The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-11
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, SEPI,E.llBER II, 1912.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
II REPLY
TO the Address Of the Committee of tht
City ofNezu- York, in SUPPORT ofthe nom.
nation Of
DE WITT CLINTON,
Zo khc Pre- ci1Le,rc1l q I. Ell, LL,,ited Ck44a-

o me [>reStdency o/'the United States.
No. IL
BECOMES every man soictous for the
H. preservation of our Union, to protest a.
gainst doctrine now for the first time adj
vanced, that one State deserves apreference
over others in consideration OF its superior
population, OF fanCied Importance: Virginia
long as she retained the asGendancy in this
particular, arrogant as she is represented
never urged this monstrous pretension. 1t
has originated in New York-at a period
too, when its tendency to promote her int
rests, cannot escape observation. To sup
pose State on this account a "ft dehoSi-
tory of hozver," would be not less preposte-
rous in the eye of reason, than to make the
merits of opposing candidates for the presi-
dency dependant upon the superiority Of
ting to common sense, and coming from the
interested quarter whence it does, denotes
a shameless destitution OF decency.
Each state, without regard to the number
of its citizens, is entitled to an equal distrj
button of the benef fits of the government
The constitution has made no odious dlstinc
tions. Every member of the confederation
is sovereign, and the term admits not of de-
gTees of comparison. This novel doctrine
OF precedence deserves from the smaller
States, at least, the severest repreheHsion.
An admission of ii by them would inevitably
lead to the humiliation of their political
rights it would amount to virtual surren-
der of their sovereignty, and a return to
worse than colonial vassa lage.
1t may not be altogether foreign from the
present discussion. To develope the causes
which have eventually placed the populati-
on,and consequently, in the eyes of the com
mittee, the Importance of Virginia, in a Sc
condary grade. The recital may serve to
raise blush IN those who impnte to her an
overweenIng ambition. and fix the charge
where it should properly rest. At an early
period after the adoption Of the Federal
Constitution, she conferred upon a large &
fertile portion of her territory absolute soye-
reignty upon the sole condition that it should
be admitted as member of the union. 1t
scarcely need be remark ed that the condi,
ton was readily complied with, and that
Kentucky richly merited the boon of indie
pendence. But this was not all regardless
of private interest. she ceded to the general
government the whole Of l,er possessions, w
| itg Northwest of the River Ohio, and since
| formed into the State Of Chic, and the ter
ritories of Indiana and Illinois. Thus, as a
peace Offering has she voluntarily diminish
ed her resources, and narrowed her limits
Thus, without STIMULATING for, or EXPECTING
an equiv alent, has she made a rich donati.
On of an immense tract of country, By which
the general Golfers have been, and still con.
tinue to be, rep!enished and which at thi.
time comprises population but little nfe
! rior to that of the " mo8t irshorfaHt state'
in tho Union. Undoubtedly it was to have
boon supposed that states similarly situated
would have been capable Of the same gene
rous sacrifice of private interest, to public
tranquility. North Carolina "a } alone Jus
tilted this reasonable expectation. Othe-
states, now triunphlng III their superior
foresight, did not hesitate to applaud til,
munihcence of the act. They declined
however, following the example. Tha
this Course was dictated by honor, some ma,
be disposed to doubt that it was in the
highest degree polite, experience has sufFi
GENTLY evinced.
Mach time has already been consumed
upon local topics. But they have beer
pressed with great earnestness by the Ad
dressers, and are therefore worthy Of com
pIete refutaton. There is still one other as