refold!ion staling llial all the iiupor-an, |,
ness of Ibabody w ill be done in Cummin,.,, '
llie Whole What is this committee but a
veutioii silling in anolher form I- \n l
eveiy member comes here with the grievance,
of Iiii constituents, and if it can appear f,.,
the proceedings of the committee, ilmi cv,,r„
particular proposition and grievance Inis lie
submitted to that coniniillee, and a record tn»„i
of i:s proceedings, oicmheis w ill noi tie nm|,.r
•lie ne essily of renewing their propositions *
t.ie Conventi in ; and thus un economy of I imt
wi It be effected. The same rule as relates m
(lip recording of the proceedings of tin- COn
miltin', was adopted in the Fedora: Conventi m
and in the Convention ol New Ymk m 1820 -
And he could not su| pose, that (hose genile
men, who expect a i e-act ion in any p,n
ol tlii- Commonwealth can olject in Hie am
I ion.
Mr. Leigh opposed this resolution—and
showed the peculiar advantages of the paili*.
ment ii v invention of a Committee ol the \V i,j,„
He denied the force of tlie two prereilem,
quoted. Ill the Federal Convention, cvnr
question was decided by Stales, and lirt eei „•
inducements to register their voles. In
N. Y. ('i nvention, lie considered the piece
deni as not applying—tor, he had nevn seen
a body where Iheie wnsjimore decided »iich„n
lor popularity than in the N. Y. Convention
and ii ihe genilemnn here wishes to rrgist,'r
Ihe liids. he hoped it wi n d lalher be Hn nb
jcclion with others to adopting hU piopen
lion.
Mr. Thompson assigned other teasons I, r lot
resolution—the lu ce-siti tor calling Ihe tiantn
of Ihe members, for ,n the mere counting olnie
member*, -,'ine confe-nm may arise Pom tie
mixing nf the numbers with the strangers ||.
1,'iiied the ehaiauer assigned to the Convert
lion r.I New ( nrk. He thought ihnl pie, e
dents were decidedly in favor of,I.is rrseiu.
lion
Mr. Sianard opposed this innovation.—Uf
the ..ion- Conventions wlicli bed been
held in the t . States [some ttiiity pnbapi
mil) IW.1 had adopted Mull a praeliei | i.r
C Iiven ion whi. h adopt, d the present C u,
St i lotion had no I pursu it Ihi- course.
li e resolution was tlien rejected—aves ;p
noes 37.
On Mr. Doddridge's million, the Conventi m
resolved it - el f into comuiittee of the whoir *
Mr. Powell in ihe Chair.
Mr. Leigh nmvi d lo amend the Petr.'uii.,i,
"I the Legislative committee by spiking out
all after the words “ Iiauiveil that," ami mi
ding tlie lollowing :
I-very male cit zen of the Commoowealih
resident therein [other than free negroes .r:
mnlatloes] aged 21 years and upu ards, ipisl ii
ed to exercise the Night of Suffiage by tl.ect
sling Constitution and laws.
And every such citizen being possessed,or
whose tenant for years, at will ora, sufft ranee,
id posst ssed of land ol the assessed value ui
dollars, and having an estate ol free
hold therein
An ! every such sirizen being possessed, a*
, tenant in common, joint tenant or copartner, "f
I an interest in or s* are of land, and (laving -hi
j es,are freehold therein, such interest or sliaru
•»eiii/? of the value of dollar*;—
Am! ev* ry such citizen being entitled to x
reversion of vested remaind- r in fee ex; awnt
n any estate for life or lives ii. land ot ti.e
usm ssed value of dollars
And every such • itizen In-inj» possessed ('I
a IpK3ehold estate in la o ', claiming under a
renewable at the option f the lessee ah
stilulely or upon payment of a fine or peril m*
l ance of other conditioeg, do yearly value ui
sue i land tiei- c dot la is j
Kacij and every such citiz^n. unless his tide
shall have Come to him by descent, dec v*
inarri.igp or innrrnge settlement, having bet u so
possessed or . nti l. 1 f »r six months
And no other persons._
Siiall he q lalifu d to vote for members, of t -
General Assembly in the county, citv or l>«»r
0U4h, n spett ively, therein t he land belli
/ ruvided, Ihat no person shall, he entil'd
tovoi. more than once,or at mure place* limn
oi e. in any election ;—
J"d provided, That non*conimis«'nned o •
fice* s, soldiers. sailors and marines in i'>ii land
or naval service of the L. Slate*, shall not be
qua I tied to vo'e
And provided. Ihat the Legislature may b*
law deprive any prisons ol the i gin ofsulf.Hi!»'
loi^ ci iuit'S w hereof they shall urnmy he coiivil
Mr. Leigh rose to address the committee in
behalf of his amendment—He said, p- rhHp&tlie
fash he had imposed upon himself was vtdi'dly
nugatory. — Should his resolution fail at all, it
may be ascribed to the ussuinntiori that taild
| inusf f«r, such ru impression has a wondcili'
j weight.—lie insisted upon the necossily 0"
I landed qualification—ami affirmed, that tiers
was no State from which any departure hud
I bee,t made from this standard, in a Inch the dr
putfure did not end in univet shI snlliage—A* I
that the result would be, disorder, anarchy, a* I
finally it would end in a military tles( <111'111 '
Sttch wss the downward course of politiral a*1
lairs.—Cientlninen mav say wiiat they pleat® ■
the proposition -.1 the gentleman from Aognsis
[Mr. Johnson] tor apportioning the lepieseote*
tani according to qualified voters, would not
not in general, lull in utiiveisal SutT itge.
He esautined the resolution (rum the free'*
lativp Committee ; and affirmed that it co11'
tained a proposition which even its frici 'Is did
not dream of. He said that lirsl the res lon
reserved the lights of the freeholders n ■' ",
isling ; yet it aiso provides that if the lie’ itoh*
be occupied by a lease holder, who pay s a
lh« last has a t ight to vole upon it, and 'he
freeholder is depriv d of it—thus he does not
peserve his present rights. Mr. I.. said Ih**
this eontraitiction shows how careful gets't**«ie"
ought to be, when they noddle with Ihi- qllps'
•ion. Mr. L. slated, that abusps did eind m
the creation of new fteeholds—and whale'ef
gentlemen may say, he had heard since the
meeting of this Convention, than 60 or 7" npW
freeholds had been created at a clip lot *ilP
particular occasion. Such circumstances show
With what care the Right of Suffrage «ug*'1 ,e
be guarded ; for if with the precautions ol the
present law such abuses have been pnn tned.
how many more abuses will be cnerirlied[by
•he proposed innovation,, He was for contintt'