Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-19
,hr constitution, the first mode i, certainly to be

'hs constitution, the first mode i, certainly to be
preferred.
The state of representation is the only subject
OK grievance, which believe is tectiiar TO the up
per country. lfthc people OF the lower country
are willing to besr with oter defects of the consti-
tuition, the people hcce, sure, man also rest
SATISFIED: when essare general over the State, the
right OF complaint viii not be confined to any par
ucuar portions OF 1t. I should. however, have no
fears in seeing convention and in seeing the con-
stitution radically amended. And my humble o.
pinon is sanctioned BY that of rany of the wisest
men of this country, among whom is the nimoi.-
tai Sage who wrote the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, who stood up for his country during the
storm OF the revolution, and who has been devoted
to her service from youth to old age. To bis il.
lustrlous name might b. added these ofmany 9TH
c who are scarcely less distinguished as States
men, and by no means less devoted to the hal,.i-
ness ofthcir country. These men Witnessed the
dawn of our Independence, they saw the clonds o'
darkness b. which it sometimes oyersha,loge ell
and they have seen i in its meridian splenlor, and
In the full rnajesty of5ll its glory For forty e.
ventiui years they have been spectators of our no
,itical progress, and have cnntemp plated " The
scenes and charges through vi ch we have pass
ell. - II they, with all the knowledge OF maturity,
and the wisdom OF experience, have hazarded the
opinion tina, change in our form Of government
Is Necessary To oar perma rent welfare, ssrev you
will not charge me with presumption for express
ing The same opinion. accord too in the senm eHt
most cheerially that governments lang establish
ed ought cot To- be cha ed for light and transient
cansei; and that al experience bath shewn that
mankind are more DISPOSED to suffer whist evil,
are suiferabe, than 20 right themselves By abolish
ing the forms TO which they are accustomed'' This
SENTIMENT received the sanction OF our fathers in
the days of their oppression, when they were pre-
pairing 10 meet tire thunders os revenge from
powerful and enra.cd monarch.
S,il!cvery STATE in the Union, with the excep-
lion of Virginia and Connecticut, have amended
their forms of government, since the war of the
revolution. Nev-York amended hers as late as
1901.
The people of the upper country have let this
su Jet sleep in silence for number OF years past,
because the country involved in difficulties with
f-rsign nations. But IL nplants of irjus.ce were
hus'ed during this time, it was not becaus. il was
unielt, but because 1t was Thought a remedy coali
be applied at another time with more safefv and
perhaps more perfectly.
When dangers surrounded ms and the enemy were
at our doors, it was no time then to be talking a.
bout defects in the constitution, inequality in oar
representation. To meet that enemy in the field
and expel him from our soil, and to wait tue return
OF pence before any attempts were made at refor-
nation at hone, not less the dictate of tr1e pa
trlotisn, than of prudence and COS! sense
During the lest session ofchc General Assembly,
bill was introduced, as have understood, to e.
qualize the land tax as well rs the Senatorial re-
presentation. Some members i'm the urper coun.
try, voted against this bill, hecauset WINS found d
upon principles entirely inadnssible. They voted
against Il, as have heard many OF them saw not be
cause IL e3ifah-sd the land tar hut because in The
apportionment of senatorial representation The f-
deral rule resorted tn. and three-fftis OF the
slave population were included The bill was OBJ
lectionable in many othor respects, il being very
imperfecty drawn bat for the reasons above sta
ted, a'one, should have voted against it 1t was
founded upon improper principles and dill mt give
TO the upper country its Isst portion of representa-
A very annie
sfave rereSentatiof in the ,rmatio, of the fe6er-
al government. We gave for it TO the northern
states an Overwhelming weight in the Senate
1t is well known too that the federal constitution
was form mon principles of comipronrise, or 90
use the language Of of its trainers that it was
the result IN many instances, not of inst tieov,
but ola spirit OF amty and that mutual difference
I'd concession which the pecuiiarity OF our politi.
cal situation rendered Indispensable
The option was between such government and
one still more objectionable.
Bot do we not all belong IL virginia 10 the srne
political family, nltho' we may live on the east or
the west side of mountain river Was there
any equivalent offered to the tpper Country for the
slave representation, proposed to be given by this
bill to the lower country In forming system of
for entire State, is it fair TO treat
one part oft rs if it did not belong to tire social
compact but distinct and separate country !?
Before principles Of COMPROMISE can be resored to-
there must be tzUo or more parties In Virginia
we nave Dut one. we all acknowledge the same
political mother, and must he governed by the same
rules OF political justice The principles whica pre-
vailed with foreiathers when they established
the Liberties of this country-which have been han
ded down to us in their bill of rights as the Epuna-
ton upon which alone our Republican Institutions
can flourish, those for which the people nf the
upper country will contend, aud with which alone
they will be satisfied.
have no hesitation in saving that the land tax
ought to be equalizer. never thought other
wise: And provided the Senatorial representation
is altered, no honest politician can say otherwise.
The who would be willing 10 barter his rights.
rs Zee man, TO surrender his just weight in the
legislative councils ofhs country, to save few shil.
llngs Of tar, is unworthy the blessings Of free
do n.
The principles Of such man (if there be one
Hving) deserve the and contempt Of the viz.
tuous and enlightened the value lac sets upon his
liberty IS not higher thant would be rated by the
tyrant who would feel disposed 10 usurp il. and he
would be willing to live unGer aav form of govern
meat, provided his Packet could be protected
With such man my soul holds no communion.
Bot, believe me, sir, the people Of tlis country are
willing 10 make no such barter They are proud
aud jealous of their rights, ard are prepared To make
any sacrifice 10 Aefend them.
The number Of slaves or wealth Of country
ouglt not TO be taken into confederation IN forming
a Just system Of representation.
10 snbqequent letterI undertake to prove this